| You just got your new skates, and they come with | | | | made of metal, they stay cold for a long time. As the |
| blade covers. The covers are very slim plastic ones. | | | | shock of warm air hits the blades, they heat up quickly |
| You are wondering if it is okay to use those guards | | | | causing the metal to condense or "sweat," the soakers |
| instead of the other lager skate guards. | | | | absorb the water trapped from the blades. By putting |
| And you are wondering if you should get soakers as | | | | the guards on when they're still cold, this may cause a |
| well, because a blade cover is a blade cover right? | | | | harmful rust to form on the blades. Soakers eliminate |
| You know you're supposed to have them, but it should | | | | the hassles of continuous drying. They are innovative. |
| be okay to just dry the whole blade then put those | | | | Any guards should fine. Personally, I prefer the heavy |
| hard blade covers on. | | | | duty kind; however, it's highly likely that the floors at |
| It is imperative to keep your skates, and especially the | | | | your rink are lined with a hard rubber coating so there |
| blades, as dry as possible. Every time you take your | | | | really is no need for heavy-duty guards for walking |
| skates off, you should dry them thoroughly with a | | | | around right now. It is a matter of preference. |
| towel. Then put on a pair of terrycloth soakers. | | | | NEVER put hard guards on your skates while they are |
| Soakers absorb any water you missed and keep the | | | | not being used, they will rust. This will ruin your blades |
| blades dry between uses. | | | | and forces you to get your skates sharpened more |
| Soakers Vs. Skate Guards | | | | often than you need to. The more you sharpen your |
| Soakers are what you put on your blades after you | | | | blades, they don't last as long. Hard guards are for |
| skate to protect them from rusting . Skate guards are | | | | when you are not skating and you're walking around |
| for walking around in the skates on and off the ice. | | | | the rink, or a hard surface. |
| You certainly need soakers. They are definitely a | | | | The plastic blade covers are OK when for walking |
| necessity when it comes to caring for your skates. | | | | around in the skates on and off the ice, but the |
| They help prevent rusting and make your blades last | | | | soakers hold the water in them as they need time to |
| longer. Soakers are the best for skate care. Once you | | | | dry out. The skate guards shouldn't be on the blades all |
| take your skates off, dry them very well with an | | | | of the time because the hard plastic covers will |
| absorbent cloth. DO NOT put your guards back on, | | | | promote rusting even if you think your skates and |
| wait until your blades adjust to room temperature and | | | | covers are dry. |
| then dry them off again. Because the blades are | | | | |