Having the right socks for for figure skating will help with comfort and performance. There are a few myths going round about what type of socks to wear. Hopefully this will clear that up. So what socks to wear for ice skating?
Despite what you may have heard, do not wear really thick socks to protect your feet. This is a common myth. So what socks to wear for ice skating? Go for thin socks with a thin seam. The reasons for this are below.
The thing is with socks that you wear for figure skating is that you don’t want to muffle the experience with a super thick sock. You need to feel the ice. The pressure in different parts of the boot as you change edge.
Its best to go with a thinner sock, so that your foot is comfortable without compromising the feel of the ice and the ice skating experience. Your foot will be comfy, wont sweat too much and will help with the feel of the ice.
Check out Edea skating socks here (affiliate link to Amazon)
Socks to wear that don’t make up for ill fitting ice skates
If you are having to wear really thick socks to make your boots feel comfortable, then you have ill fitting ice skates. Your skates should be fitted close to your foot. There should only be room for a thin or normal cotton sock.
If you are having to put on thermal socks to stop your boot flapping around, then something has definitely gone wrong with the fitting and you should consider getting another set of boots.
Hire skates
Hire skates as a rule are uncomfortable. You will never really know comfort whilst ice skating until you buy your own boots. I can remember the hire skates causing plenty of discomfort.
Its still not a good idea to put really thick socks on. Normal socks will be fine. If they are really uncomfortable, ask to try another pair.
The only real solution however, is to buy your own. If you intend on figure skating regularly, figure skates are a real investment that you are unlikely to regret.
Edea Ice Fly Figure Skating Boots (affiliate link to Amazon)
Socks to wear for ice skating that don’t have a thick seam
Seams on socks can really uncomfortable, especially if you have properly fitted skates that don’t have too much excess room in them. The seam on a sock can cause considerable discomfort.
The wrong socks can make you think that your ice skates don’t fit
If you have correctly fitting skates there isn’t an awful lot of room in there for thick socks. Even thin socks can be painful if the seem is in the wrong place when you put your foot in the boot.
If you are breaking in a new set of ice skates and you are getting pain or rubbing across the tops or sides of your toes, try changing your socks before you change your boots. It is amazing how much relief changing your socks or even just moving the seam can give you if the socks are the problem.
Consider specialist socks for ice skating
There are socks out there that are manufactured for the sport of ice skating. I am thinking in particular of the Edea ice skating socks.
If you are not familiar with Edea, they are a major ice skate manufacturer, with many Olympic athletes wearing their figure skates.
In line with the production of figure skates, Edea have created a pair of socks that they say compliment their ice skates. In reality, it doesn’t really matter what brand of ice skates you have, the Edea socks could be of help to any figure skater. Especially someone who is suffering with their socks.
The Edea socks are made specially for ice skating and have the following features.
- They help keep your foot at a constant temperature
- They help maintain sensitivity
- Absorb moisture
- Non creasing (avoids rubbing)
- Seamless heel
- Seamless toe
- Designed so only 1cm of sock shows above an Edea skate
- Non iron
Now, Edea say that the socks are seamless. That’s not entirely true. The heel has no seam, it is practically invisible. The Toe does have a tiny seam. There is a seam there, but it is so much smaller than normal sock.
If you are having issues with socks, it might be worth giving the Edea socks a go. I have created a video of the Edea socks to show you more.
Edea ice skating socks
Check out Edea skating socks here (affiliate link to Amazon)
Socks to wear for ice skating that fit
What ever socks you wear for figure skating, it is important that they fit. This is not often something we think about. You throw on a pair of socks and go about your day. The extreme conditions of figure skating however, demand more.
When you choose the socks to wear, you want the sock to fit snugly around your foot. It needs to cling to your foot. We have all at some point had socks on, where, when you push your foot to the side, you can get the sock to roll around your foot. You can even slide the sock off on the carpet, without touching your feet. This is not what you want.
Avoid socks that lets your foot slide around in the boot
You need a sock that fits closely. This is so the sock doesn’t slide around your foot whilst in the boot. When you are cornering or striking a strong edge, you don’t want your foot to slide in the sock. If this happens, your foot might move in the boot. This could cause you loose your skating edge slightly, or even change edge.
