What To Wear Roller Skating – Roller Skating Outfits

If you are just getting started in the world of roller skating, you might not have considered what to wear roller skating. But, it does matter.

Of course, how you skate and the type of skating that you do is incredibly important, but what you are wearing should not be taken lightly.

Your safety and performance on your skates can easily be determined by what you are wearing.

What you wear has somewhat to do with the fashion that you want to show off, but more to do with the function of the clothing.

You need to make sure that what you are wearing is not just fashionable, but it also needs to be both safe and comfortable.

The right outfit can also be determined by the amount of experience that you have roller skating and your objective as a skater.

What To Look For In Clothing

Before we get into the types of clothing that are out there, let’s look at what you should be looking for when you are deciding what to wear.

• Function: Function over style should be considered every time. Ask yourself whether you are doing some intense, serious, and competitive skating of if you are just going out of some hang-out time with pals.
• Durability: You should also think about what skating is going to do to the clothes that you are wearing. You will need clothes that are able to stretch and move with you. If you are wearing pants that do not move well, for example, you might find the bottom ripped right out and find yourself in a lot of trouble.
• Movability: On the same thread as durability, think about how well the clothes that you are breathing. You want the clothes to feel lose and allow you to stay cool at the same time.
• Cost: Don’t go out and spend a fortune just to look good on your skates. Of course, higher quality clothes may cost more and last longer, but you don’t need to spend much to have a fun skating outfit. Many thrift stores will even have nice outfits that someone has retired.
• Material: Finally, look at what the different materials are. Some materials work better for exercise than others.

Popular Types Of Clothing

There are definitely certain types of clothes that pop up in the rinks more than others, for better and for worse. Some really don’t belong out there, but still make the fashion statement that people are after.

Denim

Denim has been an old traditional look on the rink for decades. Many people like that it provides an appearance of effortless style as if you aren’t skating to work out, but are so skilled that you don’t really need workout clothes.

If you feel like denim is the right choice for you or it is your favourite outfit to show off, you need to make sure that the jeans are not so tight that you are not able to move around freely.

You are supposed to be letting loose and having fun, but denim can be super restrictive, making all of that good intention amount to nothing.

A nice alternative to denim jeans is denim jeggings. They look like jeans but have the stretch and movement that you get from leggings.

There are some jeans out there that are comfortable and easy to move in, but we also are still in the era where skinny jeans are ruling the day, creating a lot of restriction and inability to skate well.

You will also want to make sure that any jeans that you decide to wear are ok to sweat in. Some denim will create rashes or cause a lot of irritation as the material gets damp.

If the jeans that you are wearing are not made to handle sweat, they are not the right choice for you when you are roller skating.

T-Shirts

T-shirts and tank tops are some of the most common choices for tops. They come in a ton of varieties, infinite options really, and are generally loose and easy to move in.

They also are easy to make them look good with shorts and jeans.

When you are looking at t-shirts, make sure they are a breathable material. They have plenty of fabrics out there that are specifically made for exercise, so they will not hang onto sweat, allowing it to dry off of you easily and keep you cool.

Since workout gear has become something people wear for comfort, you can easily find shirts that look great and are comfortable as well.

If you do prefer the more traditional t-shirt or tank top look, you might be happier in something that is cotton and breathable. Blouses might look nice, but they are generally not practical in terms of tops.

There are some that are made for recreation and hiking, but they do not have the same fun look that many people are going for.

You have a ton of top options but just stick with something that is comfortable.

Shorts

Wearing a pair of fun athletic shorts is both practical and fashionable. If you find yourself skating out on the boardwalk in summer, the cooler that you can stay, the better off that you will be.

Shorts are definitely one of the most-favoured articles of clothing that skaters opt for. They have a lot of different fabrics, lengths, designs, and textures.

While it might be attractive to go with the shorts that are super short, the best shorts should be longer and looser than that. Ideally, shorts should finish off at your knees rather than just covering your rear.

Cargo shorts are also a nice option, though they don’t always work well when it comes to sweat. They can run long, protecting more of your leg and they have pockets, which can be really handy.

There are a ton of different types of athletic shorts out there as well, so you should have a few different options to choose from.

Ideally, you would choose a pair that is fashionable and comfortable at the same time, but we really do recommend against booty shorts, because they leave too much of your skin exposed, putting you at a bigger risk of tearing yourself up in the event that you wipe out.

Safety Gear

When we are talking about what to wear roller skating, we cannot leave out the type of safety gear that you should be wearing. Safety gear is excellent to help prevent injuries in the event that you fall.

If you are really just starting in the sport, you can expect to fall as you try out new things. Here are some safety gear options to consider:

• Knee pads: Knee pads are a definite must. If you think about it, when you fall, you are most likely to fall first on your knees, so they are the part that needs the most protection.
• Elbow pads: In the same vein as knee pads, we have elbow pads. Elbow pads help block abrasions from wiping out, just like knee pads.
• Wrist guard: Wrist guards don’t block against abrasion like the knee and elbow pads. Instead, they will help prevent your wrist from breaking if you fall. It is a natural instinct to catch yourself with your hands when you fall, which means your wrists could take quite an impact.
• Helmets: Helmets matter a lot if you are doing roller derby. This is because there is a lot of physical contact with roller derby that there isn’t in more relaxed roller skating. You are definitely more likely to suffer impact and crash into others in the world of roller derby, so you will definitely need to have your head as protected as possible.
• Goggles: If you are skating outside, goggles are a great choice to prevent dirt and dust from flying into your eyes. If your vision becomes impaired, you will be putting yourself in a different type of danger, so goggles might be a great choice for you.

Bottom Line

It makes sense that you would want to look your best when you are out roller skating.

But, when you decide what to wear roller skating, you should not just think about what you think looks the best. When it comes to clothes, you have more than the appearance that comes into mind.

Denim may be one of the more traditional and popular clothing choices, but it is restrictive, uncomfortable, and does not make for good sports wear.

So, if this is the direction you decide to go, keep in mind that the quality of your skating will certainly be impacted.

The clothing choice that you opt for should be based on your comfort and safety, but if you are trying to make a fashion statement, do so in clothing that is flexible and built for movement.

It is up to you, but we want you to be a safe and competent skater when on the rink.