Ice Skating Pants
Staying warm is key to keeping the leg muscles loose and ready to perform, making the right pair of skating pants all the more important for ice skaters. Pants made specifically for ice skating are warm yet flexible, allowing skaters to move freely and stay comfortable.
Benefits of Ice Skating Pants
Pants made for ice skating are stretchy and flexible, like a pair of leggings or yoga pants, but they’re thicker and often have a fleece thermal lining on the inside for warmth. They’re typically also made with some water-resistant materials, helping to keep snow and ice chips from the blade from seeping through and causing discomfort to the skater. Most ice skating pants go down over the heel of the skates, helping to keep the laces in place and adding extra protection to the skates themselves. Many forms, especially competition trousers, have a strap that fits under the heel to keep them in place.
Traditionally, men performing in formal competitions have been required to wear pants, while women who perform were expected to wear skirts and tights. In the past couple of decades, however, gendered dress codes have become more flexible in competition settings. While less common, some women do choose to wear pants to perform.
Things To Consider
When looking for ice skating pants, you'll want to consider the following:
- What type of pants are you looking for?
- What size pants do you need?
- How much are you looking to spend on pants?
What are you looking for in ice skating pants?
- Comfort
- Style
- Adult-sized
- Youth-sized
- Affordability
- Durability
Types
Skaters often have separate pants for warm-up and performance purposes.
Warm-Up
Warm-up pants skating pants are flexible, warm garments worn for practice. They have a snug, stretchy fit like yoga pants or leggings but are thicker and slightly longer to partially cover the skates. More luxury pairs might have a water-resistant outer layer with an inner fleece lining for extra protection against the cold.
Performance
Performance pants are dressier garments worn in competition. They typically look like regular trousers, but they’re made with a higher degree of elastane for an unhindered fit and straps connecting the pants to the skates. Traditionally, male ice skaters have worn pants for performance while women wear skirts.
Brands
Most figure skating brands, including ChloeNoel, IceDress, and Kami-So offer good options for both practice and performance ice skating pants.
ChloeNoel
ChloeNoel has a good variety of warmup pants in both plain and decorative options, as well as high-quality black performance pants for men. Its warm-up pants can come stoned or with bold color patterns, often in a set with a matching jacket at an affordable price.
IceDress
IceDress has inexpensive yet reliable thermal wear for children and junior skaters especially, with warm-up pants in bold and fun patterns. Its apparel is especially good value and reliable, although some consumers find sizes run small. Most of its thermal pants come in full sets.
Kami-So
Kami-So is a higher-end brand created by Japanese and Italian designers looking for comfortable yet stylish skating apparel. Its ice skating pants come in sleek, fun, and modern designs alike with styles that are sure to please everyone. While Kami-So ice skating pants are generally more expensive, their designs are streamlined and long-lasting.
FAQ
How do you clean ice skating pants?
Ice skating pants typically require special care due to the heat-sensitive stretch materials and, in some cases, inner fleece lining. Some pants can be put in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, though using a mesh bag as a buffer is recommended. Others should be gently hand washed in lukewarm water with detergent and left to air dry. It’s recommended to turn the pants inside out before washing, especially if the outer layer has stone or bead decorations.
How much do ice skating pants cost?
Ice skating pants are manufactured with more care and high-quality materials than regular leggings or athletic pants to protect against the cold, so naturally, they can cost considerably more. The average pair of good-quality practice pants can cost $40 to $60, though some with stone or bead decorations can cost more. Performance pants are more expensive, with the average pair costing upwards of $100, though some can be purchased for $60 to $80.
How do you know what size ice skating pants you need?
Sizes for warm-up ice skating pants typically correspond with general sizes for leggings or sweatpants. They come in children’s and adult’s sizes of extra small to extra large, with some offering measurements of the waistband for added tailoring in the fit. While some performance pants come in generalized sizes, they are often tailored to hip, waist, thigh, and inseam measurements for an extra streamlined and polished fit.