First and foremost, Wayne Zwicker, owner of H.A. Zwicker skate shop in Bedford, Mass., is a businessman.
But he also has an unbridled passion for hockey and, without exception, strives to help every hockey parent and player select the best ice skates for their success, whether it’s a higher- or lower-end model.
"As a consumer, whether you’re a parent of a hockey player or the player, you want to deal with somebody who is steering you in the right direction," Zwicker said. "You want to speak with a person who won’t upsell you, but will instead get you the product that is best for your level."
The difference between more expensive and cheaper skates boils down to material and the amount of detail to fitting.
With that in mind, a common theme among hockey parents, particularly those who have extra dough in their wallets, is the desire to purchase the priciest pair of skates.
However, the good news for parents who have multiple little hockey players and are watching every dime is that skates with a lower number on the price tag are just as good, if not better, in certain instances.
One reason, Zwicker explained, why consistently buying the most expensive skates isn’t necessary starts with how the skates feel on a player’s feet.
"The most expensive skates a lot of times aren’t the most comfortable, especially out of the box, because of stiffness," he said. "The lowerend skates, because they aren’t as stiff, tend to mold a little bit better and more easily to your foot when you’re heat molding."
Of course, a player doesn’t want skates that might break down during the season, have poor support and aren’t a proper fit. But, again, that doesn’t mean money-saving models should immediately be passed over.
In fact, instinctively reaching for the skates on the top shelf can actually be detrimental to a young player’s success.
"You can certainly buy ‘too much skate’ that you won’t even be pushing at all," Zwicker said. "If we compare it to cars, there are cars that are designed for certain things. I wouldn’t go out and spend a million dollars on an Indy car to go get my groceries. You can buy skates that are a little bit lighter that still give you plenty of support, comfort and, most important, good performance."
Another aspect to keep in mind, Zwicker noted, is that skates are made for players across every stage of a hockey career.
"The top-end skates are made for a 225-pound guy who’s out there seven days a week and skating most of the year," he stated. "If you’re an 80-pound kid who plays four, five times a week, you certainly don’t require that type of skate. It all depends on how much time your little hockey player is on the ice, the size of the player, and the player’s level of hockey."
The bottom line: Just because a parent or a player can afford the most expensive skates doesn’t mean that’s always the wisest purchase; there are many factors that must carefully be considered before buying a pair.
"Throwing money at anything usually isn’t the best way of approaching it," Zwicker concluded.
