Purchasing Fitness Skates

When selecting fitness inline skates, consider three key aspects: You ought to choose approximately one European or half a UK size larger than your standard footwear, think about the wheel size, and decide between a soft-boot or a hard-boot.

Watch this video, which swiftly walks you through essential information you should know before purchasing your initial pair of recreational or fitness inline skates.

Fitness skates are equally ideal for exercise and leisure activities, providing smooth and enjoyable rides. Renowned for their excellent fit and superior comfort, they also offer breathability for ease of use. People of all ages, from children to seniors, can enjoy using fitness inline skates.

Fitness Inline Skates - Ideal for Health and Socialising

Fitness skates present a delightful method of burning calories while enjoying fresh air. Additionally, they offer a superb social activity to share with family, friends, or your partner.

Many medical professionals even propose inline skating as a substitute for running if you face knee issues, as the long, sliding movements in skating are gentler on the knees compared to the impact of running. Despite this, you still have the joy of experiencing nature.

Recreational inline skates come in a wide variety of models and designs, ensuring you'll find a pair that suits your preference.

Wheel Considerations for Fitness Inline Skates

Wheel Dimension

The selection of wheel size depends on the distance you intend to cover.

For lengthy distances (such as marathons or regular workouts), opt for larger wheels. They assist in maintaining speed with reduced energy expenditure. We suggest wheel dimensions of 90-100 mm in diameter, or even 110 mm.

For shorter distances (such as city skating), use smaller wheels. These enhance manoeuvrability, simplifying stops and turns. We suggest wheel dimensions of 80-84 mm.

Wheel Hardness

The wheel hardness is denoted with an A. For fitness inline skates, a suitable hardness is 78-85A.

The higher the A number, the harder the wheels.
The lower the A number, the softer the wheels.

The wheel hardness impacts the lifespan, grip, speed, and shock-absorbing qualities of the wheels.

Softer wheels provide better grip and shock absorption but have a shorter lifespan and reduced speed.
Harder wheels offer longer lifespan and increased speed but less grip and shock absorption.

Peruse our guide Wheel terms explained, should you wish to know more about skate wheels.

Bearings

To ensure peak performance from your skates, it's crucial to care for the bearings appropriately. This involves:

Minimising exposure to water and moisture.
Avoiding contact with sand and dirt.

The bearing is a vital component within the wheel that affects the wheel’s spinning capability. At SkatePro, we typically classify bearings according to the ABEC scale, which signifies the precision of the bearing.

Higher ABEC ratings denote higher precision and reduced rolling resistance – enhancing speed maintenance and facilitating a smoother roll.

We advise purchasing from a reputable brand rather than solely focusing on the ABEC rating, as bearing quality is determined by multiple factors. An ABEC 5 bearing from one brand may perform better than an ABEC 7 from another. For further insight into bearings, explore our guide Buying bearings.

Boots and Liners

Soft-Boot vs. Hard-Boot

Your choice between a soft or hard-boot/shell is primarily governed by personal preference.

A soft-boot/shell typically offers more comfort and ventilation.
A hard-boot/shell generally provides additional stability and control.

Liners

In some skates, you may opt to purchase an additional liner (inner boot) for enhanced comfort. However, this is usually unnecessary for fitness inline skates, as they are crafted with a comfortable liner from the outset, delivering exceptional comfort – a characteristic they are well-known for.

Inline Skates for Women and Men

Inline skates are often classified into women’s and men’s models, primarily differing in visual design. Nonetheless, some brands have crafted models tailored to the anatomy of women’s and men’s feet. If you wish to purchase fitness inline skates designed for the opposite gender from our online shop, do not hesitate to contact us for further guidance.

Size/Fit

Always consult the size guide available on the specific product pages, where applicable.
Select roughly one EU size larger than your typical shoe size, unless otherwise specified in the size guide.
Test the skates for about 10-15 minutes. Only trial them indoors if you plan on returning them.

You should have some wiggle room for your toes. They shouldn’t press against the front of the skate. If your inline skates feel tight from the start, they will cause discomfort during extended sessions. Keep in mind, however, that boots often loosen over time, with soft-boots expanding more than hard-boots.

Individuals with slimmer feet often opt for models such as K2 skates due to their snug fit. Conversely, brands like Rollerblade and Powerslide are commonly chosen by individuals with wider feet.

Since the fit of a skate is highly personal and feet differ significantly, the first pair of inline skates you try may not be a perfect fit. This necessitates experimenting – akin to traditional footwear. Don’t forget to utilize the specified size guides – they will assist you greatly.

Closure Systems - Buckles and Laces

Fitness inline skates typically include a closure system comprising both buckles and laces. Certain models even feature a unique wire tightening system that secures the skates by turning a knob. Buckles offer quicker fastening than laces, making it easier to achieve consistent fit. Laces, however, allow for varied tightness along the foot.

Your choice between different closure systems hinges on personal taste. Most importantly, pick a closure system that delivers the right fit for complete and optimal control of your inline skates.

Brake

Most skates come with a pre-installed brake, which you can switch to the opposite skate if you prefer braking with the other foot. As brakes will eventually wear out, we recommend purchasing an extra pair from the start.

This ensures you have replacements readily available and prevents the risk of the brake being discontinued. Notably, reputable brands generally offer brakes for a particular model over an extended period.

Frames

The frame of fitness inline skates is often crafted from aluminium, which is more rigid and stable, thus providing superior power transfer compared to a nylon/composite frame. If cutting seconds from your lap time is crucial, opt for an aluminium frame. However, if your intentions are workouts and leisurely rides, the material does not significantly matter.

Skate Safety Gear

We always advocate for the use of certified safety equipment. Therefore, our offerings only include equipment certified according to EN 1078 standards. Additionally, most of our gear undergoes further testing by skaters.

At a minimum, we suggest a skate helmet for additional head protection and wrist guards since hands are commonly used during a fall.

Bear in mind, skate protection not only shields you but also imparts a sense of security, emboldening you to try new things and thereby learning faster. Moreover, should you fall, the experience is far less painful with safety gear on.

Explore our extensive range of fitness skates

Do not hesitate to reach out for further guidance if you have any queries. Our customer support team is always eager to assist. :-)