Skate Guide

SKATE GUIDE

Take a look at our Skates Quick Start Guide which helps beginners and advanced riders choose their first or next set of skates. From a child just starting out or an advanced skater looking to choose their next set, our skates quick start guide will get you up and skating in no time!

What Type of Skates Are There?

There are two main styles of skates for you to choose from, each offering unique capabilities. The two main types are; Inline Skates (sometimes known as rollerblading) and Quad Skates (sometime known as roller skates).

Quad Skates

WHEEL CONFIGURATION
Wheel configuration for roller skates bare resemblance to a car, with two wheels in front and two wheels at the back.

SKATE BRAKING
Stopping with these skates is done with the toe, by using the brake mounted on the front

WHAT ARE QUAD SKATES GREAT FOR?

  • Indoor skating and riding around on smooth outdoor surfaces
  • Quad skates are slower making them a great option for beginners
  • Offering great stability with the front and back wheel configuration


WHAT ARE QUAD SKATES NOT SO GREAT FOR?

  • Achieving high speeds is difficult
  • Quad skates can sometimes offer less ankle support than inlines, however this does depend on the design
  • Skating on uneven surfaces

Inline Skates

WHEEL CONFIGURATION
An inline skate (or rollerblade) have two to five wheels which are arranged in lines which are contained within a frame.

SKATE BRAKING

Stopping with inline skates is done with the heal, by using the stopper brake located on the back

WHAT ARE INLINE SKATES GREAT FOR?

  • Getting up to high speeds and avoiding obstacles due to configuration of wheels
  • Great for outdoor skating
  • Offer excellent ankle support


WHAT ARE INLINE SKATES NOT SO GREAT FOR?

  • Indoor skating
  • Inline are often not the choice for beginner skaters due to the wheel configuration and balance

What Skates Are There For Beginners and Kids?

Choosing your kids’ first pair of skates is an exciting time, and it is important that the right skates are chosen to maximise your kid’s enjoyment. There are several factors that can be considered, but to make things simple we have created five core categories.

What Skates Are Best For Intermediate/Advanced Riders?

If your kid is an intermediate or advanced rider, the core elements of their next pair of skates are likely to be different to when they first started out. Take a look at our breakdown of what we recommend for each core skate feature.

What Size Skates Should I Get?

Most skate fit according to your shoe your size. Of course, like many sizes however, different brands can mean different fits depending on your foot shape.
01

Foot Size

If you want to double-check your child’s shoe size it is possible to do it yourself. We recommend that you wear a sock when you do this to gain a true representation of what size you need to be for a skate. Place the back of your heel against a flat wall on a piece of paper and then mark the tip of the toe on the paper. Then take a ruler and measure the length.

02

Choosing the Right Size for Kids

Make sure that your child is comfortable in the skate. For inline skates where they ratchet tight, it is important that this is not too tight as this will make for a uncomfortable skating session for your child.

01

Foot Size

If you want to double-check your child’s shoe size it is possible to do it yourself. We recommend that you wear a sock when you do this to gain a true representation of what size you need to be for a skate. Place the back of your heel against a flat wall on a piece of paper and then mark the tip of the toe on the paper. Then take a ruler and measure the length.

02

Choosing the Right Size for Kids

Make sure that your child is comfortable in the skate. For inline skates where they ratchet tight, it is important that this is not too tight as this will make for a uncomfortable skating session for your child.

What Accessories Are Available For Skates?

There is a wealth of different ways in which you can upgrade or adjust your skates to change their performance or the way they look. From bearings and wheels to laces and brakes, there are many ways to make your skates unique.

Wheels

If you want to change how soft or hard your wheels are, you can! Simply remove your wheel and replace with a wheel that matches the durometer, size and shape you want

Bearings

If you want better ‘roll out’ select a bearing that has a greater ABEC rating.

Brakes

One of the most popular ways to upgrade brakes, particularly on quad skates is to add an adjustable toe stop. This will allow you to adjust exactly how much you need to tilt your foot forward to apply the brakes.

Skates Bag

A skates’ bag is a great tool to have. It keeps your skates dry and makes them much easier to transport when you’re not wearing them.

What Makes Up A Complete Skate?

There are a variety of different features that make up a pair of skates. Both inline and quad skates feature the same core elements.

How To Look After Your Skates

To increase the life and get the most out of skates there are a number of simple maintenance practices that you can carry out. Whatever skate style you choose, check out our top things to keep an eye on.