Summary:
Sports are never complete without the right outfit and accessories to wear. Face it, when you go skateboarding, wearing your formal suit or your pajamas to a roller skating session with your friends does not exactly feel and look right.
In sports, sometimes you need the right outfit and the right gear and accessories to get you in the game. With that reason aside, there is also another purpose for gearing you up with the right outfits and equipment.
There is a science behind every outfit you see matched for every sport. Don't you wonder why players of basketball, football, or hockey wear a different type of jersey? Sure it helps to tell them apart but the outfits are actually designed based on studies as to which type of clothing will affect the players' performance. In extreme games such as skateboarding and skating, much is the same. Though you always see the characteristic casual clothing being worn by these extreme players, there is a reason that lies behind their choice of clothing.
The basic outfit of skaters and skateboarders alike are loose clothing. The sport itself can be rigorous and is usually done under the hot sun. Wearing comfortable loose clothing will help you in you performance. Remember, even a hint of being uncomfortable can affect the way you perform in a game. You wouldn't want that to happen, even if you are just casually playing in a park or some place similar.
To focus more on basic sporting outfits, you can also be picky with the materials used for the type of clothing you wear. Under hot climates, it is better to wear clothing of micro-fiber material rather than cotton blend clothing. This is because the micro-fiber doesn't absorb wet which can make you feel heavy and weighed down. Micro-fiber clothing helps wick sweat and moisture away keeping you feel lighter and better refreshed. Some prefer clothing that is made from spandex or lycra material. These types of material offer quite a good amount of protection from road rash but don't protect you much from falls. Another reason why some skaters like spandex or lycra because this can be worn concealed under your loose shorts or pants and thus give you added protection.
However, with sports, it doesn't end with the discussion of the right outfit. After you have decided on an outfit, you best fit yourself in protective gear. When you look at accessories for skating and skateboarders, you should always look towards the protective gear first. What protective gear should first be considered? Why don't you start with a good helmet? You don't see extreme sports gamers doing their stuff without their helmets on, don't you? Of course not because this is practically the only accessory that protects one of the most vital parts of your body, your head. But you may ask what exactly to look for in a good helmet. What exactly makes a helmet exceptionally good?
When you are looking to buy a helmet, make sure you choose one that was made from a manufacturer reputed for quality products. It is also best that you look for helmets that are certified ASTM F-1492. Take note however, that this is not mandatory by law, ASTM is only voluntary but it helps with added safety and protection. But don't stop from there because if you find helmets that are also certified by the CPSC bicycle standards, then this is a better choice. When you ultimately decide on a helmet, make sure it has the proper fit and the chin straps are adjusted correctly to your facial and head structure.
Since you are browsing for protective gear, you should also take into consideration the other areas of your body that are prone to contact the hard surfaces of the ground and such areas that are vulnerable for breaking. Wearing elbow, wrist, knee, shin, and ankle guards or pads will basically cover these risky areas. More often than not, being a skater or skateboarder you fall when you are playing or even when you are just practicing a new trick. Your body is not invincible to the surfaces you come in contact with, especially when you're doing more daring moves. Though these protective guards don't prevent you from having an accident, they lessen the damage you might incur and prevent you from garnering major injuries.
Sports clothing manufacturers have now incorporated the importance of protection rather than comfort and performance in their design. An example of this creation would be the padded shorts which you can wear as a simple short when you're out skating. But rather than just feeling comfortable playing your sport, you are given the extra protection at the same time. This is a great solution for most skaters as they won't have to constantly pad their clothing to feel safe in a game.
Of course, when you want to talk about accessories, there's one item you shouldn't miss and that is the belt or accessory bag. Skating and skateboarding require your hands to be free in order for you to fully enjoy the sport. Having a belt or accessory bag on hand keeps you close to your necessities such as mp3 players, mobile phones, and even a bottle of water. But there is an alternative to the belt bag and that is achieved by wearing loose cargo pants. You can wear these pants when you are out skating or skateboarding and the extra pockets it has gives you the necessary space to keep your things in. Just make sure you are not carrying anything too heavy. As skating and skateboarding requires the balance of your body and the dexterity of your legs, it is best you don't weigh these areas down.
The next time you want to go out to the park or with friends to skate or skateboard, think about what you are wearing. There's more to sporting outfits than just looking good. It has to protect you from injuries and enhance your performance as well.