Best Hockey Skates in 2023 (Our Top 6 Picks)

Choosing the perfect hockey skates can be a tough decision, but I break down the process to you in the most palatable way.

I made a list of the best options with their core features, lower-priced alternatives along with a summary of my top 3 choices here.

When it comes to skates, there are different performance features that you are looking for.

Maybe its to enhance your abilities, correct for weaknesses in your game, or invest in a long-lasting, quality product.

Sometimes you want the skate to provide comfort and fit your foot like a glove. Especially if you have wide, narrow or flat feet.

When it comes to the models featured in this post, there's no doubt that they'll meet or exceed all of your expectations.

But with all these enhancements, be ready to spend a pretty penny.

To put your mind at ease, note that the pros are using the exact same skates. 

They were specifically designed to optimize their on-ice abilities, so you definitely won't regret making the investment.

Keep in mind that we also suggest similar, low-cost options from the same skate collection.

Best Hockey Skates in 2023

For those that don't know, there are 3 skate manufacturers currently operating in North America. They are Bauer, CCM and TRUE.

All three brands currently offer several collections with a wide range of skates - from low to high end.

The collections mainly focus on Power, Agility or Acceleration.

Both CCM and Bauer offer three width options, while TRUE offers both regular and wide fit.

Furthermore, the TRUE Pro versions are custom designed to the shape of your foot, which means they are not readily available off the shelf.

To order either the TRUE Catalyst Pro or HZRDUS Pro skates, you'll need to download their True Hockey Sizing app for iOS or visit an authorized local dealer.

To locate a retailer near you, visit the TRUE Temper Sports website and select "Find a Dealer" in the top right.

We provide all the information below to determine which skates will best suit your needs.

Which Skates are Right for You?

Choosing a pair of skates will depend on your hockey experience and your budget.

If you are new to hockey, it's probably best to find a pair of skates that provide you maximum comfort, first and foremost.

This includes proper ankle support for stability, a boot that perfectly contours your foot and good mobility.

While the high-end models will meet all of these attributes and more, it might not be worth it to dish out on a brand new sport.

The Bauer Vapor line might be the best place to start as they represent the gold standard of skates today.

My personal preference would be Bauer Vapor X3 (Canada Here) for that matter.

For more experienced players, you should be looking for skate more tailored to your style of play and needs.

And if you want that extra edge against your opponents on the ice, be ready to break the bank.

For forwards, there is no doubt that the Hyperlite 2 (Canada Here) should be high up your list.

Meanwhile, defensemen should concern themselves with powerful strides and crossovers. That is offered in the Bauer Supreme series, with the Bauer Supreme Mach (Canada Here) reigning "supreme".

Final Thoughts

Let me know which skates you decided to go with.

Is there a brand you think stands out more than the others? I’m always open to testing out something new and give you my feedback.

Drop a comment below.