by Jonathan List

Created on: January 05, 2010   Last Updated: January 07, 2010

When you decide to buy rollerblades for the first time, you will find a world opening up that you never expected. There are many different kinds of rollerblades, and it is left to you to decide the type that will best fit your needs. First, you need to do a little self exploration: Why are you going to be buying roller blades, and how much skating experience do you have? Answering these simple questions will help you determine which kind of skate you should get.

::Recreational Skates::

These skates are ideal for the beginning skater, or for someone who wants to use their skates for the occasional romp around the neighborhood. These skates are typically easy to put on, and allow you to get your feet under you without dropping hundreds of dollars on a new pair of skates. These skates often come with a braking system, designed to slow down inexperienced skates.  

The wheels are usually 70-80mm, which is a good mid-range size. The higher-end recreational skates are usually used by fitness enthusiasts who find skating to be a refreshing way to burn some calories.

::Aggressive Skates::

These are the skates that many professional skaters use on a half-pipe or skate course. These skates often have smaller wheels and a grind plate in the middle to reduce the wear-and-tear from rail-slides and grinds.

The construction of an aggressive skate will be much more durable than most of the other kinds of skates because they need to withstand the jolts and jostling of jumps and bumps.  

If you have a teen who is interested in extreme sports, this is probably the skate that they are looking for. These kinds of skates cost more than a recreational skate, but they will withstand the punishment of an afternoon at a skate park.

::Speed Skates::

When you want to go fast on a set of inline skates, you want a set of speed skates. The larger wheels and longer base make these ideal for beating your best time at the track. These are not ideal for people who want to do anything other than beat their best time.  

A fifth wheel is include on the frame to allow for more friction while pushing off. There are typically no breaks and the skates are made as light as possible.

::Hockey Skates::

If you play hockey during the icy season, and you want to keep your puck-handling skills strong through the summer, you will want a pair of Hockey Skates. These are built like traditional ice-hockey skates, and in many instances are built by the same company that makes their icy cousins.  

They are durable, usually have metal frames and mid-sized wheels. Rarely do they have breaks, but they do include some extra padding to reduce hockey stick induced injuries.

::Conclusion::

Get a set of skates that will serve you well for years. Cheap skates will wear out quickly, and will frustrate the skater before too long. Make sure you do not buy a pair of skates sight unseen. Remember, skates are footwear.  

You would not tell your cousin to go buy a pair of running shoes for you, so do not do the same with your inline skates. Make sure you buy skates that can be returned if it turnes out they chafe or rub your feet raw. There are many different manufacturers of inline skates, so make sure you read some reviews before you buy.  Have fun and skate safe!

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