Purchasing Skates for Kids

When it comes to purchasing skates for kids, you have two options—roller blades and roller skates. Many children’s skates feature adjustable sizing and excellent ankle support, making them well-suited for young ones. This buying guide provides insights into selecting the best skates for your child.

For a concise summary of essentials before purchasing children’s skates, watch this video provided in English.

Skating along with your child offers an enjoyable way to engage in a rewarding activity that improves physical fitness and enhances the child's motor skills, such as balance, with the added benefit of fresh air. For beginners, skating together can provide them with a reassuring sense of safety.

Which is better: roller blades or roller skates?

Roller blades and roller skates for children share several features but also differ in key ways. At SkatePro, rubber wheels (made of PU or polyurethane) are used on all skates, unlike plastic. Opting for rubber ensures better traction on surfaces than plastic wheels.

Moreover, children's skates are engineered for strong ankle support, offering increased stability and control for your child.

Roller blades for kids

Roller blades, or inline skates, facilitate easier speed build-up and maintenance due to their slim wheels that offer limited surface contact and reduced rolling resistance.

These skates are generally lightweight, and the absence of trucks means they require less maintenance.

We suggest choosing inline skates for extended outings with your child. They also serve as a warm-weather counterpart to ice skates, enabling you to practice ice skating techniques during the summer months.

Children’s roller skates or quad skates

Recognized as quad skates, roller skates have pairs of wheels alongside a wide baseplate for enhanced balance and stability. Equipped at the front is a toe stop that aids in both propulsion and braking.

With quad skates, your child will experience higher rolling resistance thanks to the wider wheels—which help control speeds so they don't unexpectedly become too fast.

Quad skates come with trucks that allow for adjustments in skate hardness. This customization makes it possible to either increase manoeuvrability for smoother turns or to ensure firmer directional stability.

Known historically as the first type of skates available, roller skates often hold nostalgic value for parents who wore them in their own youth.

Size-Adjustable Skates for Kids

Most children’s skates offer adjustable sizing, simplifying the size selection process. These skates can grow with your child, adjusting up to about 3-4 sizes. Adjusting the size is straightforward; typically, you slide the boot back and forth using a button or similar mechanism.

If you opt for skates that do not come with size adjustability, keep the following tips in mind:

Review the size guide specific to each product page.

In general, choose a size one step larger than their usual shoe size unless specified otherwise in the size guide.

Protective Gear for Skating

To reduce the risk of injuries, a full set of protective gear—covering the head, wrists, elbows, and knees—is strongly recommended.

Select only certified safety equipment. At SkatePro, all items meet the EN 1078 safety standards, and much of our gear has undergone additional testing by skaters.

A skate helmet is advisable for your child, as it thoroughly protects the back of the head, which is particularly beneficial for backwards falls during skating. Some helmets also offer adjustable sizing. Children's wrist guards usually feature two protective plates—above and below the hand—for added stability and protection against fractures.

Refer to the size guide to ensure the right size is chosen.