When it comes to outdoor fun inline skating is one of the most entertaining hobbies. It’s popular among people of all ages, and it’s a great way to get some much-needed physical activity. Inline skating offers you a great workout with friends as well as a means of transportation from point A to point B.
Whether you’re a beginner skater, or you already have a few years up your sleeve, your skating experience will depend on the type of skates and protective equipment you choose. This guide will give you some helpful tips on how to step up your skating.
How to Choose the Right Skates for Inline Skating?
Recreational vs High-Performance Skates
When looking for skates, you will first need to consider the level of skating experience you have. Skates come in many different designs, ranging from the basic recreational skates to high-performance skates.
Recreational Skates
If you’re a beginner skater, or you’re getting into skating purely for the fun of it, check out these high-quality recreational inline skates. They come with a lot of useful features that make skating easier, safer, and more fun. These skates come with a cosy and breathable boot which keeps sweat at bay, and a strong closure system that includes a buckle and a thick hoop-and-loop. They also come with LED wheels which increase your safety during night-time skating.
Recreational skates are the most basic model that you can strap on and take off at any time. They’re easy to learn and are ideal for a quick skate around the neighbourhood or a stroll on your local bike trail. They have a soft and light boot construction that lets you skate comfortably and easily. Unless you need a specific type of skates, this type will be the ideal selection for you.
High-Performance Skates
On the other hand, if you’re a serious skater who is skating on a professional level – the better choice for you is high-performance skates. These are extremely lightweight and are designed with the sole purpose of going faster. They usually have four large wheels and don’t have any brakes. In comparison, recreational skates come with smaller wheels and always have brakes for safety. The larger wheels and the lightweight design help you get faster from point A to point B, but these skates aren’t suitable for an everyday stroll around the neighbourhood.
Wheels
When it comes to choosing wheels – there are several different options on the market. While rubber and plastic wheels are cheaper options, they don’t offer as much safety as polyurethane wheels. These offer you more durability and flexibility for a better skating experience. They’re resistant to chemicals and abrasions and provide a longer lifespan than other types of wheels.
This means cutting down on expenses by replacing them frequently. Polyurethane is a resilient material that endures in the harshest weather conditions. Polyurethane wheels are ideal for both pavements and rough surfaces. Apart from skates, they’re also used in roller blades, longboards and skateboards.
Size
Lastly, an important consideration when shopping for inline skates is choosing the right size. Luckily, a lot of retailers online offer detailed sizing guides so that you can choose the skates that are most suitable for your feet.
Making sure the sizing of your skates is right will contribute to a more fun and comfortable skating experience, as well as spare you from dangerous injuries. Ill-fitted skates can cause you a lot of problems, ranging from foot pain to twisted ankles. Many parents tend to purchase larger skates so that their children can grow into them, however, doing so puts the health of the fragile children’s feet at risk.
Protective Equipment
Having the right protective equipment will ensure your safety while skating. Here are the main protective essentials that you need to take with you before taking off with your skates:
- Helmet – As the most vital body part, your head needs to be properly protected any time you go out skating. For this reason, you will need a strong and durable helmet. When choosing a helmet for inline skating, there are a few things that you need to consider. The ideal helmet should be easy to strap on, and snuggly fit your head for maximum protection. It should also have a breathable and moisture-wicking inner layer.
- Elbow pads and knee pads – Similarly to a skating helmet, the elbow and knee pads are among the most important protective items for skating. They should be simple to use and snuggly fit your elbows and knees.
- Wrist guards – Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate skater, there is always a high chance of falling. When this happens, a lot of people instinctively use their palms to soften the blow. Having wrist guards in these situations helps you protect your hands from injuries. Make sure that your wrist guards are made from high-quality and durable fabric, so that your palms are well-protected.
To avoid purchasing everything separately, you can choose one of the skating packs online. They contain a pair of skates along with elbow pads, knee pads and wrist guards. Some packs even come with a separate chassis that allows you to turn your blades into roller skates.
