When you're ready to move beyond rental skates, you have many choices. Used skates are usually a good option for beginning skaters and are widely available. If you'd prefer brand-new skates, we recommend going with a trusted local vendor. Either way, you should talk to your coach for advice on what kind of skate will best suit you and where to find them.

Essential for walking off-ice. Never take a step on concrete or rubber flooring without them to protect your blades. Guard Dogs are a quality, but affordable, option for skaters. Later on, you might prefer more expensive Rockerz or E-Guards.

After skating, dry your blades thoroughly and slip on soakers to wick away remaining moisture and prevent rust.

Avoid thick cotton socks, which cause blisters and cold feet. Use thin, specialized skating socks for the best fit inside your boots. Mondor skating socks are excellent, though Toulite socks are very economical and come in a wide variety of colors.

Gloves are a must to keep your hands warm and protect them during falls. No need for snow gloves or anything fancy. Simple thin gloves in adult or kids sizes (under 9) will do the trick.

You can use a backpack or inexpensive rolling carry-on to transport your skates to and from the rink. If you're looking for something more purpose-built, a Transpack bag is a good starter option. It has individual vented pockets for your skates and additional pockets for your other accessories.

U.S. Figure Skating strongly recommends the use of helmets for beginner skaters of all ages. Seattle Children's hospital has suggestions on what to look for in a helmet for figure skating.