Is Nordic skating more affordable than running?

May 22, 2026

Upfront costs for Nordic skating may be less than you think, and once you’re set up the sport can be surprisingly affordable

In a world where everything feels expensive (or, maybe worse, increasingly expensive), it makes sense that many people are cautious about spending money on a new sport. Believe me, at Ermine we get it. The shopping list for Nordic skating gear — everything from skates to picks to ice poles — can look financially daunting, and prospective skaters sometimes cite cost as a barrier to entering the sport.

We’d like to offer an additional perspective, though: while assembling a good Nordic skating kit does take money (and time), once assembled the sport can be surprisingly affordable. Essential skating gear is very durable (if not buy-it-for-life), maintenance costs range between low and zero, and skating on wild ice is (almost always) free.

There’s really no question that both the upfront and ongoing expenses for Nordic skating are lower than those for, say, mountain biking or downhill skiing. But just how-low cost is it? Over the years, we’ve even dared to ask a seemingly hyperbolic question: could Nordic skating actually be cheaper than outdoor running?

Costs of running

For the purpose of this comparison, we’re going to assume that our hypothetical runner and Nordic skater already own the clothing needed to recreate outdoors in winter. Yes, Nordic skaters need base layers, insulation, warm socks, etc. – but so do runners. We’ll also set aside travel costs, since they vary a lot between people. That leaves the sport-specific gear.

Running certainly wins out of the gate here: all you need are running shoes. But at roughly $100 to $200 a pair, good running shoes aren’t cheap, and they generally have to be replaced every 300-500 miles as the padding wears out. An enthusiast runner might conservatively spend $300 a year on shoes alone.

While that one-year cost might be relatively manageable, it does add up. $300 for the first year becomes $600 over two years, $900 over three years, and so on. Over the course of a decade, our hypothetical runner might spend north of $3,000 just on running shoes.

Costs of Nordic skating

Nordic skating requires more equipment than running, and startup costs are therefore both higher and more varied. Many Nordic skaters already own ski boots, for example, which can substantially cut down the cost of entering the sport. But for those who are starting completely from scratch, let’s estimate the following: $260 for Ermine Ak1 Nordic skates, $104 for Salomon Prolink Race Skate bindings and firm flexors, $280 for quality skate ski boots, and $32 for ice rescue picks. That comes to $676 for an extremely capable Nordic skating setup, including boots. Add a $170 pair of high-end Swedish ice poles and we’re at $846.

Ermine’s Nordic skates should last decades for the vast majority of users, and most skaters can get at least ten years out of a pair of bindings. Unlike shoes, skate ski boots used for Nordic skating don’t make much contact with abrasive surfaces outdoors, and basically just need to withstand repeated flexing at the forefoot. An active skater should be able to get at least five to ten years out of a pair of skate ski boots.

Sharpening costs will vary widely based on how often our hypothetical skater needs to sharpen, and whether they do it themselves or pay a shop. A top-quality commercial sharpening setup (jig plus stone plus burr stone) may cost $180. Shops generally charge $20 a pair for Nordic skate sharpening. Let’s assume that those who pay a shop do so twice a season.

The math here starts to get fuzzy, but what we end up with is a startup cost of $846 to $1,028 all-in for an excellent setup, and annual sharpening costs of between $40 and $0. If this math holds, our hypothetical enthusiast runner and Nordic skater pull even in 3-4 years, after which running becomes the more expensive sport. Our hypothetical skater could even snap an ice pole or lose their boots over the course of a decade and still come out over a thousand dollars ahead of the runner – and that’s with top-of-the-line Nordic skating gear!

Nordic skating vs. running: costs compared

The cost comparison between running and Nordic skating is ultimately more of a fun thought experiment than anything else. There are simply too many variables at play, and too many discrepancies between the two sports. For example, running is a year-round sport and wild ice skating isn’t (unless you happen to have the time and money to spend your Northern-hemisphere summers skating in Chile and New Zealand, in which case please invite us!). And I hope it goes without saying that we at Ermine are big fans of running, along with many other outdoor sports. Every sport has its place.

This comparison should drive a point home, though: that wherever the exact numbers fall, Nordic skating is more financially manageable sport than many people assume, particularly on a longer timeline. This is largely the result of very low costs to maintain equipment and participate in the sport.

Ermine Nordic skate costs in context

Ermine operates as a premium, performance-oriented Made-in-USA outdoor brand. Chasing ever-lower prices is a dangerous game for Made in USA companies, and one that often leads to quality compromises, corner-cutting, and an eventual loss of reputation and trust. That’s not the game we want to play.

At the same time, we believe that Ermine Nordic skates still represent an excellent value. We aim to earn every penny of our prices with excellent design, the highest-quality materials and finishes, rigorous quality control, and attentive customer service. We believe the slightly higher upfront cost of our Nordic skates is returned many times over with increased performance and durability.

Reasonable people may disagree about whether Nordic skating is really more affordable than running. But we are confident that in the long run authentic Ermine Nordic skates are going to provide an enormous amount of fun and adventure per dollar – and due to increased quality and longevity our skates may ultimately be easier on your wallet, too.

Still not enough?

Though we believe our skates are priced fairly, we understand that cost can still be a barrier. Ermine offers Pro Program discounts for industry professionals. We are also happy to work with businesses, clubs, and schools to figure out pricing that will work on larger orders. If neither of those options work, feel free to contact us to ask if we have any discontinued, refurbished, or scratch-and-dent skates that we can release at a discount. Just like a good pair of running shoes, we want our Nordic skates to be available and accessible for those who want to participate.

- Paxson Woelber has been a dedicated Nordic skater and advocate for wild ice skating since 2016. In 2021, he founded Ermine Skate, North America's first Nordic skate company. Today, Ermine offers a range of premium Nordic skates and Nordic skating products designed for wild ice.