Different Types Of Roller Skates (10 Types)

If you’re new to roller skating and willing to choose the right pair of skates but confused between the varieties of roller skates, you’re in the right place.

Due to the popularity of roller skates, various types of skates have been designed and manufactured for different purposes. However, for beginners, making the right decision is a bit confusing.

In this blog, we will discuss different types of roller skates that are available in the market these days, so you can easily make an informed decision. We’ll also cover the features and benefits of each one. So let’s get started.

Different Types of Roller Skates

Before you move, you should understand the difference between roller skates and inline skates. Roller skates have four wheels, two in the front and two in the back, while inline skates have three to five wheels that are arranged in one line.

This is the basic difference between the two, and that’s how you can easily identify them. Roller skates are best for indoor and outdoor skating, while inline skates are for outdoor skating.

Roller skates are best for everyone, especially beginners. Whereas, if you want to perform tricks, then inline skates are ideal.

In both roller skates and Inline skates, there are different types of skates that are available in the market. In this article, we are only going to discuss the different types of roller skates.

1. Indoor Roller Skates

Indoor roller skates are designed for skating on an indoor rink or smooth surface. They provide more stability and grip than outdoor roller skates and are usually lighter in weight. The wheels of indoor skates are smaller than the outdoor ones so that they can move easily on a smooth surface.

Also, the indoor roller skates have harder wheels with a durometer of around 95A.

Indoor roller skates are best for recreational and artistic skating, such as figure skating and dance. Hence, they are also known as recreational and artistic roller skates. You can also read our view on roller skating inside house.

2. Outdoor Roller Skates

Outdoor roller skates are designed for skating outdoors on asphalt and concrete surfaces. They are more stable than indoor skates and have bigger wheels that provide more grip on a rough surface.

Outdoor roller skates are best for speed, recreational, and long-distance skating. They come in various sizes, styles, and shapes, so you can choose one according to your requirements.

Also, their wheels are softer (78A to 80A) and bigger than indoor skates, providing more support and comfort.

For more on this, you can also read the difference between indoor and outdoor roller skates.

3. Speed Roller Skates

Speed roller skates are designed with precision and are meant for speed skating. These skates have bigger wheels (up to 65mm) with a hard polyurethane coating that provides faster speed and a good grip on a smooth surface.

They have identified its low cut boot style and its skate-style plates with fixed axles, which provide better control while skating at higher speeds.

Speed roller skates provide more stability, making them ideal for racing or long-distance skating.

Moreover, these skates are lightweight and have a spare wheel system that allows you to switch your wheels easily if one of the wheels wears out.

Also, note that speed inline skates are also available that are specially designed for speed skating but differ from speed roller skates. As said above, they have three to five wheels in a line, whereas speed roller skates have four wheels, two in the front and two in the back.

4. Quad Roller Skates

Quad roller skates are designed for artistic skating, recreational skating, and dance. They are also known as jam skates because they provide more mobility for doing spins and jumps.

Quad roller skates have smaller wheels (58mm to 62mm), providing more comfort and control while skating. They are also lightweight, thus making them easy to carry.

These skates come with various features, such as a toe stop, adjustable straps, boot style, shock absorbers, and low-cut boots for comfort.

5. Roller Derby Skates

Roller derby skates are designed to provide high performance while skating in roller derby competitions. They are similar to indoor roller skates but have improved design, providing more control, speed, and balance.

These skates have bigger wheels (up to 59mm), giving you more stability while turning at high speeds. Moreover, their lower-cut boots provide more flexibility and comfort.

They also have adjustable toe stops, shock absorbers, and ankle straps that help in providing better control and speed.

6. Kids Roller Skates

Kids roller skates are designed for kids and have several features that make them comfortable and user-friendly. These skates usually have smaller wheels (up to 55mm) that are soft and provide more stability for the kids.

They have adjustable straps, low-cut boots, and a toe stop, which makes them easy to use and gives the kids more control while skating.

Kids roller skates come in various sizes, styles, and shapes, so you can choose one according to your kid’s needs. They are usually made of plastic and are lightweight, making them easy to carry around.

If you’re looking for kids roller skates, you can also refer here to the toddler skates for 2 year old.

7. Jam Skates

Jam skates are designed to perform street tricks and break dance. They are similar to quad roller skates but have more features, such as a pivot cup and sure-grip toe stops, which provide better control while skating.

Moreover, they have bigger wheels (up to 62mm) and low-cut boots that provide more stability and flexibility while skating.

These skates are also known as toe skating, spot skating, or shuffle skating and are becoming popular with the younger generation.

8. Artistic Roller Skates

Artistic roller skates are designed for artistic skating, figure skating, and dance. They are similar to quad roller skates and inline figure skates but more specialized for artistic skating.

These skates have smaller wheels (up to 64mm) that provide more stability and control while performing jumps and spins. Moreover, they have adjustable straps and low-cut boots that provide more flexibility while skating.

