Beginnerโs Guide to Curling Equipment: What You Need to Get Started
If you're new to curling, the equipment side of the sport can feel a little overwhelming at first.
Shoes, sliders, grippers, brooms, stabilizers, delivery aids. There is a lot more to it than most people expect.
The good news is that you don't need to understand every piece of gear before stepping onto the ice. Once you understand what each piece of equipment does and what actually matters for beginners, the choices become much easier.
Whether you're joining a league, trying a Learn to Curl program, shopping for a young curler, or building your first setup, this guide covers the essentials.
What Equipment Do You Need to Start Curling?
Most beginner setups revolve around a few core categories:
- Curling shoes
- Curling brooms
- Sliders and grippers
- Stabilizers or delivery aids
- Apparel and accessories
Some beginners start with club equipment or borrowed gear and build from there. Others prefer to invest in their own setup early so their equipment feels familiar and offers a more consistent fit. Both approaches are completely valid.
Your first setup does not need to be highly customized. The goal is simply to choose gear that helps you feel comfortable, stable, and confident on the ice.
Curling Shoes: One of the Most Important Equipment Decisions You'll Make
Ask experienced curlers which piece of equipment matters most, and shoes come up almost every time.
Unlike regular athletic footwear, curling shoes are designed specifically for the demands of the sport. One foot needs to slide smoothly during delivery. The other needs dependable grip and stability on the ice. Standard sneakers are not designed to do either particularly well.
When choosing curling shoes as a beginner, focus on practical considerations first: comfort, fit, and how often you expect to play.
If you're trying curling for the first time, club or borrowed equipment may be enough. If you plan to curl regularly, dedicated curling shoes often become worthwhile sooner than many beginners expect. Better balance, improved comfort, and more consistent delivery can make a meaningful difference.
One detail beginners sometimes overlook: curling shoes are typically configured differently for right and left handed players because the sliding foot changes.
Choosing a Curling Broom
Walk into a curling pro shop and you'll quickly notice that not all brooms are built the same.
A broom affects more than sweeping alone. Weight, balance, handle stiffness, and overall feel all influence how comfortable and in control you feel during a game.
Handle material is usually the first thing beginners encounter.
Most curling broom handles are made from fiberglass, composite, or carbon fiber, each with its own tradeoffs.
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Fiberglass: Generally the heaviest and most affordable option. Durable and practical, fiberglass handles often make sense for newer players who want a dependable starting point without spending heavily.
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Composite: Made from a blend of fiberglass and carbon fiber, composite handles sit in the middle ground. They tend to be lighter than fiberglass, more affordable than full carbon fiber, and popular with recreational and club-level players.
- Carbon fiber: The lightest and stiffest option. Reduced handle flex means more energy transfer into the ice during sweeping, which helps explain why experienced and competitive curlers often prefer them.
For most beginners, a fiberglass or composite broom is a sensible place to start. You do not need the lightest broom on the shelf to learn good fundamentals.
A broom that feels balanced, comfortable, and manageable in your hands will usually serve you better than chasing performance specifications too early.
Weight and feel matter more than many new curlers expect. Sweeping is considerably more physical than it often appears on television, particularly later in a game. A broom that feels awkward or overly heavy during the first end rarely feels better by the eighth.
Understanding Sliders and Grippers
Because sliders and grippers play such a central role in curling footwear, they're worth understanding a little more closely.
A slider allows the delivery foot to move smoothly across the ice. Without one, controlled delivery becomes genuinely difficult.
A gripper does the opposite. It provides traction and stability while walking, sweeping, and getting into position.
Beginners will usually encounter a few common setups:
Integrated curling shoes: Sliders and grippers are built directly into the sole, with a full sole slider on the delivery foot and a full sole gripper on the hack foot. These tend to suit players who curl regularly and want a purpose-built, consistent experience on the ice.
Asham's RDS (Rotator Disk System): RDS shoes feature an interchangeable sliding disk rather than a fixed one. For beginners, this is a practical advantage. You can start with a slower disk while learning delivery mechanics and swap to a faster one as your confidence and technique develop, without needing to replace your shoes. The system accommodates both right- and left-handed curlers.
Removable grippers: Slip over footwear to add traction where needed. Some players use them long term, while others use them as a temporary or supplemental solution.
Slip-on or step-on sliders: A practical entry point for introductory programs or players who want to try curling before investing in dedicated footwear. Portable, easy to use, and lower commitment.
The core idea is simple. Curling requires both slide and grip. Different equipment systems achieve that balance in different ways.
Delivery Aids and Stabilizers Explained
Not every curler uses a stabilizer, but delivery aids are a recognized and legitimate part of the sport.
Delivery aids include tools like stabilizers, delivery sticks, and other attachments used to support balance, accessibility, and control during delivery.
