How to Dress for Luging

In the luging world, the apparel that riders wear is just as important as the luge they use. The proper attire for lugers is design with aerodynamics and weight in mind instead of fashion. If you want to succeed in Olympic luging, you need to dress properly from the first day. Read on to learn more.

Things You'll Need

• Drawings of luge suit design
• Racing suit
• Luge gloves
• Luge helmet
• Racing booties

Instructions

Wear the Right Attire for Luging

1. Search for a luge helmet that wastes no space in protecting your head. Luge helmets feature a rounded plastic mask and a thin layer of padding to prevent concussions. These helmets should fit snuggly on your head to avoid drag.

2. Locate a luge race suit that gives you the edge over the competition. Race suits are completely smooth with no zippers or snaps to slow down lugers during a race. These suits are traditionally skin tight to allow air to pass over your body quickly.

3. Find a specialty sports store or luge supplier that sells luge gloves. These gloves are similar to goal keeper's gloves in soccer with a thin layer on the backhand. Luge gloves have spikes contained within the palm and finger tips to help riders grip the ice during their initial push down the track.

4. Try out a variety of racing booties when you determine how to dress for luging. Racing booties resemble the inner lining of winter boots and provide a minimal amount of protection from the cold. The purpose of the booties is to straighten out a rider's feet to increase speed on the luge track.

5. Work with your luging team and supplier on uniform design before a purchase is made. Most luging teams dress in racing suits that share the same color scheme and graphics to build team unity. Coaches and team managers often allow lugers to design helmet logos to match their personality.

6. Sample luge clothing as an entire uniform to determine whether it will work on the luge track. A common problem for lugers comes from trying on individual pieces only to find out that one piece of apparel is too lose. All clothing needs to be tight while sufficiently covering your body.

Tips & Warnings

• Stock your wardrobe with extra body suits, gloves and other gear to stay prepared for each race. You need to use a new body suit for each competition to eliminate the threat of torn or worn material on aerodynamics. Use older luging gear during practice or wind tunnel tests to save money.