We have rolled into the summer month of June. And for those of you who have big goals for the upcoming winter, there is still plenty of time to prepare.

In the coming weeks, we here at ProXCskiing.com will immerse in the world of rollerskiing: what equipment should I have; how should I train; which competitions should I go and not least, which rollerskis can I buy. 

At ProXCskiing.com you can read about how to choose your rollerskis.

In addition to the rollerskis, some additional equipment is needed for a successful training session.

We can start with the boots:

“If you are a beginner, I would suggest a stable boot both on roller skis and for the winter. And in the same way for you who are more experienced cross-country skiers, I strongly recommend that you choose the same type of boots for rollerskis that you have in cross-country skiing, this for the training to be the same and to be as ski-like as possible. And if you are far behind in the trail at, for example, Vasaloppet, it is good to have extra support as there is a risk of some slippery tracks. Then it is good to keep in mind that rollerskis are often a rather “bad environment” for the boots. It is often wet or hot, and with lots of dirt, so it easily wears the boots. A summer boot is comfortable for the summer but does not work, or at least not so well, in the rain or colder temperatures,” says Patrik Nilsson.

When it comes to pole length, according to FIS regulations, you may have two centimeters longer poles on rollerskis than you are entitled to have in winter.

The reason is that you, as a skier, come up a little higher from the ground:

“Even if the regulation says one thing, my recommendation is to have the same pole length in the summer as in the winter. The first reason is that the snow is soft, but the asphalt is hard. Secondly, the pole length varies quite a lot if you pole in deep tracks or if you are standing on the skiing tracks. Then you have to remember that the surface is hard, especially for the arms and shoulders, so start carefully and think about whether you want to invest in one of the available products with suspension and damping in the poles,” says Nilsson.

What other protections should you have?

“You should always have a helmet. And it is important to remember that many accidents happen when standing and talking, so always put on your helmet first. The helmet can look like a bicycle helmet, but it is important that it goes down the neck because the fall accidents on a bicycle are mainly forward; here, they mainly occur backward. Then glasses are highly recommended, and it is even mandatory in competition. The pole tips are, or at least should be, sharp and can hit the eyes, for example, in a collision,” says Patrik Nilsson.

In the coming days, the rollerski focus week will continue here at ProXCskiing.com.