Skis, Skis, and More Skis

It sounds pretty basic, but it would be good to start with the types of roller skis. Granted, nothing will ever be just like skiing on snow--but that's why this is called roller skiing.

Classic Skis: These skis have FAT wheels (40+mm wide) with a small diameter (about 70 mm) . The back one ratchets, to mimic the kick phase of classic cross country skis. They look like this:

The Pros: These skis are safe--they are pretty slow, comparatively speaking. So, leaves, a little moisture, and schmutz don't hold much terror.

The Cons: I don't think they mimic the kick phase very well--you can get away with "shuffling" your feet to get forward movement.

Bottom Line: I am lukewarm about them. If you can get a pair used, and are more classic-oriented, they are worth it, though. 

CAT Skis: I know--you are thinking what? I am not talking felines. These are CAT Skis:

They have a flat plastic bottom. The plate atop it has rubber stretchy tube that that allows the plate to slide forward, then snap back into place after shifting weight. The wheels on the front are there to get over obstacles

The Pros: As a person who had technique problems with classic, these things rock. They really helped me fix my form; though I know some people say it's all crap/in my head/whatever. They demand you shift your weight with each stride. If you don't, you go nowhere. And, you can go anywhere on these. Anywhere: grass, dirt, asphalt (not recommended for long skis). They are also extremely safe. You can't go much faster than 4 MPH.

The Cons: They are a tad pricey ($359--not much more than some other roller skis); sometimes the wheel has to be readjusted to roll smoothly; also, if you glide too much, you can snap the band, though there is a 1 year parts warranty--so getting a little lesson is useful. And if you want to try a pair, it is a lot harder to find a set for demonstrations.

Bottom Line: Great for fixing technique and if you live in areas where good roller skiing paths/trails are hard to come by (i.e., rural areas; "Up North")

Skate Skis: Also known as freestyle. These are the "fast skis."

The Pros: These skis are my main training tool. You can double pole, do leg-only drills, and easily change out & play with wheel set-ups. This last part is important if you want to be able to control speed and heart rate--it is kind of the equivalent of messing around with wax jobs.

The Cons: No brakes (though you can add them)--so you should be careful. 

Bottom Line: If you are primarily a skater, these are the way to go. You also better wear a helmet.

Combi Skis (See Here): I didn't really want to mention these, but...  These are like any combination piece of equipment: they allow you to do both techniques--but not really well. Wheels are wider than skate skis, narrower than classic; a smaller wheel is up front, a bigger one in the rear, and a brake is optional equipment.

Pros, Cons & Bottom Line: I haven't used them. I have had combi snow skis and boots before. My opinion is it is better to have a ski specific to the technique you primarily do. But, if you are strapped for cash and want all possible options, give them a try and let me know how they work.

All Terrain Skis: These are another type of ski I have yet to try. These are the Skate version of CAT Skis. They have big pneumatic (air) tires & can come with brakes:

Pros, Cons & Bottom Line: What can I say, not having used them? I would assume they are slower than normal skate skis, and I know you can go off road and on rough terrain--how well it works, I don't know. Since they are tires with an inner tube, it is probably good to carry a spare tube and patch kit with you for long skis--much like cyclists do. I know the tubes can be a pain in the butt to change--if you have ever had to change one for a stroller (and I have, since I work PT in a bike shop), it is as "simple" (snort) as that. Bring a tire lever, just in case. I think the only manufacturer is V2. Again, if you've tried them, your input is appreciated.

This is a basic entry, for the neophyte roller skier. And, of course, these are my opinions and experiences (or lack thereof). The main thing is to remember is WHERE you ski and HOW you ski. Let that guide you when buying any piece of training equipment. The "normal" classic only or skate only skis are easier to find used, if you are not sure you want to invest a lot of cash, compared to combi, CAT, or All Terrain skis. And please, unless you are CAT skiing, wear a helmet. But that's a post for another day.