What to Wear: A Practical Guide for Curling Apparel

Curling is unusual in that your clothing has to do two very different things. You need to stay comfortable on cold ice, but you also need enough freedom of movement to crouch, lunge, sweep, and move around the sheet. What works for standing around at the rink isn't always what works once you're playing.

This guide walks through how to layer for the ice, what to look for in each piece of curling apparel, and where custom team apparel fits.

Why Curling Clothing Is Different

A rink feels cold when you're standing still, but sweeping hard for even a few seconds changes that fast. Cotton holds onto sweat instead of moving it away from your skin, so a shirt that feels fine standing in the hack can feel damp and cold ten minutes later. Bulky, non-stretch clothing causes a different problem: it restricts the range you need to crouch, lunge, and sweep.

The practical answer is layering built around movement and moisture, not just warmth. That's true whether you're wearing whatever athletic clothes you already own for your first session or building out a full curling-specific wardrobe.

Layering Basics

It starts with your base layer. This is the layer sitting against your skin, so its main job is moving sweat away from your body rather than absorbing it. Synthetic or moisture-wicking materials do this well. Cotton does not. It holds moisture and takes a long time to dry, which is why it's worth avoiding as a base layer even though it's a common default for casual clothing.

A mid layer adds warmth without adding bulk. A curling-specific hoodie or pullover is enough for most rinks, since sweeping generates enough body heat that heavy insulation usually becomes uncomfortable rather than helpful.

An outer layer is optional indoors. Many curlers skip it entirely once they're playing, since the mid layer and base layer combination is usually enough once a game gets going. A light jacket is more useful before a game or between ends than during active play.

Pants

Curling pants need to stretch through the hips and knees since delivery involves bending and extending through a wide range of motion that jeans or standard dress pants don't accommodate well. Denim also doesn't breathe, which becomes a problem once you're a few ends into sweeping.

Asham's Flex Curling Pants, available in men's and women's fits, are priced at $109.99 CAD and built with stretch material designed for that kind of movement. For players who want a more tailored fit, the women's ELITE Curling Pant is priced at $119.99 CAD. If you're layering underneath rather than replacing your regular pants entirely, Asham's Rock & Roll Boxers, a moisture-wicking base layer, are priced at $39.99 CAD.

Tops

Asham's tops split into two practical categories, and the difference matters more than it might look on the rack. Technical sublimated jackets and hoodies are built from moisture-wicking material meant for actual on-ice wear, sweeping, delivering, and moving around the sheet without holding onto sweat. These run $99.99 to $129.99 CAD.

Casual hoodies, by contrast, are built for comfort rather than performance, the kind of thing you'd wear to and from the rink or sitting between games rather than while actively sweeping. These typically run $69.99 to $89.99 CAD.

Neither is wrong. They're just built for different parts of your time at the rink. If you're only buying one top to start, a technical piece covers both roles reasonably well; a casual hoodie won't perform as well during active play.

Gloves and Mitts

Gloves and mitts serve two different purposes, and it's worth knowing which one you actually need. A glove gives you dexterity, the ability to grip the broom handle and feel the stone during delivery, which matters more to players who want precise handling. A mitt trades some of that dexterity for warmth, which matters more if cold hands are your bigger issue during a game.

Asham's ProGrip Lined Curling Gloves are priced at $49.99 CAD, and the Vise Curling Gloves run $44.99 CAD, both built for grip and control. On the mitt side, Asham's Lambskin Mitts run $49.99 to $54.99 CAD depending on the style, offering more warmth for players who prioritize that over fine dexterity. Youth sizing is available in both categories starting around $39.99 CAD.

Socks

Socks affect fit inside your shoes more than people expect, especially if you're wearing dedicated curling footwear with a slider or gripper built in. Asham's Coolplus Socks, priced at $18.99 CAD, are built from moisture-wicking material meant to keep feet dry through a full game. Asham also carries Graphic Socks, priced at $14.99 CAD, for players who want something with more personality and less focus on performance.

