Walking isn’t the only way to get around these days. For many of us, getting from place to place could be as simple as getting in our cars, hopping on our bikes, or—if we’re really looking to have a good time—slipping into a pair of roller skates.
- 1 What to Look For in Roller Skates
- 2 Frequently Asked Questions:
- 3 How to get started with rollerskating
- 4 Which roller skates are best for me and my family?
- 5 Rollerblades or Roller Skates?
- 6 How do you lace roller skates?
- 7 WHAT SIZE SHOULD I ORDER?
- 8 ARE QUAD SKATES BETTER THAN INLINE SKATES?
- 9 CAN WOMEN WEAR MEN’S SKATES?
- 10 Which skate is best for beginners?
- 11 How do I choose roller skates?
- 12 Can you lose weight roller skating?
- 13 Is roller skating harder than Rollerblading?
- 14 Is roller skating good for belly fat?
- 15 How many times a week should I roller skate?
- 16 How often should you replace your roller skates?
- 17 Is roller skating more exercise than walking?
Though they’ve traditionally been reserved for the roller rink, roller skates have become an increasingly popular way to get around—both indoors and outside. And since roller skating involves cardio and strength training, it can be an incredible way to get a little exercise.
If so, consider roller skating! Skating is fun, and enthralling, it gets your heart pumping, and it’s a quick means of transportation. Plus, the community is welcoming and supportive; many individuals and foundations have dedicated their lives to the skating community to empower people to live their life to the fullest.
According to many, skating allows you to explore the same neighborhood you lived in from a more detailed perspective. So, if you’re trying to get back into an outdated hobby or start a new one, roller skating should be at the top of your list. However, you can’t get started without the right gear and, most importantly, a pair of skates.
1.Moxi Skates
Pros
- Clean peach color
- Convenient bolt-on toe-stops aid in safety
- Cool retro look
Cons
- Pricey
You can’t go wrong with Moxi Skates’ Beach Bunny Roller Skates. Moxi Skates is a best-in-class brand beloved by experts and recreational skaters, alike. And its Beach Bunny Roller Skates are comfortable and versatile—not to mention, incredibly cute. The skates are crafted from vegan-friendly vinyl, and they come equipped with soft, grippy wheels, which promise to keep all your outdoor rides feeling smooth and comfortable. Since the skates are so popular, they tend to sell out pretty fast. But right now, they’re available in five vibrant colorways—and a handful of sizes.
2.CHICAGO SKATES Men’s Classic Roller Skates
Feature
These iconic CHICAGO Men’s Roller Skates are a great way to kick off our list as they’re the most popular choice on the market. Well-crafted and designed for impeccable skating, these men’s skates can be used on a wide variety of rinks and skating surfaces. Plus, these skates are super comfortable to wear and feel secure thanks to the controlled high top. What’s more, the laces on the vinyl boot are premium quality, ensuring a tight fit with maximum security.
Pros
- Well-crafted, superior design
- Comfortable, adjustable fit
- Feature semi-precision bearings for added control
Cons
- May run a little too big
3.C SEVEN C7skates Quad Roller Skates
Feature
If you’re looking for a sleek pair of skates, the C SEVEN Quad Roller Skates are a top choice. This pair offers you exceptional comfort so you can skate without taking unnecessary breaks. Designed for the rough and tough outdoor life, these skates can endure the daily wear and tear of routine skating. Plus, their 54 x 32-mm wheels are extra wide giving you most control and traction as well as a seamless ride.
Pros
- Retro design is comfortable and fashionable
- Faux-leather, cruelty-free exterior
- Available in a variety of colors
Cons
- Sizing may be off
4.Womens Roller Skates PU Leather High-top
Pros
- Vegan-friendly
- Lace-up closure provides ultimate protection
- Has a controlled high top for optimum safety
- Comes in many different colors and designs
Cons
- Could use better engineering
5.Candi GRL Sabina
Pros
- Fits true to size
- For all ages and skill levels
- Lightweight but high impact build
Cons
- Pricey
6.Roller Skates for Women Men
Feature
These beginner roller skates by YYW are made of high-quality PU faux leather with a soft inner fabric for extreme comfort while you skate. The inner fabric is breathable so your feet will stay dry no matter how hot it is outside. What’s more, the fit is designed as accurately as possible to a real foot shape, giving these skates a tight and snug feel. Plus, the skates come with a double row of secure wheels.
