6 Best Figure Skating Accessories For Advanced Skaters Coaches Swear By

Your figure skater has moved beyond the basics of gliding and is now dedicating hours to perfecting spins and landing powerful jumps. As their commitment deepens, the gear they need evolves far beyond a simple pair of skates and a dress. These are the coach-approved accessories that support the unique physical and mental demands of advanced training.

Gearing Up for Elite Skating Performance

When your child starts working on double and triple jumps, the nature of their training changes dramatically. The focus shifts from learning foundational skills to mastering high-impact, precision movements. This is the stage where strategic investments in specialized accessories can make a significant difference in their progress and safety.

This isn’t about having the fanciest gear at the rink. It’s about providing your athlete with tools that enable more efficient practice, protect them during repetitive training, and prepare them for the logistical demands of competition. Each item on this list serves a distinct purpose in helping your skater translate their hard work into confident, consistent performance.

Edea E-Spinner for Perfecting Off-Ice Rotations

You see your skater practicing their rotations on the living room floor, but they struggle to maintain their balance. A coach will often recommend an off-ice spinner to bridge the gap between training on solid ground and gliding on a thin blade. The Edea E-Spinner is specifically designed to simulate the feeling of a skate blade, forcing the skater to find their true center of balance.

This simple tool is a powerhouse for developing the muscle memory required for multi-rotation jumps and complex spins. It allows a skater to practice their rotational technique hundreds of times without the cost of ice time or the physical toll of on-ice repetition. For skaters aged 11 and up who are serious about their jumps, an off-ice spinner is less of a toy and more of an essential training device for accelerating progress.

Zuca Sport Bag for Organized Competition Travel

The morning of a competition can be stressful, with costumes, guards, warm-up clothes, and snacks scattered everywhere. The Zuca Sport Bag is more than just a rolling suitcase; it’s a mobile command center that brings order to the chaos. Its compartmentalized design helps skaters learn to organize and take responsibility for their own equipment.

For the competitive skater who travels for events, the Zuca is a logistical lifesaver. The sturdy frame doubles as a portable seat—a huge benefit during long competition days in crowded arenas where seating is scarce. This isn’t a necessary purchase for a recreational skater, but for the athlete attending multiple competitions per season, it significantly reduces pre-performance anxiety for both parent and child.

CRS Cross Padded Shorts for Safer Jump Training

Few things are more nerve-wracking than watching your child attempt a new, high-risk jump over and over. The fear of falling can create a mental block that stalls progress. Padded skating shorts are designed to cushion the hips and tailbone, taking the sting out of the inevitable falls that come with learning axels, doubles, and triples.

Think of these not as a permanent solution, but as a temporary confidence-booster. They give the skater the courage to fully commit to the jump without flinching, which is essential for proper technique. These are a training tool, not performance wear. Once the skater has built consistency and confidence in the new element, they typically stop using them. They are invaluable for that critical learning phase.

Rockerz Skate Guards to Protect Blade Integrity

You’ve just made a significant investment in a new pair of high-end blades and a professional sharpening. The last thing you want is for that precise edge to be ruined by a single step on a gritty floor. While basic plastic guards offer simple protection, Rockerz Skate Guards are engineered for the needs of a serious skater.

Their key feature is a curved, or "rockered," bottom that mimics the shape of the blade itself, protecting the entire profile, not just the bottom. This prevents the blade from developing flat spots and preserves the integrity of the sharpening, which is crucial for executing clean turns and jumps. For an advanced skater, protecting the blade is as important as protecting the boot, making these guards a small price to pay to safeguard a much larger investment.

Renfrew Pro Tape for Ankle and Boot Support

You may see coaches or older skaters strategically wrapping their boots in tape and wonder if it’s for an injury. More often than not, it’s a proactive measure for support. As skaters advance, the forces they generate during jumps can cause even the stiffest, most expensive boots to break down over time.

Renfrew Pro Tape, a specific type of cloth hockey tape, is used to add rigidity and support to key areas of the boot, particularly around the ankle. This helps stabilize the skater’s foot on landings and can extend the functional life of a very expensive pair of boots. It’s a simple, low-cost accessory that provides the customized support a powerful skater needs to train safely and effectively.

Mondor Tights for a Polished Performance Look

For competitions and test sessions, presentation is part of the package. While any beige tights will do for practice, performance-level tights from a brand like Mondor offer superior durability, fit, and a polished, professional appearance under the bright arena lights. They are designed to withstand the rigors of athletic performance without running or snagging easily.

Investing in a few pairs of high-quality tights specifically for competition is a smart move. They provide a consistent color and opacity that looks better to judges and completes the skater’s overall look. This is one of those small details that signals a skater is serious about their performance, from their skills to their attire.

Investing in Your Skater’s Long-Term Goals

Each of these accessories addresses a specific need that arises when a skater transitions from recreational participation to competitive dedication. The focus moves from simply having fun to honing a highly technical craft. Your role as a parent is to provide the tools that support this new level of focus and intensity.

Before purchasing, always frame the decision around its purpose. Ask yourself: "What specific challenge in my child’s training will this item help solve?" Is it safety during jump practice? Is it efficiency in off-ice training? Or is it about managing the logistics of competition? By tying each purchase to a clear developmental goal, you ensure you are investing wisely in your skater’s progress, safety, and passion for the sport.

By thoughtfully selecting gear that matches their skill and commitment, you empower your skater to train smarter, compete with confidence, and pursue their goals on the ice.