Roller (Quad) Skates - Buying Advice

Why Roller Skating?

There’s loads of reasons why rollerskates are one of the leading extreme-sports. Aside from the personal enjoyment gained through skating, it’s an excellent way to keep fit. Roller skates are designed with four wide wheels equally spaced apart which make learning how to skate really simple. They’re the perfect option for younger kids and people who’ve never skated before.

Which type is right for me?

As there are a wide range of roller skates available, it’s vital to know exactly what type of roller skate you need before purchasing. There are three main types of rollerskates:

• Soft bootsare perfect for people interested in finding comfortable skates. They're designed to offer great overall support and are perfect for casual users. Soft-boots made of leather will need to be broken in. You'll need to be careful not to get them wet as it can damage the material.
• Hard-boots are perfect for beginner skaters and people who are really rough with their skates. They're designed to take a giant beating and are perfect for roller hockey. The high boot offers excellent ankle support.
• Roller-Derby skates are designed to incorporate the best of soft and hard-boots. These are perfect for intermediates and pros who demand a level of excellence from their skates. They're durable yet fast and comfortable and are the perfect type of skates for all contact-sports.

There are several other factors to consider when choosing the perfect skates for you.

• Money– There’s little point spending more money than necessary however it is worth remembering that the quality of skates will vary depending on how much you spend. Higher end models will generally be constructed from stronger, lighter materials and higher quality bearings and wheels (which give you a faster, smoother ride).
• Age– If you’re looking at purchasing skates for kids, it may be worth looking at the adjustable skates we have to offer as they’ll save you having to constantly replacing your child’s skates as they grow. If you’re feet have stopped growing, we’d recommend getting a fixed size boot.
• Skill level– If you’ve just started skating, we wouldn’t recommend getting top-end skates immediately as most have been designed to handle skating as fast speeds.
• Wheels- Quad skates usually come with 62mm wheels for a low, stable center of gravity. Larger wheels will allow you to travel faster although it’ll be harder to maneuver. Smaller wheels will be slower to accelerate but are great for nimble movements. It’s also important to consider the hardness of your wheels. The hardness of a wheel is measured in durometers. Lower numbers indicate a softer wheel whilst higher numbers indicate a harder wheel. Softer wheels provide better grip although they will need replacing sooner. For first-time riders, we’d recommend getting wheels around 62mm 82A.
• Bearings– In the centre of each wheel are two bearings. These bearings will greatly factor the speed of your skates. Most bearings are rated by the ABEC system (1 – 9, higher numbers being faster). Bearings are explained in lots more detail in the bearings buying guide.
• Trucks- Most rollerskate trucks are constructed from aluminium alloy or nylon & Fiberglass composites. Metal trucks are stronger and lighter however as they cost more are typically found on higher-end models.
• Toe stoppers– Rollerskates are fitted with toe stoppers which act as the main way of stopping. Stoppers will wear down over use and are easily replicable.

Warranty Information

Most Roller skates are not designed in any way for extreme use unless specified on the product pages. Any jumps, tricks, stunts or use down a skate park will immediately invalidate the warranty.