Since the pandemic began, roller-skating has been a popular sport for people of all ages, and it’s been especially popular among those who have been stuck inside because of the outbreak. Of course, roller skates themselves have been around since the 1700s, so it’s not quite a new sport, so to speak.
Adult roller skaters may now choose from a wide variety of new and established brands, as well as those that have been around for decades, to suit their needs and preferences. However, if you’re considering purchasing a new pair of roller skates, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Keep on reading for our full breakdown of how to pick the best roller skates for you.
Buying Roller Skates 101: What Is Your Spending Limit?
Spending a lot of money in a short period of time is possible with this hobby, as with most others. Skating is a serious commitment. It’s easy for the costs to mount up. A pair of custom skates may cost as much as a thousand dollars.
Helmets, elbow pads, knee guards, and wrist guards are just a few of the options for safety gear.
Novices needn’t worry, though: Starting out on the ice, a nice pair of skates may cost as low as $100, and safety gear is generally included in the price. A nice set of skates, safety gear, and other equipment may be purchased for roughly $300. You’ll have to shell out a lot of money if you want to customize your wheels, plates, bearings, and trucks.
Do You Prefer Quads or Inline Skates?
Inline skates are a good option if you’re going to be doing a lot of outdoor skating or vert skating (think half pipe grinding at your local skate park). As the name suggests, inline skates have a series of wheels running parallel to each other beneath the skate boot.
When it comes to roller-dancing, quad skates are the best option. When you hear “roller skates,” quad skates are likely what comes to mind. To make quad skates more stable, they have two wheels in front and two in the back that is aligned like a car’s front and rear wheels.
Consider the Boot
A skater’s boot choice is one of the most critical aspects of their purchase. Low-cut boots are faster and more flexible at the ankles, but high-cut boots provide greater support and stability at the ankles.
The boot’s substance is also important: A leather or suede boot, albeit a more expensive investment, is more durable over time than a synthetic substance like vinyl.
Wheels
The durometer rating of roller-skate wheels shows you how hard they are, often between 70A and 100A. Increased numbers indicate a stronger wheel.
Outdoor skating requires softer wheels, but skating on a rink necessitates tougher wheels. Consider the size of the wheels as well.
Agility and stunts benefit from smaller wheels, whilst long-distance travel and shock absorption benefit from bigger wheels. Outdoor skaters often use larger, softer wheels, whereas indoor skaters typically use smaller, harder wheels.
Plates
Your boot has a plate connected to it that allows you to skate.
Nylon or metal are the two most common materials used to make them. While nylon is more lightweight, it’s also less durable than metal, so if you’re just starting out, metal is generally the better option.
Toe-stop
Non-adjustable (sometimes known as “permanent” or “bolt-on”) toe-stops are the most common kind of toe-stop.
It is possible to fine-tune the height of an adjustable toe-stop to suit your individual demands, but a fixed one must be replaced totally to make any adjustments. Toe-stops are required in every other skating style, including “jam” and “dancing” skaters who use jam plugs instead of toe-stops to do their tricks.
You want your roller skates to fit snugly and move with your foot when it comes to the fit. And, if you’ve been looking for beginner-friendly moves, then you should check out https://www.rollerskatedad.com/roller-skating-tricks-for-beginners/.
You should get a half-size smaller than your regular shoe size if you’re accustomed to purchasing footwear in women’s sizes. It’s also necessary to check the tightness of the wheels and the truck after you acquire your skates, which are frequently too loose when they come out of the box.
You may also alter the truck, wheels, toe-stops, and other components of your skates if they don’t fit you properly.
Jam Plugs
For the same reason why roller dancers and jammers don’t use toe stops: they get in the way. Instead of using their brakes, they utilize their wheels.
A jam plug is a tiny, cheap stopper designed to fill in the gap where the toe stop would ordinarily be located. A short-stem toe stop is an alternative if you’re afraid of taking off your shoe’s toe stop to begin dancing.
It is possible to twist up a short stem toe stop so that you may still do fluid dancing motions without the stop touching the ground.
Trucks
Turning your skates is accomplished by attaching trucks made of metal or plastic to a plate. They may be loosened or tightened to suit your needs.
Trucks that are tighter have a better sense of security, but are less agile, whereas trucks that are looser can turn more readily, but are more difficult to balance on.
For a novice, the basic trucks that come with a pair of new skates are more than enough. Depending on your skating style, you may wish to upgrade to a wider or narrower set of trucks over time.
Picking Perfect New Roller Skates: Simple and Easy
What’s there not to like about roller skating?
It’s great for your health, it’s fun, and once you reach a decent level of capability, you’ll start doing tricks. We hope that our guide has shed some light on how you can pick the right roller skates for you. And, if you’re interested in learning more about this awesome sport, you should check out our fitness section for more tips and advice.