Skaters are folks looking for performance, from themselves and from their equipment, that's who.
To be a speedskater, you don't even have to race. The following are some general guidelines to help you through what for many skaters is new territory. There is a lot of very good equipment available at affordable prices that will fill the performance needs of your average skater. A Speed boots are made for performance, not for comfort. The use of very stiff materials improves the efficiency and stability of speed boots but can make them very unforgiving.