A Brief Overview of Inline Skates You, or even people you know, may think that inline skating is simply strapping on a pair of skates and taking off. While this vague description is true, inline skating is in much more than that. Inline skates are offered in a number of different types, each with its own purpose. Among the different types of skates that you will come across are: recreational, fitness, roller hockey, and aggressive. For your convenience, here is a photo that points out the universal skate characteristics: 
While the photo above may be of a recreational skate, the boot, wheels, and frame are essential traits of any skate, regardless of its type. The brake pictured on this skate is optional, meaning that it can be removed if desired. Brakes are typically only found on recreational and fitness skates. It is uncommon to find a brake on a roller hockey or aggressive skate. You may already know the skate type that is correct for you, but if you do not, the first question you must ask yourself to determine the skate type that is best for you is: What kind of inline skating will I be doing most? To help you answer this question, review the following sections that describe each of the inline skate types. Once you have done so, you should be able to determine the most appropriate skate type for you.
Recreational Inline Skates
The most popular type of inline skate is the recreational inline skate. Designed for anyone looking to simply go out and enjoy all that inline skating offers. This description itself is the closest you will get to the previously described, "strap on skates and take off." Recreational skates can be used for a quick skate around the neighborhood, a stroll down the local bike trail, or basic fitness. Unless you are in need of a specific skate type, a recreational skate is going to be the most likely selection for you. Recreational skates are offered in a variety of models, from a number of manufacturers, and for all level skaters. Skate materials, closure systems, and features will vary from skate to skate. Recreational skates will typically have a soft boot construction. This type of boot is constructed of reinforced mesh and cloth with hard plastic cuffs in the back for support. Soft boot construction allows for a more comfortable skate that is also lighter and more breathable. Back in the day, inline skates were constructed of uncomfortable, hard plastic shells. Over the years, this construction was abandoned in favor of the previously described soft boot style. Recreational skates will also feature a number of different closure systems. Standard lacing, ratchet buckles, and power assisted (quick lace) systems are some of the options you will see on recreational skates.
Fitness Inline Skates
Modern inline skates were originally designed for fitness training for ice hockey players, by ice hockey players. Today, fitness skates are designed specifically for those individuals who seek to utilize their skates for getting in shape, or skating very frequently. In a nutshell, fitness skates are high performance recreational skates. Their design is similar in practically every aspect, with the exception being that it is geared towards individuals who skate longer distances. Variances between recreational and fitness skates exist in the bearings, wheel size, and overall weight. Fitness skates will typically have faster bearings and larger wheels to generate speed for lengthy skates. Additionally, skate weight is lower for this same reason. Fitness skate boots will likely be more comfortable due to liner construction, as well as circulate air better via ventilation differences. Fitness skates offer numerous advantages when it comes to exercise, most notably, it is not boring! Skating is a fast-paced, exciting activity that offers a lot more than your treadmill or yoga ball will. Furthermore, fitness skating is a low impact activity that will generate little wear-and-tear on your joints and bones. Also, fitness skating can burn as many calories as running. The list of benefits is long, but the bottom line is that inline skating is a great fitness activity. If you plan on using your skates to get in shape via long, fast skating adventures, then fitness skates are likely the best option for you.
