roller ski vs roller blade???

Does anyone 'roller ski'? What about rollerblading? A friend of mine wants to try it. I think it would be like 'rollerblading' without the poles.

I rollerblade with poles as training for cross country skiing and my husband uses classic-style roller skis (with poles). The advantage of the rollerblades is that you have a brake wheras I have no idea how you can stop the rollerskis apart from gliding to a stop. For this reason we use them on a flat closed section of road. The disadvantage of rollerblading with poles is that it's actually rather faster than I really feel safe going, so I end up doing a lot of double-poling.

If you are going to try this, I would really recommend a helmet and knee, elbow and wrist pads.

Thanks Bron. I think I like the idea of the rollerblades - the rollerskis are quite expensive from what I've seen.

I rollerblade with my dogs - I do suggest and always use at least the elbow and wrist guards -and the knee pads and helmet are good too. even though I don't usually wear them.

One of the local high school x country ski team trains on my street with roller skis. It is frightening! The street is an almost 2 mile loop that looks like the number 9. The beginning of the street, the tail of the 9 is a 10% grade and one side of the loop is about 8-10%. Then it goes down and rises up again before the descent back down. I don't know how these people do this, without brakes on those things :eek: :eek: . They certainly look fit, but I would go for the ones with the brakes.

Yes, the whole lack of brakes thing scares me. My husbands roller skis are set with a high resistance so he doesn't glide that far, but I think a real emergency brake would require him to just fall over.

I never asked if you wanted them as ski training or just for fun. Rollerblading (without the poles) is very popular here just for recreation. With poles it tends to be refered to as "nordic blading" - anything nordic is quite trendy.

I really, really recommend using a full set of pads and a helmet, especially if you are a beginner, falling on asphalt hurts.

I must be a wimp, I have tried both and both make be nervous. I do prefer the skis though. I used to have an old skate pair. I just love that motion. Can't wait for the snow:D

Both are super fun; just remember (for all of us, not just beginners) that staying within your limits of safety and controllable speed are paramount!

Wear the helmet; it's the most important piece of safety equipment. Learn to brake well!

The other padding helps prevent sores, scrapes, and roadrash, but do not let wrist guards fool you into thinking you won't break your wrist. Studies show that impacts with rollerblade wrist guards don't prevent fractures -- they just change the type of fracture. Be careful out there and have a BLAST!!!

Lisa
(who can't wait to get back to her 'blades after a too-long summer of tri training)

ps -- investigate gel wrist "sliders" -- they cover the part of your palm most likely to get nasty road rash without completely limiting your wrist and grasp mobility -- I adore mine!