Best Ice Skates 2026

Good ice skates hold your ankle firmly and have a sharp blade from the start, so you feel safe on the rink without years of experience. We compared seven models on Amazon.de: recreational skates for adults, adjustable kids' skates, beginner hockey skates and figure skates. For most recreational skaters the best are the K2 Alexis Ice at 92.95 EUR, for men the Roces RSK 2 at 71.99 EUR, and for fast-growing children the Roces Jokey Ice 3.0 at 49.99 EUR. We checked prices on 28 September 2026.

This article is for anyone heading to the rink this winter, from parents buying a child's first skates to adults tired of rental skates with dull blades. Note that on Amazon each size is a separate product, so the price changes with the size. We give the price for the size we checked.

Quick overview: ice skates 2026

Prices are from Amazon.de on 28 September 2026 for the size we checked and differ by size and colour. On Amazon the same skates are generally 15 to 28% cheaper than in the manufacturers' official shops.

Hockey, figure or recreational skates

According to Wikipedia, figure skates have toe picks at the front of the blade for jumps and spins, while hockey skates have no toe picks and a flatter blade for speed and agility. Recreational skates are softer and warmer and usually have a blade without toe picks, so they are the easiest for beginners. Toe picks easily catch the ice when a beginner pushes off with their toes.

With ice skates, size matters just as much. K2 advises measuring your foot in the evening, in the sock you will skate in, from the heel to the longest toe, and choosing the larger size if you are between two. Your heel must not move inside the skate. Hockey skates have their own sizing: according to CCM's chart, the hockey size is roughly one US size smaller than your shoe size.

The third thing to check on ice skates is the blade. Some skates arrive factory-sharpened, while others need to go for sharpening before the first skate. According to Bauer, a shallow hollow on the blade gives a smooth glide and a deeper one better bite into the ice.

1. K2 Alexis Ice

Photo: K2, Amazon

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For recreational skaters who value comfort over speed, the K2 Alexis Ice are the best ice skates here. K2 brought its soft-boot technology from inline skates to the ice, so the Softboot fits almost like a trainer and needs little breaking in. The Stability Plus Cuff plastic collar holds the ankle, and the stainless steel blade arrives factory-sharpened.

They close with laces and a velcro strap, the material repels water and the lining is warm, which you notice on an outdoor rink. According to K2, the fit suits a narrower foot and lower arch, so those with wider feet may want to try a size up. In US 7 they cost 92.95 EUR on Amazon.de against a recommended 110 EUR. There is also an FB version with a toe-pick blade and a version with a BOA dial.

Pros: the most comfortable boot in the selection, sharpened stainless blade, water-repellent material, versions with toe picks and with BOA.

Cons: the soft boot gives less support for fast skating, a fit for narrower feet, price depends on size (92 to 102 EUR).

Our opinion: If you go to the rink a few times a season and do not want blisters, take these. Anyone who has ever skated in rental skates with a dull blade will feel the difference immediately.

2. Roces RSK 2

Photo: Roces, Amazon

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For men and recreational skaters who want the hockey look without the price of a real hockey skate, Italian brand Roces offers the RSK 2. The upper is reinforced synthetic material with anatomical padding, and alongside the laces there is a Power Strap that tightens the ankle further. Sizes run from EU 28 to 47, so older juniors and adults can wear the same model.

In EU 44 they cost 71.99 EUR on Amazon.de, while according to Roces they are 94.99 EUR in the official shop. One inconsistency: Roces states a stainless steel blade, while the Amazon listing says carbon steel. There is also no information on whether the blade comes sharpened, so it is worth checking at the rink's service desk before the first skate.

Pros: a traditional Italian brand, a wide size range for the whole family, Power Strap for a firm ankle, cheaper than in the official shop.

Cons: the harder boot needs breaking in, no information on whether the blade is sharpened, conflicting data on blade material.

Our opinion: At 72 euros this is the most sensible men's skate on the list. Take it for sharpening before your first outing, because a dull blade ruins even a good skate.