Roller Hockey Inline Skates
At the risk of pointing out the obvious, Roller Hockey skates are designed for…wait for it…hockey. Roller Hockey is one of the fastest growing sports for people of all ages and as a result, roller hockey skates have become immensely popular. This however isn't a huge surprise when you factor in that the popularity of inline skates is attributed to two hockey players. Their desire to train for ice hockey when ice was not readily available has evolved into a sport for all ages and genders a global level. Roller hockey is a fast paced, high energy game that requires less equipment with more action than ice hockey! Most local indoor roller rinks offer roller hockey leagues for every one. The design of roller hockey skates is very similar to ice hockey skates. Boots are made with reinforced leather and stitching, with some using additional material such as carbon fiber or plastic to enhance the boot. The fit and feel is also similar to an ice hockey skate, so the transition for ice hockey players is practically seamless. Most roller hockey frames are made of airplane grade aluminum that provides increased durability and a lower weight. One unique feature that is found on roller hockey skates exists in the wheel setup. This unique setup is commonly referred to as a "High-Lo" setup and requires the back two wheels to use a larger diameter wheel than the front two. The purpose behind this design is to put a hockey player in the leaning forward position naturally, in-turn providing increased maneuverability and speed. Additionally, it gives the skater the acceleration of small wheels and speed of larger wheels. Roller hockey skates usually come with bearings designed for speed and acceleration, so if they are ABEC rated, they will be on the higher end of the scale. All roller hockey stakes use a standard lacing system for closure. Typically, this closure system will utilize hockey laces that are also found on ice hockey skates. This form of closure system is used to ensure a tight and comfortable fit, which is essential for roller hockey players who are routinely accelerating and turning. Keep in mind that roller hockey skates, like ice hockey skates, require a break-in period. During this break-in period roller hockey skates will be stiff and uncomfortable. Do not let this be a deterrent from using them as the more you use them, the faster they will break-in and the better they will feel. The design of roller hockey skates is to provide superior maneuverability, quick acceleration and high speed, strong ankle support, and a lightweight skate to constant skating and quick turning. If you're interested in playing roller hockey, or you are an ice hockey player interested in a way to train during the off-season, this is the skate type that you will want to select.
Racing Inline Skates
For the serious skater who is looking for competition and fitness, racing skates offer the best of both worlds. Racing skates are the fastest skates available due to the use of advanced inline skating technology. The purpose of their design is simple: Go Fast! If you're interested in a simple stroll around the neighborhood this isn't the option for you. Racing skates are very lightweight, have bearings ranked highly on the ABEC rating scale, or they are Titanium, Ceramic, or Swiss. They also utilize a maximum of five wheels chassis setup and no brake. Boots design is much like a shoe with a soft boot reinforced with carbon fiber. Additionally, the cuff is lower because a taller boot means more weight. Wheels are typically very large in diameter to give the racer more speed and better acceleration. Also, the frame of a racing is made of either carbon fiber or aluminum to further reduce the skate weight and increase skating performance. When it comes to racing skates, the bottom line is that they designed for speed and nothing else. They are very efficient, lightweight, and smooth, with the sole purpose of getting the skater from point A to point B faster than anyone else.
Urban Skates/Street Skates
In recent years, a new skate type has gained in popularity. Urban skates, also referred to as Street skates, are essentially a hybrid of Recreational and Aggressive style skates. Skates found in this category offer the look and feel of an Aggressive style skate with the functionality for longer skating ventures, like a Recreational skate. Urban skates feature a wheel and bearing setup like one you would expect to find on a recreational skate (wheels 82mm or larger), but a boot design that can withstand tricks, jumps, and whatever other type of beating you want to throw at it while you're skating down the street. Video Tutorial: Different Types of Inline Skates
Tags: Articles, Inline Skates
I am looking to purchase a pair of inline skates for recreational and exercise purpose. I have never used inline skates but I played ice hockey about 30 years ago. I wear a size 9 EEE shoe. My foot is very wide and I cannot wear narrow shoes as it hurts my foot. Can you suggest a skate for me?
Thank you,
Leighton
Leighton
You have 2 options. The 1st is you could go with a Roller Hockey skate from Mission. They offer EE widths in some of there models. They are the Mission Soldier Black and the Mission Commander Black. You may want to wait about a month because there new models will be out in November. The only problem here is that Roller Hockey skates do not have a brake.
Your other option would be to get a tradition recreation skate. Rollerblade is the brand that would be the widest. I would recommend the Rollerblade Spark Pro as the boot has more volume that there Speedmachine series. You can also take any Rollerblade skate to a good ski shop who can usually stretch the boot to get you some additional width in the boot.
Steve
I am looking for aggressive inline skates for my 14 year old son. He has a wide foot. He currently wears an 7EE (8.5 US) Bauer hockey skate (they are getting too small and we will be getting him a larger size in Jan.). Since most of the sporting goods stores do not carry aggressive skates, does it make sense to try on inline/hockey inline skates brands that make aggressive skates for size and fix? Buying shoes is a difficult process and since it appears that I am going to have to buy aggressive skates on line, I wanted to make this process as easy as possible. Please give me a recommendation on how best to proceed.
