10 Ice Skates Beginners Will Love This Christmas
Get Ready to Skate This Christmas
If you or someone you love is dreaming of gliding over ice this winter, now’s the time to act. With Christmas around the corner, many beginner ice skates are already going on sale or nearly sold out. Buying early gives you time to get them fitted, sharpened, and broken in before public sessions start. In this guide I’ve picked ten beginner-friendly models with good value, comfort, and features you’ll actually use on the ice.
What to Look For in Beginner Skates
Before the list, here are features worth paying attention to:
Boot support & stiffness: Too soft, and your ankles wobble. Too stiff, and you’ll struggle to bend. Blade quality & material: Stainless steel or good-quality carbon steel blades are better than basic plated ones. Boot fit / contour / padding: A snug but not painful fit is vital. Sharpening & blade mounting: Some come pre-sharpened; others don’t. Make sure you can get them sharpened locally. Adjustability (for kids): Growing feet benefit from adjustable boots. Weight & comfort: Heavier skates tire you faster. Extras (guards, replacement parts, warranty): These add value. In the UK, basic entry‐level skates can be found from around £35. SkateHut More mid-range beginner to recreational skates often fall between £50–£120.
Top 10 Beginner Ice Skates for 2025
Here are picks across price ranges and styles. Prices are estimates at time of writing (UK or UK-shipped), and may vary with Christmas deals.
Bauer Whistler Lifestyle Ice Skates
Gender: Unisex Price: £60-70 Features: Stylish and comfortable, suitable for relaxed recreational skating indoors or outdoors.
Bauer gift voucher
Code BAUERXMAS25 25% off selected skates
SFR Galaxy Ice Skates
Gender: Unisex Price: £50–60 Features: Decent boot structure and better blade than ultra-budget options. A solid mid-budget recreational choice, often cited among “bargain beginner skates” in UK reviews.
Bauer Tremblant Lifestyle Ice Skates
Gender: Unisex Price: £75–85 Features: Rugged build with a stiffer boot. Better suited for more frequent skating or heavier users.
Decathlon Women’s Figure Skates
Gender: Female Price: £55-65 Features: Designed for figure skating with toe picks. A good mid-entry option for those learning spins or basic footwork.
Jackson Ultima Classic 200
Gender: Female Price: £110-120 Features: A higher-quality beginner figure skate with a strong boot and durable materials. Good for skaters planning lessons or long-term use.
Bauer X-LP Hockey Skates
Gender: Male Price: £80-90 Features: Ideal for beginners who prefer a hockey-style skate. Strong ankle support and an aggressive blade profile.
Bauer Colorado Lifestyle Ice Skates
Gender: Male Price: £60-70 Features: Lifestyle skate with supportive construction and good padding for casual skating sessions.
SFR Glitra Ice Skates
Gender: Female Price: £65-75 Features: A premium figure option in the SFR range. Soft padding, sturdy boot shell, and a sharper blade for better balance.
Oxelo IS A100 Junior Ice Skates
Gender: Unisex (Kids) Price: £25-35 Features: Adjustable boot that grows with children’s feet. Ideal first pair for young skaters as a Christmas gift.
Oxelo Women’s Ice Skates
Gender: Female Price: £25–35 Features: Soft boot, good for occasional recreational use. Basic design keeps costs low. Best for lighter skaters who don’t plan heavy use.
Tips for Buying & Gift Planning
Order early: Holiday stock runs out fast, especially in popular sizes.
Allow for fitting & sharpening time: After they arrive, plan a day to have the blades sharpened and check the fit again with socks.
Check return / exchange policy: Feet vary, and you may need to swap sizes.
Pair with accessories: Blade guards, soakers, a good skate bag, and perhaps lessons make a better gift package.
Try in store if possible: Especially for boots, trying on different brands helps. Some specialist skate shops in the UK offer fitting services (e.g. London Skate Centre).
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