A properly-fitted boot is the most important part of your time on the ice. A secure fit can prevent painful blisters and improve performance. In addition, your boot and blade combination should be level-specific and should perfectly fit your abilities and needs. We encourage you to speak to your coach before buying your new boots. It is very risky buying boots on either eBay or online unless you know exactly what you need. 

Check out this great website for more information

Ice skating boots can vary in price from under £100 to over £400. Entry level skates tend to come complete with blades attached. Once your standard increases you will need to buy both ice skating boots and ice skating blades.

If you're a first-time buyer, here are a few good tips on how to size skates:

1) First, most recreational skates run according to shoe size; however, to be safe, you should take into account the length of your longest foot. When you visit the skate shop they will be able to measure your feet for you.

2) For children, add a size for growth room. For adults, leave your shoe size as your skate size.

3) Keep in mind that thin socks are best (the thinner, the better).

4) When lacing skates, always lace the instep firmly. Then, lace the ankle eyelets snugly enough that there is ankle support. You should be able to fit two fingers into the top of the Achilles heel of the boot when the skater is flexed forward in the boot.

5) When walking around, the skater's heel should not lift out of the boot unless it is a child and you are accounting for growth. Even then, lift-out should be kept to a minimum (less than half an inch).

These are just some of the things to look for when sizing skates.