How to choose your perfect skates and dress for the rink? Instruction from a CMC hockey player

Ice skating is a great option for outdoor winter recreation. It is both sport and fun, and an opportunity to socialize. Today, even in the smallest towns there are modern skating rinks equipped with everything you need. But to make sure that the fun definitely succeeded, it is very important to carefully consider the choice of equipment. What is the algorithm for creating an image? Let’s find out together with an expert.

Sportmaster PRO expert, candidate master of sports in hockey

“In this article, I will not talk about professional hockey, but will tell you about what is important to most skate fans. How to dress for the rink to be warm and comfortable? What is important for a beginner? Which skates to choose so as not to miss out?”

First steps

Before going to the rink, study the information about it. What is there to know? First, the type of rink: open (for example, in the park) or closed (ice palace, hockey school, etc.). Secondly, the rules for visiting it. Certain nuances will depend on this.

What will you need in any case? Protective equipment. Do not neglect it, because falls on the ice can be very painful and traumatic. Use a helmet, protection for knees, elbows, palms and preferably the tailbone.

Be sure to start each skating session with a warm-up. 10-15 minutes of basic exercises are enough to warm up your muscles and get your blood flowing.

If it’s your first steps on the ice, take an instructor for a few skates or ask more experienced friends to teach you basic moves. This is very important. It’s always easier and quicker to get the right base than it is to retrain yourself later.

For beginners, it is better to get acquainted with the ice near the sides of the rink. They can be used as a support. At public rinks where there are a lot of people, you should stay away from those with whom there is a danger of collision. These are mainly fast skaters who change their trajectory abruptly. It is also better to stay away from beginners. They are unpredictable! At first you may not have the experience and skills to avoid a collision.

Follow these simple rules, then skating will be safe and bring a lot of fun. To make everything work out exactly, it is important to equip yourself properly. Let’s move on to clothing for skating.

How to dress for the skating rink?

About protection, I have already told you, now let’s talk about clothes. Here we must remember that skating is a type of physical activity. Of course, no one forbids jeans and a coat (and maybe a dress), but I still recommend to visit the rink in comfortable sportswear according to the weather and observe the principle of layering.

Algorithm of creating a layered look

1. The first layer is thermal underwear designed for the appropriate temperature. It will keep warm, absorb moisture and remove it from the body.
2. The second layer – insulating. For example, a sweater. A fleece jacket will also work well.
3. The third layer is a jacket and pants made of waterproof materials. It is desirable – with windproofing and moisture removal. Also remember that the right outerwear does not restrain movements.
4. An important point – socks. I recommend special thermal socks for skating.
5. Hat, scarf and gloves according to the weather.

If you listen to me and decide to buy a set of protection, it is better to try it on the clothes in which you will skate.

How to choose skates?

All skates can be divided into three main categories: hockey, for figure skating, for outdoor activities.

With the first two categories, everything is clear. They are chosen by hockey players and figure skaters. I will not explain in detail the difference between professional, semi-professional and amateur skates – this is a vast topic for a separate article.

Women’s fitness skates Roces SUEDE ECO-FUR, 12 999 rubles.

We are interested in the third category – skates for outdoor activities. They also come in different varieties. For example, fitness skates are quite soft, it is very comfortable for your foot, but there are some disadvantages. They have weaker ankle support. This means that the legs will be more overloaded and more tired. Therefore, it is better to choose skates with good ankle support. They come in both hockey type and figure skates.

Bauer X-LS hockey skates, 10,999 rubles.

7 tips for a successful choice

1. Do not choose skates with a strong size margin. Even for a child. In this case, the reserve should not exceed one size (0.8-1 cm). An adult should take skates with a minimum reserve, or better – without it at all.

2. Be sure to try on the skates before buying. They should fit not only in size, but also on the shoe. Put on the skates and try to walk in them.

3. Tie the laces tightly when trying them on.

Nordway Alice women’s figure skates, 5119 rubles.

4. Try on the skates with the socks you will be wearing. Thermal socks are the best: they are comfortable, do not chafe, effectively wick away moisture and retain heat. But I do not recommend woolen ones.

5. Take into account the fact that after a few skating skates wear out and become more comfortable.

6. Do not buy too soft skates, otherwise your legs will get tired without ankle support.

Graf Davos Gold children’s figure skates, 7039 rubles.

7. Get help from a professional. This is the best solution. I would not advise you to choose skates on your own. From my experience I know that people often make mistakes in the choice and skating instead of pleasure turns into hard labor.

Which skates are better? For those who skate very well, I recommend hockey or figure skates. Of course, they are more expensive, but the quality of materials is much higher. You can not only skate in them, but also play hockey, perform elements of figure skating or freestyle skating.

Roces Yuma girl sliding skates for children, 3719 rubles.

Skating accessories

For comfortable skating it is desirable to get comfortable and practical accessories. You will need a bag or backpack for skates, protective covers for blades, spare laces (they always break at the wrong time), a set of protection. Girls may need a shoelace tightener: not everyone has enough strength to tie them with the right amount of force.

The secrets of properly selected equipment are thoroughness and the use of the “advice of a professional” option. As for clothing, it should be comfortable, at the same time protecting you from the cold, but not allowing you to sweat, and also not restricting your movements.

Do not forget about protection! Before visiting the skating rink, study its schedule and safety rules. Before skating, be sure to warm up a little and be careful on the ice.