A stabilizer is one of the most commonly used delivery aids. It provides added balance and support during stone delivery, which many beginners find helpful while learning proper delivery mechanics. Getting comfortable on the ice takes time, and a little extra stability can make the learning process feel more manageable.
Other delivery aids can support players looking for:
- More consistent delivery mechanics
- Accessibility support
- Alternatives to traditional sliding delivery styles
Some players use stabilizers temporarily while learning the game. Others continue using them long term because they prefer the added support, consistency, or accessibility benefits.
Curling is played by people of different ages, experience levels, and physical abilities. Equipment exists to help players participate comfortably and effectively, and for many curlers, delivery aids like stabilizers play an important role.
Curling Apparel and Accessories
Many beginners dress for the cold and then discover halfway through their first game that curling is more physical than expected.
Curling involves a lot of movement. Sliding, sweeping, crouching, and repeating that process throughout a game. Players move between active sweeping and quieter moments between shots, which means clothing needs to handle both without becoming restrictive or uncomfortable.
A few practical things to look for:
- Flexibility and range of motion
- Warmth without excessive bulk
- Breathable, adjustable layers
- Clothing that does not restrict sweeping or delivery movement
Layering is usually a smarter approach than heavy insulation. Rinks can feel cool while you're standing between shots, but sweeping generates body heat quickly. Stretch pants, breathable athletic layers, lightweight outer layers, and purpose-built curling apparel tend to work well for many players.
One simple tip: avoid jeans. They restrict movement, breathe poorly, and often become uncomfortable faster than first-time curlers expect.
Building Your Beginner Curling Setup
The most common beginner question is a simple one: where do you actually start?
If you're trying curling for the first time or participating in an introductory program, you may not need much equipment at all. Comfortable clothing, clean athletic or indoor shoes, a basic slider setup, and club-provided equipment are often enough to get through the early stages.
If curling becomes a regular part of your routine, building your own setup usually starts to make sense fairly quickly.
For regular players, a practical starting setup often includes:
- Dedicated curling shoes with an appropriate slider and gripper configuration
- A curling broom that feels balanced and comfortable to use
- Apparel that supports movement and comfort on the ice
- A stabilizer or delivery aid, if it suits your needs or preferences
From there, equipment choices become more personal.
Some curlers eventually prioritize lightweight performance gear. Others care more about durability, value, comfort, or customization. There is no single right answer. The best setup is the one that helps you feel prepared, confident, and ready to play.
Ready to build your setup? Explore our curling equipment collections to find beginner-friendly gear that fits your needs and playing style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to my first curling session?
Most first-time curlers don't need a full equipment setup. Clean indoor athletic shoes, comfortable layered clothing, and a willingness to learn are usually enough to get started. Clubs and introductory programs typically provide stones, sliders, brooms, and any other beginner equipment you'll need on the day.
How much does beginner curling equipment cost?
Getting started doesn't have to be expensive, and many beginners try the sport through a club or Learn to Curl program before investing in their own gear.
When you're ready to build a personal setup, Asham's junior curling shoes start around $170 CAD and adult shoes start around $190 CAD. Junior brooms start around $80 CAD and adult brooms start around $90 CAD.
Most beginners start with shoes and a broom, then gradually build out their setup as they play more and develop preferences.
Do beginners need curling shoes?
Not necessarily on day one. Many clubs offer basic equipment for people trying the sport for the first time. That said, players who move into leagues or regular play usually notice a meaningful difference once they have their own dedicated footwear. Consistent grip, better slide control, and improved balance on the ice tend to make curling shoes one of the first worthwhile investments most players make.
What is the difference between a slider and a gripper?
A slider helps your delivery foot slide smoothly across the ice. A gripper provides traction for the other foot while you're walking, sweeping, and setting up for shots. Different shoe and accessory setups combine these two functions in different ways, which is why you'll encounter a few different configurations when you start exploring gear.
What type of curling broom is best for beginners?
Comfort and handling matter more than most beginners initially expect. Many newer players focus on weight when shopping, but a broom that feels balanced and easy to control in your hands often makes a bigger practical difference than chasing the lightest model available. Starting with a fiberglass or composite option is a sensible approach for most people.
Do beginner curlers need a stabilizer?
Not necessarily, but many beginners find them genuinely helpful while learning delivery mechanics. Some players continue using stabilizers long term, not because they haven't "figured it out," but because they prefer the added support, consistency, or accessibility benefits.
What should you wear for curling?
Think athletic layers rather than heavy winter clothing. A lot of first-time curlers are caught off guard by how much body heat sweeping generates, even in a cool rink. Flexible pants, a breathable mid-layer, and a jacket you can remove tend to cover most situations. Jeans and restrictive clothing are worth leaving at home.