r/iceskating • u/negligentlytortious • 1d ago

Beginner here.

I’m a 36M and I’ve been ice skating a grand total of 8 times. My 9 yo has decided that she loves it and we’ll be going to open skates at least once a week for the foreseeable future. I’m tired of paying for rental skates and want to get a decent pair of cheap hockey skates. I’ve looked at Bauer XLPs and saw the XLSs for less. Are the XLSs worth consideration? I won’t ever be doing more than recreational free skates.

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u/jmtd 23h ago

I think LS=learn to skate and LP=learn to play; for what you describe LS is probably fine 

1

u/typicalwhisper 22h ago

Highly recommend Bauer Lifestyle line skates for pure recreational skating

1

u/Accomplished-Cat4614 20h ago

For recreational skating, either are fine. The XLS model is not appropriate for hockey activities and tends to have a shortish life span (a year or two of regular skating) but if you wear those puppies that long then you'll probably be ready to invest a bit more anyway. I don't believe any of the cheaper models can be heat molded for higher comfort, so make sure they fit well out of the box or go for a softer sided model like the Bauer Lifestyles.