Public session skating + Skating in gear

[tomz 0]

How different would you say these two are?

[NoAngleDangler 0]

diffrent. when you first put on gear it will feel extremely diffrent but as your skating progresses it will make less and less of a diffrence.

[wildebeest 0]

well, you're tacking on a few pounds of gear, a few inches of girth and you're going to be a little more restricted in your movement, so I'd say they're pretty different.

[chk hrd 164]

to me the difference was mostly becuase of the shin pads. Without shin pads my legs feel closer together and lighter.

[fatwabbit 93]

never skated without gear.... felt butt nakid without the gear on.

[Rustpot 1]

to me the difference was mostly becuase of the shin pads. Without shin pads my legs feel closer together and lighter.

I always go to those skates with shinguards on. You get funny looks when you're putting them on, but with my bad knees I can't take the chance of catching a rut wrong or trying to avoid someone and end up hobbling for the next week. I've gone away with a cut and bruised elbow, a jacked up finger, but I walk away.

I put them on under those zip-leg athletic nylon pants. It also helps take the fear out of falling if you know you're wearing at least some padding.

If you're going to practice backward skating or going full speed, I would also recommend wearing your helmet (sans cage). Once again, you'll get funny looks, but you won't kill yourself by tripping backwards or something stupid like that.

I'm not a shitty skater, but accidents do happen. I wore those shins every day in a skating class. I wouldn't fall but once every few sessions, but when I fell i was right back up. When everyone else bit it, they'd be hurting and limping for the rest of class.

[sitzlejd 0]

skating w/ gear=fearless

[dangle 0]

skating without gear makes me feel naked, I dont go to public skating. It's definitely different

[chk hrd 164]

let me add to my other post (i didn't read the question propperly):

at a public skate ( I assume you are talking stick & puck) wear everything, especially if you are not an accomplished skater, are practicing things or playing with your buddies. The very least I would wear are helmet, shin pads & elbow pads. When I was working with kids during stick & puck I would always wear a helmet.

[TBLfan 25]

It feels different but it's not a big difference, mainly you're just less hot without gear... at least thats how I feel.

[JJStripes 1]

If you are going out there to work on your skating then a little equipment might be good to make you feel safe pushing yourself.

[icedr 0]

You can really practice your skating a lot better in full gear, even if it's at public skate. Laura Stamm's book also suggests being in gear when you're working on power skating techniques. When you're padded you can really push the limits and improve your skills whereas when you're not in gear you have to be a lot more reserved and careful. So what if people look at you funny. You're there to improve your skating not to be fashionable. Just be aware of who's between you and the boards so you don't take someone out when you lose an edge.

[tomz 0]

We can't wear full get at my local rink, so i just practice with inlines on.

[ddbowdoin 0]

skating w/ gear=fearless

exactly!

I find I don't skate very well without a stick

[icedr 0]

Any rink that doesn't allow equipment at public skate is stupid. You'd think they would want to do as much as possible to avoid injuries rather than telling people they can't wear protective gear.

[Jordan 13]

Any rink that doesn't allow equipment at public skate is stupid. You'd think they would want to do as much as possible to avoid injuries rather than telling people they can't wear protective gear.

OR...they are worried about you hotrodding around the rink and blowing through a tot and her parents!

[icedr 0]

OR...they are worried about you hotrodding around the rink and blowing through a tot and her parents!

Well then that's your fault for not keeping it under control and watching where you're going. Like they say, "don't blame the equipment!"

[cris8 0]

At public skate, I have at the minimum shin pads, elbow pads, and gloves.

At stick and puck, all of the above with helmet.

The only reason I don't wear a helmet during public skate is because I would be the only person older than ten who would be wearing one.

With all the kids skating and falling during public skating, sometimes you need protection. Just last weekend, I was taken out from behind by a little girl who fell and was sliding head first.

To answer the original question, having the shin pads off makes it easier to flex for me and is less restrictive. But if I'm trying to work on my skating, having it on makes it closer to a hockey skating simulation.

[wildebeest 0]

Not that equipment would have helped that much, but once at one of the super-crowded rinks here, I was skating backwards when a kid fell down directly behind me. I didn't have time to even see him and *WOOP*, ass over teakettle. I didn't hit my head, but my ass was kinda sore for a day or so.

And just a couple weeks ago, my friend that's attempting to become a goalie was tooling around on his goalie skates, when he tried to pull up and stop short. He caught an edge, spun a little bit and hit the ice chin first. Six stitches later and he hasn't skated since.

[TheBeatGoesOn 0]

I've yet to skate with gear on. I don't have all the pieces yet even. I'm looking forward to it though so I can, like people said, "push the limits."

[wc19 1]

usually at skate n puck they just recommend you to have skates and stick. Realized that without my elbow pads on, I can shoot alot better. Same with you guys?

[TheBeatGoesOn 0]

usually at skate n puck they just recommend you to have skates and stick. Realized that without my elbow pads on, I can shoot alot better. Same with you guys?

I think the skate and puck at my rink requires full gear (shoulder pads optional). Is that how most places are (minus yours obviously)?

[jeffw 1]

usually at skate n puck they just recommend you to have skates and stick. Realized that without my elbow pads on, I can shoot alot better. Same with you guys?

I think the skate and puck at my rink requires full gear (shoulder pads optional). Is that how most places are (minus yours obviously)?

Ours is helmet & gloves though about half the guys wear full gear.

To the original posters question, I feel like I can fly on my skates without gear. Much less so with it on.

[shifter 0]

to me without gear = less hot, more movement/freedom, hate shinguads I. Skate.... It just feel so much better

[Doctor Hook 0]

I wore rental skates at some public skate in NY when I was visiting my brother and it was very scary taking corners with no protective.

When I play hockey, I always go full gear. Pucks and sticks have no bias and I've never let up on another dude because I saw he wasn't wearing shoulder pads. You lace em up, it's a waiver.