Pros
- Made of high-quality polyurethane
- Features a comfortable, classic high top
- Available in different boot and wheel colors
Cons
- Faux-leather tends to crease
7.Epic Skates Super Nitro
Feature
The Epic Skates Super Nitro Roller Skates are a safe bet if you have a little skating experience. These skates are the perfect blend of reliability and quality, featuring a well-crafted design to give users a smooth and effortless boost. The shoe upper is strategically designed while keeping in mind the natural foot shape, giving you a secure fit.
Pros
- Feature precision speed bearings for added stability
- Include a front brake on each skate
- Made of comfortable, lightweight polyurethane
Cons
- Not for aggressive skating
8.Impala Rollerskates Girl’s Impala Quad Skate
Pros
- Bold pops of color and classic ’70s style
- Many different sizes and colors/designs
- Ample cushioning for comfort
- Vegan-friendly
Cons
- Pricey
9.C SEVEN C7skates
Pros
- Fun vintage look and feel
- Many colors/designs
- Plenty of ankle support for beginners
- Vegan-friendly
Cons
- Pricey
10.Rock GT-50 Black Roller Skates
Feature
These skates may be last on the list, but the features they offer are matchless. The Sure-Grip Roller Skates are the ideal choice for teenagers and adults alike. Made of synthetic leather with an adjustable strap on the top, these skates feature a straight-cut toe that offers easier maneuverability while skating. Plus, the toe stop at the front will help you stop in seconds while also providing you with the initial push to get started.
Pros
- Feature an adjustable top strap
- Include swirl wheels for smoother skating
- Straight-cut toe for easier maneuverability
Cons
- Slightly heavy for beginners
What to Look For in Roller Skates
Comfort
Anyone who’s paid a visit to the roller rink knows that roller skates can get a little uncomfortable. So if you’re planning to spend much time in yours, it’s worth it to look for a pair that’s padded enough to keep you comfortable—even after spending hours on your feet.
Control
Many roller skates are designed to be beginner-friendly, but some are crafted with more advanced skaters in mind. And since skating can be a little tough to pick up, you’ll want to start with a pair that keeps you in control. Look for sturdier materials and bulkier silhouettes. If it looks more like a boot than a low-top sneaker, it’s likely to give you a little more control.
Style
Look—we’re not saying you should buy a pair of roller skates just because they’re cute. But we are saying that style is a reasonable thing to consider, especially when it comes to something you’re planning to wear pretty frequently. Thankfully, there are enough roller skates out there that you don’t have to choose between form and function. So you should be able to find a pair of roller skates that fits right, feels comfortable, and looks great. Don’t forget the rest of your roller skating outfit when you go for a spin.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Picture this. It’s London, 1735, and a posh crowd is gathered in a large ballroom lined with mirrors. Everyone is dressed in gorgeous clothing, wearing lace masks and chatting sedately over cocktails. Then, as the doors open, bombastic inventor Joseph Merlin zooms through with startling speed, wearing a pair of wheeled skates and holding a violin, which he plays haphazardly to a shocked crowd. He’s intent on making an entrance. And make an entrance he does. As he skates forward on the questionable contraption, balancing his violin under his chin, he loses control and veers into one of the expensive mirrors. Both the mirror and violin are lost to Merlin’s shenanigans—to say nothing of Merlin’s dignity.
But thankfully, our theatrical inventor remainedd undaunted. Almost a decade later, in 1743, a theater performance opened with the use of roller skates, designed to mimic ice skates on the smooth stage surface. They became frequently used in plays and caught the eye of theatergoers in Europe.
