How to Buy Roller Blades
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Rollerblading, sometimes called inline skating, is one of the most popular recreational activities today. It’s excellent exercise, as well as a great and speedy way to have fun. Follow the below advice on how to buy roller blades that will work best for you.
Before You Buy
Before you go out to buy roller blades, make sure that you enjoy the sport. That means don’t go out and buy roller blades just because you’d like to try rollerblading. There are many places where you can rent roller blades, or you might be able to borrow a pair from a friend or buy a used pair to try out before you invest the money to buy your own new pair.
A good pair of roller blades will cost between $100 and $150; you probably don’t want to spend that kind of money until you know you will use roller blades regularly.
Kinds of Roller Blades
There are four main types of roller blades available on the market:
- Recreational skates are the general skates for the average consumer who wants to skate around the park for fitness.
- Speed roller blades are sleeker and made for racing.
- Hockey roller blades are suited for playing roller hockey.
- Aggressive or stunt blades are for those who want to show off on their skates, doing tricks similar to the moves of a skateboarder.
The most widely available roller blades are the recreational type, and that’s what most people want. To find the other kinds of roller blades, you’ll probably need to go to a specialized skating store rather than a sporting goods store.
Parts of a Roller Blade
You don’t have to be a roller blade expert to understand how to buy roller blades, but it helps to have a little knowledge about how a roller blade goes together when you’re shopping.
- Fastenings: clips are usually used to keep the skate secure, but you can still sometimes find laces, which can be fastened more tightly and evenly, good for speed and aggressive rollerbladers.
- Wheel frame: the wheels sit on a frame that connects the wheels to the boot. This frame is usually made of polycarbonate or reinforced nylon. It needs to be stiff and lightweight for best performance. Most recreational users don’t need to worry about this.
- Wheels: Probably the most important part of the roller blade is the wheels, which are almost universally made of plastic in different hardnesses, known as durometer. The higher the number, the harder the wheel. A popular duometer measurement is 78A. Wheels also have different diameters; between 70 and 78 millimeters are the most common measurements.
- Bearings: Most roller blade shoppers only need to know that loud bearings should be avoided. Good bearings are quiet.
- Footbed: Look for a skate that is built like a shoe. If the footbed is cardboard or a similar cheap material, pass.
How to Buy Roller Blades
Once you’ve figured out what kind of roller blades you want, it’s time to go shopping. Wear heavy socks like you would be wearing while rollerblading, and be prepared to try on both skates and go for a little spin around the store. It’s the only way you’ll know if the blades are comfortable.
- When trying different pairs of rollerblades on, follow the same routine you would with buying a pair of shoes or sneakers. Roller blades should provide good support and there should be some room in the toe area.
- Talk to the salesperson in the sporting goods or rollerblading shop you’re in about popular brands, makes and models. Also be sure to inquire about upcoming sales and sales that may be currently happening. It always pays to save a little money if you can.
- If in doubt about any of the parts of the roller blade discussed above, ask the salesperson what is best for you based on your needs.
- Spin the wheels while the roller blade is not on your foot. If you can hear the bearings inside the wheel, choose another shoe.
- Never mail-order a pair of rollerblades without first trying them on. If you find a good deal on a pair of rollerblades from an online retailer, try to find that specific pair at a store near you to try on, then go and buy them online.
- Remember that your expenses will not end once you buy your rollerblades—you will also need to spend money on a helmet and knee and elbow pads for added safety!
Where to Buy Roller Blades
As previously stated, you should always first try roller blades on in a store. You can find them at sporting goods stores, bike shops, skate shops and even some toy stores. If you find a pair that fits you and want to purchase them online, check out these recommended shops below.
- Skatebuys has a terrific selection of inline skates and equipment, including skates designed for women, juniors, aggressive skaters, and hockey players.
- Amazon.com has long been one of the most popular places to shop online. Their skating section—located in the Sports & Outdoors department—has an excellent array of inline skates for men, women and children. Shop from such brand names as Tour, K2, Corr, Chicago and Pacer.
- The Sports Authority allows you to search for the rollerblades you want by size, brand or price. Also find sales of instructional DVDs, helmets and more.
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Comments
Greggs, to be on the safe side, I would contact the company that makes the rollerblades just to see what they recommend.
-- Contributed by: CrystalSchwankeTell me, should one buy one size bigger than normal, for example I'm a size 14 should I get a size 15? I want to buy a Roces M12 UFS in fact :)
-- Contributed by: GreggsCarnac44, loosening laces seem to be a common problem. Make sure you're lacing your roller blades up tightly from the bottom all the way to the top. Some people tend to just pull the laces tight at the top rather than working their way up; that can make them feel looser over time. Perhaps you favor the foot with the gradually loosening laces more than the other. Extra force on that foot will put more pressure on the laces, causing them to feel loose more quickly than the others.
-- Contributed by: CrystalSchwankeThis page has been accessed 6,320 times. This page was last modified 19:09, 13 December 2006.
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