Ice skating is fun, no doubt! There’s probably no better way to enjoy a cold winter morning than ice skating with friends.
The adrenaline rush is next to none.
But hey, it only gets better with the right dress. So, while looking at the possibility of ice skating for a fun family pastime, a friendly hangout, or a romantic date this winter, you should also think about what to wear.
Like every sport, the key to having a good time is putting on the appropriate clothing. Here’s a brief article highlighting the most suitable attire for ice skating.
Here is what you need to wear while Ice Skating:
Protective Gear
It is almost inevitable to fall when ice skating, especially as a newbie. Some people consider tumbling one of the most exciting things in ice skating. While you can employ several safe fall techniques while skating, it is still good to put on protective gear, especially for children. Even professional skaters use helmets, and it wouldn’t be out of place for you to do so as a casual skater. A regular bicycle or hockey helmet should provide enough protection for your head. Asides from putting on a helmet, other protective gear such as wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads, and hip pads will protect you from cuts and bruises when you fall.
Long Pants or Leggings
The clothing you put on will affect your skating ability. It doesn’t matter if it’s warm weather, a skating rink will be cold, and the key to a fun ice skating moment is putting on comfortable and warm clothing. The ideal pants for ice skating moves and stretches, so most skaters favor polyester material. You want to avoid tight-fitting pants such as jeans because they restrict your movement. Also, shorts or dresses do not protect you from the cold or falls. Leggings are the perfect fit for ladies when it comes to ice skating. Aside from leggings, you can also go for snow pants, yoga pants, joggers, or sweatpants.
Gloves or Mittens
As the name implies, ice skating is done on ice, making gloves a necessity. It would be best to have gloves to protect you from the freezing temperatures in the ice rink and cushion your hands when you fall on the ice. Thin gloves or those with moderate thickness should keep your hands warm enough and have enough softness for your hands to land when you stumble (because you will stumble, haha). However, it is also okay to go for the thick padded gloves used for skiing or mountaineering.
Socks
Socks are an essential item to add to your ice skating wardrobe. The functionality of socks goes beyond keeping your legs warm from the ice-cold drink. Putting on a pair of socks under your ice skate, go further to provide comfort and protection from blisters in your toes and ankles. You want to avoid thick socks when ice skating for many reasons. First, thick socks are downright uncomfortable and restrictive. Secondly, they affect the balance that ice skates generally provide, making it easy for you to fall. Simple, lightweight socks are your best fit for ice skating.
A Lightweight Sweater
Ice skating requires two things; the ability of your body to move around freely and keep warm in freezing temperatures. A lightweight sweater is the best fit for this requirement. Either will keep you warm in the ice-cold rink and are unrestrictive enough to allow your body the ease of movement required for ice skating. But that’s not all; it comes in various colors and designs. So you can still maximize comfort while still rocking your fashion style.
A Long Sleeve Shirt
Your hands are an avenue for the cold to get to your body. With that in mind, it is always advisable to put on a long-sleeved shirt under your sweater, in what we call layering. Either a long sleeve sweatshirt or a turtle neck should do. Remember to choose from insulating fabrics such as fleece, silk, nylon, or down when getting one.
A Lightweight Jacket
If the ice rink is freezing, you should consider putting on extra layers of clothing. Since skating requires ease of movement, layering in this involves wearing nothing more than a light jacket. The jacket is not too heavy to carry around, and when you start to get warm after skating for a while, it is easy to remove. You can afford to be a little extra and fashionable with the jacket. You will look fabulous in a hoodie, a denim jacket, a track jacket, or a parka.
Neck Scarf
The good thing about neck scarves is that they serve a dual purpose- keeping you warm while remaining fashionable. Since you can’t always tell how cold an ice rink will be, it is advisable to carry a neck scarf. It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it, right? The neck scarf will keep the nape of your neck warm while doubling as a unique sporting aesthetic. There are several patterns, designs, and colors to choose from; make sure you get one that is short in length. A long scarf will keep sticking to your blades, hampering your skating experience.
A Knit Hat
A warm knit hat goes hand in hand with a neck scarf. When you are going to skate for long hours, you would be better off wearing a warm and cozy knit hat. The cold would most likely get to your body through your ears. As a result, always go for a cap that covers your ears. Also, remember to choose a moderately thick one so as not to get weighed down when skating. A knit hat in any color combined with a scarf presents a fashionable picture.
Ice Skates
The final piece to your ensemble is the ice skates. You can consider renting skates at the ice rink at a small fee (around $5 thereabout) or getting a personal pair. Personal skates over rentals give the advantage of a more comfortable fit. When buying a pair, always go for one that fits snugly- not too tight and not too loose. Tight-fitting skates will lead to blisters and ankle pain, while loose-fitting skates will affect your balance and cause you to wobble.
Conclusion
To unleash your inner ice skater and have a fun time, the clothing you wear is crucial. The key things to consider when ice skating are keeping warm from the cold and protecting yourself from injuries when you fall. Both of these can be taken care of with the appropriate clothing. The proper attire for ice skating is not too tight, too thick, or too thin. They will keep you warm and safe while being unrestrictive enough to allow you to move freely.
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