Essential Guide to Buying Inline Skates

Jun 4, 2025

Inline Edge: Guide to Buying Inline Skates

Welcome to Inline Edge, your guide to rollerblading and inline skating in the USA. This guide is designed to help you buy your first pair of inline skates or get back into the lifestyle after a break.

Anatomy of an Inline Skate

  • Major Components:
    • Boot:
      • Soft Boot: Comfortable, flexible, feels like an athletic shoe.
      • Hard Shell (Hard Boot): Hard plastic exterior with a soft liner inside. Provides more control, recommended for intermediate/advanced skaters.
    • Frame:
      • Attaches to the boot with screws and holds wheels through axles.
      • Materials vary; metal frames are preferable for rigidity.
    • Wheels:
      • Size: Measured in mm. Smaller wheels (~60mm) for stability/tricks, larger wheels (~100mm) for speed.
      • Firmness: Indicated by a number followed by 'A'. Softer (lower) numbers provide better grip, harder (higher) numbers last longer.
      • Bearings: Quality indicated by numbers (e.g., ABEC 5 vs. ABEC 7).

Types of Inline Skates

  • Fitness/Recreational Skates:
    • Feature soft boots, heel brakes, medium-sized wheels (~80mm).
  • Tri Skates:
    • Three wheels, larger (~100mm), designed for speed.
  • Freestyle Skates:
    • Advanced version of fitness skates, may not have heel brakes.
  • Others: (Not recommended for beginners)
    • Roller Hockey Skates: Laced, no straps.
    • Aggressive Skates: Hard shell, small wheels, H-block for tricks.
    • Speed Skates: Low cuff, large wheels.

Where to Buy Inline Skates

  • Avoid: Major retailers like Walmart/Target due to poor quality.
  • Better Options: Sporting goods stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods.
  • Best Options: Online specialty stores (e.g., inlineskates.com, inlinewarehouse.com).
  • Other Options: European websites (e.g., skatepro.com, bladeville.com).
  • Second-hand Options: eBay, Facebook Marketplace.

Recommended Brands

  • Rollerblade: Well-known brand, good quality.
  • K2: Pioneers of soft boot skates.
  • Powerslide: European-based, high quality.

Budget Guide

  • Minimum Spend: $100 for basic quality (e.g., Rollerblade Zetrablade).
  • Maximum Suggested Spend for Beginners: $200 for good quality.
  • Higher Prices: More specific purposes, generally for experienced skaters.

Conclusion

  • Equip yourself with the right knowledge to purchase inline skates confidently.
  • Spend appropriately to ensure quality and comfort.
  • Explore and have fun with inline skating.

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