10 Items a Figure Skater Never Leaves Home Without
Figure skaters, just like other athletes, need a lot of accessories to help them perform their best. You’ll also always see a figure skater walking around with at least one large bag. What’s inside that bag, and why did they choose those items? We’re glad you asked. Finding the right combination of accessories can make a skater’s life so much easier. Read on to discover some of team Riedell’s favorite figure skating accessories!
Skate Guards
Skate guards play an essential role in preserving a skater’s figure skates. Skate guards should always be worn while off the ice. They’ll keep a skater’s blades sharp and protect against nicks and dings in the blades. A skater will use his or her skate guards to walk around the rink to get to the ice. The value of a good pair of skate guards cannot be overstated.
Dry Towel
Unsurprisingly, figure skating is a sport in which you’ll get wet; a lot. From wiping off your skates to drying off your hands after a spill, a dry towel has a lot of uses in a skater’s bag. This figure skating essential is one no skater can leave home without.
Water Bottle
A hydrated skater is a healthy skater. Just like with every other sport, figure skating will make you tired and dehydrated. It’s important to drink a lot of water while practicing and during competitions. High-performance water bottles that can keep drinks cold or hot for hours are a great item to bring to the rink.
Lacing Hooks
The importance of properly lacing figure skates cannot be undervalued. Having laces that are too tight or too loose can seriously impact a skater’s performance. With a lacing hook, a skater can achieve the perfect fit every time without straining their fingers. New skates can be especially hard to lace up. Lacing hooks make getting into figure skates easier than ever before.
Sneaker Balls
A skater’s figure skates get put through a lot. And at the end of the day, they can be left smelling pretty unpleasant. An easy trick skaters use to combat this stinky situation? Sneaker balls. There are a million different variations of sneaker ball type devices that a skater can use to defunk her skates; the important part is to just put something in your skates before you place them in your bag for the evening. This way, when a skater pulls them out for practice the next day, she is greeted with a fresh and dry skate, not a stinky one.
Extra Tights
Whether you choose to go with the boot cover or footed version, tights are an essential for any skater. Figure skating tights are significantly more durable and warmer than regular tights. These tights can withstand a lot of wear and tear, but eventually, they will give up the fight, and the inevitable hole will appear. Some holes are manageable, but others will prompt a quick change. Skaters usually keep an extra pair of tights around just in case, especially at competitions.
Travel Bag
To a skater, a travel bag with wheels is one of the best inventions since sliced bread. Figure skates are surprisingly heavy. Not to mention all of the accessories a skater also has to bring to the ice. Having a bag on wheels helps prevent back and shoulder pain that a skate could accumulate from carrying around such a heavy bag. The best part of travel bags are their specialized compartments. With space for your snacks, accessories, and most importantly, skates, you’ll be able to find anything you need all season long.
Snacks
Skaters need a lot of fuel. It takes tremendous effort and skill to make figure skating look effortless. The best way to keep a skater’s energy high while practicing is to consume well-balanced snacks, such as fruits, meats, and nuts. Using snacks in partnership with well-balanced meals can help a skater withstand fatigue and extend their career.
Terry Blade Covers
Terry blade covers are made of terry cloth, thus the name, and are the tool used to keep blades dry while in a skate bag. These covers, also known as soakers, are also used to keep the blades of a skater’s skates form scuffing their boots and to keep the blades from knocking against each other. Soakers should not be worn while wearing your skates, they are intended for storage only. And, soakers should only be put on a skater’s blades after the blade has been thoroughly wiped dry with a clean towel. Allowing a blade to rest in a wet terry blade cover can lead to rust.
Warm Gear
This item may sound a little vague, but every skater has his or her own warm gear item that they can’t live without. Some swear by thin gloves while others can’t skate without leg warmers. Skaters typically will experiment while in training to find their perfect warm gear item, and once they find it, they’ll never be without it. All other items that keep a skater warm come and go, like pants, tights, leggings, and sweaters. But a skater’s favorite piece of warm gear will journey with them as they round out their career.