What Are the Different Types of Roller Skates That Exist Today?

It’s spring, and it’s time to get your body moving.

Why not try roller skating? This is a family-friendly activity that gets you tons of vitamin D, and it is a fantastic way to explore the neighborhoods around you.

Better yet, pick a scenic location and zoom down the trails for an unforgettable time.

If it’s been a while since you’ve been skating, you may not know where to start.

Keep reading to learn about some of the most popular types of roller skates of late.

Beginner Skates

Going rollerskating can be intimidating for a first-timer. You probably want a beginner-friendly skate with the flexibility to explore different types of skating.

Here are some of the best options for maximum stability and comfort.

Moxi Skates Beach Bunny Roller Skates

These skates are a great bang for your buck at only $169, and you may be able to find them secondhand as well since they’re a popular beginner option.

The skates feature 78a wheels, meaning the wheels are soft and best suited for outdoor terrain, though they work well in a wooden rink too.

The vinyl material offers great ankle support, and the form factor of these skates makes them versatile if you ever want to branch out to other forms of skating.

Impala Quad Skate

This is a step up from the Beach Bunny’s, and they are for more intermediate beginners who split their time between rinks and the outdoors.

They feature a medium wheel hardness of 82a, which makes them a great hybrid beginner skate.

These boots are made of a stiff synthetic material that will give beginners the stability they need.

If the wheels are too tight upon purchase, you can loosen them with a Y3 tool.

Roller Derby Skates

These skates are specifically meant to be for the roller derby sport, so if you’ve joined a club, look for them.

Note that Roller Derby is an intense sport, so you want to look for skates with maximum durability.

Because they are meant for professional sport, a pair of roller derby skates may set you back a few hundred dollars at least.

Beginners can try the Riedell R3 Roller Derby Skates, and intermediate skaters the Antik AR2 Roller Skates.

You can check out RollerSkateDad roller skate reviews for a professional opinion.

Inline Skates

These skates are designed to go fast, period. They’re a great option for outdoor skating if you’re looking to get fit through a taxing aerobic activity.

They are hard to balance because of the “inline” wheel format though, so they may not be as beginner-friendly.

Speed Skates

Once you’re more familiar with skating, you can consider a pair of speed skates.

These skates feature low-cut boots allowing for maximum ankle flexibility with a tradeoff in stability. They are tight-fitting and look more like a shoe than other skates.

If you want to do tricks, turn tight corners at high speed, and go zoom, then these are the skates you’ll want to look into.

Jam Skate

Another option for trick skating is the Jam skate, which again has a low top. The difference between a jam skate and a regular quad speed skate is the absence of a speed stop; the speed stop impedes jam skating tricks.

Find the Best Types of Roller Skates for You

Roller skating is a blisteringly fun activity with numerous health benefits. The activity has a high skill-ceiling as well, meaning you won’t get bored of it anytime soon when there are so many tricks to learn. There are numerous types of roller skates out there, so get building your collection today!

For more guides, visit our Sports Tips section!

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