Tips On Buying Roller Skates
We get a lot of interest from new skaters about buying roller skates. There’s a ton of selection out there and pinning down what works best for you can be cumbersome. If you are in the area and need help, we suggest coming by the rink and talking to one of our coaches to get the best advice. If you’re unable to or would just like some basic tips here are a few things to consider:
What type of skating do you plan on doing?
If you aspire to try artistic roller skating, we suggest a high-cut ankle on the boot. This will provide you with the support you need to perform the skills. You will also need roller skates with a toe-stop in the front for many of the toe-assisted jumps, stopping, and toe-work choreography.
What is your budget?
For entry-level competitive artistic roller skating, a decent pair of roller skates will run about $160 brand new, but buyer beware - these breakdown fairly quickly and won’t last much longer than 3 months. If you are looking for roller skates that are more durable and offer great support, those will run about $350 or more but can easily last a year or longer. The more expensive skates offer a lot more support and ease of skating which makes the skills we teach much more easier to perform. Cheaper skates simply are not built for artistic roller skating, they are meant for casual skating where very little demand is required of them.
How often do you skate?
If you can only skate once or twice a week, a cheaper pair of skates ($160) are fine. If you are skating more than twice a week, you will need something much more durable or you run the risk of the boot becoming floppy and offering no support. A floppy boot is useless. You will be fighting to gain control of your edges and properly steer your skates. The more you skate, the more wear and tear you put on the boot and equipment.
These are just a few considerations to take in before investing in your own pair of roller skates. We encourage all of our students to consult with one of our coaches before buying skates so we can discuss all your options, properly size you, and quote you on skates.