I figured I hadn’t told you guys a thing or two about Nordic skates. Not because I didn’t want to, but not many people are into Nordic skating because they are scared the ice will break while they are skating.
For the record, if you’re not sure of the ice you’re skating on, please do not go skating. Nordic skating can be extremely dangerous, especially when you go out skating alone.
Butttt, I have to be honest guys, I never knew skating could be this exciting and scary at the same time until I tried Nordic skating. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t go Nordic skating in extreme weather conditions such as a storm or when it’s snowy. As much as it might be fun to know what it feels like skating in periods like that, it’s really dangerous and you are putting yourself in a big risk.
There are several obvious differences between the Nordic skates and the hockey skates. However, a major difference between them the length of the blades. With Nordic skating, it involves skating on ice and the design of the blades is quite longer in length than the hockey skates. I also noticed that Nordic skates are way warmer and comfortable on your feet than hockey or figure skates.
If you’ve played hockey before, you’ll understand that because of how much pressure the game requires, the skates are built for intense shock and pressure absorption. Although the Nordic skates are known for having longer blades, you can also switch them up to a shorter one for better agility and turning. If on the other hand, you’re looking to go faster and flow with the cool wind, going for longer blades will be ideal for you.
Personally, after using both the shorter and longer blades on the Nordic skates, I have come to terms that I’m in love with the longer blades. This is because it allows me go through what ever iced surface I want to. It must not necessarily be a smooth ice surface.
With that being said, in this blog post, I’ll give you guys a comparison of the Nordic skates and the Hockey skates. Don’t forget to let me know which skates you preferred using and if you’ve ever tried out either of both skating in the comment section below.
Sit back and relax!
What are Nordic Skates?
Nordic skates are a type of ice skates. The skates are designed for NNN/SNS or NIS skate ski bindings. And trust me you want to go for a Nordic skate that has a really good grip and ankle support.
I think I had anxiety days before I decided to try out Nordic skating for the first time. I was so anxious about the ice and me breaking the ice and falling deeply into the water. Shit freaked me out a lot.
But with time, I faced my fears and tried them out. The good thing about this whole thing is that I had learned I hockey skating earlier, so Nordic skating was not difficult. I least expected it would be that easy.
If you feel you’re balanced enough and you can go Nordic skating without having to hold the poles then that’s awesome because I could not.
I was so freaked out, so I made sure to use the pole all the time while going Nordic skating. The poles help with balance and stability while skating. It also keeps you less sacred about breaking the ice and falling into the water. But, they are not the easiest set of instruments to use on rough ice. Each time I and my friends decide to go Nordic skating on rough ice, I always leave my poles behind.
The good thing about the Nordic skates is that it comes with its unique protective gear such as throw rope, flotation, ice screw, fire starter, ice pick, helmet, knee and elbow pads, and a life vest. You’re free to add more to your list if you wish- your safety comes first.
What are Hockey Skates?
I’m sure everybody is familiar with what hockey skates are because it is a very popular game in different regions of the world. Even if you never knew what hockey skates are, you just have in one way or the other come across the term “ice hockey game”
Hockey skates are skates worn by hockey players to play the game of hockey. Unlike most skates, hockey skates do not have high boots and come in low boot sizes. They have a very strong ankle support, perfect lacing system and may sometimes come with buckles for extra support.
The blades are not as long as the Nordic skates, they are the exact length of the boot attached to it. Like the figure skates, they do not come with toe picks because the skates are not used for dancing or twirling or anything of that sort.
Why Should You Buy Nordic Skates or Hockey Skates?
They are both categorized under ice skating. So it’s safe to say that you should buy the Nordic skates or the hockey skates if you’re going to be skating on ice. Another thing you should know is that they are not roller or inline skates that make use of wheels. These skates require blades to function.
If you’re looking for speed and fast acceleration and mainly just for recreational purposes, then buying the Nordic skates may be ideal for you because they have longer blades and are super comfortable. The skates are also very fashionable, so if you’re a fashion icon you might also want to have them In your skating rack.
On the other hand, although hockey skates have speed as well, they can’t be compared to the Nordic skates. So if you’re looking to join your local ice hockey team or play ice hockey with your friends and loved ones, getting the Hockey skates would be your best bet.
Nordic vs Hockey Skates Differences
As I earlier stated, the differences between Nordic skates and Hockey skates are quite visible.
Nordic skating has cross-country ski boots skate, black-country style, and a detachable, elongated steel blade that clips on and off your boot. In other words, the blades of Nordic boots are detachable; you can put on your ski boots at home, get to where you’ve chose to skate then just clip on the blades on the boots and begin skating.
This is why I enjoy using the Nordic skates. This way, your feet won’t get exposed to the very chilly weather in the process of trying to put on your skates. You’re also free to experiment with different blades out there. But on the other hand, hockey skates do not have detachable blades. In fact, the blades cannot even be changed. They are fixed firmly into the middle base of the boot and remain there until your skates get old and are due for change.
The blades of the Nordic skates are longer than that of the hockey skates. Because of this you can go as fast as possible while Nordic skating. But the Hockey skates are made strictly for the game of hockey so it is produced only to fulfill its requirements.
Nordic vs Hockey Skates Pros
Regardless of everything, there are still a handful of things I enjoyed using while skating with the Nordic skates and the Hockey skates.
Pros of the Hockey skates
- the hockey blades come with lighter blades and are ideal for the ice hockey game
- stopping and changing direction is easier
- can be worn for a longer period because they are light-weight
Pros of the Nordic skates
- feels warm and soft on the feet
- super comfortable
- super speed and acceleration
- Easy to learn for beginners
Nordic vs Hockey Skates Cons
I believe that everything good has its own share of disadvantages, so the few listed is what I hated about the Nordic skates and the Hockey skates.
Cons of hockey skates
- Lacks precision
- Not an ideal pick for dancers because of its lack of toe-picks
- Offers less balance due to its narrow blades
- Blades cannot be replaced once they wear out
- Pretty expensive
Cons of Nordic skates
- Skating surface is pretty dangerous
- Very expensive
- Blades are fast and may not be easy to handle
- Doesn’t come with toe picks
How to Make Your Decision?
I’m hoping that by now, you guys know how to select and make the right decision when it comes to skates. However, for my new friends here’s how its done:
- The first thing you want to decide on is what you want to use the skates for. Consider your level of expertise, if you’re still in the beginners’ stage there are a lot of skates out there for you to choose from.
- Ensure that you get the correct size and fit for your figure skating blades or your ice hockey skates or Nordic skates.
- Research on different brands if you must. Don’t just buy from the first brand you come across. Compare and contrast different blades.
- Get recommendations from your coach or expert level ice skaters. Seek their opinion
Conclusion
If fear has been one of the major reasons you’ve not been able to try either the Nordic skating or the ice hockey skating, or any skating in general, you are wrong!
Let fear not be the reason you miss out on so much fun!
How was your ice skating experience?
Until next time my friends!
