Looking to buy your first pair of inline skates? With a wide range of options available, finding the skates suited to your needs can be challenging. In this guide, we will take you through the many options you may encounter when shopping for inline skates and how you can find the right type of skates for you. Some factors we will discuss in this guide include: Gender Skate type Skill level Wheels Brakes Gender When shopping for inline skates, you'll notice that they're usually categorised by gender: women, men, girls, and boys. That is because the skates are designed with each gender's specific foot shape in mind. For example, a women's inline skate has a slightly lower cuff and a broader forefoot in the boot compared to men's models. However, the size and fit are the same for boys' and girls' skates, and they usually only differ in colour or aesthetic design. Kids' skates usually feature adjustable sizing to adapt to their changing feet. Unisex skates can be commonly found, especially for more specialized skate types such as speed or slalom. These skates are designed based on men's sizing but can be used by both men and women. Skate Type There are different inline skating disciplines, each with skate designs especially adapted to it. As a result, knowing what you would like to do with your skates makes the inline skates shopping process much more manageable. Here are the six main types of inline skates available: Recreational Skates: These are designed for beginner and casual skaters. These skates are built with comfort and stability in mind and require little to no break-in time. They typically have four wheels and a heel brake on one skate. Fitness Skates: These skates are more suitable for experienced skaters looking for a faster ride. There's quite a range in features for this style of skates, but they are typically built to skate faster and for longer distances than recreational skates. Speed Skates: Optimized for distance and speed, these skates have a low and firm boot with minimum padding for lightness and flexibility. They do not have a brake. Aggressive Skates: Aggressive skates are designed for jumping and sliding off rails and ramps in skateparks. Wheels are typically smaller, with space in between for rails. Freestyle Skates: Also called Slalom Skates, these are designed for precision skating like dancing, free jumping, and tricks. Typical features are a hard shell, short and stiff frames, small wheels, and no brake. Skill Level Being honest about your skating skill level is critical when shopping for the right pair of inline skates. Choosing the wrong pair of skates will affect how much you enjoy skating and can also cause painful injuries. Beginner Models that are supportive, stable, and require little break-in time are recommended for new or returning skaters with little to no experience. They usually have smaller wheels and a brake so that the beginner skater is more stable on their skates and can control their speed. Intermediate If you have some skating experience and are confident in your ability to turn and brake, you may consider an intermediate skate with wheels no larger than 84mm to 110mm. There are many options available depending on the type of skating you would like to pursue. Advanced At an advanced level, skating is a part of your regular routine. Whichever type of skating you choose, you will benefit from investing in a pair of high-performing skates that will allow you to progress. Wheels The wheel size and the number of wheels can vary between skates. Four or five wheels are ideal for beginner or intermediate skaters as they provide more stability, while experienced skaters may opt for only three wheels on their skates. The size of the wheels is closely tied to the speed, comfort, and stability of the skate. The bigger the wheel, the less stability it provides. Large wheels are typically reserved for advanced skaters looking for greater speed. Brakes The braking system is an important part of inline skates, especially for beginners. Traditionally, the braking pad is found on the right heel, where it will create friction with the ground when the skater angles the skate upwards. However, this is interchangeable so that left-foot dominant skaters can switch the brake onto the left side. Some skates, such as aggressive skates, do not have a braking system. This is because the brakes tend to get in the way of performance, and skaters in this discipline are typically already very confident in their skating abilities. Whether you're looking to train off the ice or skate for fun, finding the right pair of inline skates can be challenging. The latest Jackson Inline Skates model is designed with the needs of pro skaters and recreational skaters in mind. Shop this new inline skate model and many more on our website or in-store. Call us at 866-957-0396 or email info@skatingboutique.com to learn more! We are here for all your figure skating needs.
