PolyGlide Ice Review 2024
Why PolyGlide Ice Is Perfect For Your Home Rink
Updated: January 13, 2024 by Bill Burniece
PolyGlide Ice was born from the idea of a bright entrepreneur and exposed to the brutal scrutiny of ABC’s Shark Tank investors.
Through it all became the best synthetic ice panels in the world. A skating surface that is very close to the feel of real ice.
PolyGlide is frequently referred to as the ‘shark tank ice rink”.
In this PolyGlide ice review, I’ll take an in-depth look at the features and performance so you can decide if it is the right synthetic ice for you.
PolyGlide allows you to use your regular hockey skates, not rollerblades. The synthetic ice surface is infused with a lubricant that allows the surface to feel as close to normal, slippery ice as possible.
And now it’s ready for beer leaguer backyards, basements and garages everywhere. Oh, and if you’re more interested in a real ice backyard rink you should check out EZ ICE rinks.
After all you need a place in private to practice your cellys*.
*You might also like: Hockey terms
What Is Synthetic Ice?
Synthetic ice allows you to skate on its hard polymer surface with your metal-bladed ice skates.
This is cool since many ice skaters don’t like the responsiveness and feel of wheeled skates and thus avoid using them.
Synthetic ice surfaces are constructed using interlocking panels that allow you to put together a continuous sheet or even an entire rink in your home, backyard, or garage.
Synthetic surface technology has come a long way from its origins back in the 1960’s.
Today’s synthetic surfaces have roughly 90% of the glide factor of natural ice. Plus the seams between the panels are smooth enough to produce fluid glide.
Why Buy Synthetic Ice?
I grew up in the frozen northern state of Minnesota.
The beauty of that is there is plenty of free ice available in the winter months to get you your hockey fix. We could choose from frozen lakes and ponds, outside rinks at every park and even backyard ice when the old man would hose it down for us.
But if you don’t have that luxury, or if you want your very own sheet to play on any time of year, synthetic ice is your answer.
Synthetic ice rinks are sometimes used where frozen ice surfaces are impractical due to temperatures making natural ice impossible.
Beer league hockey players everywhere can now get their practice time in with PolyGlide Synthetic Ice without the need for refrigeration or electricity.
Why PolyGlide Ice Is The Best Synthetic
- All PolyGlide products are proudly made in the USA
- High-tech polymer compound material offers seamless glide with the least amount of surface friction and skate blade wear
- Easy-to-install dovetailed panels allow set up in minutes
- All PolyGlide Ice Panels are built of one-piece, solid-core construction and can be skated on both sides
- Durable construction ensures a long-lasting investment. All PolyGlide Ice panels include a 5-15 year guarantee (depending on the thickness you purchase 1/4″-3/4″)
What You Need To Know About Synthetic Ice
Today, after 50 years of technological advancement, synthetic ice bears little resemblance to its near-ancient predecessor. The two standard forms of synthetic ice are HDPE or High Density Polyethylene and UHMWPE or Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. Both surfaces have abrasive-resistant characteristics and offer far better performance than the old plastics.
While synthetic ice has come a long ways, here is what you need to know before you invest in a sheet:
There Is More Resistance Than Real Ice: Expect to experience 10-15% more resistance when you skate on synthetic ice. The added friction will require a little bit of a learning curve to get used to it. But you will also receive the added benefit of a better workout and this will actually make skating on real ice seem easier.
Your Skates Will Dull Faster: The added friction will dull your skates faster than on real ice. If you have skated on a lake or pond before, you already know how this works. It’s not that big of deal, but it’s something you need to know in advance.
There Is Simple Maintenance Involved: Synthetic ice installed indoors will obviously require far less cleaning than outdoor applications. But like everything else, you will need to wipe it down every once and while to avoid dust, dirt and debris buildup.
Infused Vs. Non-Infused Surface: Infused synthetic ice panels are self-lubricating and have less surface friction but do attract more dirt and thus require more work in keeping them cleaner over the lifetime of the rink. Non-Infused surfaces require a glide enhancer the reduce friction but is easier to keep clean over time.
PolyGlide Ice Q&A
Does PolyGlide Ice Feel Like Real Ice?
Can I Install PolyGlide Ice In My Garage And Park Over It?
Can You Use PolyGlide Synthetic Ice To Create A Commercial Rink?
Yes, you can. It is perfect for both custom and commercial rinks.
PolyGlide ice panels can be used for both indoor and outdoor facilities. In fact, these same panels have been used in everything from world-class hockey and figure skating training facilities to Disney feature films.
How Easy Is It To Maintain Synthetic Ice?
All types of synthetic ice surfaces must be kept clean to ensure the best performance and glide.
Non-infused surfaces require an application of a glide enhancer prior to use. Infused surfaces do not require glide enhancers but do need to be kept clean of dirt and debris.
How Long Does Synthetic Ice Last?
Properly cared-for synthetic ice surfaces can last up to 30 years.
Can You Rollerblade On Synthetic Ice?
Yes, you sure can. Synthetic ice surfaces work for all types of skates including wheeled skates.
Does PolyGlide Ice Ruin Your Skates?
No. But it will dull your skates faster than frozen ice surfaces will. Unlike PolyGlide, low-quality synthetic ice creates more friction and thus dulls your skates faster.
What Is The PolyGlide Price?
There are two pricing options.
1. Polyglide Starter Kit is the ideal way to “Bring the Rink Home” without breaking your budget. These lightweight and portable synthetic ice tiles are built of a solid-core and one-piece construction that is easy to install and disassemble.
Polyglide Starter Kits start at $289.95 as of this writing.
