11 Buying Roller Blades – Guide to Fitness Inline Skates 2023

11 Buying Roller Blades – Guide to Fitness Inline Skates 2023

As with so many ’90s things, roller-blading is back. Even Chris Evans does it. Even if the last time you strapped on a pair of rollerblades (also known as “inline skates”) was your eighth-grade best friend’s roller-rink birthday party — there are plenty of modern options out there for all experience levels and road conditions.

When it comes to investing in a pair of rollerblades, there is a surprising amount to consider: the number and size of the wheels, the length of the frame (the part that the wheels are attached to), and the stiffness or cushiness of the boot, which all affect control and maneuverability.

To find out which skates are the best for recreational skating, city skating, and more, we talked to eight roller-blading instructors, retailers, and skating enthusiasts about their favorites.

But before we get into their picks, it’s important to mention that now, as Teshia Robinson, of RollATL, says, “is definitely not the time to take a trip to the ER. We highly recommend a minimum wearing a helmet to protect against brain injury and concussions.”

Robinson suggests Triple8 and S1 hard shell helmets, which she says “provide much more protection than a typical bike helmet.” In addition to strapping on a helmet, Robinson suggests that if possible, beginner inline skaters first bike the route that they plan to skate, so they can get a sense of the terrain.

What is the difference between rollerblades and roller skates?

The main difference between skates and skates is the number and arrangement of the wheels. The skates always have four wheels aligned in two rows. The rubber brakes are arranged in front of the wheels. On the other hand, inline skates can have three, four, or even five wheels on each skate.

The wheels are usually thinner than those of the skates and the rubber brakes are placed at the rear, behind the wheels. Inline skates also have larger wheels than inline skates, so they are much faster and a better option for speed skating.

“Most inline skates use a hard plastic outer shell that rises above the ankle and provides a lot of lateral support,” says DeLong. “On the contrary, roller skates are usually made of leather and reach just above or even below the ankle, which gives the skater more ankle mobility, which can be useful for certain styles of roller skating.” .

11 Buying Roller Blades – Guide to Fitness Inline Skates 2023

“New skaters should avoid downhills (even moderate ones, as you can pick up speed quickly and it is difficult to break) as well as rough or uneven pavement,” she says. “Smooth, flat pavement is the best place for new skaters to practice and build the muscles needed for balance and muscle memory for braking.”

If you’re just learning to skate, there are plenty of resources out there, too. Arnav “Sonic” Shah, a skating instructor and member of the Empire Skate Club of New York, suggests checking out Skate Instructors Association, which includes hundreds of online classes. Shah also cites Alex Shulgin

of InMove Skate’s YouTube channel (Shulgan also recommends some skates below) as a useful place to find how-to videos, as well as Asha Kirkby of Skate Fresh, who has been teaching skating for twenty years and offers free online lessons. [Editor’s note: Many of the skates included below are available only in limited sizes. We will update as more become available.]

Are roller skates or blades easier?

Lots of people ask us what is easier – rollerblading or roller skating? While many people expect quad roller skates to be easier to learn than inline skates (or roller blades as they are commonly known), the truth is that many children and adults find inlines to be very easy.

Can you lose weight by rollerblading? Weight Loss

Rollerblading is one of the top calorie-burning exercises you can participate in. … Because it takes 3,500 calories to lose one pound of fat, four one-hour rollerblading sessions per week could put you on track to your weight loss goals.

Most recommended roller blades

• K2 Skate Women’s Alexis Pro Inline Skate. $180. …
• K2 F.I.T. 84 Boa Inline Skates. $200. …
• K2 Skate Women’s Alexis 84 Boa Inline Skate. …
• Rollerblade RB Cruiser Unisex Inline Skate. …
• Rollerblade Twister Inline Skates. …
• Rollerblade Twister Edge. …
• Rollerblade Zetrablade Elite W. …
• Rollerblade Macroblade 80 W.

What’s the difference between roller skates and rollerblades?

So, how do roller skates differ from rollerblades? The main difference is the positioning of the wheels. Unlike inline skates that have one central frame and a line of wheels, roller skates have two horizontal trucks or hangars. One towards the toe and the other at the heel.

Fitness rollerblades – for the healthy and social

Fitness rollerblades are a fun way of burning calories while getting fresh air down your lungs. And on top of that it is a great social activity to be doing with family, friends or your partner.

A lot of doctors even recommend inline skating as an alternative to running if you have problems with your knees, because when you skate, you make long, sliding movements that are more gentle on the knees compared to the impacts you experience when running. And you still get the pleasure of a nice time out in nature.

Recreational inline skates exist in many different models and designs, making it possible for you to find a pair that you like.

Wheels for fitness inline skates

WHEEL SIZE

Choosing wheel size depends on the distance you would like to run.

• For longer distances (e.g. a marathon or normal workouts) you should use bigger wheels. This will make it easier for you to maintain the speed and you use less energy. We recommend a wheel size of 90-100mm in diameter or even 110mm.
• For shorter distances (e.g. city skating) you should use smaller wheels. This will make your skates more maneuverable, making it easier for you to stop and turn. We recommend a wheel size of 80-84mm.

