About Speed Skating

Helmet: Hard shelled helmets with the smallest vent holes, LAS brand Mistral helmet
Knee pads: in-line skating or volleyball
Gloves: non-knit glove is required for cut resistance, Baseball batters' gloves or all-leather work gloves
Long Sleeves: long-sleeved shirts & long pants
Ice Skates: Figure skates have a better shape for speed skating than hockey skates because the blades have more of a flat "tail" at the back and the boots have a more flexible ankle. But some people say you run the risk of snagging a toe pick when you lean over in a turn with figure skates. This might cause a nasty crash. Hockey skates don't suffer from this problem but the shape of the blade can promote poor technique. They make you rock forward on to your toes and you don't feel comfortable with your weight on the backs of the blades as you're supposed to. You can learn the basics of speed skating on either figure or hockey skates, but you'll soon find you want the glass-smooth ride of speed skates.
Optional Safety Apparel: protective eyewear, thin, soccer style shin protector,