3. Roces Jokey Ice 3.0

Photo: Roces, Amazon

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Children's feet grow faster than a skating season, and the Jokey Ice 3.0 grows with them across four sizes. A button extends the boot, and Roces offers the ranges EU 26-29, 30-33, 34-37 and 38-41, so one pair lasts two to three seasons. Three closure systems, laces, velcro and a micro-adjustable buckle, hold the ankle firmly.

The boot is semi-soft, with a thermally insulated inner boot and a softer forward flex suited to children. The blade is a hockey blade and arrives sharpened. For the 26-29 range it costs 49.99 EUR on Amazon.de, and according to Roces 69.99 EUR in the official shop. As with the RSK 2, Roces and Amazon state different blade steel.

Pros: grows with the child across 4 sizes, three closure systems, the most affordable quality kids' skate in the selection, arrives sharpened.

Cons: the blade without toe picks is not for figure skating, the adjustment mechanism adds weight, conflicting data on blade steel.

Our opinion: For a preschooler or younger schoolchild it is hard to spend money more wisely. Set it to the size your child wears now, not in advance, because a skate that is too big does not hold the ankle.

4. Bauer X-LS 2.0 Senior

Photo: Bauer, Amazon

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Anyone starting recreational hockey needs real hockey ice skates, and the Bauer X-LS 2.0 is the new 2026 model from the biggest hockey brand. The 3D Polycarb upper balances support and flexibility, and the padding and felt tongue are soft. The stainless steel blade sits in a LightSpeed Pro III holder, so it can be replaced when it wears out.

According to Bauer, it comes in Senior sizes 7 to 12, in Regular width only. Hockey sizes are not the same as shoe sizes, so always check the size chart. In size 8 R (EU 43) it costs 89.96 EUR on Amazon.de. The padding is thinner, so it is less warm than recreational models with a soft boot.

Pros: the biggest hockey brand and a new model, replaceable blade, good support for learning the hockey stride and stopping, the same line exists in kids' sizes.

Cons: Regular width only, hockey size differs from shoe size, thinner and colder padding.

Our opinion: For recreational hockey with friends, this is the right start. For gentle laps to music on an Advent rink, a soft K2 or Roces will be more comfortable.

5. Roces RFG 1

Photo: Roces, Amazon

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Classic white figure ice skates do not have to be expensive. The Roces RFG 1 has a blade with toe picks for first spins, a reinforced synthetic upper with anatomical padding and laces. Sizes run from EU 26 to 45, so it suits both girls and adults.

In EU 40 it costs 53.99 EUR on Amazon.de, and according to Roces 74.99 EUR in the official shop. Ankle support is softer, so it is not for jumps, and toe picks bother complete beginners because they easily catch the ice. Roces and Amazon again state different blade material.

Pros: the cheapest quality figure skate in the selection, classic white look, wide size range, toe picks for first spins.

Cons: toe picks bother complete beginners, softer support not for jumps, conflicting data on blade steel.

Our opinion: For a girl who has just started a figure skating course, this is a good first pair. Once jumps start, she will need a firmer boot.

6. K2 Raider Ice

Photo: K2, Amazon

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The K2 Raider Ice is a more expensive but more comfortable alternative to the Jokey Ice. It adjusts across five sizes instead of four, and the soft Softboot and Junior Cuff are comfortable for children all day. The Speed Lacing system tightens the laces in one pull, and the excess is stored in a pocket on the tongue, so a child can put them on alone.

The blade is stainless steel and the material repels water. In size S it costs 94.90 EUR on Amazon.de, and the girls' version is called K2 Marlee Ice. According to K2, sizes run from XS to L, but we could not confirm the exact EU ranges, so check them in the Amazon description before buying.

Pros: adjustable across 5 sizes, Speed Lacing so children can put them on alone, soft and warm boot, stainless blade.

Cons: more expensive than the Roces Jokey Ice, exact size ranges depend on the listing.

Our opinion: If your child skates all season, not just at Advent, the extra 45 euros over the Jokey pays off in comfort. For occasional skating, the Jokey is quite enough.

7. Graf Tango V3

Photo: Graf, Amazon

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Swiss brand Graf is a skate specialist, and the Tango V3 is its upper recreational figure skate. The boot has a reinforced shaft and generous padding, giving the best ankle support in this category. The lining is breathable, and the blade is Graf Stainless steel.

