If you’re on the lookout for a great hobby you can do outdoors, you probably find yourself asking if there’s such an activity that offers equal fun and workout without taking its toll on the joints. The great news is there is – it’s inline skating.
Once you get a hold of balance and proper movements, you’re truly in for a treat. Whether it’s for shredding that stubborn body fat or having fun as a family and skating the daily woes away, it’s a sport that suits the needs of people of all ages. Fitness freaks also love it for the way it helps tone the muscles, whereas busy bees love to use skates as their main means of urban transport.
Whichever the reason for making it part of your life, you’re bound to benefit a great deal. So long as you get the right pair of inline skates as the basic equipment which can make or break your skating experience.
How Do I Choose a Pair of Inline Skates?
Even though there’s a vast array of models from different brands available at the stores, at various price ranges, choosing the ideal pair for you isn’t rocket science. The trick is to know a little something of the basic types, the recreational and aggressive skates that cater to the needs of beginners and pros.
Recreational Skates
Some of the main characteristics of this type of inline roller skates are the comfortable soft boot design that’s more lightweight and breathable, the relaxed fit, and usually the set of three or four wheels with a heel brake. Though they don’t offer that much customisation flexibility, there are models with adjustable cuff height and flex much to the convenience of skaters looking for an extra dose of support.
If you care about looks as much as performance, there are well-stocked stores that will spoil you with a variety of models and colors, like those of the high-quality brand Powerslide. Created for regular and occasional skating alike, they’re among the most popular options for casual skating fans and beginners interested in getting a taste of the sport.
Great for rides at the local park, and around the block, you could get a pair of these convenient inline skates and cruise your way to health. Since the priority with them is placed on comfort, their only flaw is that they’re not particularly suitable for trick-oriented skaters. One variation of them is the fitness type with differences in the bearings, wheel-size as well as weight to make these fit for longer and more performance-oriented rides. Anyone bored of their usual fitness regimen can spice things up with a pair of these skates.
Aggressive Skates
You can tell the aggressive skates apart by the size of the wheels. Unlike those of the recreational setup, these are relatively smaller and are added on a shorter wheelbase. The reason behind this design choice lies in the fact they’re perfect for reacting to the moves better and providing you with utmost control, so if you’re up for putting your skills to the test with challenging moves it’s time to grab a pair of aggressive skates.
With their sturdier design with hard boots, they can stand up to any impact from jumps, grinds and slides you put them through. If you’re an advanced level skater and prefer hitting the skate parks with their amusing obstacles, this is the type you should give a go.
Are There Other Types of Skates?
Yes, there are, and your choice depends on the skating needs. If long rides are your cup of tea, as well as more flexibility with how you do the moves, there are the freestyle (which may also go by the name slalom) and freeride types of inline skates designed to take skating to the next level.
Featuring sturdy and tight-fitting boot design, the freestyle option is comfortable enough though it’s more performance-focused than the previously mentioned alternatives. With a reduced wheelbase and a rockered setup with slight variations of the wheel positions, you can expect to get great maneuverability.
Due to these properties, this type is also ideal for precision skating in cases like doing some dancing, tricks, and edge stunts. Anyone on the lookout for inline skates Australia round suppliers stock up on that offer more flexibility for expression through the moves could benefit from the freeride type that’s got a tough plastic boot with removable liner.
Last but not least, there’s a third option that ticks all the boxes of experienced skaters and pros alike which is none other than the speed skates type. Featuring advanced skating technology, you’d immediately recognise them for the lightweight design with a lower boot cut to reach higher speeds. Other characteristics that stand out from the norm are the large wheels added on the long wheel frames for stability and flexibility. Neat as they might be, have in mind they come with great responsibility!
Should I Pay Attention to Other Aspects?
Yes, there’s no other way about it if you want to get the ideal design since you won’t be able to tell by only considering the type of inline skates, and your skill level. You may fail with your purchase unless you include wheels, frames, and brakes among the priorities too.
Wheels
These are components that are related to speed as much as performance, comfort, and stability. In short, they aren’t to be taken lightly! Some of the properties you’d have to pay attention to are their size, and material. Although it may seem better to acquire a pair with larger skate wheels as a beginner for more stability, it’s the smaller ones that are the adequate choice because they help with balance.
Once you get on your feet and gain the confidence of your skating skills, upgrade to a pair with larger wheels which are better for covering larger distances at greater speed. If style-wise you’re more inclined to choose the bigger, then opt for recreational skates with smaller frames with three wheels for more maneuverability. In terms of material, soft wheels are suitable for optimal traction though they wear off fast, whereas harder materials are made for durability and speed.
Frames
Same as with the wheels, the frames affect your performance, so you need to choose them wisely. Their length, as well as the material, are decisive factors because longer designs are created for speed and endurance, while the smaller frames are meant for greater control over the skates.
As far as materials go, plastic and aluminum are two of the most common options, with the first being cheaper and heavier, and the latter more rigid and lightweight. It’s needless to point out which of the two is the superior: while the plastic wears off in a short matter of time and makes you skate harder, aluminum handles pressure easily, and transfers power from boot to wheels better.
Brakes
Not every model of skates is equipped with brakes and their necessity depends on the skater’s skills, with beginners in need of stability benefiting mostly from this addition. Designs that are performance-focused, instead of comfort, like the aggressive and freeride, are most commonly without brakes. If you choose a design with a brake, and your left foot is the dominant one, then look for models that allow you to detach and switch it. Comfortable rides are all about neat features!