Thank you,
Mary
Mary,
None of the “Hockey” brands currently sell an aggressive skate. Aggressive skates generally fit true to US foot size and are not offered in multiple widths. If you are looking for an aggressive skate that tends to run wider than most I would recommend the Rollerblade Brand. If his foot is very wide you can go up ½ to a full size. Anything on our site is fully returnable if it hasn’t been skated on so start with his true size to see if that works.
Steve
Steve,
Enjoyed reading about the varipous types of inline skates. I have an older pair of Bauer V-series skates that serve me well on solid asphalt surfaces.
Since I have some wonderful dirt paths in my area, could you recommend any suitable inline skate solutions that would allow me to skate on such surfaces.
Thanks again!
F.G. Kempf
F.G. Kempf,
There used to be a skate made by Rollerblade called the Coyote. It had 3 very large pneumatic tires designed for off road/dirt road skating. Unfortunately it did not work very well. I had a pair and I was exhausted after a short distance. It has since been discontinued. No one else currently offers anything for a dirt road surface.
Sorry
Steve
I need some good solid advice…..I want to get a pair of inline skates and don’t know which way to go…..these would be used at indoor rinks…..it would be rare for me to use them outside but could happen……my 7 year old son has caught the bug only after two times out to the local indoor rink…..I really enjoyed my outings with him and now we both want our own pair……please advise on brand and type/style
Tony,
Since you’ve left open the possibility that you may use the skates outdoors, my recommendation would be to go with a recreational skate that features indoor/outdoor wheels. This will give you the ability to use the skates indoors without the wheels being so hard that you are without grip on the indoor skating surface. Additionally, the wheels won’t be so soft that they chunk off due to the more rugged outdoor skating terrain.
With that being said, I would recommend something with a wheel durometer (hardness) of 78A or 80A in the Rollerblade or K2 brands. There are many options available with each brand, all you really need to do is find the size that fits your foot.
Also, when shopping for your son, keep in mind that you’ll find most kid’s skates offer adjustable sizing. This means that they’ll offer a range of sizes so as your child’s feet grow, the skates can too.
I hope this helps you. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Andrew
I have a Roces skate with an internal brake cup above the spring-loaded rear wheel. There is no external brake pad involved. I really enjoy this type of braking system, but cannot find it on any other models. I would like to get one of the newer soft-shelled skates with this braking system.
Was this type discontinued, or are there other skates available with an internal brake system?
Gene,
Unfortunately, the brake system you’re describing is no longer manufactured. Sorry.
Steve
Several years ago, I saw a pair of inline skates that strapped to street shoes/boots. I am looking for some for my husband. Do you know of any?
Hi-
I have a vintage pair of Rollerblade Parkway hardshell skates. I love them but they need replacing. Unfortunately I can not find hardshells. I don’t know if the softer boots will have as much support. Years ago I tried a pair of softshells but I couldn’t get them laced up tight enough. Are there skates with good support and a strong lacing system that laces up tight without slipping?
Thanks
Ken,
There absolutely are skates that have great support and very sturdy lacing that offer fantastic support. Hardshell skates have for the best of my knowledge been done away with. The industry has moved this direction because you can still get the same amount of support out of a more comfortable boot. There are some soft shell skates out there that do just flop and offer little support but there are plenty more that offer great performance and support in a great mixture.
One great example is the K2 Mach 90 skate, with a great system of laces, Velcro strap and a top locking clasp, you can really get these things tight and supportive for your feet.
Another great choice would be the K2 Moto Boa, now this skate does ont even use laces! With the Moto Boa you use a Boa system, which is a cable that tightens by the twist of a dial on the boot. This has been used for years in the snowboard boot industry, running shoes, etc. The Boa system not only allows a great level of support but can be easily tightened if the skate loosens up during skating due to break in.
