How to buy In-Line Skates

There are various types of In-Line skates suitable for all ages. These include recreational and aggressive. There is a skate type for each style of skating and level of expertise. If the skates are for a child it may be worth taking a look at the adjustable skates. Please also note that roller (quad) Skates are made with wider wheels than Inline skates to allow for a faster, smoother feel requiring less effort. (Click here for advice on HOW TO CHOOSE ROLLER SKATES if you think these skates would be more suited to you.)

Skate Comparisons

A comparison chart of Recreational (diagram 1) and Aggressive (diagram 2) is listed below to help you choose which skate would be more suited to you:

Frames: Frames hold skate components in place. Most recreational frames are made of aluminum alloy or nylon and fiberglass composites. Make sure the frames you select are designed for the type of skating you plan to do. Metal frames are stiffer, faster, and lighter, but typically cost more.

Uppers: Recreational skate uppers are usually made from synthetic materials that offer durability, comfort and ‘breathability’. Aggressive skates are usually made of leather composites. Many boots contain a cushioning liner usually made of a foam material which is sometimes reinforced along the toe and sides for protection (in hockey skates) or increased stability. The hard shell is constructed of molded plastic and similar to a ski boot. The lower half covers and protects the foot whilst the upper half wraps around and supports the ankle. The two halves are connected with a hinge system that allows the ankle and boot to flex forward naturally. The soft boot is made with an external (and sometimes internal) plastic cuff to provide support, like a hiking boot. This provides a good fit and performance which is very breathable and lightweight and is generally secured by laces.

Bearings: These are the seven or eight balls at the center of each wheel. Each bearing has an ABEC rating that indicates the precision of their manufacturing. The higher the rating, the more precise the manufacture and the better the performance and speed will be. The general ABEC range is ABEC-1, ABEC-3, ABEC-5. Bearings are either serviceable or non-serviceable:

Serviceable bearings have a metal shield with a removable "C" ring, or a plastic/rubber type removable shield. These may be taken apart to be cleaned, lubricated or replaced.

Non-serviceable bearings have a metal shield that protects them. These only need to be wiped off with a clean cloth.

Bearings don't need to be cleaned after every use, but if they become wet, they should be cleaned and dried. Never lubricate the outside of a bearing because that will attract dirt and contaminants.

Brakes: Most manufacturers offer different braking systems. The most common form of braking system is a pad or cylinder on the rear wheel that stops movement by applying pressure on the heel. Most brake pads have a "wear line" that indicates how much performance is left in the brake. The brake pad should be replaced before this wear line is reached. Some manufacturers do offer mechanical braking systems that make stopping easier to learn

Closures: There are two primary forms of closure systems on in-line skates:

• Buckles are found mostly on recreational skates. Skates with buckle closures are the quickest to put on and take off. The number of buckles varies from 2 to 5.
• Laces are similar to regular shoe laces. Less expensive than buckle closures, and offer a uniform closing. This allows for more adjustment variations.

Wheels: In-line wheels are usually made of polyurethane. This is a molded compound that allows for different thickness and wheel hardness. Typical wheel diameters are from 70-80mm. Larger wheels are designed for speed whereas smaller wheels are designed for manoeuvrability.

Recreational	Aggressive
Usually come with 70 – 72mm wheels for a low, stable centre of gravity	Very small wheels (55-67 mm) are best for stunt skates
Mid-size wheels are 72 – 76 mm	Wheels this size are also very hard to withstand grinding and jumping
Higher grade skates come with larger wheels (up to 80 mm) to allow faster skating
Changing your wheels
To avoid excessive, uneven wear, they need to be rotated at least once a week, or after every use for aggressive skaters. Wheels should be changed when they show excessive wear on all sides. Skating with worn wheels is unsafe.

Wheel hardness is measured in durometers. Lower numbers indicate a softer wheel and higher numbers indicate a harder wheel. The durometer is denoted by the suffix "A" (example - 80A). The typical recreational in-line skate wheel is 78A or 82A. Softer wheels are good for winter and provide a softer ride. Harder wheels are better in the summer when the pavement is hot and the wheels tend to soften.

Determining Your Skate Size