When it comes to rollerblades vs roller skates (also known as inline skates and quad skates), everyone has an opinion on which is better to work with and which is simpler to get started with. Roller skating is a popular activity that people take part in across the globe. It’s even used in many sports like roller hockey, roller derby, and rollerball.
If you haven’t spent much time doing either, you might be wondering which is the right option or you. We wanted to give you an answer so you can get out there and enjoy your own skating. However, you’ll need to think about what you want to get out of the activity and what goals you have for the future.
What is the Difference Between Roller Skates and Roller Blades?
The biggest difference between roller skates and inlines is how the wheels are set up. This also has an effect on how the skates work and which appeals to what kind of person. In addition, some sports like roller derby and roller hockey use one type of skate rather than the other, which may make determining which you want to learn a bit easier.
When it comes to a roller skate, there are four wheels that are in two rows in a similar manner to a car or a skateboard. There are thick wheels with rubber brakes in front of them and the skates must be laced up to be used. You can think of it as similar to wearing a leather boot if that boot had a set of wheels underneath it.
With a rollerblade, there are still four wheels, but the wheels are all in a single row. The wheels on inline skates are also thinner than the wheels on a roller skate, which means less stability. The rubber brakes on these are located in the back instead of the front. The body of the skate is hard and will have air spaces to ventilate your foot and let your feet breathe more easily.
Roller skates are often used for roller derby, artistic skating, and jam skating. On the other hand, freestyle, roller hockey, and speed skating are more commonly done with a pair of inlines. If you want to spend most of your time skating outside, an inline is going to be the right choice. Roller skating is typically done inside instead.
Rollerblades vs Roller Skates - What To Use
There are several things to think about in terms of which method is easier to learn and use. The two items are designed differently and work better for certain things. If you are looking for stability, roller skates are easier to balance on and may be simpler for a beginner to use. Rollerblades can be harder to stand up on and use for newcomers to skating.
If going quick is more important, inline skates are the best option. They are going to be much quicker than traditional skates could hope to be. The same amount of effort used on rollerblades will get you farther faster than when on roller skates. All it takes is a bit of skill to shoot down the street and once you have the balance down, even uneven roads will be no issue. The way each wheel is set up in a row design offers a design that creates better speed.
When it comes to the simplicity of braking and turning, the traditional skate has the upper hand. Inlines let you make sharp turns and that means the need to worry about speed to avoid an accident. This isn’t the case with roller skates since they make wide turns instead. Those who want the simplest method of stopping and turning should choose a roller skate. The wheel on this sort of skate is the simplest to get started with.
In addition to stability, speed, and simplicity, you should also be aware that traditional skates and inline skates also impact different muscle groups. With roller skates, you can expect to make use of the glutes, calves, hamstrings, lower abdomen, and thighs. When you are on inlines, you also need to use the muscles of your hips. This is because the wheels are in a single row, so hip movements help balance the body.
Answering which is easier to use is hard since both have pros and cons associated with them. It depends entirely on what you want to do which option will fit your needs. If you are a beginner, you could even try both and see which feels more natural to you. Those who prefer to start with just one option may find traditional skates and roller skating are the better option due to the lower skill level needed to become proficient.
Choosing the Right Type of Skates
When choosing between inline skates vs quad skates, a beginner who has no specific goal can choose whatever appeals most to them. Most of the techniques for beginners are easily transferred to the other sport if that changes down the road. In addition, most skating classes in rinks offer classes that have students in both quad skates and inline skates for beginners.
Some people will prefer to choose a skate that meets their interests. Traditional quad skates are designed to do stunts, tricks, and maneuvers with less skill which can be a plus for those who want to get out there and learn quickly. Inline skates can also be used for all of these things, but novices may find them harder to use. The rigid frame makes it harder to do spins, turns, and jumps while on the rink.
Skaters using quad skates will need strength, stamina, and balance, but the level of difficulty will vary from one person to the next. If you already know what style you are interested in, such as aggressive, figure, or slalom, it’s best to start with the skate that corresponds to that activity. If you are having fun on the rink while you roller skate, that’s really all that matters so choose the option that works best for you.
Conclusion
The truth is that both quad skates and inline skates can be a lot of fun for skating. You can exercise and have a good time using either. However, if you want to get involved with specific sports, you want to think about the traditional skate for that sport as well as what gear and training you are going to need. Once you do that, you can start having a lot of fun while you roller skate or blade through the neighborhood.