It wasn’t until 1819 that one Monsieur Petitbled patented the three-wheeled roller skate, which resembled a pair of miniature bikes strapped to one’s feet. Because they did not gain significant speed and were only destined to careen forward in a straight line, a brake wasn’t a terribly urgent invention. However, James Leonard Plimpton, the man credited with popularizing roller skating as a mass recreational activity, reinvented the structure of the skate with a four-wheeled design that allowed skaters to pivot and turn more fluidly, resulting in a greater range of movement—and risk. The wheels were designed to be a pin ball-bearing model, which took significant weight off them. Thankfully, the toe brake was patented shortly after, in 1876.
Plimpton opened the first skating rink in 1866, shortly after his patent was awarded, and he marketed roller skating as an activity for Victorian men and women to enjoy together under the auspices of wholesome exercise but with the underlying notion of looser chaperone policies. Part of Plimpton’s genius was from his careful governing of supply. He never allowed his skates to be bought—only rented—so he could control where and how they were used (in his own rinks, of course). This was a way to keep an eye on the clientele he wanted to cultivate. Even as early as the 19th century, class and race were integral to the way roller skating culture formed.
Roller skating took off in popularity during the Belle Epoque, with doctors applauding the health benefits of the sport. It declined slightly in the years surrounding World War I. Yet from the 1930s to the 1950s, roller skating entered its Golden Age, when public rinks were widely available and frequented by patrons. By then you could rent or buy your own skates, thanks to mass production. Organ music streamed into the rinks, creating a greater social draw, and offshoots of roller skating—like speed skating on tracks and in open areas, as well as figure skating—became popular.
Of course, with the popularity of the drive-in diners of the 1950s, servers needed to get around, using—what else—roller skates. The root of this phenomena came from German bars in the 1840s, where women would skate to deliver beers. (Restaurants like Sonic still provide roller skates for their servers to deliver food.) The disco skating era of the ’70s and ’80s was one of the more iconic moments for roller skating, though with the rise of inline skating in the ’90s, young people were often seen outside weaving on sidewalks with their Rollerblades. (Rollerblades are a trademarked name that has become synonymous with inline skating, but not all inline skates are Rollerblades.) For a brief time, roller skating was applied to military drills, though not to any lasting success.
How to get started with rollerskating
First, you will want to determine what kind of skating you’d like to do. Are you looking for a solo leisure activity? Something to do with kids? Are you looking to get into competitive skating competitions? Outdoor skates will differ from indoor skates, made for gliding on smooth rinks. Comfort is key here, but there’s a huge variety of aesthetics to choose from.
Many starter guides recommend buying a size up from your usual shoe size, and most online retailers offer charts to help you decide. Harder boot designs allow you to go faster and longer, while softer boot designs are more lightweight and allow a greater range of movement, which is useful when doing figure skating. When it comes to wheels, you can choose hard wheels that last longer but have less grip or softer wheels that may wear down faster but provide more shock absorbency. Nearly all quad-style skates come with a toe stop, but it’s nice to be able to have a spare if you plan on doing a lot of skating since they should be replaced before they wear down.
Which roller skates are best for me and my family?
These days, there’s a wide range of roller skates, from the littlest rollers all the way up to adults. You can start with quad skates (four-wheeled skates) or inline skates. Some skates are even incorporated into shoes, for ingenious on-the-go skating. As for bells and whistles, there are plenty to choose from. Some skate wheels light up, flashing beautifully in the dark, while others are created from metallic materials that catch the sunlight and sparkle. The most popular roller skates make a fashion statement, with neon laces, rainbow decals, and many more delightfully retro touches.
When it comes to practicing the sport, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also remind you to invest in helmets and pads, especially for little ones. Like any recreational activity, it’s best to safeguard against the things that can turn a fun experience into a painful one.
Rollerblades or Roller Skates?
This is the number one most asked question from most beginners. While the two terms are frequently used interchangeably, when speaking technically, they are very different. Rollerblades, also known as inline skates, are exactly what they sound like: a group of three to five wheels in line with one another to historically mimic the blade of an ice skate. Roller skates, on the other hand, are a set of four wheels, set in a quad or box-like figure. Roller skates are usually quicker to learn because your center of gravity is already set, making it easier to find and keep your balance. Rollerblades might take a little longer to practice with, but they definitely allow more speed and potential for jumps and tricks.
