With more South African influencers showcasing their love for roller skating, it is impossible not to question whether roller skating is making a comeback.
With lockdowns and other restrictions having kept us homebound for months, you might expect the sales of roller skates to be on the increase. With gyms often being closed, roller skates may seem like the next best thing to get hearts racing.
Perhaps, all those roller skating workout videos inspired many to buy skates.
For kids, a girl's training skate goes for about R399 at Game and a boy's training skate is about R299. At such affordable prices, there is no reason why you shouldn't take a keen interest in roller skating. However, which skates do you buy? If you search the Game website, you will see that inline skates are also available. Did you know that inline skates are commonly called rollerblades too?
Deciding which skates to buy poses a conundrum, especially for skating beginners.
Which skate is best for you? Which skate is best to use for a particular type of skating?
We at Superprof examine some of the best roller skates and roller blades that you ought to consider.
Types of Roller Skates
Let's say that you have been considering the difference between indoor and outdoor skating, you may have a clue of what type of skate you need to find. However, remember that you need inline skates if you are skating outdoors, and a pair of traditional skates - also known as quads - if you are skating indoors.
Inline Skates
Inline skates which are commonly bought for outdoor skating are also called roller blades. The nice thing about these rollerblades is that if you fall, your ankles are tightly held in your boots.
"Rollerblades" was one of the first companies to come up with inline skates and thus the name rollerblades have always been used to describe the inline skate. The wheels of this particular skate are in line with each other and there are 3 to 5 wheels on each skate.
Quad Skates
If you are more interested in skating indoors, opt for quad skates (traditional skates). As the name states, quad skates have four wheels. This means that your weight will be more balanced on the skates so you are less likely to topple over.
Then again, we always suggest that you start with training skates; a pair of skates that provides that added sense of stability that your first time on the roller rink wouldn't offer.
Inline Skates vs Quads
Now that you know which skates are meant for indoor skating and which skates are best for outdoor skating, let's talk about further differences between the two skate types.
With quad skates, you are given a better chance to flex your feet, however, inline skates were not meant for foot flexing. Surely if you want to flex your feet, choose a quad skate.
We also suggest quad skates for those who are just starting to learn how to do tricks or even those who want to skate fluidly around the ice skating rink.
The Difference Between Roller Skates and Roller Blades
Despite many confusing definitions of both roller skates and roller blades, it must be mentioned that traveling long distances is possible with rollerblades. You can travel far with roller skates, however, it is more difficult to travel long distances with roller skates.
Roller skates are commonly bought by children or beginner skaters simply as it offers far more balance and allows you to feel stable.
Truth be told what you can do well while wearing roller skates, you won't necessarily be able to do well when you are wearing rollerblades. While many argue that you are better off learning how to skate with rollerblades, the onus is on you to try on both roller skates and rollerblades and see which wheeled contraption you prefer.
In fact, with inline skates you can have more stability as you skate, although inline skates are far less nimble than quad skates.
With quads you can perfect dancing, figure skating, derby skating, pair skating, artistic skating as well as precision team skating.
Are you keen on knowing all about how to dance with your quad skates?
If you take a trip back to the 1980s, you surely will see how enthusiastic skaters danced in synchronised movements to disco tunes with their skates on.
You may just enjoy reading all about roller skating in the '80s.
You too could light up the dance floor with your skating ability.
Are you still confused as to how to pick out the right pair of skates for you?
Take a second just to think about what you value more from a pair of skates...
- If you value agility and the types of movement that you can do, purchase quad skates.
- If you are more interested in skating fast, choose inline skates.
All this talk about roller skates and the fact that roller skates are so readily available nowadays makes us question if roller skating is making a comeback.
Trying Out Different Skates
"I wonder if the person who invented the first pair of skates understood how much joy was brought to the world." - Anonymous
There's no question that whichever pair of skates you settle for, the joy that you experience while skating will be the same.
Each type of skate has varying wheel diameters and every wheel is different in terms of hardness or softness.
With roller blades, skaters can optimise the performance of their skates by alternating wheel arrangements. However, it is never recommended to try certain adaptions to roller skates as having differently sized wheels on your roller skates could destabilise your skates entirely.
We looked at the overall difference between roller skates and rollerblades, but what we barely ever mention is that roller skates tend to have wheels that are smaller in diameter than that of the wheels of roller blades. Wheel size affects how fast or how slow the skates will go.
The best way to choose whether you would like to purchase roller skates or roller blades is by trying all types of skates first before you make your decision. When you rent skates at a roller skating rink, you are given pairs of skates so you can get a feel for the different types of skates on the market.
The skate that feels perfect for you is always the one you should get.
While you mostly heard talks of the traditional roller skates in the '80s, roller blades hit the market thereafter and stole the limelight. Eventually, all the talk was on rollerblades and every pair of skates was labelled rollerblades.
Check out this article on roller skating in the 80s here on Superprof.
Roller Blading vs Skating
While roller skating or rollerblading is lots of fun, you must keep in mind that there are rules that you must follow.
"Skaters have bruises because they try hard, not because they suck at skating." - Anonymous
If you are new to the skating game and are starting off as a beginner, remember that quad skates are believed to be the skates that offer the most comfort.
You may just avoid many bruises if you opt to start skating with quad skates.
We suggest that if you are still baffled and unsure of which skates will be best for you, you start off practicing how to skate with rental skates.
Getting a feel for the different types of skates is an essential first step towards skating success. While many skaters advise that roller skates are the pair of skates that are far more versatile, you are the one that needs to decide which type of skates works best for you!
A trip to your local skate park or skate rink surely will do a world of wonders in helping you to determine whether to choose a roller blade or roller skate.
If you do make your way to a roller skating park, you will find that the quad skate type means far more difficulties when skating on the gravel and tar. If you are skating in an indoor skating rink, the inline skates may cause many skating hurdles on the smooth rink.
Personal preference will determine which skate type is your best bet. All types of skates have their ups and downs. Know fully what you want from a pair of skates and don't settle until you've tried a specific pair of skates.
Skating is truly great fun but nevertheless, like with all sports, don't forget about the rules.
Choosing the right pair of skates is especially important if you are participating in a skating competition.
"When it comes down to competition, it's not always about the best skater, it's about who skates the best in that competition." - Gracie Gold
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