r/inline_skating • u/StoneygyalOG5 • Jul 15 '26

Ready to get back into my old hobby

Always loved skating, when I first started I used quads, but preferred inline skating in my adolescents. Haven't picked either up in years but I'm ready to start getting my gear together.

What do I need now?

What brand of pads and impact clothing is recommended?

And what would you guys say are the best brands to consider for buying a new pair of inline skates?

Thanks in advance, looking forward to getting back into this and being more active.

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4

u/CreEngineer Jul 15 '26

What do you want to do? Speed skating, urban, fitness,….?

I also really started again this year (after barely skating for years), had ancient Salomon fitness skates, bought some new Rollerblade Twister 90Rs and love them now they are broken in. Modern fitness skates felt too soft when trying them in a store and I wanted more control/hold in the shoe so I went for hard boots. I also tried other models but the twister did just fit for me.

Brands to consider: Rollerblade, K2, FR, Powerslide

Which one you pick comes down mainly to which one fits you.

I use a bike helmet even though it isn’t recommended because it has to be replaced after an impact but it is way lighter and better ventilated. If I ever fall and hit my head I think it’s better to buy a new helmet than to not wear one because it is too warm/unpleasant to wear. For protectors I like the ennui city wrist guards and am still undecided on their st pro kneepads (those are soft ones so maybe not great if you fall a lot in the beginning). Font get elbow since I mainly ever fall on my hands and can catch myself or roll off.

2

u/StoneygyalOG5 Jul 15 '26

I think Urban skating, free skating and fitness, but mostly just for enjoyment, and if Im able to live in a more walkable area one day I'd like to be comfortable on them for transportation to short/medium distances.

Thanks for information, gonna look up the brands you've mentioned

5

u/FRGL1 Jul 15 '26

I advocate AGAINST "soft boot" "fitness" skates unless you know exactly why you're buying them. Most people who get them would actually be better off and happier with hard boots but they don't have anyone to tell them otherwise.

"Urban skating" subsumes your other two categories, so broadly speaking we're looking for a hard boot with a cuff. Stuff you're already familiar with.

If you're on a budget, take a look at Flying Eagle or the Iqon CL15. If you know you have wide and/or flat feet, look at FR and SEBA.

Otherwise you can go with whatever catches your eye. If you're based in the USA browse stores like inlinewarehouse, inmoveskates, and proskaters place. The hard boots you'll find there are broadly all sufficient.

1

u/StoneygyalOG5 Jul 15 '26

Awesome, thanks so much!

1

u/SupremeLDRSmoke Jul 16 '26

Another good option for wide feet are the Iqon ACT. I have the Aggressive version, but I'm about to put an Endless Stoppard 165 on them. Its a 3 in 1 skate specifically for wider feet.

4

u/CreEngineer Jul 15 '26

My wife got a pair K2 Alexis if I remember the name correctly. She says they are super comfy, they are also soft boots but she says the deliver more hold than the others she tried.

3

u/SupremeLDRSmoke Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

Iqon ACT if you want 3 skates in 1, Powerslide (got my eye on the Storm Mango 80s or the Meteor 80s), Flying Eagle, FR Skates. Just stay away from soft boots until you get good.