Curling Equipment: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

Your Guide to buying the best curling

Overview

Curling is a popular sport that has been enjoyed by people of all ages for centuries. With its simple rules and equipment, it is a great game to get into as a beginner or experienced player. Whether you’re just looking to have some fun with friends or join an official league, having the right gear is essential for an enjoyable experience. This buying guide will help you find just the right curling equipment to suit your needs, including everything from brooms and shoes to stones and sliders. Here you'll find information about the different types of curling equipment, as well as our top picks for the best products on the market.

Key features

  1. Price: What is your budget for a curling iron?
  2. Barrel Size: What size curls do you prefer? Small barrels create tighter curls, while larger barrels create looser curls.
  3. Heat Settings: Does the curling iron have a variety of heat settings? This allows you to adjust the temperature for different types of hair.
  4. Cord Length: Does the curling iron have a long enough cord to easily reach the outlet?
  5. Materials: What type of material does the curling iron barrel have? Ceramic and tourmaline barrels are best for preventing heat damage.
  6. Automatic Shut-Off Feature: Does the curling iron have an automatic shut-off feature to prevent overheating?
  7. Warranty: What kind of warranty is included with the curling iron?

See the most popular curling on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Accuracy: Curling can be a very precise sport, as it requires a lot of accuracy in order to effectively move the stone towards the desired target.
  • Skill Development: Curling can help you improve your physical coordination, as well as hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills.
  • Social Interaction: Curling is traditionally a very social sport, as teams often consist of four players and require a lot of communication and camaraderie in order to be successful.
  • Physical Exercise: Curling is a great source of physical exercise, as it requires constant movement and requires some strength to push the stones.
  • Strategy: Curling requires a lot of strategy, as you must carefully plan out how to move the stones in order to reach the desired target.

Cons

  • Cost - Curling equipment, such as the stones, brooms, and other equipment needed to play, can be quite pricey.
  • Skill Level - Curling requires some degree of skill to be able to properly play and master the game.
  • Availability - Curling rinks can be hard to come by, especially outside of Canada and Europe.
  • Cold Temperature - Playing in a cold rink environment can be uncomfortable for some.

Best alternatives

  1. Ice Skating - an alternative to curling that involves using skates to travel on the surface of frozen ice.
  2. Luge - an alternative to curling that involves riding on a flat sled down a specially designed ice track.
  3. Broomball - an alternative to curling that is played on an ice rink using a ball and specially designed brooms.
  4. Ski Jumping - an alternative to curling that involves jumping off a ski jump and gliding down an icy ramp.
  5. Snowboarding - an alternative to curling that involves sliding along snow while riding a board.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Curling Broom/Brush - a tool used to sweep the ice in order to help the curling stone travel further
  • Curling Shoes - specialized shoes with special soles to help the curler slide on the ice
  • Curling Stones - polished granite stones used to curl
  • Curling Slider - a thin piece of material which is attached to the sole of the curling shoe to help the curler move along the ice while sliding the stone
  • Scoreboard - a board used for tracking the scores during a curling game
  • Hog Line - a line in the curling rink which a curling stone must cross in order to be considered in play

Common questions

  1. What type of curling equipment should I purchase? The type of curling equipment you should purchase depends on your skill level and experience with curling. For beginners, it is recommended to buy a complete curling set which includes a brush, stone, slider, and gripper. For more experienced players, purchasing individual pieces of equipment is recommended.
  2. How much should I spend on curling equipment? The cost of curling equipment varies depending on the quality and type of equipment. A basic complete curling set can range from $30 to $100. Individual pieces of equipment can range from $5 to $100 depending on the quality.
  3. What should I look for in curling equipment? When purchasing curling equipment, look for pieces that are made of durable materials and are crafted with quality workmanship. Also, look for pieces that are the right size and weight for you and are suited to your skill level.
  4. Where can I buy curling equipment? Curling equipment can be purchased online or in sporting goods stores. It is recommended to do research online to compare prices and find the best deals.

Trivia

In the Winter Olympics, the Canadian men's curling team won the gold medal in 2014 wearing matching red plaid pants. This became such a popular look that the pants were immortalized in a wax figure at Madame Tussauds in London. The pants were also inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Source.

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.