There are different styles and models of roller skis, which gives you a variety of possibilities and to find the perfect setup for you. This guide will help you choose, when buying new roller ski equipment.
Read below how to find the proper equipment for you.
Frames: Where and which style are you running?
First you need to consider your running style - are you a fan of classic roller skiing or more into the skating style - and also what type of surface you prefer to run on. Your answers to these two questions are very important for your choice of roller ski frame. If you for instance wish to run on gravel, low frames are not ideal. On the other hand, high frames will put your balance to the test. In general, it's a very good idea to participate in a rehearsal class if you have never tried out roller skiing before. This will also help you choose the right equipment.
The frames are manufactured in different materials - aluminum, wood, steel and carbon - and all the materials have their advantages and disadvantages. For instance, wood gives a greater flexibility and a better skiing sensation, whereas aluminum is stiffer and lighter and therefore better suited for competitions as the power transfer is optimized.
Roller Ski Wheels
Apart from choosing the right frames for your roller skis, buying wheels with the right hardness is also of great importance when choosing the right roller skis for you. Some roller ski brands offers one, two, three or even four different wheel-hardness. If you wish to ride on roads with gravel, the wheels for your roller skis should be softer, whereas you can easily buy harder wheels, if you are riding primarily on asphalt. Keep the hardness of the wheels in mind and off course the material the wheels are made of, when buying roller skis. The harder the wheels the more resistance you will experience when roller skiing on smooth asphalt. The softer the wheel hardness, the easier you will feel the roll.
Roller Ski boots
Also regarding the roller ski boots, the selection has never been bigger than it is nowadays. It used to be quite common to simply use one's normal winter equipment, but today you can also purchase summer roller ski boots. The advantages of these boots are that they are not as isolated as the winter boots and therefore a lot more comfortable to wear when the temperatures are above 5-8 degrees Celsius.
Poles and Pole Tips for Roller Skiing
The roller ski market has been extended with specific roller ski poles and especially regarding weight and materials, great progress has been achieved.
Buy yourself a pair of roller ski poles that fits your skills, roller ski type and your body length. If you are a beginner or intermediate in roller skiing you would like to choose a more soft ski pole as it is more comfortable and better prevents your arms to getting sore. If you are an expert and for example participates in competition races, you would like to choose a stiff roller ski pole (80 - 100 % carbon) as it secures better power transfer. Please note that the stiffer, the easier the pole is to break due to impacts as bumps and strikes. Also, therefore it is wise to carry the poles in a pole bag when under transport. Remember not to throw the poles into the car or on the ground, as they might break.
The length of your roller ski poles must match your height, and the poles must be bought with your riding style in mind (classical or skate).
Classic
Choose a pole length approximately 30 cm (12 in) shorter than body length. Stand on the ground with the pole also on the ground when measuring the right length. Remember, experienced roller skiers might have their own preferred pole length.
Skate
For the roller ski skating style, the poles should to be 15 - 20 cm (6-8 in) shorter than your body height. Stand on the ground with the pole also on the ground when measuring the right length. Remember, experienced roller skiers might have their own preferred pole length.
Rollerski Pole Tips
Many people mistakenly believe that they can use the same tips that they would normally use during winter when roller skiing. However, this is also not a place to compromise! Aim for the quality pole tips, because the cheaper you buy, the softer material you will get. Soft pole tips will quickly wear down when roller skiing. The first many times, you will be able to get by with a grindstone. After a while you will need to change the tips.
Learn from this video how to exchange the tips of your roller ski pole:
Grips and straps
It is possible to get different models for grips and straps for roller ski poles. It is important that the grips and straps easily lets you control the pole. Many grips have a cork surface that provides a good and comfortable control. The straps are also made in various models like Velcro closing or the very smart boa closing.
Over time, the grips will be worn out and you will have to change them.
See how to change the grips in the video here below:
Apart from that: For your own safety, if you have roller ski poles without reflectors built in, you should consider placing some reflectors on your roller ski poles in order for you to be visible in traffic. The poles are the most moving parts when roller skiing, and therefore also the best way of getting some attention from the cars when skiing on a dark bicycle track or road. More of our roller ski poles has built in reflectors - read more under every product.
Needless to say, you should also wear a helmet when roller skiing, as the speed can increase to about 30 km/h.
We hope to have guided you in the right direction and answered all your questions about buying roller skis and accessories. If you still have questions or just don't know, which roller skis to buy, please do not hesitate to contact us.
