Do bearings on inline hockey skates really make a difference?

Answer 1

Absolutely. As an inline roller hockey player for more than 15 years, I can tell you that it definitely makes a difference. With all of the stopping and starting to go back and forth between defense and offense, having a quality bearing that is rated highly makes a world of difference.

When I started as a youngster I had ABEC 3 bearings, but as I grew older and played in more competitive leagues, the players were faster. This isn't just because they were taller and had longer strides when skating, no it was because their skates had quality, high rated bearings.

And not only does it help with your speed, but it also has an effect on your fatigue level and the energy you exert when playing. Over the course of a game, this can really save you from getting beat late in games.