How do you lace roller skates?
There are a few different ways to lace roller skates. Most of the time, though, you’ll want to lace your roller skates the way you’d lace your shoes. Starting at the bottom of your skate, cross your laces and weave them into a hole. Continue crossing them as you work your way up the skate so that your laces form zigzags as they weave up your skate and so that each hole is filled exactly one time. This method should keep your skates feeling snug and secure—and it should prevent your heel from slipping out of place.
If you have toe pain, you may prefer a looser fit. You can accomplish this by weaving one side of your laces up your skate the way you normally would, and weaving the other through only two holes—one at the bottom of your skate and one at the top of your skate. If you have wide feet, you may prefer to skip lacing a few of the holes at the bottom of your skate, and instead start the criss-cross weave a little higher
WHAT SIZE SHOULD I ORDER?
It’s important to accurately size your foot and compare it to the manufacturer’s size chart to make sure you’re choosing the correct size. Keep in mind that roller skates should have a snug, tight fit. But they should still be comfortable enough to wear for hours without getting blisters.
ARE QUAD SKATES BETTER THAN INLINE SKATES?
If you’re a beginner, quad skates are a safer choice as they offer more stability and have better braking features. Experienced skaters will enjoy trying out inline skates.
CAN WOMEN WEAR MEN’S SKATES?
It’s advised to wear skates specifically designed for your foot type, but women can certainly wear men’s skates. Keep in mind that a woman may need to size down since men’s sizes tend to run large.
Which skate is best for beginners?
Inline skates are more commonly known as rollerblades, and have a single row of wheels down the middle of the skate. The arrangement of the wheels on quad skates gives them more stability, making them good for beginners who struggle with balance.[1]Choosing the right skates for you
How do I choose roller skates?
What Size Roller Skates Should I Buy? Just like any other clothing or accessories, you should always try on or measure skates to determine the correct size. However, in general, you should be able to wear a skate that is the same size or slightly larger than your shoe size, as long as it’s laced properly.
Can you lose weight roller skating?
In fact an hour of inline skating can burn up to 600 calories! As a cardiovascular activity it also gets your heart in shape. 30 minutes of roller skating can raise your heart rate to 148 beats per minute resulting in weight loss and a reduced risk of weight related ailments like heart disease and diabetes.[2]Does Roller-Skating Help Your Legs Lose Fat?
Is roller skating harder than Rollerblading?
Rollerskates may be easier for very young children whose muscles are less developed as standing upright and moving slowly is a bit easier. Teenagers and adults often progress faster on inlines which are agile, and pick up speed outdoors easily. But there is not a huge difference between the two.[3]Is Rollerblading Easier Than Roller Skating?
Is roller skating good for belly fat?
Frequent bouts of cardio exercise, such as roller skating or roller blading, can help you burn that stubborn fat you’re carrying on your belly. Roller skating is an efficient way to burn a large number of calories in a relatively short amount of time, which makes it a quality exercise if you’re trying to lose fat.[4]Does Roller Skating Burn Belly Fat?
How many times a week should I roller skate?
If you’re looking to make roller skating part of your regular workout routine, Strang also recommends doing a basic strength regime 2–3 times per week on top of 2–4 skating sessions per week.
How often should you replace your roller skates?
Anywhere from 1 – 20 years. It totally depends on quality of components, upkeep and maintenance, the type of skating you do, and how often you skate. The wheels may be the first to go, but they can be changed. The key is to clean and maintain your bearings, wheels and other parts to help them last.[5]How Long Will My Skates Last?
Is roller skating more exercise than walking?
For pure calories burned per minute rollerblading is better burning on average 8.7 per minute versus a brisk walking’s 6.2. If you want to get cardiovascular fitness rollerblading allows you to sprint and exert more effort, it also recruits more muscle groups including your core, and it’s a lot of fun.[6]Walking Vs. Rollerblading – Which Is The Best Exercise?
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