Inline Skate Buying Guide

Inline skates for fun and fitness

Often called recreational, cross-training or fitness skates, these are the most popular inline skates and the best choice for most inline skaters regardless of age, frequency or intensity of skating. Recreational inline skates are both comfortable and easy to maneuver, and they can be used on a wide variety of terrain. They’re also the best inline skates for beginners, as they offer more control than speed skates and safety options such as brakes, which specialized inline skates often lack. Some of these inline skates even come with a system that allows you to adjust the height of the brake pads, which helps to reduce the change in feel that new brake pads often create.

Specialized inline skates

Inline skates built for speed skating are longer and have an additional fifth wheel, which makes them much faster than recreational inline skates. Choose them only if you’re experienced as they lack brakes and may pose a safety issue for novice skaters.

Skates made for aggressive skaters, or those interested in doing stunts on ramps or railings, are built for control rather than speed. They come in two categories: street and competition. These inline skates have small wheels that make them easy to control and allow for quicker turns. They also have more ankle support and a wider frame than other types of inline skates.

If playing hockey is your intention, look for lightweight, inline hockey skates. Hockey skates are usually made of leather, leather composites or nylon, and they lace up for a tighter fit. Some inline hockey skates include an ankle strap for greater support and stability. Wheel sizes vary on inline hockey skates, and it takes some experience to find the wheel size that offers the best mix of speed and control.

Wheels and bearings

Inline skate wheels are made of polyurethane. Larger wheels go faster, which is something to consider if you’re a beginner and concerned about control. Smaller wheels make it easier to maneuver but reduce the speed of inline skates.

In general, recreational skates have wheels that are either 72mm or 76mm. These larger wheels are good for uneven ground, as their size delivers superior shock absorption. Higher-end inline skates have a wheel diameter of 80mm. These wheels travel faster than the 72mm and 76mm skates, so you should start with the recreational size until you’re accustomed to inline skating. When you’re shopping for inline skates, take into account the maximum wheel size that the skate can hold. Wheels are interchangeable, and you may want to swap the original wheels for larger ones as your skill progresses.

The hardness of the wheels, which is measured in durometers, is also an important factor when choosing inline skates. Higher numbers indicate harder inline skate wheels.

Soft wheels are best for beginners because they absorb shocks and provide consistent performance on a variety of terrain. Beginners should generally look for a hardness of 78a or 80a. However, if you’re a heavy beginner, you should look for inline skates with harder wheels, as soft wheels will wear down more quickly. Hard wheels are a better choice for advanced riders and those who want to go fast on smooth surfaces. These types of skaters should choose a wheel hardness of 85a. For intermediate skaters who will be skating on varied ground, 82a is the best choice.

Bearings are responsible for how smoothly the wheels spin. Some experts recommend skates with an Annular Bearing Engineer Council (ABEC) rating; the higher the rating, the greater the precision. Critics argue that this rating is unrelated to inline skates and should only be a consideration if you plan on skating professionally. The loose design of inline skates reduces the need for extremely tight bearing tolerances, but inline skates with a high rating are more efficient so you’ll reach higher speeds with less effort.

Boots and safety

Inline skates are sized the same way as sneakers; if you’re a 9 ½ in your Nike’s, you’re a 9 ½ in your skates. You want snug when it comes to your inline skate boots. They should be tight on your foot and lower ankles, with enough freedom for you to be able to lean forward. Look for a liner that can be removed from the shell, and keep in mind that the thicker the liner is, the more cushioning your foot will have. Soft inline skate boots have recently become available. These boots can be more comfortable but they offer less control.

If you’re just starting out with inline skates, the shell should come up a few inches above your ankle for extra support. Although buckles may seem easier for securing your inline skates, laces will offer a better fit.

The boots on women’s inline skates are designed with a woman’s build in mind; the cuff is lower and the skate is narrower. If you’re a woman with a wide foot, you may prefer wider men’s skates. For kids, choose inline skates that are the right size rather than getting large skates that the child can grow into. Inline skates that are too large are difficult to control.

Keep in mind that you’ll also need additional safety equipment. A helmet is the minimum, but you should also wear knee and elbow pads as well as wrist guards. These will protect your body from the beginning stages of inline skating (which may involve a few tumbles) as well as unforeseen accidents down the road.

Need to know more?

• Inline Skating Glossary
  http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=sports_tips/inline_skating/inline_glossary
• The Top Seven Mistakes of Beginning Inline Skaters
  http://www.inlineplanet.com/Articles/topsevenmistakes.html
• Inline Skate Maintenance
  http://www.skatelog.com/maintenance/articles.htm