So last time we covered kit. Today we try to cover you! By helping to answer that all-important question: What should I wear to play roller derby?

If you search “roller derby fashion” or other variants it’s all knee-high socks and hotpants, ruffled pants and Lycra, which is all very well but not exactly everyday wear is it? When I first started derby, my training wear consisted of a kilted mini skirt, striped socks and a band t-shirt, and I fitted right in with my team-mates. 3 years on it’s not just me who looks different. I believe there are 2 reasons for this:

1. Roller derby has evolved in the last 4 years, we have left a lot of the “cheesecake” factor behind in pursuit of greater recognition as a sport.
2. I’ve evolved too. Roller derby isn’t just something I do twice a week anymore, it’s become an all consuming passion, something that made me get over my gym phobia and my refusal to diet in pursuit of being, fitter, faster stronger.

So what advice would I give to new girls coming into the sport? Well first of all, don’t go overboard buying “fitness wear” I still wear my band t-shirts! Below is my guide to derby dressing.

T-shirt

Which ever style you feel most comfortable in, tight or baggy it really makes no difference. Long sleeves should be dodged as most elbow pads slide if you have material between the pads and your flesh.

Shorts

Long is best when you are starting out as you will be falling a lot, and trust me, you will value the extra protection the material will give you. Like myself, a lot of players train in long Capri-style leggings. If wearing long pants that go under your knee pads choose a close-cut style; baggy will cause your pads to move about when you skate, something which is definitely best avoided.

Socks

Striped socks are still in, they are brilliant as they can be pulled up to prevent scrapes on your shins. I also like padded trainer socks, they are great for long periods of skating as they reduce friction and thus blisters and other sore bits.

Underwear

Yup, you need to think about pants. When you are learnings it really doesn’t matter what type of underwear you choose, granny pants, thong, shorts, it’s irrelevant. However, once you start scrimmaging it suddenly becomes rather important. Allow me to enlighten you why…

When you scrimmage your team mates will push you, pull you and generally yank you around the track, especially if you are new to pack-work as you will often end up in the wrong place by sheer lack of experience. Your team mates will often do this by grabbing your waistband, sometimes this grabbing gets your undergarments too. This is why wearing thongs is a really bad idea. If your team mate grabs you by the waist band of your granny pants or hot pants its no big deal but if she grabs the waist of your thong and yanks, well….nobody wants that.

Sports Bra

In my opinion, a sports bra is an essential. Get fitted at a proper shop. Derby is a high-impact sport, it takes its toll on the ligaments supporting your gifts, the greater those gifts the more support they will need. Sports bras come in many types, colours and price-points these days, so you have no excuse for not defending those assets!

So you’ve got the kit, you’ve got your first bout, so how the heck to you get everything from A to B… And what exactly should be in there? 3 and half years of derby has taught me a lot, and one if the things I’d like to share with you is how to be prepared for a bout without trying to carry the kitchen sink!

In my opinion, the kit bag, whether you go with a bag or a case, has to have wheels. Seriously, your kit weighs a tonne and the first time you have to carry it up hill you will wish, like you, your kit had wheels.

Your basic kit will of course consist of:

• Skates
• Pads
• Helmet
• Gum shield
• Water bottle

Other items I’d pack are:

• Spare gum shield They are by their nature small and can easily go walk about, as borrowing one is out of the question always have a cheap boil and bite one stashed in your bag. It’ll do until your proper one turns up or you can get to the shops.
• Skate tool
  Check regularly that is still in your bag, the designs for skate tools are all nearly identical and it is ridiculously easy to appropriate one that isn’t yours by accident. Marking them with nail polish is my favourite trick.
• Gaffer tape
  Used for so many things, taping up bout fits, securing pads, repairing skates.
• Spare laces
  Trust me you will curse the grass blue the first time you snap laces and have to sit out because you didn’t pack spares.
• Bearing cleaner
  Whatever your preference (I’m not even touching that debate or this article will come in hardback) have some in your bag! Fluff, dust and other goo can really mess up your day. It never fails to amaze me how quickly bearing can go from “a bit sluggish” to “too gooed to move”
• Sharpie
  For writing your numbers on, don’t assume someone else will bring one.
• A first aid kit
  It doesn’t have to be massive just a few essentials like sticky plasters for blisters and scratches, plus any medication you need or might need for an ongoing medical condition, asthma inhalers, antihistamines that sorta jazz. Remember to include painkillers – Ibuprofen is good bets as it helps keep down swelling too, and Sudocrem is the best thing for rink rash ever.
• Ice packs
  Yes they should always be available but this is not a perfect world.

Other really handy stuff:

• Baby wipes To remove make-up, numbers and really handy for when you whiff but showering isn’t possible.
• Spare wheels
  If your budget will stretch, have different sets for spares, or to account for different floor types.
• Vaseline
  Rub into the leather of your boots if they rub a good quick fix for new skates can also reduce the friction on blisters stopping them from getting worse
• Dextrose tablets
  A good emergency energy boost for those days you realise you skipped lunch only after you hit the track. They are also rather good for nausea, suck one whenever you feel queasy.

Away bouts…

Even if you aren’t intending to stay over you should have something for overnight with you, and a “ditch kit” just in case:

A ditch kit is basically a grab it and run bag with all the basic essentials you need to survive. Mine is a tiny purple one about the size of book. It should be small enough to occupy a corner of your kit bag but without getting in the way. Fling it in your handbag and off you go. Here’s what’s in mine

• Folding toothbrush
• Mini toothpaste
• Mini packet of wet wipes
• Mini body wash
• Dry shampoo
• Hair band
• Hair grip
• Clean pants
• Doe spray.
• Spare dosh for cab fares etc.
• Emergency phone charger

In your weekend bag:

• Both team colours
  In case of last min change of plan, it’s never happened to me, but you hear stories.
• Something to sleep in.
• Chargers for your phone/gadgets
• MP3 player- long bus journeys suck
• A book
  Insomnia in a strange city is a cruel form of torture.
• Ear plugs
  4 am is not a good time to find out your room mate snores
• Your make-up bag
• Pro plus
• Resolve
  Trust me on this one.
• Towel
  In the words of the late Douglas Adam “Always know where your towel is”. If you are staying in a youth hostel rather than a hotel they often don’t provide them.  In the words of Morgue-Anna “Sharing towels is icky”.
• The phone number of at least one member of the home team, so you can call for directions/help/a space to crash.
• The phone number if at least one member of your team, so you can let them know if you decide to bounce off anywhere without them.
• Clearasil or similar – Best stuff for getting sharpie out of your skin.
• Any toiletries that aren’t in your ditch kit.
• Change of clothes.
• Spare medication (if you are taking any).
• A photocopy of any vital documents ie hotel reservation, passport, directions to venue.
• Sanitary protection
  The last thing you need on bout day is a sneak attack from Aunt Flo, keep spares just in case you or your team buddies need them.