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What Kind of Skates Should I Select?
This guide explores the various types of inline and roller skates. Keep reading to find out which skate model suits you best.
- Fitness Inline Skates: Perfect for recreational skating and cardio training. They provide ankle support and have a comfortable liner.
- Roller Skates (Quad Skates): Featuring four wheels set side by side. Used for activities like dancing, disco, fitness, and more.
- Freeskates: Great for fast urban use and precise slalom movements.
- Speed Skates: Built for highest speeds with low cuffs.
- Aggressive Skates: Designed for tricks and stunts with hard boots and small wheels.
Overview
Which Skates are Most Suitable for Beginners?
As a beginner, you must choose between roller skates and inline skates. Both have benefits and drawbacks, so your choice should depend on what you prefer.
Which Skates Are Simpler to Master?
In the initial stages, standing still without toppling is easier with quad skates. However, after gaining momentum and aiming for a certain speed, inline skates are easier to learn on.
- Inline Skates: Provide superior forward and backward balance given the extended spacing between front and back wheels. Nevertheless, their wheels are narrower than those of quad skates, and beginners frequently face difficulty in maintaining straight ankles initially.
- Roller Skates: Deliver increased side-to-side stability due to their four-wheeled side-by-side arrangement, making them manageable for most beginners. However, the shorter wheelbase compared to inline skates creates a higher likelihood of falling backward while using them.
For adults taking up skating, it isn't necessary to start on quads before moving on to inline skates. However, the lateral stability provided by quad skates can be beneficial for very young children.
What Constitutes a Suitable Beginner Skate?
Regardless of whether you start on inline or quad skates, several features make a pair more beginner-friendly:
- High cuff offering substantial ankle support
- Soft liners ensuring foot comfort
- Smaller wheels for easier manoeuvrability
- Heel brakes (applicable only to inline skates)
In conclusion, whether selecting inline or quad skates, aim for features like proper ankle support, comfortable padding, and robust construction for a rewarding and fun beginner's skating journey.
To determine if a skate model is suited for beginners, consult the description or specifications. Each model in our range comes with a "recommended skill level," from beginner to intermediate to advanced.
Explore more in our guides for beginners here:
Skates Suitable for Children
When selecting skates for kids, you'll need to choose between roller blades and roller skates. Both are available in size-adjustable versions, which greatly benefits children with quickly growing feet.
Inline Skates:- Initial learning can be more challenging, especially for the younger ones.
- Facilitates building up speed and offers faster rolling thanks to narrower wheels.
- Reduced chance of falling backwards due to the longer wheelbase (distance between front and rear wheels).
- Easier initial learning for very young kids due to a more stable setup with side-by-side wheels.
- More stable and easier on the child's ankles.
- Toe stops can help with walking and offer an intuitive way to regain balance during the child's initial skating experiences.
Refer to our comprehensive guide for beginner skates:
Inline Skates
Inline skates, also called rollerblades, have wheels aligned in a single row. This configuration grants more speed and manoeuvrability, fitting them for various pursuits such as leisure inline skating to competitive disciplines like speed skating or roller hockey.
The history of inline skates is intriguing. Originating in the 1700s, the initial inline skates were primitive compared to today's models. It wasn't until the 1970s that the popularity of inline skating began to rise.
During the 1970s, significant advancements were made in inline skate design. Incorporating springy urethane wheels and emphasizing comfort and user-friendliness opened the doors for inline skating to a broader audience. Heel brakes were introduced, easing the control and braking of inline skates, which were then marketed for fitness and recreational use.
Even today, inline skates continue to evolve. They remain a favoured option for fitness and exercise, providing a full-body workout, toning specific muscles, and efficiently burning fat, all while ensuring an engaging experience.
Inline skates are also central to highly specialized disciplines. These include speed skating, where racing is conducted at high velocities on tracks or roads; aggressive skating, involving tricks and stunts on rails and ramps; and roller hockey, a dynamic game resembling ice hockey but played without ice.
Roller Skates
Also known as quad skates, roller skates feature four wheels arranged in two-by-two alignment. This arrangement provides significant lateral stability, and as roller skates were the prevalent type of wheeled skates throughout the 20th century, before the popularity of inline skates, they are sometimes termed retro skates.
Quad skates come in several styles, each crafted for specific activities:
- Recreational Quad Skates: Sometimes referred to as fitness skates, these are designed for casual cruising and exercise. They have a comfortable fit, medium-sized wheels for smooth riding, and a supportive boot, making them a great option for beginners or those eager for a leisurely skate at the rink or park.
- Artistic Roller Skates: Used in artistic roller skating, which intertwines athleticism with dance and performance, these skates boast high-top boots for ankle support, medium-sized wheels for agility and stability, and a robust plate to withstand jumps and spins.
- Aggressive Roller Skates: Tailored for executing tricks and grinding on ramps and rails, these skates possess high cuff boots for added ankle protection, small, hard wheels for enhanced control during grinds, and reinforced plates for dealing with impacts.
- Derby Roller Skates: Engineered for roller derby, a full-contact sport, these skates feature strong boots for ankle support, broad, cushioned wheels for stability, and plates designed to handle derby's intense gameplay.
With various styles, quad skates cater to different skating needs and preferences. To buy a pair of quad skates, view our collection or read more in our quad skates guide:
If you're conflicted between starting with quad or inline skates, consider reading this article:
Fitness Inline Skates
Fitness inline skates cater to exercise and recreational engagements. These typically include a comfortable, supportive boot and larger wheels (often between 90-110mm) for smoother rides and enhanced speed across multiple terrains. Fitness inline skates are excellent for cardio workouts, boosting endurance, and relishing outdoor activities.