If you're trying on curling shoes for the first time, wear the socks you actually plan to curl in. Sock thickness changes how a shoe fits, and a shoe that feels right with a thin sock may feel different with a thicker one.

Headwear

Headwear is mostly a comfort call rather than a performance one. A toque or hat keeps your head warm on colder ice or during a longer stretch between shots, and Asham's toques and hats run roughly $19.99 to $39.99 CAD depending on the style. There's no real technical decision here. It comes down to what's comfortable and what you'd actually wear.

Custom Team Apparel

Teams, leagues, and clubs looking to outfit a group with matching gear have a real option beyond off-the-shelf apparel. Asham offers custom sublimated apparel, including jackets, hoodies, and short and long sleeve shirts, with your own colors and logo.

Custom orders carry a one-time design setup fee of $60 CAD in addition to per-item pricing. Sublimated jackets start at $129.99 CAD, short sleeve shirts start at $69.99 CAD, and long sleeve shirts run $99.99 CAD. A Provincial Sublimated Hoodie is priced at $109.99 CAD, and a Provincial Jacket at $129.99 CAD.

This is worth considering for a bonspiel, a club season, or any situation where a team wants to look and feel like a team, not just a group of individuals wearing whatever they own.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few easy mistakes can make your first games less comfortable than they need to be.

• Overdressing. The rink may feel cold before you start playing, but sweeping generates plenty of heat. Layers you can adjust are usually better than one heavy layer.
• Wearing restrictive pants. If you can't comfortably crouch and lunge in them, they'll make delivery and sweeping harder than they need to be.
• Choosing gloves only for warmth. If you prefer a precise feel on the broom, a lighter glove may work better than a heavily insulated mitt.
• Trying on shoes with the wrong socks. Sock thickness can change the fit, so use the socks you actually plan to wear when trying on curling shoes.
  

Find the Right Curling Apparel for You

The right curling clothing doesn't have to be complicated. Start with comfortable layers that let you move freely, then add curling-specific pieces as you play more regularly and learn what you need on the ice.

Asham offers curling pants, technical tops, gloves, mitts, socks, and headwear for individual curlers, along with custom apparel for teams, leagues, and clubs. Browse the collection to find the pieces that fit the way you curl.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear to my first curling session?

Comfortable, stretchy athletic clothing is enough for a first session. Avoid jeans and, if possible, cotton as a base layer. Dress in layers so you can adjust if you get warm while sweeping. You don't need a full curling wardrobe before you've even played your first game.

Do I need curling-specific pants?

Not for your first session. Athletic pants with enough stretch to move freely are perfectly suitable. Dedicated curling pants become more useful as you play regularly because they're designed around the range of movement required for delivery and sweeping.

What is the difference between curling gloves and mitts?

Gloves provide more dexterity for gripping the broom and handling the stone, while mitts prioritize warmth. Gloves can be a better choice if you prefer a precise feel when handling your equipment, while mitts make more sense if keeping your hands warm is your main concern.

Can I wear a casual hoodie while curling?

Yes. A casual hoodie is a fine starting point, particularly if you're just getting into the sport. A technical curling hoodie or jacket is a better choice if you want something designed to handle moisture and movement during active play. You may also find a lighter layer more comfortable once you're sweeping regularly.

Does Asham offer custom team apparel?

Yes. Asham offers custom sublimated jackets, hoodies, and shirts with team colors and logos. Custom orders include a one-time $60 CAD design setup fee in addition to the per-item cost, making them an option for clubs, leagues, bonspiels, and individual teams looking for matching apparel.

How should curling socks fit?

Curling socks should fit comfortably without bunching inside your shoes. Thickness also affects shoe fit, so wear the socks you plan to curl in when trying on curling shoes. This helps ensure the shoes aren't too tight or too loose once you're wearing your normal curling setup.