Most skaters wear athletic leggings and a form-fitted athletic shirt and jacket for practice. It is particularly important during lessons to wear form-fitted clothing. Your coach needs to be able to see the lines of your body and how you are holding yourself. Even small a adjustment to body position can make a big difference in how well a skill is performed.

Some skaters wear skating leggings which are perfectly fine, but not necessary. The only real difference is that skating leggings have longer legs that flare out a bit at the bottom. This allows the skater to put the back of the legging over the back of their boot. If you wear regular leggings, don’t wear any that are very loose or flared at the ankle. Loose fabric near the feet is a safety hazard. Skaters hold their feet near their ankles quite a bit, and it’s not difficult to catch a skate in this type of pant leg, causing a fall.

Having multiple layers will help you stay comfortable throughout your practice session, regardless of how long. Jackets and gloves are a key component to staying warm, especially at the beginning of a session. Jackets, like shirts, should be form-fitting – no baggy sweatshirts – so your coach can clearly see what’s happening with your upper body.

Practice outfits can easily be found online with a quick internet search. Alternatively, you can purchase appropriate clothing from almost any store that carries athletic clothing.

Check out our Footwear page for information about what to wear under your skates (if anything!)