Best clothes to wear for a brief ice-skating session indoors? About This Page:

[christiejay]

This summer we are going to Gatlinburg. Joshua (7) is in Cub Scouts and is really enjoying working on the belt loop awards. They have one for ice skating, but we don't have any facilities around here. However, there is a public rink at Ober Gatlinburg, a place we always visit when in the Smokies, but we have never skated there. Actually, never skated in my life! I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to work on this award.

I am wondering what is best to wear as I'm sure we will be putting in quite a lot of time "on" the ice, if you know what I mean. Would it be best to wear blue jeans? Or maybe some other material? And I am assuming gloves or mittens would be a good idea, right? I don't want to feel overdressed, but on the other hand I don't want to be out there and feel underprepared either.

Thanks for your help!

[Carousel96]

We just had a GS ice skating event. The girls skating all wore jeans and sweatshirts. Most had mittens (the ones without wished they had them). More than a few wore bike helmets, so I'd take one, especially if it's a first time on the ice.
The thing I wasn't prepared for was how cold it was to be a spectator. I wanted mittens too. And even in tennies and socks, my feet were freezing when I left the rink.

[Colexis Mom]

Jeans and sweatshirts are good. Probably a pair of lightweight gloves as well!

[lauren-roxy]

Jean are good, but I would wear some long underwear underneath because the jeans will get wet from falling down. Like others have said, definitely take some gloves or mittens because it is cold in the rink.

[christiejay]

Thanks for the advice, we will definitely take a change of clothes (along with mittens) for our skating adventure!

[korki-rad]

DD is a competitive figure skater...in the beginning, we always had her wear sweatpants and put tights under them, but for boys, sweatpants or jeans with long underwear or Under Armour leggings under would work great! A lot of the beginner kids wear snow pants on the ice. If you are planning to go in the summertime, you could probably go without the long underwear...DD says in the summer, the cool ice feels GREAT!

DEFINITELY have him wear gloves or mittens...the ice is murder on your hands! (I've seen parents give kids the socks off their feet at skating class when they forget to bring gloves! Not having gloves is really horrible for the kids!) If possible, get waterproof gloves -- the little stretchy cotton ones will be soaking wet in no time.

As much as possible, dress in layers. Even now during practices, DD wears a tight t-shirt under her skating dress (and sometimes a sweatshirt or turtleneck over that), two layers of tights and a fleece jacket. DD is a bit cold-sensitive, though, so we have to find creative ways to bundle her up without adding too much bulk. ;-)

Hope this helps! I'm sure he'll have a great time!

[krisk11]

Ice rinks aren't that cold in the summer. Jeans and sweatshirts would be fine along with a pair of gloves. Don't go out on the ice as soon as the zamboni goes off as the ice will still be wet if you fall, wait a few minutes until the water the zamboni drops is frozen. I wear shorts and flip flops to watch my dd's ice hockey games in the summer with no problems but I've been in ice rinks year round for so many years I might just be use to it. If it's your sons first time skating you really might want to consider putting his bike helmet on him. I did that when my dd started skating at age 3.

[jmslee123]

I would wear shorts and a t-shirt.It is nice and warm pads indoors.Ice also be useful,I suggest using blue jeans,if only going to skate for the fun of it.If reach the practice track can bring something easy to move should wear sweats if you do not have practice skirts or dress.

[ilovedisney247]

I would advise sweatpants over jeans--or leggings--jeans are fairly restrictive!

[HiddenMickey]

We usually choose to wear jeans, long sleeve shirt, fleece jacket, and gloves.

[Carousel96]

A beginning skater will be walking on the ice then progressing to strokes, but jeans won't restrict that kind of motion. And they're warmer and more waterproof than sweats.
If you're driving and can toss in the snow pants, those are great because they slip on over shorts.
The more important this is probably socks. Although it's tempting to go with thick and warm, the experts will tell you thinner is better. You want your skate snug so it's like part of your foot.

[JennyM]

My daughter is has been skating for 14 years...yikes! After spending many hours in many different rinks, I can tell you that the temperature inside every rink is VERY different! Some rinks are very nice in every season and some are extremely cold all the time. Her home rink is very cold and even in summer we wear fleece jackets to the rink. Gloves are very important not only for the cold but for the protection they offer from the ice and should someone else's blade hit your hand. Layers are best because then you can take one off as you get warmer. Caitie goes to practice in a long-sleeve dress,2 pair of tights, t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, fleece jacket, and gloves. She usually winds up down to her practice dress and sweaty by the time she is through. And a helmet is a very, very great idea, especially for young childen. It is so easy to fall and whack your head! I got 2 concussions from skating as a child. Concussions are no fun at all!