Inline Skates

The main types include fitness skates for exercise and recreational use, urban or free skates for city manoeuvring, aggressive skates for tricks and grinds and speed skates for racing. Each has distinctive boot and frame designs to match its purpose.

They should provide a snug fit with minimal movement around the heel and ankle. A snug fit improves control and reduces blisters. Many skates offer heat‑mouldable liners to customise the fit.

Fitness skates typically use 80–90 mm wheels for a balance of speed and control. Urban skates often feature 80 mm wheels for agility, while speed skates use 100–125 mm wheels for maximum speed.

3‑wheel skates with larger wheels (90–125 mm) provide higher speeds and smoother rides, making them popular for fitness skating. 4‑wheel setups offer stability and are better for technical skating and aggressive tricks.

Yes. Beginners should choose a fitness or recreational skate with moderate wheel size and good ankle support. Learning how to stop with heel brakes or T‑stops is essential for safety.

Most fitness skates come with a heel brake. Shift your weight to the back foot and press the brake down to slow. You can also learn the T‑stop or plough stop for added control, especially on skates without brakes.

Keep wheels and bearings clean, rotate wheels regularly and tighten bolts. Dry boots and liners after skating, and store skates in a cool, dry place.

Yes. You can replace wheels, bearings and sometimes frames to suit different skating disciplines. Ensure the new components are compatible with your boot’s mounting system (e.g., 165 mm or Trinity).

It may take several sessions. Wear thick socks at first to reduce discomfort and gradually increase skating time to allow the liners to mould to your feet.