The smooth, gliding action bolsters muscles surrounding the joints, specifically in the legs, enhancing joint stability and lowering the risk of injuries. Still, proper technique and protective gear remain vital for minimizing strains or injuries.
You'll discover numerous outstanding fitness inline skate models in our selection:
Aggressive Skates
Aggressive skates are specialized inline skates geared toward tricks, stunts, and jumps. Built to withstand impacts from grinds and aerial tricks, these skates include a fortified frame and boot. Smaller, harder wheels enhance control and precision for complex trick execution.
An excellent grind can hit a snag from wheel bite, where a central wheel locks onto the rail, causing falls and potential injury. To combat this, aggressive skates typically contain small, hard grind wheels in the centre. They also have H-blocks in the frames' middle and soul plates covering the entire boot sole. Such features make them fit for grinding rails and ledges.
Commonly used in skate parks and urban setups, aggressive skates allow skaters to perform tricks on rails, ledges, and ramps. Their robust design and user ease let skaters stretch their limits, whether tackling technical rail grinds or executing big air tricks.
The durability of aggressive skates enables them to handle the strains of high-impact skating, making them perfect for those wanting to excel in aggressive skating. Whether doing a soul grind or launching into a 360 spin, aggressive skates support skaters in reaching their utmost potential.
With user experience and feature integration emphasized, aggressive skates enable skaters to pursue excellence and innovation in the sport.
Freeskates
Also dubbed as urban inline skates, freeskates are created for city inline skating, letting skaters jump over obstacles and move skilfully around traffic and pedestrians. Merging speed and agility inherent to regular inline skates with the endurance of aggressive skates, freeskates come with a sturdy boot, a robust frame, and medium-sized wheels for adaptability.
These skates are excellent for navigating busy city roads, performing jumps, and executing fast, sharp turns. They deliver a great mix between recreational and aggressive skating, becoming a favourite among skaters who enjoy a blend of speed and tricks.
Freeskating involves two primary sub-disciplines, each needing distinct freeskate configurations:
- Freestyle Slalom: This involves weaving through a line of evenly spaced cones, showcasing agility and precision. To facilitate this, slalom inline skates typically have smaller wheels which enhance manoeuvrability and control.
- Urban Inline Skating: This entails undertaking tricks and stunts on various urban obstacles like rails, benches, and stairs. Urban inline skating often requires greater speed with less intense footwork; hence, larger wheels are generally chosen for better stability and smoother rides.
Whether you are avoiding pedestrians on a crowded sidewalk, weaving with precision through cones, or taking on urban obstacles at high velocity, freeskates offer the adaptability and reliability required to thrive in diverse surroundings.
Freeskates are an outstanding option for skaters looking for a combination of speed, agility, and robustness.
Inline Speed Skates
Fitted for racing and top-level inline skating, speed skates are built to reach and maintain high speeds over extended distances. Featuring a low-cut boot, they allow for maximum ankle movement, contributing to powerful strides. The large wheels are crafted to reduce rolling resistance, offering enhanced speed and smooth rolling on tracks.
Speed skates incorporate lightweight yet robust frames made from materials such as aluminum or carbon fibre, bolstering stability and strength. Additionally, to boost performance, speed skates have minimal padding, reducing overall weight for improved responsiveness. They are ideally suited for skilled inline skaters who seek speed and efficiency, often at the expense of comfort.
Speed skates find usage in competitive scenarios like marathon events and time trials, where every split second can be crucial. Their specialized design empowers skaters to test their limits, achieving remarkable results on roads, tracks, and rinks. Whether competing in a marathon or chasing a personal best in a time trial, speed skates deliver the precision and velocity needed for excelling in demanding settings.
For those committed to speed and cutting-edge performance, speed skates are the optimal selection!
Endurance Inline Skates
Tailored for long-distance skating, marathon inline skates, also known as endurance skates, provide exceptional comfort and support. Often designed with high cuffs, they offer crucial ankle support necessary for lengthy skating sessions. These skates include large wheels that ensure a smooth experience even on rough terrain. Their robust frames are built to withstand extensive use without losing performance.
Best suited for marathon skating, touring, and other endurance-based activities, these skates prioritize the skater's comfort and wellness. Superior inline marathon skates reduce body strain, enabling devoted skaters to travel longer distances with minimal discomfort.
Terrain Skates
Off-road or Nordic skates are adeptly designed for handling rough and uneven surfaces commonly found off regular paths. Their large pneumatic wheels navigate dirt paths, gravel tracks, and grassy expanses with ease and stability. Built tough, their boots ensure steady support, allowing skaters to move through tough conditions without compromising safety or comfort.
Perfect for adventurous explorers and nature seekers, off-road skates present an exhilarating way to traverse trails and enjoy the natural beauty of untouched areas. Whether on a solo journey or a group outing, off-road skates will help you blaze your trail through the wilderness and across gravel paths.
Heeled Roller Shoes
Combining standard shoes with integrated retractable wheels in the heel, roller shoes—or Heelys, for their popular brand name—enable a smooth transition from walking to rolling. This feature offers users a unique and energetic experience. Loved for their fun aspect, roller shoes have carved their place in the wardrobes of children and teenagers.
Besides everyday use, roller shoes merge style with mobility, rolling effectively on and off. The heel-concealed wheels, removable and retractable, add a fun twist to various activities.
In addition to recreational fun, roller shoes serve as an excellent starting point for young skaters, offering an easy entry to the exciting world of rolling sports.
