The internal material is in direct contact with the foot, so the comfort of wearing skates largely depends on it.
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Nylon. Synthetic nylon fibre is the most popular option due to its wear resistance, durability and reliability combined with a low price.
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Artificial fur. This material is used not only for practical purposes, but also for decorative purposes. And in addition to a pleasant appearance, it is also pleasant to the touch and retains heat well.
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Genuine leather. Internal material used primarily in figure skating models (see Skating style). At the same time, the boot itself can be made of both natural and artificial leather. Anyway, natural leather fits snugly around the leg and absorbs moisture well, but it is expensive and poorly protects against the cold.
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Synthetic fabric. Usually, in this case, a synthetic fabric is meant, which differs in composition from the nylon described above. The specific composition and overall quality of this fabric may vary depending on the price range of the skate, but it is generally quite durable and reliable.
— Microfibre. A type of synthetic fibre made up of very fine threads. This material provides excellent thermal insulation and at the same time allows the foot to “breathe”, and also removes moisture well. On the other hand, it costs
...more than the same nylon, and the mentioned advantages are fundamental mainly for professional use. Therefore, microfibre is rare, mostly found in high-end hockey skates.Skates have additional
ankle support.
This feature means that each boot has special protrusions for additional support of the ankle joint. This reduces the risk of injury. Of course, a boot with such a function should be high. However, note that not every high boot provides a full-fledged support of the ankle — this detail is typical mainly for rather expensive skates.