School me on Nordic ice skates

[HHTELE]

According to my wife, we need skates.

She went out with friends, on a pond, with skates attached to cross country boots.
I am guessing something like this.

We live in Maine, don't have fat bikes, and could use an alternative to groomers when things are locked up, as they are right now.

So- What do I need to know?

Not sure how much we'll use these, so kind of would like to get in cheap. OTOH, no point in going too cheap, then upgrading. Pretty sure we both have serviceable CC boots of some flavor other than 3-pin. Once we got fat fishscales, we basically stopped CC.

Thoughts on this?

[XXX-er]

If you already got xc skate boots they are great , the guy who sold them to me said I didn't need skate bindings so I could save a little $ by just using any binding so find a pair of used kids skis with SNS bindings for 30$. They feel alot like skate skis , they are more comfy and to get in them just walk out on the ice clip in and away you go

The blades are half the width of hockey skate bladr and are not hollow ground so they are faster

I like them

[HHTELE]

So-
No real reason I can't use any compatible boot/binding, even if they are a bit burlier?
I have what I think XC folks call BC boots, and am guessing I will be happy for the support, and not mind the weight, for now.

There are some decent looking skates on sale, but 55 cm. 5'11", 180. Is this a bad idea?
Also- I have tools that make things shorter. Is that a possibility?

[Peruvian]

If you have a frozen river or large pond/lake, they can be fun. They are made for skating one direction and are challenging to turn, particularly a tight turn.

Don’t think they will replace ice skates when skating with others in little circles or in a small pond.

[XXX-er]

So-
No real reason I can't use any compatible boot/binding, even if they are a bit burlier?
I have what I think XC folks call BC boots, and am guessing I will be happy for the support, and not mind the weight, for now.

There are some decent looking skates on sale, but 55 cm. 5'11", 180. Is this a bad idea?
Also- I have tools that make things shorter. Is that a possibility?

Not really sure but the binding has to fit on the skate blade, maybe the site could tell you. I have always seen then used with an SNS or NNN binding & skateboot

[Toddball]

https://nordicskater.com/collections...ates-bare-1749

These are compatible with lots of different skate and BC bindings. If your BC boots have a cuff like a skate boot, you could probably use them, otherwise, you will need very strong ankles.

[CountryFunk]

Good vid of how they work - skate ski boots work fine for the skating part ...

Where I live it's a good option for those long high pressure dry spells we get. Some local enthusiasts enjoying the amazing ice we had for most of December -

[LawndartGustav]

In Sweden it's quite common and it's what I do between biking and ski season in Sweden. I got maybe 30 days this season
Awesome feeling on new ice. Longest day was about 55km of skating.
Got some pics and movies here https://www.instagram.com/gustav.o/

[alive]

Just getting into this Nordic skating and I am really enjoying it. Skate boots definitely work the best. Nnn bc boots also work good if they have pretty sturdy ankle support. Longer skates are usually better. Only downside to this support is that the conditions really need to be right. Cold and no snow.
Can’t figure out how to put up a video, but today was magical

[plugboots]

Apetor does video much, much better.

[Shorty_J]

Apetor does video much, much better.

That was gold.

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk

[waxoff]

Apetor does video much, much better.

Awesome clip, Oscar worthy!

[hafjell]

You all know about this guy? https://thingstolucat.com/ice-skatin...park-preserve/

[plugboots]

You all know about this guy? https://thingstolucat.com/ice-skatin...park-preserve/

Those black ice pictures are really cool.

[alive]

Apetor has life figured out. love it!

Luc's page has tons of amazing information on Nordic skating. Helped a lot for getting into it, what to buy...
A lame insta link is all I could come up with...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtmvhduB...x_NzGN79hMuo0/

[galibier_numero_un]

I got to thinking about exercises to strengthen my medial glutes. I hate the gym - any activity is preferred (even in crap weather). It dawned on me that skating is perfect for this.

... so I started to check out pricing on nordic skate boots. Yeow! Why am I not surprised? I should rent first to see if this works for me. Maybe roller blades are what I'm after in terms of being able to go right out the door and exercise here in the balmy Front Range.

Still ... this has my attention.

Check this guy out. He drilled for pin bindings (hmmm ... the light boot that's been missing in my quiver): https://thingstolucat.com/nordic-skate-equipment-guide/

... Thom

[XXX-er]

In that link he ^^ has what looks like a good jig to sharpen nordic blades by screwing them down to a bench, I was wondering how I would do that

yeah its pricy if you don't already own skate boots which i did

I got cheap used kids XC skis took the bindings and gave away the skis so only 30$ for the binding

[galibier_numero_un]

In that link he ^^ has what looks like a good jig to sharpen nordic blades by screwing them down to a bench, I was wondering how I would do that

yeah its pricy if you don't already own skate boots which i did

I got cheap used kids XC skis took the bindings and gave away the skis so only 30$ for the binding

Adding one more item to my thankfully short sellers' remorse list - selling a pair of TLT-5s. So it goes ...

... Thom

[dunfree]

I bought some cheap ass NNNBC boots form STP at the end of last season ($15, cheap, pos). Use them with some cheaper skates I bought used. Fun exploration in the right conditions.

[alive]

So much fun. Feels like you’re floating when you’re on clear, black ice and the wind is at your back...

[My Pet Powder Goat]

So much fun. Feels like you’re floating when you’re on clear, black ice and the wind is at your back...

Fantastic!

I'm hooked. Bought some Zandstra 48cm NIS blades, (already have xc skate boots) I've Been out a couple days and skated 10 miles down the Connecticut river yesterday with the BIL. It really opens up opportunity to explore many local lakes, ponds and rivers in a new way.

[alive]

Nice... those look like great blades. I heard they use a harder metal than the Isvidda ones that I got. Ended up getting two pairs, 19 inch and 21 inch to test them out. One skate, The other set up with nnn bc.
Looks like you have a solid beer pairing for the sport as well... ha

[alive]

‘‘Tis the season again.

[Falcon3]

Dammit guys now there’s another piece of gear I want. This looks amazing.

[XXX-er]

If you don't like hockey skates (sacrilege for a canadian eh? ) a skate boot is way more comfortable

the nordic blades are way faster much like skateskiing IME

you don't really need poles IME unless you want to practise for on-snow

the down side is cost IF you don't already XC ski