What kind of tights do you like to wear for practice?

[Skate@Delaware]

I wear to the ankle tights (lately 2 pairs together), but I put then inside my boot to sort of pad my ankle.

I wish I could find stirrup tights that have a nice seam (or even seamless) at the stirrup part. Maybe I should look at a dance supply store. I like my ankles to be covered, but not my feet.

[lindasaffell]

Hi All,

I am new to skating this year, and so I haven't yet worn a dress and tights (I am still at the skating-in-jeans-or-yoga-pants stage). I have been reading that it's good to skate occasionally in a dress so you feel more comfortable if you test in a dress. I haven't yet tested at all (obviously :chorus: ) but am considering the idea -- so that's my perspective on favorite tights.

I usually don't feel very cold at the rink, so is it that different when you wear a dress? I would go for a long-sleeved dress for sure. I am thinking I would probably prefer footless tights, so I could wear whatever socks I feel most comfortable with. Do the over-the-boot tights really help keep you warm? I have to say I've always liked the look of skating boots and wasn't really thinking of over-the-boot tights. You all have me rethinking that!

[Mrs Redboots]

Hi All,

I am new to skating this year, and so I haven't yet worn a dress and tights (I am still at the skating-in-jeans-or-yoga-pants stage). I have been reading that it's good to skate occasionally in a dress so you feel more comfortable if you test in a dress. I haven't yet tested at all (obviously :chorus: ) but am considering the idea -- so that's my perspective on favorite tights.

Time enough to skate in a practice-skirt and tights when you get a little more advanced, but yes, it is a good idea sometimes.

But if I may be so bold, it is not a great idea to skate in jeans - you really want something that moves with you, not that you move inside. Your yoga pants, or sweatpants, are a far better idea. Plus when you fall over and get them all snowy, jeans can be horrendously clammy - think how serious hikers won't wear them for walking in.

[julietvalcouer]

I have leotards and skirts from a dance store I use for practice once in a while (and my first tests) and after a year of skating got my first real skating dress--it's definitely different and I'm glad I wore it for a lesson today before the test next week. It helps to get the feel for it, and it does feel different! I also tried my new overboot tights and I LOVE the Mondors with velcro closures--they're warm and they don't slip up the boot.

Jeans--well, there's one guy at my old rink who does skate in them, and he has all his doubles. They seem to work for him, but I have to admit all of us raised an eyebrow the first time he wore them. I would think they'd have to be soft jean material rather than anything stiff. But everyone where I work wears practice dresses, tights, or warm-ups of some sort. When I don't wear skirts, I wear inexpensive warm-ups over a leotard and tights, and sometimes an extra shirt over the leotard.

[skatergirlaj]

Well last season*I am kinda...too pregnant to skate now* i wore in the boot and I wore boot covers.

[lindasaffell]

But if I may be so bold, it is not a great idea to skate in jeans - you really want something that moves with you, not that you move inside. Your yoga pants, or sweatpants, are a far better idea. Plus when you fall over and get them all snowy, jeans can be horrendously clammy - think how serious hikers won't wear them for walking in.

Why yes, you may. I DO think I like the yoga pants pretty well. My jeans that I had worn for skating are actually quite old ones so they are really soft and broken-in, but truthfully I wasn't doing a lot of skating work, just recreational skating in them.

I see ALL sorts of clothing at my local rink! From tiny tots and older girls in tights and dresses or skirts, to kids with jeans about to fall off, to hockey kids, to adults with, now I think about it, often a track suit.

Very interesting -- I am realizing that I started out just skating for occasional fun outings and don't think of it as much as sport as I have other activities. I sure have all the clothes for exercise that I need, I just wasn't considering them so often as potential clothing to skate in.

Thanks, everyone, for the help and ideas!

[katharine.]

I have like 10 zillion pairs of in the boot tights. Personally I think the stirrup ones look [color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color] anyways...Are tights really a big deal?

[Rusty Blades]

I like my Mondor footed thights - comfortable and warm. I wear them under stretch pants. The stretch pants offer WAY more mobility than jeans.

[dlkksk8fan]

Out of all my tights I like my Mondor footed tights the best for practice.