This guide is going to take you through some of the best hockey skates for those with a budget of $200 or less. After sifting through dozens of potential choices looking for a quality skate at an affordable price, the Botas Draft 281 Ice Hockey Skates are the best overall option.
Growing up in Canada, skating is a way of life. From the time I could walk, I was on skates. I have tried and used numerous types and kinds of skates over the years.
The Botas Draft 281 offers a comfortable experience, but also one that is very supportive and stiff. They come complete with a high-quality blade and are constructed with durability and quality in mind.
While these are a solid overall option, there are also pairs of skates that are more specifically geared towards other skates, such as those who want additional comfort.
Contents
Top Cheap Hockey Skates Reviewed
Below are my recommendations along with detailed reviews for each product.
1. Botas Draft 281 Men’s Ice Hockey Skates
- Best for: People who want a good overall skate that balances comfort and performance.
- Features: Solid and comfortable construction, a sharp and strong blade and superb ankle support.
- Materials: A resistant synthetic upper combined with PA fabric throughout the boot, and a dual-component felt insole.
- Protection: Black PVC outsole with a padded lining throughout the boot and synthetic velour padding to improve the overall resistance of the skate.
If you want a solid overall skate at a reasonable price less than $200, this is a logical choice. The skates are hand-made in Europe, and are great for both new and experienced skaters and hockey players alike.
From the upper with synthetic in combination with PA fabric, to padded PENAT material lining the boot, these skates are well-made and versatile. The colors and materials used also look incredible.
Even the blade itself is impressive. These skates use a BOTAS ICEHAWK CARBON Ultra Steel white with high-quality fastening in the heel to keep everything in the right place.
These skates feature great and sturdy ankle support, which allows players to remain in full control and gain speed without slipping or falling. Despite this stiffness, the skates are still quite comfortable thanks to the anatomical design, padding, and liner.
They are light enough to not hold you back on the ice, and the location of the padding throughout the skate ensures they offer you enough protection from sticks, pucks and even potentially the skates of other players.
Of course, there are some potential downsides of this product as well. The blade has been prone to cracking in some cases, and detaching the blade can be difficult as screws aren’t used.
==> You can also get it at Walmart.
2. Bauer Men’s NSX Ice Skates
- Best for: New skaters or those who want additional comfort.
- Features: A high quality blade holder and runner, and many soft materials to keep you dry and comfortable.
- Materials: The skates are made of 100% Polyamide and include a microfiber liner.
- Protection: Ankle padding, a metatarsal guard in the tongue and an EVA foam footbed.
If you are a new skater, a casual hockey player or someone who simply values comfort over everything, these are another good choice. These skates feature a microfiber liner, an EVA foam footbed and a felt tongue to help achieve the best comfort.
In addition to keeping you comfortable, these skates aim to keep you dry on the ice. With their metatarsal guards and padding throughout the ankles, they also want to keep your feet protected from the many hazards that a game of hockey can produce.
While they might not provide as much support or protection as some others, they are certainly an upgrade over many other skates, and can keep you comfortable all game long. Plus, the combination of the black boot with red accents is an incredible design.
The skates are great for casual or new hockey players, but if you are looking to get more serious, they may not be right for you. The lack of protection compared to others is concerning, and they aren’t quite as stiff as they need to be for higher levels.
==> You can also get it at Pure Hockey or Walmart.
3. Jackson Ultima Softec Sport Women’s Skates
- Best for: Women who want a quality all-around skate.
- Features: Incredibly warm and comfortable, lightweight, and durable enough to handle a lot of use.
- Materials: Foam padding and a Thinsulate lining, along with a nylon liner on the upper and synthetic outsole.
- Protection: Foam padding, durable construction throughout and a synthetic outsole that is not only light, but strong.
While some women or girls looking for new skates will simply purchase mens skates, this is a better option. These skates come in a range of different sizes and are great for those who want an all-around option.
These skates pride themselves on being lightweight thanks to a synthetic outsole, a modern look and design and the materials used such as nylon. However, just because they are lightweight doesn’t mean they are poorly-made and lack in the protection department.
The upper and tongue feature cushy foam not only for comfort, but also protection for your feet. The Thinsulate liner also ensures that your feet stay warm, no matter how long you are out on the ice.
This brand also carries skates for children and men, as well. So you can get your whole family outfitted with quality skates that are affordable for almost any budget.
While the softness and lightweight design of this skate is comfortable, it also limits how well it can protect your feet. This softness also affects your ability to build up speed quickly, which could impact your performance on the ice.
Cheap Hockey Skates: What to Look For
Here are some factors that I think you should take into consideration while selecting the hockey skates that fit.
Protection
Hockey is a contact sport and there are potential hazards all around you. Skates, sticks and even the puck can come in contact with you at any time. As a result, you want a pair of skates that can protect your feet.
They should feature padding throughout, or at least on the important parts of the skate. This especially includes the tongue, as it doesn’t enjoy the same general protection that the sides of the skate will.
Also, some skates can wreak havoc on your ankles, so you want an option that can protect and support them. If not, ankle injuries can certainly occur.
Comfort and Fit
Of course the comfort of a skate is important. With hockey games going 60 minutes (and potentially longer if you are just playing with friends at your local rink), you need a pair of skates that keeps you comfortable.
The skates should feature a comfortable insole, and fit you correctly. They should not only be the right size, but also feature a shape and design that works well with the shape and size of your feet.
Stiffness
Among the most important (yet underrated) part of finding the right skate comes down to stiffness. While many might think that “stiff” is bad, the opposite is often true. Not only does a stiff skate offer support, but it can offer better control and a smoother transfer of power.
However, a stiff skate can often be a little uncomfortable for some and can take some getting used to. In a similar vein, the weight of a skate is also something to think about. The lighter a skate, the faster and easier you will be able to move in it.
My Verdict
My choice for the best cheap pair of hockey skates is the Botas Draft 281 Men’s Ice Hockey Skates. They will provide you ample support, are well-made and durable and ensure you stay comfortable while looking good at the same time.
About Kale