If you’re new to the skating game, you may not have realized just how many options there are available. You can buy skates for leisure skating, for jam skating (that’s dance skating, in case you didn’t know), for speed skating, and for tricks. You can buy skates for roller derby or inline hockey. You can buy skates that glow, skates that sparkle, or skates that are moving pieces of art. But before you get overwhelmed searching for the perfect roller-skates, there’s a much more basic question: quad skates or inline?
Quad Skates
Quad skates have been skaters’ go-to wheels since the roller-skating craze began in the late 1800’s. And why mess with a good thing? Quad skates have better balance, give the ankle more room to move, and are easily customized for speed skating, jam skating, or derby races. Many skaters also enjoy the classic construction of quad skates, which have a front toe stop for easy braking.
Inline Skates
“Do I want inline skates, or are they so 90’s?”
Yes, inline skates boomed in popularity just before the new millennium, making them a point of nostalgia for kids of the 90’s (and often something to avoid for 80’s babies). But picking a skate isn’t all about era. Inline skates may require more skill to balance, but they gain greater speeds and have greater mobility than most quad skates. They’re versatile enough for both indoor and outdoor skating, have sturdy ankle support, and are by far the most popular choice for aggressive skating and speed skating.
Still can’t choose? Check out the quad and inline skates available at Skate World. If you want to give ’em both a whirl, switch out your skate rentals and give both types a go. For more information on buying roller-skates, call Skate World Lakeland.