Buying rollerskates

This guide contains many tips and rules of thumbs for buying rollerblades. It is based on several years of experience and will help you no matter if you buy used or new roller skates. Use this guide before and after your purchase of rollerblades.

Before you look at roller skates

Different types of roller skates are available, and even for different level of skaters. Decide what kind of rollerblades that fit your need. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to start with fitness-skates.

Also remember that you will usually get what you pay for. Use the retail prices in the table as a rule of thumb for how much you need to pay. Roller skates on sale and used rollerblades are usually cheaper. Sometimes you can be lucky to find last-years model on sale. You can save money if you don't care about having the latest model.

After you identified your type of roller skates and the price level you want to look at, you are ready to go shopping.

When looking at roller skates

If possible try different roller skates in different shops. Remember that the single most important factor is how well the rollerskates fit your feet. Note that some high-end hockey and speed-skates are constructed in a way, that they need to be heated in order to adapt the shape of your feet - but still aim for the rollerblades that fit you best.

A few tips:

• Try out the roller skates with the socks you want to use when skating.
• The fit varies between different brands, but sometimes also between different models. 
• Shoe-sizes can vary between different roller skates brands.
• Try out both roller skates on your feet as long time as possible.
• Trust your first impression. Do you feel a pressure point after 1 min, then you get sores at that point, after ½ hours of skating.
• Your feet expands during the day. Therefor you need to try on the roller skates in the afternoon. If not, you may end up with rollerblades that are too small.
• If you weight more than 80 kg (175 lbs), then check the stiffness of the frame. You may want to consider models with aluminium-frames.
• You should be able to move your toes a bit. If your toes touches or you can not move them, try a larger size or a wider model.

When you found the roller skates with a good fit, you can do your final selection based on the other factors:

• Wheels - If you are a fitness/speed skater, the aim for the wheels with the largest diameter (highest speed and highest duration). Diameter is not so important for hockey and aggressive skates.
• Bearings -  Most bearings have an "abec"-rate. This number says little about quality. Instead look at the bearings to see if the are branded and check out the steel quality (chrome-steel or better preferred).
• Closure system - Click-buckles, traditional laces or quick-laces is a question about personal taste. The advantage with the new quick-laces is that they usually is much faster to loosen/tighten that traditional laces.
• Spare parts - Can you get spare brakepads and wheel-axles for the roller skates? If not, consider alternative roller skates.

It is a very good idea to consider adjustable roller skates for kids. Few years ago adjustable roller skates were quite fragile, but today most adjustable roller skates for kids have an quite good quality (except skates wthin the lowest price level)

After you have bought the roller skates

Do not start on the street. Instead try the roller skates at home in your living room. Again test if everything feels correct without pressurepoints. If they do not fit well, then return the roller skates and buy some others instead. At home in your living room you can also get comfortable with the balance in your new rollerblades, before you enters the street.

Safety equipment is a very good investment. Buy as a minimum wrist quards and helmet (for smaller kids a helmet and knee-protection is the most important).

Have fun with your new roller skates.