- Full-Grain Leather:
- Full-grain leather is considered the highest quality and most durable type of leather.
- It is made from the top layer of the animal hide, retaining its natural texture, marks, and imperfections.
- Full-grain leather ages well and develops a patina over time.
- It is breathable and generally more resistant to moisture and wear.
- Often used for high-end products
- Top-Grain Leather:
- Top-grain leather is also of high quality but has had its natural texture sanded away, making it smoother than full-grain leather.
- It is slightly thinner and more flexible than full-grain leather.
- Split Leather:
- Split leather is derived from the lower layers of the hide after the top-grain portion has been removed. It is less durable and often used for suede and suede-like materials.
Everything You Need to Know about Roller Skating Boots
Parts of a boot
Roller skating boots will have the following components: uppers (main part of boot), insoles, midsoles, outsoles, boot lining, padding, tongues and tongue linings. All skates have skate boots, and finding the perfect fit is the most important part of ensuring you have a comfortable experience skating.
High Top vs Low Top Boots
Which one is the best? That is totally a matter of personal preference and usually impacted by your style of skating.
LOW-TOP
Low-top skates have boots that are cut below the ankle.
Low-top roller skate boots allow for more freedom of movement in the ankle, which is ideal for activities that require a greater range of motion, such as jam skating and derby/speed skating. Skaters can perform intricate footwork and maneuvers more easily in a low-top boot. Low-top boots tend to be lighter than high-top boots due to their reduced material and construction. This can lead to less fatigue during longer skating sessions or intricate tricks. Low-top boots offer better ventilation and breathability, which can be advantageous in warm weather or during intense physical exertion.
Low-top boots have an almost completely flat sole (like a sneaker). The flat heel allows for a more natural foot position, which is beneficial for speed and agility. It enables the skater to push off and move quickly, which is essential in sports like roller derby or speed skating.
HIGH-TOP
High-top skates have boots that extend above the ankle.
High top skates bring the nostalgic classic feel that many crave. The increased height of the boot contributes to overall stability and support in the ankle. This is why many beginner skaters and those who are still developing their balance and stability on skates prefer skates with high-top boots. Most skate park skaters also prefer high-top boots when performing high-impact moves.
High-top boots feature a raised heel, which makes the boot level and provides an arch. The raised heel helps in adjusting the center of gravity forward, which can aid in maintaining balance and performing certain maneuvers. It provides additional stability for artistic skating, where intricate footwork and balance are crucial.
In summary, the choice between high-top and low-top roller skates depends on the type of skating you intend to do. High-top skates with a raised heel offer more support and stability for artistic or recreational skating, while low-top skates with a flat heel provide greater agility and speed for competitive sports.
Materials
Boots uppers are typically made of a synthetic material (vinyl, microfiber, etc.), leather or suede. Some will be a combination of materials.
If quality of material is important for you, you will want to go with leather or suede. Make sure you read the full product description and technical specs to know what material a skate boot is made from. There are several types of leather boots are made from that range in quality.
Genuine leather refers to leather that has been made from the lower layers of the hide, specifically the layers that remain after the top-grain portion has been separated for higher-quality leather. These lower layers are often processed and treated to make them suitable for various applications. Contrary to what the name might imply, "genuine leather" is not an indication of highest quality. In fact, it is a lower quality grade of leather compared to full-grain or top-grain leather.
When it comes to boot soles, high-end roller skates often use good quality leather outsoles, which are stiffer and perform better than rubber. More affordable skates often use a leather substitute such as vinyl/PVC or rubber. Another material used to make soles is composite material, which is a thin layer of resin and reinforcing fibers (such as polyester or epoxy resin, or polyamides like nylon).
Lining material varies from microfiber to leather and Cambrelle (most breathable).