Rolling resistance 2, 3, 4 and PU
When choosing roller skis or wheels for your roller skis, you’ll often come across labels such as rolling resistance 2, 3 or 4, and sometimes PU wheels. But what does that actually mean in practice?
Here we go through the differences and how to choose the right wheels for your training.
What is rolling resistance?
Rolling resistance describes how heavy the wheel rolls on the asphalt. The higher the number, the more resistance.
It mainly affects:
- how hard you need to work
- how ski-like the feel is
- how fast the roller skis go downhill
Most manufacturers use a scale from 1 to 4, where 2–3 is most common for training.
Rolling resistance 2 – easy rolling
Rolling resistance 2 is the easiest option normally used for training and racing.
Suitable for:
- roller ski races
- technique training
- easier training sessions
- less experienced skiers
Advantages:
- easy to maintain speed
- gentle on the body during longer sessions
- often used in racing contexts
Disadvantages:
- can feel faster than skiing on snow
- requires more control on downhills
Many roller ski races are held on resistance 2.
Rolling resistance 3 – the most ski-like feel
Rolling resistance 3 is the most common choice for training.
It gives a feel that many experience as closer to skiing on snow, because the resistance means you have to work more actively in every pole push.
Suitable for:
- most training sessions
- recreational skiers and elite athletes
- technique training
Advantages:
- more ski-like feel
- better training load
- more stable speed on downhills
For many skiers, rolling resistance 3 is the best all-round choice.
Rolling resistance 4 – heavy training
Rolling resistance 4 provides significantly more resistance and is mainly used when you want to make training harder.
Suitable for:
- strength training on roller skis
- double-poling training
- strong and experienced skiers
Advantages:
- very high training load
- great for strength and endurance
Disadvantages:
- can become very heavy during longer sessions
- less like the feel on snow
Most skiers use 4s more as a complement than as their standard wheels.
PU wheels – what are they?
PU stands for polyurethane, a durable rubber-like material often used in roller ski wheels.
PU wheels have several characteristics that make them popular:
- consistent rolling resistance
- very good wear resistance
- good grip on asphalt
Many modern training wheels today use PU compounds to provide a more stable feel across different temperatures and longer service life.
Which rolling resistance should you choose?
A simple rule of thumb is:
| Skier | Recommended rolling resistance |
|---|---|
| Beginners | 2 or 3 |
| Recreational skiers | 3 |
| Racers | 2 or 3 |
| Strength training | 4 |
Resistance 2
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤ Fast rolling
⬤⬤⬤○○ Load
Resistance 3
⬤⬤⬤○○ Speed
⬤⬤⬤⬤○ Load
Resistance 4
⬤⬤○○○ Speed
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤ Load
How rolling resistance compares to skiing on snow
Many skiers wonder which rolling resistance feels most like cross-country skiing in winter. It of course depends on snow conditions, but in general it’s usually experienced roughly like this:
| Rolling resistance | Feel compared to snow | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Fast conditions | Similar to hard tracks or race conditions |
| 3 | Normal ski conditions | Most ski-like feel |
| 4 | Heavy conditions | Similar to wet snow or a headwind |
That’s why many coaches recommend rolling resistance 3 for regular training – it provides a load and rhythm that are closer to the feel on snow.
If you’re only going to have one set of wheels for training, most people choose rolling resistance 3.
It provides a good balance between speed, control, and training load.
Tip: choose the right rolling resistance from the start
Choosing too light a rolling resistance can make training less effective, especially on downhills where speed quickly becomes high.
That’s why many coaches recommend choosing at least rolling resistance 3 for regular training.