What you wear on the ice is important for comfort, body temperature, and athletic movement–biofeedback. Practice wear is a good investment because it can often double for casual wear. There are three distinct types of apparel for use on the ice:
Practice Wear
It is just as important to feel good and look good during practice as it is during testing and competition. There is an entire industry that makes practice wear for both men and women that have an athletic look and is made from fabric that will stretch along with your body. Many of these fabrics have ‘breathing,’ or ‘wicking’ qualities that helps control body temperature—making your practices more comfortable.
• Dress for practice in layers. The harder you practice, the more your body temperature rises and you can easily remove a layer for comfort. At the end of your practice, during your cool down period, you can conveniently add back layers for warmth.
• Stiff fabrics, such as jeans, restrict your movement and send a message through your skin to your muscles to stiffen up. Stretch fabrics function as an extension of you skin and through biofeedback tells your muscles to remain loose and flexible improving your body movement.
•
It is totally
appropriate and often times more comfortable for adult
women to practice in stretch pants, and especially when
learning new elements. Having said that it is also
uplifting to practice in a body suit, leotard, or stretch
top with a flowing dance skirt, too.
•
Men’s practice wear
should also be flexible and worn in layers. Underneath
looser stretch practice pants, a layer of tight fitting
spandex biker shorts or even full length running tights is
recommended for support and biofeedback, too.
•
For all woman a
really good sports bra is an integral part of your
performance on the ice. After years of searching for a
sports bra that provided the best support for figure
skating, Title Nine, provided the best solution with a
“Barbell Rating System” and a “Bra Fit Calulator.”
•
Gloves are
optional. Obviously, they keep the hands warm and help take
the sting out of a fall.
•
Socks – No Socks!
At least no thick and heavy socks. For woman, the best
thing to wear on your feet is either opaque tights, or very
thin knee-high socks. For men, thin men’s hose socks are
the best. Contrary to popular thought, even for the
beginning or recreational skater, it is important to be
able to feel the interior of your boot with your feet for
additional control. Thick socks will block this sensations
and they won’t keep your feet any warmer than thin hose.
Safety Wear
•
Wrist guards are
highly recommend for the beginning skater because in the
case of most falls, your hands and wrist are going to be
the first thing to encounter the ice. These are optional
and will not at all interfere with your learning process,
or enjoyment. Wrist guards may be purchased at any major
sporting good store near you.
•
Helmets are
optional. Please check with you rink’s policy regarding
wearing helmets and where they may be purchased near you.
Note: Never use a helmet that has already suffered a crash.
•
Knee Pads will
provide an extra level of protection, especially if you
have any prior conditions with your knees.
•
Additional padding
most often seen worn by skaters practicing repetitive
higher- level jumps, are also available for adults. While a
little cumbersome to wear, they provide a lot of cushion
when falling.
Test Wear
•
When testing
Figures or Moves in the Field, it is recommended that
Adults wear attire that does not distract from your test.
Fitted enough to show your lines, but loose enough for
comfort, testing Figures or Moves In the Field is best in a
solid dark color to show off your line and are usually less
embellished. Recently, women have been allowed to test in
pants. Please check with your coach and judges for their
preference. However, if you are testing Moves in the Field
on the same day, or back to back, with a Freestyle test, it
is perfectly acceptable to wear a freestyle dress for your
Figures and Moves in the Field test, too.
•
Up until recently,
wearing gloves were not permitted during testing or
competing. However, that has changed. Please check with
your coach and judges with regard to their preference.
•
Note: When you are
testing, there is a protocol for approaching the Judges
before and possibly after you test (if asked to do a
re-skate.) Please consult with your coach about how to
approach the Judges. Before testing make sure that you
remove any visible scuffmarks from your boots; it is a sign
of respect to the Judges to test in clean boots. Please
stop by your rink's skate shop and ask about boot polish.
Competition
Wear
•
This is the time to
knock your self out with ‘bling!’ Have fun, re-live your
childhood, and go for broke! There is absolutely no limit
in the number of rhinestones that you wear so have a blast
‘be-jewelling!”
•
For beginning
skaters who are anxious to enter the world of Adult
Competitions, we recommend that you first visit a few
competitions to see what the other adults are wearing.
There are many companies that sell Adult Figure Skating
apparel. There is a wide range of great competition
dresses: from a simple off the rack dress (very
inexpensive) to custom made outfits (ranging anywhere from
$300 - $2500.) Ask around at your and you will be sure to
find a seamstress who comes highly recommended. This is a
good question for the skating moms and dads, and while you
are chatting with them you can invite them out on the ice,
too!
Click on the
pictures, or go to the sidebar for some links for finding
practice, test, and competition wear!