Protecting your hands is essential at the ice skating rink. But what types of ice skating gloves should you choose? Below are my tips to help you select the best figure skating gloves for your type of practice as well as suggested gloves to purchase. Skate safe and warm!
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (learn more).
Best ice skating gloves - summary
The choice for best ice skating gloves depends on your needs. Below is my top selection of gloves to wear when ice skating, if you don't want to read the whole article.
However, you can find more information below with the criteria to choose the best option for you.
- Best gloves for leisure ice skating for kids and adults
Main criteria for choice - not bulky, warm, water-resistant, touch screen
- Best figure skating gloves for protection during practice with jumps
Main criteria for choice - protection pads, warm, water-resistant
- Best figure skating gloves for warmth and practicality
Main criteria for choice - thin, warm, water-resistant, flexible and elegant for beautiful lines
- Best ice skating gloves for toddlers
Main criteria for choice - comfortable, warm, fun design
- Best ice skating gloves to skate outside
Main criteria for choice - warmer and waterproof but bulkier
Criteria to choose your figure skating gloves
Why do you need gloves for ice skating?
Gloves are one of the main ice skating equipment pieces to take to the rink and an essential part of your figure skating training outfit. There are 2 main reasons to wear gloves when ice skating:
- to keep your fingers warm - the rink can be cold. Some people will not have cold hands, but most will.
- to protect your hands when you fall - it is quite frequent to fall when ice skating. It is a slippery surface! LOL. To catch yourself and to stand back up you will have to put your hands on the ice. It is much better when wearing gloves
The type of gloves really depends on what sort of ice skating you do and what your priorities are.
Warmth / thickness
First of all, you want gloves that are warm. Otherwise there is no point in wearing them...
But, you don't want bulky gloves. You are not skiing. You don't need ski gloves.
- As a beginner, your whole body plays a role in your balance, including your hands.
- In practice class, bulky gloves prevent from creating beautiful lines
Water resistance
In case you fall on the ice, you also want a material that is water resistant. Not completely waterproof because you normally don't stay with your hands on the ice, but something that will not get your hands wet as soon as you touch it.
However, if you are skating outside and it is raining or snowing, you may want fully waterproof gloves.
Material to be avoided: leather - it does not like being wet.
Protection
All gloves add a layer to your hand and will protect you against potential cuts from blades (typically superficial).
However, as you practice for more and more tricks on the ice, you may be falling more and more.
In that case, it is a good idea to protect your hands a bit more. A few pairs of gloves have been designed with pads for that purpose.
Comfort / practicality
As I said, you don't want something bulky.
Plus, a comfortable pair of gloves would make the ice skating experience more enjoyable.
And, if you are a leisure ice skater, you may want to use your phone while on the ice, to take pictures for example. In that case you can find gloves with a touch screen system. This way you don't have to remove your glove every time you want to use your phone.
Note: always check reviews about the touch screen functionality. Some gloves list the feature, but sometimes users report it not working properly.
Design
Design can have a place in your selection, of course. In figure skating and especially ice dancing, beautiful lines are important.
And if you are looking for ice skating gloves for a toddler, design can be a fun way to make him/her wear gloves. Some toddlers don't want to sometimes. But having superheroes, ballerinas or animals on them can help.
One note about design though:
Avoid gloves with rhinestones!!!! They can fall on the ice and be dangerous for all skaters. Rhinestones should be only for competitions.
Anti-slip - not really
In theory, except for the water bottle when hydrating, you won't have to hold anything when practicing ice skating. The anti-grip systems are not necessary.
But because most thin warm gloves are also made for biking, most of them will have some kind of anti-grip system.
It is not an inconvenience. But it will only be useful to you when you hold your water bottle.
Note for pair skating
Wearing gloves when skating in pairs is not a good idea – it makes the grip slippery. If you are doing simple skating and no lifts, you can wear gloves but choose a material that is not slippery.
Reviews - Recreational ice skating gloves
Indoor rink
As discussed earlier, if you are ice skating for leisure in an inside rink you want gloves that are:
- not bulky
- warm
- a little water resistant
- with touch screen capability
- (and maybe nice looking, if you are on an ice skating date...)
Those options, for kids and adults, meet those criteria.
Materials for adult pair: Material: spandex, lycra, microfiber, conductive fabric & silicone.
Users report good warmth and comfort.
Outdoor rink
The gloves for the indoor rink can also be used outside. However, if you or your kid are skating on a pond or lake, the temperature will most probably be lower and you may have wind and rain.
In that case, I suggest going for gloves that are a little bulkier but warmer and waterproof. You will be better protected.
Your lines will not be as pretty, but I think protection is more important. Don't you?
Reviews - figure skating gloves for practice
If you are practicing tricks or taking lessons, then you might be looking for other gloves to enter your figure skating equipment pack.
Below are 2 options:
- The first one: gloves are quite thin for an elegant hand - this is important to not break the lines your body is creating visually
- The second one: gloves have added protective pads strategically placed to protect your hand when you fall
The gloves above are liners. They can be used inside ski gloves to make them warmer. But they are a great option for figure skating practice because they are thin and light yet warm.
As soon as your start jumping, you will fall a lot and catch yourself with your hands.
In that case those padded gloves will give extra protection and might prevent bruises. They can be a great gift for figure skaters.
However, note that parents can get those even when the kid is only starting and not really jumping. The glove is not bulky so it can be used all the time. And you may feel better that your kid is protected in case of a fall.
Check out more suggestions about figure skating protective gear.
Review - ice skating gloves for toddlers and young kids
For very young kids, you won't find many different materials for the gloves. They are mostly cotton and acrylic.
But it is sufficient to start with. However, note that they are not really water-resistant so, if the rink is melting a little, your kid may have wet hands if he/she falls a lot.
I think the most important is that the toddler wants to wear them. Because of that, design plays a very important role.
You can find many designs, such as these:
Check out this article for more tips of how to ice skate with a toddler.
Figure skating gloves for competition
Figure skating mum, if your kid is joining a figure skating competition, you may want to add a glove to give the outfit more effect.
Normally, it is better to create a glove with the same fabric as the costume.
However, you may have bought the dress complete and are looking for a way to increase the visual effect.
In that case you need neutral colors:
You might also be interested in:
About the author
Hello! I am Claire.
I have practiced ice skating for 12 years and then became a judge for a few years. I also used to train beginner ice skaters.
I love the feeling of gliding on the ice and, with this website, I want to help others experience the same joy.
Have fun!