These skates allow you to perform solo dancing, pair skating, single free dancing, and group dancing. They are perfect for those who want to learn artistic skating or participate in professional competitions.

9. Rhythm Roller Skates

Rhythm roller skates are designed for rhythm skating and dance. They are similar to jam roller skates but have additional features such as bigger wheels (up to 65mm) and a special high-cut boot that provides more mobility and agility for doing spins and turns.

Besides this, Rhythm skates have better flexibility and shock absorption, which makes them more comfortable while skating.

10. Aggressive Roller Skates

Aggressive roller skates are specifically designed for tricks, jumps, and grinds. They have smaller wheels (up to 56mm) that provide more control and stability while skating.

Moreover, they come with laces to provide more support and agility while doing stunts.

These skates are perfect for those who want to learn some basic tricks. They have a special design that allows you to perform various tricks easily.

So there you have it. These are the different types of roller skates available in the market. So choose one according to your needs.

Speed Roller Skates VS Inline Speed Skates

The major difference between speed roller skates and inline speed skates is the wheel alignment and size. Speed roller skates have four wheels, with two in the front and two in the back, while inline speed skates have three to five wheels aligned in a single line.

The size of the wheels also differs, with speed roller skates having smaller wheels (up to 65mm) for greater speed, while inline speed skates have bigger wheels ( 70 mm+) for higher speeds.

Different Types Of Roller Skate Wheels

There are several different types of roller skate wheels, each offering its own unique advantages and disadvantages. The difference is identified by its durometer or hardness rating, which is measured in ‘A’ (soft) or ‘B’ (hard).

Usually, A rating is used overall in which 78A to 88A are considered soft wheels, while 90A to 95A are considered hard wheels. Soft wheels provide more grip on the surface, allowing more control and stability while skating. On the other hand, hard wheels are faster and more suitable for slick surfaces.

In addition, roller skate wheels also come in different shapes, such as round, elliptical, crescent, and square. Round wheels are the most common type used as they provide maximum speed and control. Elliptical and crescent wheels are also used for speed, while square shaped wheels are used for tricks and jumps.

You can also read the difference between roller skates and rollerblades.

Tips For Choosing The Right Roller Skates

So far, you’ve seen the different types of skates available, but how do you know which ones are right for you? Here are some tips to consider before purchasing a pair of roller skates:

Know Your Skill Level: Beginner skaters should choose basic roller skates with good shock absorbency, ankle support, and a comfortable fit. As you progress, you can upgrade to higher performance skates with more features like inline skates.

Know Your Activity: If you’re into tricks and jumps, inline, aggressive, or off-road skates may be best for you. And figure skates are the way to go if you’re looking to dance or practice more artistic moves. Whereas if you’re looking for skates to cruise around on, quad or roller skates offer a more comfortable ride.

Comfort & Fit: When it comes to roller skates, fit is key. Make sure your skates are comfortable and snug so that your feet don’t move around too much when you skate.

Safety Gear: Don’t forget to bring safety gear like helmets, knee pads, and wrist guards. Wearing proper safety gear is always important when skating to reduce the risk of injury.

Once you have considered all these factors, you can make a more informed decision about which roller skates are best for you.

FAQs

Conclusion

Choosing the right type of roller skates can be tricky. Once you know the different types available and their unique features, you can decide which type is best for your needs.

I hope this article has given you a better understanding of the different types of roller skates and helped you to decide what kind is best for you. So, get out there and enjoy your new skates! Happy skating!

Additional Questions

What are different skates called?

Selection of skates is subject to the purpose you want to use them for. You’ve a myriad of options to pick from including **fitness roller blades, roller skates, speed, aggressive, freeskates and derby skates.** The key is choosing a pair that will serve you for a long time and align with your skating requirements. As a passionate skater for many years, I can attest that the comfort and functionality of your skates can greatly enhance or diminish your overall skating experience.

What are skating shoes called?

Commonly known as **roller skates**, skating shoes are essentially shoes or bindings that can be fixed onto regular shoes to enable the user to glide on wheels. I remember when I first started inline skating, the convenience of being able to quickly switch from walking to skating and vice versa was a game changer. These are perfect for people juggling between various daily activities!

What are roller skates called?

Roller skates are broadly split into two categories, namely, **quad skates and inline skates**. Quad skates, with two wheels in the front and two in the back in a square setting, are a different category from inline skates that sport a neat, single line of wheels. The latter are often also referred to as rollerblades. With years of hands-on experience, I can say that each type has its own charm and utility, and it’s really about your personal preference and purpose.

What are beginner skates called?

The skates that are most recommended for newcomers in the skating world are **quad skates or roller skates.** Owing to their unique two-by-two wheel structure, they offer greater stability, thereby making it easier for newcomers to retain balance and gain confidence. Should you wish to take up artistic or jam styles of skating, or perhaps engage in roller derby, these skates are a fantastic choice. As a pro-skating trainer, I consistently recommend these to anyone just starting out as they can truly help build the foundation of good skating skills.