Sizing Charts

A Professional Skate Fitter’s Guide

Choosing the right hockey skates is one of the most important equipment decisions you’ll make. Properly fitted skates improve performance, comfort, and control on the ice. Poorly fitted skates can cause pain, blisters, and reduced skating ability.

One of the biggest mistakes players make is ordering skates based only on their shoe size. Hockey skates fit very differently from everyday shoes, so taking proper measurements is essential.

Step 1: Measure Your Foot Length

The first step in choosing the correct skate size is measuring your true foot length while wearing the socks you would normally skate in.

How to measure at home

1. Place a piece of paper against a wall.
2. Stand on the paper with your heel touching the wall.
3. Mark the tip of your longest toe.
4. Measure the distance from the wall to the mark.
5. Repeat for both feet.

Always use the measurement of your larger foot when selecting skate size.

Important: Hockey skates run smaller than shoes
Most hockey players wear skates 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than their regular shoe size.

This difference is normal and necessary for a performance fit.

Step 2: Measure Your Foot Width

Many people focus only on length, but width is just as important.

If the skate is too narrow it will cause:

• Pain on the sides of the foot
• Numbness
• Lace bite

If the skate is too wide it can cause:

• Heel lift
• Reduced control
• Poor energy transfer

How to measure width

Measure the widest part of your forefoot using a tape measure or ruler.

Then compare your measurement to a skate width chart.

CCM skates typically come in three width options:

Measuring both length and width dramatically increases the chances of finding the correct fit on the first try.

Step 3: Understanding CCM Skate Fit Profiles

CCM designs their skates with different fit profiles to accommodate different foot shapes.

Tapered Fit

Best for players with:

• Narrow feet
• Narrow heels
• Low volume foot

This fit provides a tight, responsive performance feel.

Regular Fit

Best for players with:

• Average foot width
• Medium foot volume

This is the most common fit and works for the majority of players.

Wide Fit

Best for players with:

• Wide forefoot
• Higher instep
• Larger foot volume

This provides more comfort and space without sacrificing performance.

Step 4: Choosing the Right CCM Skate Line

CCM offers several skate families designed for different skating styles.

CCM Tacks

Best for:

• Powerful skaters
• Maximum stability
• Strong strides

Features:

• Stiff boot construction
• Maximum energy transfer

CCM Jetspeed

Best for:

• Quick, agile skaters
• Acceleration and speed

Features:

• Lightweight design
• Excellent responsiveness

CCM Ribcor

Best for:

• Players who prioritize comfort and flexibility

Features:

• Flexible boot construction
• Greater forward flex

Step 5: How Hockey Skates Should Fit

A properly fitted skate should feel snug but not painful.

When standing in the skate:

• Your toes should lightly brush the toe cap
• When knees are bent in skating position, your toes should pull slightly away from the front
• Your heel should stay locked in place

There should be minimal empty space inside the boot.

Hockey skates are designed for performance fit, meaning they will feel tighter than normal shoes.

Common Skate Fit Mistakes

Choosing skates based only on shoe size

Skates usually fit smaller than shoes, so always measure.

Ignoring foot width

Width mismatches are one of the most common causes of discomfort.

Buying skates too big

Many players assume larger skates will be more comfortable, but oversized skates can actually reduce stability, control and will generally break down faster.

Final Skate Fitting Tips

Before ordering skates online:

• ✔ Measure both foot length and width
• ✔ Compare your measurements to a skate size chart
• ✔ Expect skates to be .5–1 sizes smaller than shoes
• ✔ Choose the correct fit profile (tapered, regular, wide)

Taking a few minutes to measure properly will help ensure your new CCM skates fit comfortably and perform the way they’re designed to.

Choosing the right hockey stick can make a huge difference in your shooting, puck control, and comfort on the ice.

The key factors to consider are:

• Flex
• Length
• Stick side
• Blade curve
• Kick point

Choosing the Right Flex

Flex refers to how much the stick bends when you shoot.

Quick rule: Choose a flex roughly equal to half your body weight (in pounds).

Lower flex: easier to load, faster release.

Higher flex: more power for slap shots.

Important: Cutting a stick increases stiffness by roughly 5 flex per inch cut.

Stick Length

When standing in skates, the top of the stick should reach between your chin and nose.

Shorter stick:

• Better puck control
• Faster hands

Longer stick:

• More reach
• More leverage on shots

Stick Side

Hockey sticks come in left and right versions depending on which hand is lower on the shaft.

Left stick (LH)

• Left hand on top
• Right hand lower

Right stick (RH)

• Right hand on top
• Left hand lower

A good trick is to pick up a broom naturally — your hand position usually indicates your correct stick side.

Blade Curves

Popular CCM curves include:

• P29: versatile all-around curve
• P28: toe curve for quick releases and lifting the puck
• P90TM: controlled curve for accuracy

If unsure, P29 is the safest starting point.

Kick Points

Beginner Recommendation

• Flex: 75–85
• Curve: P29
• Length: Chin height in skates
• Kick Point: Jetspeed hybrid

Choosing the correct size for hockey apparel ensures comfort, mobility, and performance on and off the ice.

CCM apparel is designed with an athletic fit, so measuring yourself before ordering is recommended.

Key Measurements

• Chest
• Waist
• Hips

How to Measure

Chest: Measure around the widest part of your chest while keeping the tape level under your arms.

Waist: Measure around your natural waistline just above your hips.

Hips: Measure around the widest part of your hips while standing naturally.

For the most accurate fit, compare all measurements to the size chart and select the size that matches your largest measurement.

Tips for Choosing the Right Size

• Measure chest, waist, and hips before ordering
• If between sizes, consider whether you prefer an athletic or relaxed fit
• Compression layers fit closer to the body
• Hoodies and outerwear may allow extra room for layering