My kid is 8 and has finally become a relatively strong skater. How do I properly tie his skates?
My 8 y/o kid has been playing hockey for four years now and is starting to become a proficient skater (can fluidly skate forwards and backwards, use inside and outside edges, crossover, ankles aren't collapsing, etc.). Until this season, I'd been buying him cheap, soft skates and I would always lace them as tight as possible from the bottom to the top. He wants a pair of more expensive "stiffer" boots this season. Not thrilled about the idea of paying an excessive amount for something he'll grow out of next year, but such is the life of a hockey parent these days.
My question is: what is the proper way to lace skates higher-end skates? I've seen various suggestions from keeping them tight only at the bottom to synching them all the way up and everything in between. I know a lot of it comes down to preference, but I want him to understand and experience how a stiffer boot should be laced so that, if he continues to progress (and eventually start tying his own skates), he knows how to do it the right way.
TIA!