Double runner ice skates for small beginners have two blades instead of one, so that a child can stand confidently on the ice right away. Because the skate has two blades, which greatly increases stability, maintaining his or her balance will not be difficult for a child wearing double-runner skates. When the fear of falling down is reduced or removed, a child will be much more confident and willing to try new things on the ice.
Double runner skates are especially helpful for very young children whose balance may not yet be ideal. Once a child has developed enough balance to stand on one foot without support for at least five seconds without losing balance, he or she is probably ready for “real” ice skates.
“Real” skates have a single blade that bites into the ice. Because skates with two blades do not have the same ability to glide on the ice, children wearing these skates tend to walk flat-footed around the ice. Without the ability to properly glide they cannot develop true skating skills.
Children wearing these “training skates” are also unable to maneuver safely on a crowded skating rink. When there is a crowd on the ice the slower, less maneuverable skaters are easily bumped or knocked down by faster, more agile skaters. Youngsters in these skates tend to be “roadblocks” on the ice, and for this reason many ice rinks ban the use of double blade skates.
Because a child wearing these skates cannot glide, cannot complete the basic introductory maneuvers, and the boots lack toe picks, most skating teachers and coaches will not permit their beginning skaters to wear them. These professionals feel that even the youngest beginner can learn to balance on traditional single blades with little problem.
Instead, they strongly recommend that as soon as a child can comfortably wear the smallest boot, and as soon as the child has the necessary coordination to stand on one foot for the requisite five seconds, almost every youngster will be better served by starting out in a traditional rental skate with a single blade than they would be in a double runner ice skate. Renting traditional skates is a good investment for the very young beginner because at that age children’s feet grow so quickly that purchasing is probably not a good initial investment. If your child shows an interest in continuing with the sport after the first several lessons, you can then invest in a good pair of figure or hockey skates.