If you plan on spending some serious time on the ice this winter, a good pair of skates will serve you well.

If you plan on spending some serious time on the ice this winter, a good pair of skates will serve you well. Gary Russo, owner of Hollows Edge Skate Sharpening in Weymouth, Mass., sharpens hundreds of ice skates each week and sees plenty of people in his shop who purchased their skates online and ended up with a less-than-quality product. Russo said it is much too difficult to tell how a skate fits when buying from a website.

For young children who are beginners, Russo suggests getting a less-expensive skate. It is hard to tell if a child will enjoy skating enough to want to continue, and it won't be long before they outgrow the pair you've bought. 

For the casual skater or someone who plans on skating on outside ice rinks or ponds, Russo doesn't recommend investing a lot of money. Surfaces exposed to the outside elements can wear down a skate faster than well-maintained ice rinks. Russo said he knows people who will buy a used pair of skates just for pond skating.

Jake Luque of the Pure Hockey specialty skate shop in Kingston, Mass., said the typical skate should be one-and-a-half to two sizes below the wearer's normal shoe size.

“It should fit tight but not anything that is going to be uncomfortable,'' he said.

Luque said youth skates can cost between $30 and $110, but buying a less-expensive skate for durability should not be a concern for someone who is still growing.

Adult skates can cost  $50 to $800. The less-expensive skates can be a good choice for people who skate sporadically.

A good quality hockey skate, generally those costing at least $130, allow you to replace the blades and the plastic casing that holds the blade.

Blades can break if they get hit with a puck and can cost about $30 to replace if you have the kind of skate that allows for replacement.

Better-quality skates also have a special gel component that when heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit will conform to the shape of your foot. Many skate shops have a special oven to complete this process.

Shaunna Gately may be reached at sgately@ledger.com.