Advice on my first pair of skates?

[Franxon]

Hi all,

I'm an absolute newbie and I'm looking to buy my first pair of skates from IW. Your advice is very much appreciated.

I have only inline skated once so far with my friend's skates for about 15 minutes. He thought it was pretty good for a first timer. I used to ice skate in my college days (some 20 years ago). But you can imagine how little is left in me.

My need:
It should fall into the fitness category. Yet I don't fully understand the difference between fitness and x-training so your explanation is much appreciated. I plan to skate 5 miles 3 times a week for a start, on asphalt roads.

My budget:
For my other hobbies I usually try to take as few upgrade steps as possible. So I would begin with the best I could afford (an overkill at the beginning for sure) and never bother myself with equipments until it's really worn out and/or insufficient.

Though I usually get too serious about the new things I take on, I'm no rich people. I'm looking for a full set (including the accessories) within USD 400 that doesn't need upgrade in 3 years. I'm not sure if it sound ridiculous but feel free to laugh at my ignorance if it does.

Please give your advice (it'd be great if you can lay out the full upgrade path but that isn't always possible).

Best regards,

Frank

[IW Staff]

Starting out on skates can be scary. You've already taken the first stride which is the hardest, so congratulations.

There's a true beginner that is easy to outfit really, as we drop to the 80mm wheel size and smaller (not many smaller but a couple at 78mm). The smaller wheel allows to keep the speeds down, and caters to a higher degree of control and maneuverability. The cuffs are rigid and stable to support a beginner the way it needed.

You are not in that category completely as you have some background, and you don't want to have to upgrade in a few years. You don't want to get too much right out of the gate that will turn you off on skating as well. Your $400 budget is more than enough. You'll have plenty left to send me an Xmas gift.

Cross training, the easiest way to put it in regards to skating, is skating recreationally or for fitness. If skating around with kids, or in tight spots, short distances, lots of stops and starts, a recreational skate is best and in that smaller wheel size around 80mm. If getting out to some trails or starting to cover some distance, or having longer skate sessions, or using for fitness purposes, a 'performance' type skate makes more sense that is in the 90mm plus range wheel size. Naturally if not having skated before and you WANT to skate for fitness, you can't just jump on a 90mm and hope to be able to do so.

That being said, the skates will only go as fast you as make them go (don't test by starting on top of hill - you know what I mean). If you get a skate with wheels that may be too large for you now, take it easy until you get the skills up. The downside is that you'll forfeit some control and maneuverability until you get your skills up. Bigger wheels are meant for skating with stride, rather than cater to someone starting out with short choppy steps/skating.

So what about YOU? You get serious about the things you take on. You don't want to have to upgrade in 3 years (a long time there to improve your skating). And you are rich :) What I don't know, is just how comfortable you were when your friend saw you skate. Or how quickly you will improve. Your saying you get pretty into it, I would stay away from the 80mm. Too entry level and you'll be beyond the skate soon enough. 84mm perhaps. But 90mm is where I would throw you at. I would still get something with support and rigidness up top as you aren't Mr. Skater yet. But a Moto 90 or Mach 90 in the K2, or Crossfire 90Mx in the Rollerblade. The RB10 even.

Find yourself some flat areas to practice and get familiar with the speeds, the turns, and the stopping and then branch out from there. 90mm is versatile enough that once you are comfortable on skates, you can enjoy longer skates for fitness and training, and still be maneuverable enough for tighter areas. But remember, you are not Mr. Skater yet. You are just some rich guy with $400 laying around. So know your limits, challenge yourself, but don't do too much too quick. The 90mm wheel won't be as quick or easy to move around, but they will be faster once they are going and maintain the speed easier. They will also take cracks and bumps easier than a small wheel too.

I hope that helps. As for protective and helmet, that's easy. Moto Tri and your choice of helmet RB Workout or Performance helmet. All I've mentioned I've included links for below. You should be able to get out $300 or less depending the skate choice. The 2009 Moto 90 since on clearance, would get you out at about $225. My present is getting better !!

If you only knew you would get a novel back huh? Thanks for the post!
Stan @ IW

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/Rollerblade_Crossfire_90MX_Skates_Mens_2010/descpage-90MX.html

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/Rollerblade_RB10_Urban_Inline_Skates_2010/descpage-RB764.html

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/K2_Moto_90_Fitness_Skates_Mens_2009/descpage-K2M909.html

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/K2_Mach_90_Inline_Skates_Mens_2010/descpage-I10014.html

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/K2_Moto_Tri-Pack_Protective_Gear_Mens_2010/descpage-I10803.html

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/FitPGHelmet.html

[Franxon]

Hey Stan,

Thank you for the heads up. Great help!

Disclaimer: I'm no rich guy!

I suppose most rollerbladers are perhaps in their early 20s while I'm in the second half of my 30s. Many of you will not be as cheap as me when you come to my age. ;^) $400 plus perhaps another $100 for parts for 3 years of exercise and fun isn't too expensive I suppose?

Here I have one more question: as beginners pick up skills, which part of the skates do they usually want an upgrade first? Will they first want softer boots or bigger wheels or a better frame etc? This is a general question. Odds are that the limits are in the skater not the skates in my case.

