Types of Roller Skating - Rollerblading vs Roller Skating vs Inline Skating
Roller skating is an amazing sport and fun activity. But if you are new to roller skating, choosing the right type of skates may prove challenging. Read on to know more about the difference between rollerblades, roller skates, and inline skates to help you decide which skates are best for you.
To determine which is best for you – Quad skates, rollerblades, and inline speed skates – assess your skill level, experience, and the type of roller skating that you plan to do.
Quad Roller Skates
Quad roller skates are the skates you may have seen at a roller rink or when you were a child. Each quad skate has two axles – with an axle in the front and one in the back – both with two wheels. Quad skates are available as high-top or low-top skate boots.
Rollerblades
Rollerblades are a type of inline skate with a single axle along the length of the boot. The wheels slide into the skate plate and are held in place with a long nut. Most rollerblades come with a high-top boot and a brake on the back of the skate.
Inline Speed Skates
Inline speed skates are often used in competitive skating. Inline speed skates come with a single axle like rollerblades but they have a short low-cut boot. This special feature makes it easier for speed skaters to dig into their turns.
The wheels on inline speed skates can be 75mm – 130mm. Most competitive speed skaters use skates in the 100mm-130mm range. The bigger diameter and lesser wheel thickness allow the speed skater to maintain their speed for longer.
Types of Roller Skating
The type of skating that you plan to do will determine the pair of roller skates you should buy. Will you only skate outdoors in your neighborhood or also indoors at the rink? Or you are going to be into a specific roller sport?
Roller derby players wear quad roller skates while speed skaters wear inline speed skates. Inline speed skates are faster than quads and rollerblades.
For artistic and figure roller skating, most skaters wear high-top quad roller skates.
Roller hockey players use rollerblades while jam skating is done using low-top quad roller skates.
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