You could also go with an urban city type skate which still offers the hardshell type boot. These have a shorter frame length making them more maneuverable, but with maneuverability you lose some top end speed. These are geared towards city skaters who are hard on their skates and must turn on a dime. They are worth checking out though if you want to see a hardshell type boot.
The Rollerblade Fusion X5 is one of the most popular models and offers a plastic boot with an aluminum frame. These skates are very indestructible and are still lightweight.
Hopefully this helps answer you question, please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Chris Gorski
I used to have a pair of Rollerblade in-line skates that I loved, they had a lace up boot and a metal chassis (this was in the 90′s when most kids rollerblades were plastic) but hey weren’t hockey skates. I’ve used hockey skates before but they always seemed to be heavy and stiff and in no time they wore out my feet. I was looking to get some skates but it’s been over 10 years since I’ve skated and I’m not sure how the technology has changed since then.
I always liked to skate fast and be able to maneuver well too, would you recommend I get an urban skate or would a hockey skate be a better choice?
Jake,
I would not recommend going with an inline hockey skate unless you are planning on playing hockey and need the skate for that purpose. Hockey inline skates are phenomenal and well constructed but they are meant to be used specifically for hockey. They are typically a lot stiffer and meant to excel at short fast sprints that you would find yourself doing in an inline hockey game, they are not designed to be used in skating around the neighborhood or park and can become very uncomfortable very quickly.
You have the right idea with getting into an “urban” style skate as these have a shorter wheel base, fairly stiff boots yet are still very comfortable and can be skated for hours without pain and discomfort. Skates like the Don and Il Capo from K2 or the Fusion line from Rollerblade are great examples of a skate that will still be very fast and maneuverable with a shorter frame and a comfortable fit complete with support.
Thanks,
Chris Gorski
hello steve,
i just recently started to roller blade and i really injoyed it but im 15 and all my friends have started a new thing to go both on the street and at ou local rink. i used those stinky old ones at the rink and they were very uncomfortable. i want some now if we r gunna start doing it alot i want to get good so im not busting my a** all the time. i wear a 9 or 10 depending on the shoe and blade but i want something lower in price since i would be paying for these myself and have a crappy job. im going this weekend so i would really like it if u could get back to me soon.
thanks, meredith
Meredith,
Sorry you had a bad experience on rental inline skates but unfortunately most all rental skates fit terribly and don’t give a good skating experience. We do offer great priced new skates and right now we are offering free shipping over $49 which is a great bonus. Getting a brand new skate will offer you a far superior fit and the skate will actually break in uniquely around your exact foot.
For a size 9.0 we have some fantastic Bladerunner inline skates starting at $69.95 with free shipping. There are some more pricey models on sale in the $89-99 range but for what you’re doing with the skates and minding your budget the Bladerunner would be a fine choice. Below is a link to the inline skates we currently have on sale in a 9.0
http://sale.inlineskates.net/womens-skates/c1000005978/?opt_size=9.0
In a size 10 we have the same skate as above and a few other models. Coming in a bit cheaper is the Bladerunner Formula 80 which is only $59. Below is a link to all the inline skates we currently stock in a size 10 on sale.
http://sale.inlineskates.net/womens-skates/c1000005978/?opt_size=10.0
Either of these selections will give you a solid skating experience with more comfort and performance than rentals. As for size I would recommend going with the size of your most comfortable well fitting gym or athletic shoes.
Thanks,
Chris Gorski
As a kid, rollerbalding gave me so much adrenaline. But once we moved, my parents tossed my pair of skates. Recently I’ve been considering taking up inline skating as a form of exercise, but I’m stumped as to which pair would best suit me. [Probably fitness?] I’m a petite 22 year old girl, so I have small feet. I wear size 5.5 – 6 shoe, but I’m not completely sure if womens skate sizes run that small. I don’t mind buying a larger kids size, but what size would be my best bet? Also, do any skates have a brake on ONLY one side?