WHEEL DUROMETER

The wheel durometer is indicated with an A. For fitness inline skates the suitable durometer is 78-85A.

• The higher the A number is, the harder the wheels are.
• The lower the A number is, the softer the wheels are.

The wheel durometer affects the lifespan, grip, speed and shock absorbing effect of the wheels.

• Softer wheels equal better grip and shock absorption, but shorter lifespan and less speed.
• Harder wheels equal longer lifespan and higher speed, but less grip and shock absorption.

Read our guide “Wheel terms explained”, if you wish to learn more about skate wheels.

Bearings – Roller Blades

To ensure that your rollerblades perform their best, it is important that you treat the bearings well. This means:

• Avoid water and moist as much as possible.
• Avoid sand and dirt.

The bearing is a component inside the wheel important for the wheel’s ability to spin. At SkatePro we typically specify the bearings according to the ABEC scale which defines the precision of the bearing.

• The higher the ABEC rating, the higher precision and less roll resistance you get – this makes it easier for you to maintain speed and thus getting a better roll.

We recommend that you buy from a recognized brand instead of solely focusing on the ABEC rating since the quality of a bearing is not determined by ABEC itself, but by several parameters combined. This means that an ABEC 5 bearing from one brand can actually have a better roll than an ABEC 7 bearing from another brand. If you wish to get into more details with bearings, you can read our guide “Buying bearings”.

Boots and liners

SOFT-BOOT VS. HARD-BOOT

Whether you choose a soft or hard-boot/shell depends on your taste.

• A soft-boot/shell is typically more comfortable and well-ventilated.
• A hard-boot/shell is typically more stable and provides more control.

LINERS

For some rollerblades you can buy a separate liner (inner boot) to make the boot more comfortable. However, with fitness inline skates this is typically not necessary since they are already designed with a comfortable liner from the beginning providing high comfort – something they are already well-known for.

Women’s and Men’s rollerblades

Rollerblades are often separated in women’s and men’s models, but usually there is no other difference except that of the visual design. Some brands, however, have designed models that aim specifically at women’s and men’s feet. If you want to buy a pair of fitness inline skates from the opposite sex from our webshop, you are more than welcome to contact us for further advice.

Size/Fit

• Always read the size guide offered to you on the specific product pages if available.
• Choose approx. one EU size bigger than your normal shoe size unless indicated otherwise in the size guide.
• Try the skates on for approx. 10-15 minutes. Only test them indoor in case you want to return them.

You should be able to move your toes a bit. They should not touch the nose of the skate. If your roller blades squeeze already from the beginning, they will hurt the moment you go for a longer run. However, remember that boots tend to expand a bit after some time, and if you have a soft-boot it will expand more than a hard-boot.

People with slim feet frequently tend to choose certain models such as the K2 skates since they feel tighter around the foot. On the other hand, brands like Rollerblade and Powerslide are frequently preferred by people with wider feet.

Since the fit of a skate is a personal matter and no feet are alike, you can never be 100% certain that the first inline skates you try on fit perfectly. That is why you have to try your way through – just like with regular shoes. Also remember to use the specified size guides – they will help you a long way.

Closure System – Buckles and Laces

Fitness inline skates are often equipped with a closure system consisting of both buckles and laces. Some models even have a special wire tightening system where the skates are tightened as you turn the knob. Buckles are faster than laces and it is easier to get the same fit again. With laces, however, you can tighten the boot differently along the foot.

Whether you choose one or the other of the closure systems is a question of personal preference. Most importantly you should choose a pair of skates with a closure system that provides you with the right fit in order for you to gain full and optimum control over your roller blades.

Brake – Roller Blades

Most rollerblades come with a brake pre-mounted. You can switch it to the other skate if you prefer to brake with the other foot. Since brakes are a wearing part and will wear down at one point, we recommend that you buy an extra pair from the beginning.

This way you always have a pair ready to use and you also avoid the risk of a brake being discontinued. Recognized brands, however, usually offer brakes for the same model for a long time.

Frames

The frame of fitness inline skates is often made out of aluminum frame which is more stiff and stable thus providing better power transfer compared to a nylon/composite frame. If it is important for you to cut off seconds of your lap time, you should go for an aluminum frame. But if you are only planning to use your rollerblades for workout purposes and cozy rides, it does not matter which you choose.

Skate Protection – Roller Blades

We always recommend that you use certified safety equipment. That is why you only find equipment that has been certified according to the EN 1078 norms. Moreover, most of our gear has been tested further by skaters.

As a minimum we recommend a skate helmet since it provides extra protection to the back of the head, and wrist guards since you usually use the hands during a fall.

Remember that skate protection does not only protect you but it can also give you a sense of safety giving you more courage to try more things and thus learn faster. And if you were to fall, it would not hurt near as much as if you fell without your safety gear on.

See our wide selection of fitness rollerblades

Feel free to contact us for further advice should you still have any questions. Our customer support team is always ready to help you 🙂

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Last update on 2024-07-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API