As synthetic ice grows in popularity, a large number of hockey players and ice skaters are asking “What is the best synthetic ice?” This answer to this is pretty simple, but there is an explanation that goes along with it. Obviously, the best synthetic ice is the kind that is going to be useful to you for as long as it can be. Although there may be many brands available on the market, not all of them are going to be as great as the manufacturer claims to be.
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Satiability Matters
When skaters glide across real ice the blades cause just enough friction to generate a small amount of heat. When the ice surface heats up, it causes a small amount of water to form where the heat is. When the water is produced it causes a type of lubrication system for the skates to glide across so gracefully and easily. When it comes to synthetic ice, there are a lot of manufacturers out there that have not captured the idea of self-lubrication. This means that when you use this type of flooring you have to add lubricants to it by either spraying it or coating it with some kind of additive that will keep the floor slick for ice skates. Without self-lubricating technology infused within the ice panels, the skating experience can be choppy and difficult unless the flooring is drenched with lubricant. When you purchase your own synthetic ice, make sure you look for the kind that is equipped with its own self-lubricating system. Otherwise, you could end up with more work than you bargained for.
Interlocking Panels are King
The way that the ice panels, or tiles, whichever you go with, lay on the floor makes a huge difference. The best synthetic ice panels are ones that have been engineered to lay on the surface that they are installed on without moving back and forth, or up and down when skaters glide across them. Ice skating can be very touchy, so when skaters glide across the surface if there are dips, or bumps it can seriously hinder a skater’s ability to skate correctly. If the ice panels are locked together in a way that does not allow them to move it makes for great flooring. However, if the panels can easily move under pressure it can cause the flooring to be unstable and even hazardous. Make sure that when you shop for any kind of hockey flooring that the panels themselves will interlock upon installation and give a firm, solid foundation to skate on.
Durable and Long-Lasting
Although synthetic ice panels are easy to install, you don’t want to have to replace them over and over again over time. Hockey is a demanding sport, so when you practice you shouldn’t have to worry about being gentle on your flooring. As you shop for your synthetic ice keep your eyes open for reviews of the product that you are looking at. If you can see that people complain about the flooring not lasting very long, you may want to look for a product that customers rave over and are happy that it lasts such a long time. Companies like Sniper’s Edge Hockey have high ratings and have been in the business for a long time. Sniper’s Edge, hands down, has the best synthetic ice available on the market today.
The Kind You Will Use
Ultimately, the best kind of synthetic ice is the kind that you are going to use. If you plan to set it up and just let it sit there to collect dust, it’s probably not the best kind. If you love to skate and are serious about your hockey game, do yourself a favor and get the best synthetic ice that you can get so that you will look forward, every day, to going onto the surface and skating on it. The best kind of synthetic ice is the kind that Sniper’s Edge has to offer. Treat yourself today.