Thanks once again for your great help!

Cheers,

Frank

[IW Staff]

Most time it is an upgrade in wheel size as beginners start out typically in 78mm or 80mm wheel skates. The bigger wheel allows more speeds as mentioned and works well for longer distances and time on skates.

Wheels wear out and bearings will wear too. Bearings likely last longer than the wheels. So bearing upgrads are common too to make existing set ups spin a bit more freely.

Boot changes are the move from there. Many large wheel skates have support up top and maintain a higher cuff whether it a Powerslide Phuzion 9 or Radical Pro, they still have some meat up top for stability and for when getting lazy after long distances. The higher end skaters start to move to a lower cut cuff that reduces weight and thus fatigue, they are real stiff to be responsive and give power transfer and the lower cut allows for getting on edge to push off and get speeds.

That's fairly how it goes. I myself have a 100 wheel set up I enjoy, and a 90mm setup I enjoy. I prefer some cuff height when I skate as I get tired and it helps me out. The serious folks look to reduce that height and get more freedome of motion. Marathons will be seen in both styles and it just goes to preference on comfort and speed and what you are trying to accomplish. .

Thx again.

[Franxon]

Hi Stan,
I feel guilty. I placed my order of RB10 at Amazon. I always wanted to buy from IW as you gave me so much advice and literally helped me make my choice. Amazon didn't help me with anything.
Unfortunately IW doesn't carry my size (6.5). I can do with 6 but need to wait for 9 days at IW.
I feel bad but I feel obliged to tell you. I hope you understand.
Frank

[IW Staff]

Just kidding.. No hard feelings. I'm here to help and glad I helped with your descision. Just remember where to come for wheels and bearings when needed :)

Great skates. Hopefully you enjoy them. RB takes about 7-9 days to get from them to us and I don't normally go real heavy in the smaller sizes. Bummer we missed out but great you are on wheels.

I did just lower to $236.50 on our site so there !! :)

Again, no hard feelings and thanks for coming to the board. Please let me know how you liked the skates and you can thank me by referring folks to IW and to our new facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/InlineWarehouseFitness?ref=ts

Thanks for skating,
Stan

[TFB66]

Great website and some good information. I am in nearly the same boat as the poster who started this thread almost a year ago. I want to take up inline as a weight loss/fitness to start and long term health hobby. I am mid-40's and at 250# while my ideal weight I am on my way down to is 170.

As another said, I used to ice skate a lot about 20 years ago plus I used to do a lot of 5k and 10k road runs. Unfortunately, time, laziness and poor nutrition took their toll and left me in the poor state where I am at and do not plan on staying any longer. Even with the extra weight, I still tend to be very active such as the work I am in plus playing softball, volleyball, swimming, skiing, etc. I pick up new things rather easily and enjoy the challenges along the way.

Nearly all of my skating will be on the asphalt trails that are around here with occasional trips to the Rollerdome during the winter when the trails ice over. My budget is not a concern as I, too, want to get the right equipment for me so that I start out and continue right.

Show me the way and lets roll...

[IW Staff]

I think you'll take to skating pretty quickly with your past experience, so a 90mm - 100mm skate sounds like a great choice.

The types of boots I would look at are the below. 90mm will be quicker to start and stop and more maneuverable in tight spots, but still getting good speed. The 100mm will be better for longer distance and get more top speeds but you'll start to have less mobility. Both very enjoyable. From there the boot styles will get a little lower profile like the Radical 100 or the Tempest 90/100. If wanting more performance out of your skate and think you'll stick with it, the Tempest 90 or 100 are great choices. More rigidity and power transfer to your feet, lower cut on the boot for range of motion and very light. As it has been a while, I tend to think you'll be better off in one of the below before going to that type of boot style. The added support and stability of the below boots are welcomed for all levels of skaters and when fatigued, you have some more support there than the others.

After all that .... I say one of the 90mm skates :)

K2
Mach 90
Mach 100

RB
Crossfire 90
Crossfire 100

[TFB66]

Okay, that's a good start. Now what about accessories. I would definitely like helmet and pad recommendations but I think the thing I am most concerned about, having been a distance runner in the past, is having the right sock while inlining. What I am specifically looking for is the type of material, brands, thickeness, etc. Thanks again. Hopefully I will have a shopping list to fill on your site within the next few weeks. One other thought while I am thinking about it. How do you size inlines as compared to the everyday shoe you wear in life? Do you go the next half size larger or same size?

[IW Staff]

A sock you may not find on the fitness side, but I like, is the Easton Skate sock. I'll bring this over from our hockey site as it is a great boot high sock. It's a thin sock and feels great. Just my opinion. Some like a cushy sock like the RB Cruzer, others like thin to get more feel for the skate.

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage-ESYSSL.html

As for fit, a snug fit gives best response from a skate. Everyone has their own comfort level however. Many 'pro' skaters wear extremely snug skates as well as pro hockey players. They get the most response and feel for their skate that way. Myself, I like a little room in the toes. I wear size 10 shoes and wear size 10 in both RB and K2 skates.

Helmets will be certified. The RB RaceMachine helmet and Powerslide's Race Pro helmets are great helmets. Bike style helmets.

Thanks for the post!