OT Figure Skating Gear

[clearyds]

Hello everyone,
I know this is off topic but this board seems to have experts in almost anything!! My dd9 is stariting to get serious about figure skating. She joined a synchronized skating team and will be doing a few individual competitions this year and I'm looking for advice an how to get her gear on the cheap. Any great websites to order the over the boot tights? Great deals on the backpack bags? She'll need a dress as well, but I may be able to get one used as the rink holds semi annual swap sales, here's hoping. Any suggestions would be so appreciated!!
Thanks!
Sarah

 

[skatermom]

Ive had two daughters that figure skated....the best place to buy an inexpensive dress is usually from other skaters (either thru rink sales or word of mouth) While its great to cut costs wherever possible, be sure not to buy used skates, they should always be fitted to the skater. One word of caution, while it is a beautiful sport, it becomes increasingly expensive as the skater moves up in test levels....I was spending 20,000 a year for an intermediate level skater

 

[mickeyluvr004]

My daughter did the sanchronized skating last year she is 10 our outfits were part of the package and they had uniforms that we ordered thru one company and paid for. As for skates there are alot of places online cheapskate.com, what type of bag does she need a Zuca go to zuca.com they have decent prices. what state do you live in? let me know if I can be of any other help.. also on ebay look under ice skating and they have alot of nice dresses and pretty reasonable..

 

[shelly3girls]

I find that the best deal I can get on tights is by buying the more expensive Mondor. Yes, they are not cheap but honestly they last forever. For practice clothes I buy her pants (tight fitting but do not have to be skating pants) and she wears the Mondor knee highs. For summer she wears the pants from Target in the women's workout section. For winter I buy fleece skating pants on Ebay. If I can find the seller I will pm the info. Her pants are very high quality and for around $35 you get pants that will last over a year.

For dresses you can get away with either used or Ebay. Buying used from the higher level skaters can still be very expensive b/c the dresses cost several hundred dollars new. For around $50 you can get nice dresses on Ebay although they are made in China. You can also purchase inexpensive plain dresses and stone them yourself.

Like a PP mentioned do not buy used skates. They are ok for a beginner but once DD hits the freestyle levels she should not wear used. You can get used blades as long as they are in excellent condition. Talk to your coach, she should give you good advice. Whatever you do, do not try to cut costs on skates. They are very expensive but the wrong boot will be a terrible experience. Also remember that most expensive is not always best either. The boot needs to fit the level of your skater.

Skating is a very expensive sport but very rewarding. Good luck!

 

[drinkme]

I will go against the norm here and say that buying a good used skate is fine. My dd10 just got a great pair of used Riedell boots & blade. The original owner just had them for a year and they were barely broken in! The boots cost originally around $500 but the blades were the cheaper ones around $100. We got the skates for practically nothing!

I second getting the thick Mondor tights for practices. They don't run as easily, and in fact, you can sew up the holes after each practice. I haven't found a good online source for tights, yet. We usually just buy them at the local skating store.

My dd doesn't do individual competitions, just team. A local seamstress makes the team's dresses.

HTH