NEW SKATES BUYING GUIDE

So you want to buy your first pair of skates but you don’t know where to start…

Well here is the article for you! This is a very common question we get so I’m going to offer some basic info on how to find the right skates for you. I’m going to talk about entry level skates here and not high level ones. When you move up into the higher price range and performance skates, you will want to consider many more options and the customization of components which is a whole other can of worms!! Let’s keep it as simple as possible for now ☺️

First things first, consider what kind of skating you want to do. Generally, you can do most “kinds” of skating on any pair of skates but there are some notable things to consider depending on if you’ve got specific plans for your skating journey.

The first question:

Do you want to play roller derby, or be an on-skates official/referee for derby? If your answer is yes, then seriously consider going for a derby style boot. The main differences are that a derby boot has no heel or a very minimal one.

Heeled skates can shift your weight forward, making stability in derby stance a problem. The second main difference is that derby boots are cut lower around the ankle for more range of motion and freedom of ankle movement required for derby maneuvering. Flat derby skates also allow for more power transfer from you to your wheels and faster acceleration – both things you’ll want for derby! Adjustable toe stops (see #gear post on Anatomy of Skates) are pretty much a must if you want to progress in derby.

Now…..

If your answer was “No way dude, derby ain’t my jam,” then keep reading! I like to break down other type of popular skating to include dance/jam skating, skate park/aggressive street skating, and general recreational skating (both indoor and outdoor). You can do any of these types of skating on any kind of skate you want but the following information are may help you choose the best skate for the type of skating you want to focus on.

Dance/jam skates can basically be anything – some choose to skate in flat boots, some in heeled, some in tall, some in short – there is no wrong choice here. Find something you think looks cool and is comfortable. Much of this is personal preference and you can go a long way with dance skating on a well chosen beginner boot. The one main recommendation is that you choose a skate that has a plate with adjustable toe stops so you are able to remove/replace them with dance plugs eventually. NOTE: You may find low crouching/sitting moves such as “shoot the duck” easier with a heeled boot.

Skate park/aggressive street can also be done on many types of skates but as you progress to higher level skills there are some elements you’ll want in a park skating boot. Park skaters most often choose a heeled boot (or boot with partial internal heel lift) as it brings your weight slightly forward. This, in its most simple terms, helps you from falling backwards in a bowl or when landing tricks in the transition .

Park skates typically will be a taller in ankle height with medium to high support through the boot and up through the ankle. Many people CAN park skate in floppy boots, but you’ll feel 100% more secure and solid in a stronger boot. Also make sure you choose something with 10 to 20 degree kingpin plates to allow for park skate modifications (slide blocks/wide trucks, etc.). Dedicated park skates can be a big investment and are generally not someone’s first pair of skates unless you KNOW it’s the skating style you want to do.

General recreational skating is another one that comes very much down to personal preference. What do you find appealing aesthetically? Not sure about heels or flat? Do you have a friend whose skates you could try? Ask around at class and see if you’d be able to test out some different styles.

Also, pay attention to the wheels that come stock on the skates. If you plan to use them both indoors and outdoors, you may want to start with a hybrid wheel. Or, you could invest in two sets of wheels – one harder set for indoors (our gym is well suited to roughly 92a) and one outdoor set for riding on pavement/bumps/varied terrain (these wheels are usually closer to 85a, larger and gummier).

With a simple tool (Y3 skate tool is great) and a quick YouTube search, wheels can easily be switched out but you’ll probably want to have a dedicated set of bearings for both sets of wheels. NOTE: Wheels purchased on their own don’t come with bearings so don’t forget to add bearings to your cart when buying a second set of wheels.

General info

We always try to nudge people towards purchasing skates with adjustable toe stops if at all possible. For the extra $50-ish, you really open up many more options for your skating.

Our other suggestion is to always buy skates made by a reputable skate company. Skates found on Amazon or from fashion shops are made for fashion not function and though they may roll, they will not perform. It’s rather like buying a car that was designed by a plumber – it just doesn’t make sense.

What’s the best way to know which skate companies are reputable? Buy them from a reputable roller skate shop! We have 7 dedicated roller skate shops in Canada, all of which have shipping and most of them have excellent customer service. Check our list of Canadian skate shops and info about them.

Our first suggestion is always rollergirl.ca as a Vancouver shop, their shipping time and end costs tend to be lower. Other Canadian shops carry different stock so don’t be shy to reach out to shops in other provinces if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

I know there are so many choices out there and it can feel overwhelming when you’re first starting out so don’t be scared to lean into the community for help. We have an excellent group of people in the group who can share personal reviews and advice, so just ask if you have any questions!

Now all that’s left is to have fun and roll on!