What is the difference between aggressive skates and inline skates

Roller Hockey is one of the fastest growing sports for people of all ages and as a result, roller hockey skates have become immensely popular. This however isn't a huge surprise when you factor in that the popularity of inline skates is attributed to two hockey players. Their desire to train for ice hockey when ice was not readily available has evolved into a sport for all ages and genders a global level.

Roller hockey is a fast paced, high energy game that requires less equipment with more action than ice hockey! Most local indoor roller rinks offer roller hockey leagues for every one. The design of roller hockey skates is very similar to ice hockey skates. Boots are made with reinforced leather and stitching, with some using additional material such as carbon fiber or plastic to enhance the boot.

The fit and feel is also similar to an ice hockey skate, so the transition for ice hockey players is practically seamless. Most roller hockey frames are made of airplane grade aluminum that provides increased durability and a lower weight. For the serious skater who is looking for competition and fitness, racing skates offer thebest of both worlds.

Racing skates are the fastest skates available due to the use of advanced inline skating technology. The purpose of their design is simple: Go Fast! If you're interested in a simple stroll around the neighborhood this isn't the option for you. They also utilize a maximum of five wheels chassis setup and no brake.

Boots design is much like a shoe with a soft boot reinforced with carbon fiber. Additionally, the cuff is lower because a taller boot means more weight. Wheels are typically very large in diameter to give the racer more speed and better acceleration.

Also, the frame of a racing is made of either carbon fiber or aluminum to further reduce the skate weight and increase skating performance. When it comes to racing skates, the bottom line is that they designed for speed and nothing else. More control and power with freeride than recreational, because of sturdier boots. So with fitness skates some of that push is transferred instead to the bending or cushioning of parts of the boot, in order to keep you comfortable. But you still get okay transfer of power in fitness skates, just not as much as with the sturdier freeride.

But in the case of freeride skates they come ready to upgrade the different components. This can be very useful for you to work out in the future the perfect components for your skates. The main benefit is you might want to go from four medium sized wheels on freeride skates to three large wheels, for example.

These recreational skates often come with brakes and look similar to the ones you can buy for children with a brake sticking out at the back.

These are for skating up and down to help burn calories and enjoy yourself. But actually, a lot of skaters recommend you get a full-on freeride skate instead.

This is the thing with cones on the ground where your skates move around them really quickly. Freestyle may also have a slightly shorter wheelbase. This means that the wheels seem to almost fit underneath the boot, they are slightly smaller wheels and closer together.

That means they turn on the spot a little more easily. Lower-profile cuffs minimalize ankle support, enhancing articulation and flex and allowing for a lower and more aerodynamic stride technique. These skates are designed around creating a skating experience that allows you to maximize the distance traveled with each stride with minimal loss of energy.

As such, these skates are neither maneuverable nor particularly supportive, making them an unsuitable option for beginners. Moreover, the larger wheels place the skater higher from the ground, further reducing stability, which requires greater ankle strength and balance. These skates perform best on trails, paths, enclosed tracks, and open roads.

On these unobstructed pathways skaters are able to experience a very rhythmic and methodical stride. Long distances can be covered with ease by simply maintaining a constant unchanging stride. When choosing options from the Speed collection, the most important aspect is determining the appropriate wheel size. More often than not a 90mm wheel set up is more than sufficient, as this type of set up offers the best combination of speed and control, without overly limiting maneuverability.

Freeride skates offer a high level of support coupled with precision control and maneuverability. Generally freeride skates are hard boots with a high supportive cuff equipped with a comfortable liner, powerful shock absorber and mm wheels.

Hardness Wheel hardness is measured in durometers. Lower numbers indicate a softer wheel and higher numbers indicate a harder wheel. Durometer is denoted by the suffix "A" example - 80A The typical recreational in-line skate wheel is 78A or 82A Softer wheels are good for winter and provide a softer ride. Harder wheels are better in the summer when the pavement is hot and the wheels tend to soften. Frames Frames hold wheels and bearings in place Most recreational frames are made of an aluminium alloy or nylon and fiberglass composites.

Make sure the frames you select are designed for the type of skating you plan to do Metal frames are stiffer, faster, and lighter, but typically cost more. Materials Recreational skate uppers are usually made from synthetic materials that offer durability, comfort and breath-ability Hockey skates are usually made of leather composites. Many boots contain a cushioning liner usually made of a foam material Sometimes reinforced along the toe and sides for protection in hockey skates or increased stability.

Constructed of molded plastic and similar to a ski boot The lower half covers and protects the foot The upper half wraps around and supports the ankle The two halves are connected with a hinge system that allows the ankle and boot to flex forward naturally.

Two Bearings are fitted to the hub of each wheel. However the ABEC rating does not take into account the quality of material used in the bearing, nor its likely durability in the use as an inline skate component.

Further, there does not appear to be regulation in the ABEC labelling of bearings. We therefore recommend that the ABEC rating be viewed as a minor factor in assessing skating equipment. Of far more importance is the reputation of the manufacturer.

Some manufacturers of high quality bearings do not even label their bearings with an ABEC rating. These may be taken apart to be cleaned, lubricated or replaced. Other bearings have a metal shield on each side that protects them.

A shield can be removed and discarded and the bearing serviced. Bearings don't need to be cleaned after every use, but if they become wet, they should be cleaned, dried and re-lubed. Most manufacturers offer different braking systems The most common form of baking system is a pad housed behind the rear wheel that stops movement by applying heel pressure to the brake.

Most brake pads have a "wear line" that indicates how much performance is left in the brake. The brake pad should be replaced before this wear line is reached.