Hey Sunshine,
For getting back into skating and doing some recreational exercise I would recommend staying away from the fitness skates. These are going to be designed for advanced skaters looking to push the limits in their skating. For someone getting back into skating you can get a recreational pair that will work just as well for you. The womens sizes do go down to a 5.5 and 6.0 size. You will want to order your shoe size in any of the different brands that we carry. Take a look at the Rollerblade Wing 8 that we currently have on sale. It’s an awesome skate we have up currently for a great price, and we only have it available in a womens size 6.0. I can also recommend some other models if you would like. Hope this helps!
Regards,
Dru
I was wondering about a few things….
Firstly, size. I normally wear a U.S. size 9 in shoes with laces, like an typical sneaker cause my foot is slightly wider. But I can slip into a U.S. size 8 just as easily, but mostly for shoes with no laces. Would a inline skate equivalent to a 8.5 work?
I was also wondering if recreational exercise skates are able to take a light beating from skating a tad heavily. And skating over rougher surfaces, like a street that isn’t as smooth as a brand new street might be…. if not, what might be a better choice for wear and tear? An urban, or would a normal recreational fair well enough?
Hey Lucas,
With most brands of inline skates you will want to fit your skates true to your US sneaker size. If you typically wear a size 9.0, fully laced in a tennis shoe or sneaker, I would recommend sticking with a size 9.0 inline skate (unless you have a wider foot, then for the K2 brand go up to a 9.5). For skating on imperfections in roads and uneven pavement, a traditional recreational skate should work just fine. Your big worry will be the wheels. Whether you get a soft-boot recreational skate or an urban skate with the molded boot, you will want to make sure your wheels are hard enough to take a beating. I would recommend sticking to wheels that have a durometer (how hard the wheel is) of 82A or higher to guarantee they last longest for you. Hope this helps!
Regards,
Dru
Christmas presenet for my 12 yr old daughter who has limited experience (gym class) at rollerblading; looking at recreational skates but what brand? I don’t want to break the bank but also want good quality – Help!!
Thanks!
Hi Kevin,
Sounds like a great gift! If you’re looking for a skate that will be a lot of fun AND durable, I like the Roller Derby inline skates. Roller Derby has been in the business for a long time, and their skates tend to have more bang for the buck than some of the other brands. Most importantly, you tend to get a better bearing than other skates at the price point – the higher the number on the bearing, the smoother and quicker the wheels will spin. So, for example, in the Roller Derby Hybrid G8, you get ABEC-7 bearings versus the Bladerunner Pro 80 (at the same price point), which only has ABEC-5 bearings. As your daughter spends more time on skates, she’ll get to know more about what she wants, but for a first skate, I’d definitely say go with a better bearing, just so that the experience is more enjoyable for her. Less effort getting going means more fun while actually out there. I hope this helps!
Best,
Kate
hey im looking to buy a skate that i could use for city terrain and park. I am looking to get into tricks and grinds as im a skier and this is the closest thing to it during summer please send me back what i should be looking into.
thanks
Jacob Barnett
Hello,
We have a couple of different skates that would suit your needs. The urban skates from Rollerblade offer all of the durability that an aggressive skate has with the larger wheels of a recreational skate. The Rollerblade Fusion X3 has a composite frame and a vented shell, and the liner is pillow soft with a shock absorber in it as well to help when you land. The Twister 80 and the Fusion 84 are a bit of a step up from the Fusion X3s. They have aluminum frames which make the skates a bit more lightweight and can take beating without breaking down. The main difference between these two is wheel size. The Twister has an 80mm wheel that may be a bit nicer in the park, while the 84mm wheels of the Fusion 84 will give you better glide and more speed in the city.
Thanks,
Lisa
Can you tell me is the brand rollerbade still the best recreational skate for someone who has wide feet ?
Thank you for your assistance.
Andrew
Hey Andrew,
To this day Rollerblade is still the best brand for wide footed inline skaters. While their models are expressly “wide”, they do tend to fit a bit roomier side to side than K2 or Roces brand skates do. As for which model to get, that’s going to depend on a couple of key factors. If you contact our customer service department, I would be happy to help figure out exactly what skates would be perfect for you! I hope this helps!
Regards,
Dru