Speed Skating: Extreme Speeds, Techniques & Gear

Maybe you enjoy running but crave more speed and excitement, or maybe your joints are starting to ache when you exercise? Or perhaps you already have a pair of fitness skates but want to elevate your training? If so, speed skating might be the sport for you.

Speed Skating is the fastest roller and inline sport out there. If we look at the sprint distances, speeds can peak at a breathtaking 60 km/h (37 mph). But speed skating is much more than just sprint distances - it includes time trials, elimination races, criterium races, distance and long-distance races, marathons, and ultra-marathons, to name a few.

How to Get Started?

Even though all this might sound intimidating, there is plenty of room for everyone in speed skating, and if you visit a speed skating club, you will experience this. People aged 3 to 80 years are present, and they also compete in the same races where participants are typically grouped by skill - not age or gender.

“One of the things I love about speed skating is the social aspect. You often work towards common goals, but at the same time, it’s a sport where you can practice and compete individually,” says SkatePro team rider and former Danish champion Trine Brøns Nielsen.

If you are new to speed skating, you might want to join a local club. Both for the social perspective but mainly to get the technique right, since this can be a challenge. As an example, you should take a look at this video, where pro speed skater Mark Horsten performs the double push technique.

What Do You Need?

A few years back, almost every speed skate had four or even more wheels, but today the most common setup only has three wheels on each skate. This is simply to reduce weight and resistance from wheels and bearings. You might also notice that the wheels on speed skates are pretty hard compared to classic fitness skates, which reduces friction but sacrifices comfort.

If you’ve never been skating before, we recommend that you buy skates with mid-cut ankle support and a good liner. Otherwise, your feet might hurt, resulting in a bad experience. A skate with these features is designed like the one in the picture above, which, due to its big 125 mm wheels, still offers high speed and great acceleration. If you prefer a skate with high maneuverability, a rule of thumb is to go for a skate with a short frame.

Choose the Right Setup

Many skilled speed skaters prefer to assemble the setup of their skates themselves. This ensures that their skates meet their personal preferences and style. How you combine a boot, a frame, wheels, and bearings will determine how a skate performs in speed, acceleration, and maneuverability. Our experts have combined a series of high-end bundles that give you the possibility to tailor the perfect setup for your skate style. Check out our different bundles and complete speed skates in this category.

Stay Protected

Besides the skates, you’ll also need the right protective equipment. When skaters reach a certain level, they usually only use a helmet - this is not recommended for beginners. That is why a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and a set of wrist guards are must-haves for new skaters.

Want to know more? Read our complete guide to speed skating here.