Ice skating is a popular winter activity—it’s fun, festive, and makes an excellent outing with family and friends. However, when planning a day out on the ice, you need more than just your skates. Wearing the appropriate clothing that allows you to stretch and move freely while keeping you warm is crucial to having a smooth and enjoyable time on the ice. This remains true whether you’re skating for recreation or a seasoned figure skating professional who needs to stay warm during practice. So, what should you wear when ice skating? Here are our top tips for choosing attire for your next figure skating practice or casual skating around the rink. Remember to Layer Up It’s no surprise that ice rinks are cold. Our advice to all skaters is to layer up warmly, especially if you are a novice or first-timer. Layering is the best way to stay warm without overheating, as it allows you to shed layers as you warm up. Ideally, your ice skating outfit should have multiple removable pieces for the top part of your body, including tops and a jacket. You should have a tight-fitted top for most training sessions as your first layer. Technical fabrics with high breathability are the best, but a fitted long-sleeve top could also work if you do not have one. For skating outdoors in the colder months, we suggest a sweat-wicking thermal fabric that will keep you warm and dry on the ice. While technical fabrics can be more expensive, good-quality tops last a long time and are an excellent investment. Your second layer, also known as a mid-layer, should be a fitted fleece. The mid-layer should be flexible and have enough room for you to reach the full range of movement. This may be a quarter-zip technical sweater or a full-zip fronted top. As you warm up through your training or practice session, you can take off the mid-layer and train in the base layer only. Some skaters also wear a skating vest as their top layer to keep their bodies warm without feeling restricted when skating in the middle of winter. Figure Skating Pants and Bottoms Now that we have your top layers, it’s time to move on to your bottom half. Here, we suggest wearing something flexible and warm. Proper figure skating bottoms can not only help elongate your lines on the ice, but also lower the risk of injuries from excess fabric caught on skates. For female skaters, it’s a good idea to invest in a proper pair of reasonably thick figure skating leggings with the right amount of stretch. However, owning several different skating bottoms is ideal if you train on the ice regularly. Specialized figure skating pants are much warmer than sports leggings or stretch-fit pants. The fabric is water-resistant and breathable, and they are manufactured longer than regular leggings, so they can fit over your ice skates. Some also have clips that can attach to your skates to keep them from riding up while skating. For male beginner or recreational skaters, a pair of pleated or slim skating pants are a good option. They are made from quality material that is both comfortable and will allow you to skate with ease. They also tend to have good wind-stopping features, which are great for blocking cold winds as you gather speed over the ice. You may also choose to invest in a pair of professional skating trousers if you are a regular skater. They are usually made of elastane and can be fastened under the boot to enhance your silhouette on the ice. At Figure Skating Boutique, we have a comprehensive catalogue of figure skating pants and bottoms, including figure skating leggings, to fit each skater’s unique needs. Visit our website today to find your perfect fit! Skating Tights Figure skating tights are a must if you are wearing a skating dress or skirt. Specialized skating tights are much more durable than ordinary tights, and are crucial for protecting your legs and keeping them warm on the ice. There are two types of skating tights: training tights and competition tights. Training tights are usually thicker and more durable than competition tights and tend to have a matte finish. Their denier count is higher and may look less aesthetically pleasing, but they are better at keeping your legs from cuts and bruises. Skating tights also come in three different designs. The first is tights that are wider at the foot and are open at the end, so they completely cover the boot. These have an elasticated bottom or a hook and eye at the bottom to keep them attached to the skates. The second variation of tights goes inside the boots, and the third fits only partially over the skate. These three variations are suitable for all levels of skating. The choice of design is only a matter of personal preference. Skating tights can also be worn as an extra layer underneath your leggings if you are an outdoor skater. Looking for the Right Fit? We Can Help! Figure Skating Boutique is your one-stop shop for all your skating needs. We have everything you need, from figure skating leggings and pants to skating boots for competitive, professional, and recreational skating. As one of North America’s top skating stores with over 20 years of expertise in the figure skating industry, we are here to help you find what you need to succeed. For all your figure skating needs, visit our online store or call us at 866-957-0396 today!