2. The PolyGlide Pro-Glide, the one seen on Shark Tank, is an infused, self-lubricating panel that does not require any surface lubricants or enhancing elements.
The Pro-Glide Panel is the latest technology in synthetic ice surfaces.
It delivers optimal glide and performance with durability that is built to last.
The Polyglide Infused Panel starts at $389.95 as of this writing.
What Are The PolyGlide Panel Sizes Available?
PolyGlide panel sizes are important, so I recommend that you contact them directly to make sure you get your sizes right.
To determine the “actual size” dimensions of your assembled rink, use the panel shipping size below, then be sure to subtract the seam depth:
Home Ice Panel (4 per kit) = ¼” thick X 24” X 48” (1″ Seam), 10 lbs. each panel / 40 lbs. per box. (box shipped)
Pro-Glide Panel (full-size)= ½” thick X 46” X 92” (1-1/2″ Seam), 80 lbs. each panel. (freight shipped)
Pro-Glide Panel (half-size)= ½” thick X 46” X 46” (1-1/2″ Seam), 40 lbs. each panel. (freight & individually box shipped).
Pro-Glide Panels are also available in Commercial Grade (UHMW).
Is Iceless Ice A Scam?
I have read some takes online about the ‘iceless hockey scam’ referring to iceless rinks like Polyglide. In my opinion, that is garbage. Most of the people who make that claim aren’t being realistic about comparing real ice to iceless alternatives. Obviously skating on iceless ice is a completely different experience. That doesn’t make it a scam.
Can Beer League Hockey Players Skate On PolyGlide?
Yes, beer league hockey players can actually strengthen their skating skills with the added resistance involved with synthetic ice.
7 PolyGlide Ice Alternatives
PolyGlide is not the only option in synthetic ice rinks. Here are a few competitors:
1. HockeyShot: HockeyShot is one of the largest online specialty retailers of hockey training equipment in the US and around the globe.
They make high-quality synthetic hockey flooring tiles that are perfect for dryland training for players with limited access to an ice rink.
Their synthetic ice has over two decades of development behind it to provide that realistic ice-feel for training and game simulation.
HockeyShot’s synthetic ice products are used by professional players, teams and organizations, including the Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers.
2. Glice: Glice is a swiss company that makes tongue and groove panel synthetic ice. They believe this method delivers a better experience than puzzle (dovetail) connection designs.
Glice Eco-Rinks are highly customizable and comprise synthetic ice panels and a complete range of accessories including dasher boards, ice skates, skate sharpeners, skating aides, and even curling stones.
3. D1 Backyard Rinks: D1 synthetic ice and their aluminum hockey boards are handmade by D1 Backyard Rinks in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A. D1 synthetic ice offers a high-quality product that delivers a realistic skating experience.
D1 Glide Infused Pro Self-Lubricated Synthetic Ice is supposed to be the fastest synthetic ice surface available today.
4. Blue Gator Eco-Rinks: Blue Gator eco-rinks are synthetic ice rinks that allow for traditional ice sports without any cold conditions, water, or electricity.
Their synthetic ice panels are enhanced with a proprietary glide agent, creating a skating surface that performs just like natural ice.
Blue Gator Eco-Rink’s panels are easy to handle, assemble and disassemble. Their interlocking connection system maximizes connection points in all directions to avoid expansion and contraction and ensure the panels will not pop up or warp.
The connections are precision cut to create a seamless surface and resemble real ice.
5. CAN-ICE: CAN-ICE provides a superior ice-like surface that is easy to assemble, maintain, move, and store.
CAN-ICE has created a synthetic surface that offers exceptional glide quality for skating and puck response for hockey.
It is a synthetic ice surface that was made for that purpose not adapted from “cutting board” technology.
CAN-ICE is made from UHMW-PE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) combined with special polymers to produce optimal performance and durability while eliminating the need for “glide enhancers” as with other synthetic ice systems.
6. KwikRink Synthetic Ice: KwikRink makes their synthetic ice surface with plastic with very high molecular weight (VHMW).
They cut the plastic into custom synthetic ice tiles that come in various custom edges for assembly. It is easy to press the panels into place by using a rubber mallet.
They claim that the glide on KwikRink Synthetic Ice tiles is 90% similar to real ice,
The ice panels are also low maintenance and self-lubricating. The periodic application of topical lubricants to the ice is not necessary.
This self-lubrication saves you both time and money.
7. Snipers Edge: The Skateable Synthetic Ice Tiles by Snipers Edge Hockey is one of the highest-quality products available on the market.
This is a commercial-grade product that is Made in the USA from highly-engineered HDPE, and is rugged enough to support players from mites to NHLers.
Their Skateable Synthetic Ice replicates a real ice surface and is perfect for glide, edges, turns, small area games, or at-home drills while wearing bladed skates.
You can find several synthetic ice reviews online if you would like to learn more about these other iceless products.
Is All Synthetic Ice The Same?
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): is a thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum.
- Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE): is a synthetic ice surface made of thermoplastic polyethylene material.
- Acrylic: This type of iceless ice surface is made of clear acrylic material.
- A Hybrid: As the name implies, a hybrid surface combines several synthetic ice materials on this list.
Your skating experience will vary from one synthetic ice surface to another.
So to conclude, not all synthetic ice surface is the same.
Wrapping It Up
For now, the only surface that feels completely like ice is… well, ice.
But synthetic ice skating surfaces like PolyGlide ice are getting pretty close to feeling like the real thing.
If you are looking for the best quality synthetic ice PolyGlide is a great choice.
If nothing else, you can brag to your fellow hockey honks about owning a shark tank ice rink.
Thank you for reading my Polyglide ice review.
You might also like: What is beer league hockey?
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