What about tights for ice skating?
Before I write this section, I should make it clear that the British and the Americans use different words for tights and leggings. As I am British, I shall use the British terms.
| British | American |
| Tights | Pantyhose |
| Leggings | Tights |
Check out these Mondor over-the-boot skating tights (affiliate link to Amazon)
The popular image of figure skating is that of a woman in tights and a skating dress, performing at competition. This is true of competition, but in every day life and regular training, figure skaters rarely wear tights. More often skaters wear leggings.
The trouble with tights is that they are slippy, your foot can slip around in the boot. There are many figure skaters that wear socks under or over their tights in competition to stop their foot sliding around.
The other issue with tights is that your foot can sweat and get cold. They are also more difficult to change after you have got off the ice. Whereas a pair of socks can be whipped off and changed at the side of the rink.
Many figure skating tights that are for competition either have an open or partially open foot, or have no foot and go over the boot. Though you can get closed foot tights. Its personal preference really.
For everyday training though, most ditch the tights (unless they are being worn for warmth on the legs) in favor of leggings.
Check out Chloe Noel figure skating tights here (affiliate link to Amazon)
Sweat wicking technical fabrics when considering what socks to wear for ice skating
Technical fabrics have sweat wicking capabilities. This means that unlike some fibres, like cotton, they can pull the sweat away from your skin and evaporate it.
Technical socks also have the occasional added benefit of being seamless. Some technical socks are available without a seam.
Many technical fabrics are man made fibres like polyester and nylon. Other technical fabrics can be natural, like merino wool. Bamboo is also being used. It too also has wicking abilities, has antibacterial properties and is better for the environment.
Ice skating socks made from technical fabrics can help to keep your feet warm
As technical fabrics pull the water away from your feet and evaporate it away from the outside of the fabric, they can help to keep your feet warm whilst figure skating.
If you have socks that are non-technical fabric and retain the moisture, the socks can become damp. When exercise slows, they begin to cool, leaving you with cold feet.
What socks to wear for ice skating if you are on a budget – Thin cotton
Although cotton socks are not a technical fabric as described above, they are a great go to sock for figure skating, much better than thick thermal socks.
Personally, I still skate in thin cotton socks. I have a brand that I prefer and I have stuck to them for years. I like the way the thin fabric gives me ‘feel’ on the ice.
The small seams are hardly noticable and they are relatively cheap. You don’t have to go out of your way to get a super thin pair. Just a normal pair of plain coloured cotton socks with no design sewn in will be fine.
Check out these Womens Light-weight Casual Crew Socks here (affiliate link to Amazon)
Summary
- Go thin
Thinner socks are better than thicker socks.
- Don’t use socks to make up for poorly fitted ice skates
If you are having to wear thick socks to make your ice skates fit, there is a good chance that your ice skates are the wrong size.
- Question your socks before your ice skates
If you are getting pain around the sides or tops of your toes, try moving or changing your socks. It may be the toe seam in the sock.
- Get socks that fit
Make sure you are wearing socks that don’t slide or roll around your foot. This can also be caused by a slippy fabric.
- Try a professional skating sock
Having issues with seams in your socks? Try a sock made for figure skaters, like the Edea sock.
- Consider a technical fabric
If you are getting cold feet, sweaty feet or are having trouble with seams, try a technical sock. You may even be able to get seamless (or small seamed) socks.
- Try thin cotton socks
They are basic and don’t cost too much, if you can get ones with a small seam, even better. They work well for most people, especially if you are on a budget.
If you liked this article, you may enjoy ‘What should I wear for ice skating?’
This article covers what to wear for ice skating. Whether you are an occasional ice skater or a regular figure skater. The article covers.
- Tops
- Gloves
- Layering
- Trousers/pants
- Gillets
- Clothing for regular training
And much more. If you would like to know exactly what to wear for ice skating, then read ‘What should I wear for ice skating?’. A full length article covering the best ice skating clothing. To read more click here.
