Roller skiing and rollerblading are two sports that are not only fun but beneficial to human health. However, many people get confused about the two sports and assume that they are the same. Although both sports roll on the road, the methods of rolling are different. If you have always wanted to know the differences, don’t worry because we shall discuss them in this post, including the pros and cons of each sport.
The difference between the two sports lies mainly in how they are played. Roller skiing uses roller skis, while rollerblading makes use of rollerblades. Both pieces of equipment are designed differently and employ different techniques. Before we jump into the main topic of discussion, let’s talk about the two sports that use the equipment and how they originated.
Roller Skiing
Roller skiing is a road sport that’s similar to cross-country skiing. Like other roller sports, they have wheels on their ends and were mostly performed as a summer physical exercise, until it grew into a competitive sport. Many cross-country ski players roller ski during summer to get physically fit to prepare them for the winter ski season.
Roller skiing was developed in the 1930s when the demand for summer training grew due to cross-country skiing competitions that took place during winter. After cross-country skiing evolved into a competitive sport, athletes began to experiment on wheels with their skis until 1970 when so-called physical exercise developed into something more standard. Athletes felt they could engage themselves in more competitions, and in 1988, the first competition took place in the Netherlands.
In 1992, the event in the Netherlands caught the attention of the International Ski Federation, and by 1992, the FIS recognized skiing as a sport different from cross-country skiing. The first World Games took place in the Hague in 1993. By 1998, the FIS formed FIS World Championships, which later took place in 2000 in the Netherlands.
The main equipment used in roller skiing is roller skis. Roller skis have wide wheels, about 24mm to provide more stability, with a diameter in the range of 100mm to minimize the overall weight of the roller skis. A ratchet is installed in the front and rear wheel to enable uni-directional movement and facilitate propulsion.
The shaft is mostly made of aluminum, kevlar, or fiberglass, depending on the manufacturer. The wheelbase is usually around 610mm. The wheels are connected to these shafts to offer more tracking and balance. Originally, skis were developed with one front wheel and two rear wheels, but athletes complained of the additional weight on the rear. Thus, the new design became one front wheel and one rear wheel.
Rollerblading
Rollerblading or inline skating is a sport that involves using inline skates or rollerblades, as commonly preferred. Inline skating is subdivided into several disciplines, such as aggressive skating, figure skating, recreational skating, and freestyle skating. All skating types are similar, with the only distinctive difference being the way the boots are constructed.
For instance, aggressive skating uses a uniquely modified boot for grinding. The boot used here is characterized by its large gap between the second and the third wheel and a tough plastic surface in the sole, known as the Soul Plate. The tires used for aggressive skating are usually smaller than typical inline skates to allow more freedom during grinding.
Figure or artistic skating is similar to skating on the ice but in water climates. Recreational skating is an activity done on roads, paced trails, etc. This skating is mostly done to achieve fitness. Hence, the reason it’s called recreational skating. Freestyle skating is more competition-like. This type of skating is usually organized by the International Freestyle Skaters Association. The body sets the rules for participating and determines the number of individuals and events to include.
Differences Between Roller Skis and Rollerblades
Now that you know what rollerblading and roller skiing are, what are the major differences between the two sports? Let’s find out below.
Safety
Roller skis are more distinctive than rollerblades. While a lot of people may prefer roller skis because of their speed, they are not as safe as rollerblades. For a newbie who wants to get into skating, inline skating is where to start, as the sport is safer and less risky.
One thing that makes rollerblades safer is braking. With roller skis, you will find it more complicated to stop. Plus, rollerblades are a lot more maneuverable and easier to roll on hard surfaces than roller skis. Although roller skis offer some degree of stability, rollerblades tend to be more balance due to the many tires they possess.
Comfort
Sometimes, feeling balanced translates to being comfortable. Based on comfort, rollerblades are winners here. The four wheels underneath the boot provide more balance, and there’s a general sense of comfort when rollerblading than roller skiing. Some skaters dispute this fact by saying that roller skis are more comfortable on the feet.
Speed
If you are one of those that cherish speed over every other thing, you should go with roller skis. They are faster than rollerblades, with a little bit less control. Unless you plan to race, rollerblades are better. If you intend to go into ice skiing, roller skiing is a good place to start. However, this is a matter of choice, as some people practice inline skating before crossing to ice skiing.
Tires and Frames
Typically, rollerblades have three to five tires beneath the boot. Roller skis have just two – one in the front and the other in the rear. However, the advantage here is skis have bigger tires than rollerblades, and the frame is quite longer than that in a rollerblade. In other words, skis have a wider bottom. Some skaters feel more comfortable with skis because of that. But, that would make transitioning from one edge to another more challenging.
Poles
This is one of the most significant differences between a ski and a rollerblade. With rollerblades, you don’t need to use a pole to support your rolling. In the case of roller skis, you definitely need two poles for that. These days, some people avoid using it while skiing.
Pros of Roller Skis
- They are pretty fast.
- Uses support (poles)
- Wider bottom and bigger tires
- Versatile
Cons of Roller Skis
- Fewer tires
- Less maneuverable
Pros of Rollerblades
- Incredibly maneuverable
- Safe to use
- More tires
- Stable
Cons of Rollerblades
- Not that speedy
- Thinner bottom
Conclusion
Roller skis and rollerblades are similar in many ways, but the differences between them aren’t as much as we had imagined. While we can’t clearly state which is the better one, we recommend that you practice with roller skis if you want to get into professional ice skating. Roller skiing is the closest thing to cross-country skating, so with that, you’ll find it less tedious adapting to ice skating.