In EU 40 it costs 134.95 EUR on Amazon.de, against a recommended 139.95 EUR, making it the most expensive in the selection. The Tango V3 is not on Graf's official website, so its specifications come only from Amazon. Only the listing for the previous V2 version explicitly mentions toe picks. There is also a kids' version from EU 31.

Pros: a Swiss specialist, the best ankle support among recreational figure skates, stainless blade, a kids' version exists.

Cons: the most expensive in the selection, specifications only from Amazon, toe picks bother complete beginners.

Our opinion: When the RFG 1 becomes too soft, the Graf Tango is the logical next step. For a first encounter with the ice it is too expensive.

Conclusion: which ice skates to choose

The best ice skates for most recreational skaters are the K2 Alexis Ice and Roces RSK 2, and for children the Roces Jokey Ice 3.0, which grows with them. For hockey take Bauer, and for figure skating the Roces RFG 1 or Graf Tango. Before buying, measure your foot in the evening in a thicker sock and check the size chart, because on Amazon each size is a separate product. For warm hands on an outdoor rink, see also our heated gloves and thermal underwear, and for a summer alternative our inline skates.

Frequently asked questions

What size ice skates should I buy?

For recreational and figure skates (Roces, K2, Graf), the EU size mostly matches your shoe size. Measure your foot in the evening in a thicker sock and, if you are between sizes, take the larger one, K2 advises. Hockey skates have their own sizing, roughly one US size smaller than your shoe.

Do new ice skates need sharpening?

It depends on the model. The K2 Alexis Ice and Roces Jokey Ice 3.0 arrive factory-sharpened, while for the Roces RSK 2 this is not stated. If the manufacturer does not say the blade is sharpened, take the skates to the rink's service desk before the first skate. A shallow hollow glides smoothly.

How should I store ice skates so the blades don't rust?

After skating, wipe the blades with a dry cloth and remove hard guards, which are only for walking off the ice. Put on soft absorbent covers and dry the skates open, at room temperature, not on a radiator. Stainless steel, as on K2, Bauer and Graf, resists rust better, but it still needs wiping.

Are adjustable kids' ice skates worth it?

Yes, if your child is growing. The Roces Jokey Ice 3.0 adjusts across four sizes and the K2 Raider Ice across five, so one pair lasts two to three seasons. Set them to the size your child wears now, not in advance, because a skate that is too big does not hold the ankle.

What is the difference between hockey, figure and recreational skates?

Figure skates have toe picks at the front of the blade for jumps and spins and a higher boot. Hockey skates have no toe picks, a flatter blade for quick turns and a hard boot. Recreational skates, such as the K2 Alexis Ice or Roces RSK 2, are softer and warmer and usually have a blade without toe picks.

Which ice skates are best for a complete beginner?

Soft recreational skates without toe picks, such as the K2 Alexis Ice or Roces RSK 2, are best. Toe picks on a figure blade easily catch the ice when a beginner pushes with their toes, and a hard hockey boot needs breaking in. Tighten the laces more around the ankle than at the toes, because a firm ankle gives security.

How we tested and chose

We looked at more than 20 ice skate models on Amazon.de and chose seven from well-known brands for different uses: recreation, adjustable kids' skates, hockey and figure skating. We rejected skates without a known brand, older generations replaced by newer models, fashion models and ice blades for inline skates. We looked at the boot, closure, blade, size range and price.

We took specifications from manufacturers' websites (K2, Roces, Bauer) and from Amazon.de, and prices are from Amazon.de on 28 September 2026 for the size we checked. We did not physically test the ice skates. Where the manufacturer's and Amazon's data differ, such as Roces blade material, we say so clearly.

Sources and references

1. Wikipedia - Ice skate
2. K2 - skate sizing tips
3. K2 - Alexis Ice
4. K2 - Raider Ice
5. Roces - RSK 2
6. Roces - Jokey Ice 3.0
7. Roces - RFG 1
8. Bauer - X-LS 2.0 Senior
9. Bauer - blade sharpening

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