Smart Shopping Tips for Skaters Who Want to Roll Without Regret
When you’re excited about roller skating, it’s easy to get carried away with gear and accessories. But not everything on the market is worth your money, or even necessary. To help you shop smarter, we’ve put together a handy guide of what to buy, and what to skip.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade, here’s how to invest wisely in your skate setup:
✅ Buy This: Durable Leather Toe Guards
❌ Not That: Cheap Vinyl Toe Caps
Why: Leather guards hold up against falls and abrasions, and they stay in place longer. Vinyl guards might look good at first, but they tend to crack, slide around, or wear through quickly.
✅ Buy This: Certified Multi-Sport Helmet
❌ Not That: Uncertified “Fashion” Helmets
Why: Protect your brain! Look for helmets with safety certifications like ASTM or CPSC. Stylish, unbranded helmets may not meet proper standards, and you won’t know until it’s too late.
✅ Buy This: Slide-On Wrist Guards
❌ Not That: Bulky, Rigid Wrist Guards
Why: Bulky guards can restrict movement or make it hard to recover from falls. Choose a pair that fits well and allows for flexibility while still protecting your wrists.
✅ Buy This: All-in-One Skate Tool
❌ Not That: A Whole Box of Single-Use Tools
Why: A good skate tool can tighten toe stops, adjust trucks, and remove wheels, all in one. You don’t need a toolbox to maintain your skates.
✅ Buy This: Sturdy Duffel or Backpack with Skate Clips
❌ Not That: Branded Skate Bag with Limited Space
Why: You’re often paying for a logo. A well-made backpack or gym bag with added clips can hold your gear just as well, often for less.
✅ Buy This: Reputable Entry-Level Skates
❌ Not That: Fashion Skates from Big-Box Stores
Why: Low-quality skates may look cute, but they often have weak plates, low-performing bearings, and poor durability. Trusted brands give you a smoother, safer ride from day one.
✅ Buy This: One Set of Quality Bearings
❌ Not That: Three Brands Just to Experiment
Why: A well-maintained bearing set will last a long time. Most beginner-to-intermediate skaters won’t notice big performance differences between brands.
✅ Buy This: Protective Gear That Fits Well
❌ Not That: Gear That Looks Good but Doesn’t Fit
Why: Pads that are too big or too tight won’t protect you properly. Skip the trendy patterns if it means sacrificing safety and comfort.
✅ Buy This: Skating Lessons or Classes
❌ Not That: More Gear to “Feel Ready”
Why: Confidence comes from skill, not stuff. Invest in learning first, your gear will work better when you know how to use it right.
✅ Buy This: One Set of Proper Wheels
❌ Not That: “Multi-Surface” Wheels, or 4 Different Sets of Wheels (Right Away)
Why: You need wheels that are the right durometer (hardness) for the surface you will be skating on. This means softer wheels for outdoor skating (78A to 85A) and harder wheels for indoor skating (88A to 96A). Avoid wheels that are very hard or very small as a beginner skater. Hard wheels above 97A, and small wheels under 55mm, are for advanced artistic skaters or rink pros and are not ideal when you’re still learning control.
Final Thoughts
Skating is all about fun, freedom, and finding your style, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on gear you don’t need. By focusing on quality, fit, and functionality, you’ll get the best value and roll with confidence.
Need help picking the right gear? Our team is here to help you find exactly what you need, nothing more, nothing less.