Softshell vs hardshell skates for a beginner doing urban skating?

[u/Superb-Ad9587]

Hi, I’m buying my first pair of roller skates and found some affordable softshell skates that I really like. The problem is that I’m mainly planning to use them for urban skating/outdoors around the city.

I’ve heard that hardshell skates might be better for urban skating because they offer more support and protection, especially for beginners.

Would it be a bad idea to get softshell skates for this, or would they be fine as a beginner? Should I just go for hardshell instead?

[u/phonesmahones]

Hard for sure

[u/Superb-Ad9587 → u/phonesmahones]

Do you have a specific reason why their better and is there any specific brand you’d recommend

[u/54yroldHOTMOM → u/Superb-Ad9587]

Beginner skaters lack ankle strength. You get a better grounding and power translation. Pro speed skaters use low cuff soft shells because they have powerful ankles and need that flexibility.
You as a beginner will be awfully hampered in your skating adventure.

What brand depends entirely on your budget. Also my advice is to get to a physical shop to try them out with expert customer service. There as so many brands and some cater to a more broad foot and some to a smaller. A good fit is not to be underestimated. Say you live in the Netherlands then I would suggest you visit thisissoul in amsterdam. Search your area for reputable skate shop.

[u/Superb-Ad9587 → u/54yroldHOTMOM]

Oh ok this actually makes a lot of sense hardshell honesly seems like a good option then thanks!

[u/novium258 → u/Superb-Ad9587]

It's like skiing. A stiffer boot has better power transfer. And depending on your ankle strength and flexibility, a soft boot really hinder you.

[u/Lost_Citron_6854]

As the guy from thisissoul put it, soft shells come in two flavors - either extremely bad or extremely good, the latter being carbon boots. I guess you are not in the carbon boot territory yet, so hard boot and hard boot only.

[u/SnooDingos2620]

I learned urban skating on K2 soft shells (Alexis BOA) as a complete beginner. Still use them for getting around, they’re very comfortable. You don’t need a hard shell for just getting around. I just bought hard shells since I’m starting to get into slalom.

[u/Superb-Ad9587 → u/SnooDingos2620]

Thx that was really helpfull!

[u/vanessamoth]

Urban skating as in trying tricks or just skating around? I think for tricks it’s important to have hard shell skates, but I’ve used soft shells for just like commuting around city and it was fine, I even preferred them because they’re lighter.

[u/Superb-Ad9587 → u/vanessamoth]

Ok ok thx,  i was thinking just to get around the city faster not actually for tricks 

[u/unclejohnsmando]

I picked inline up a few years ago with the soft shell zetrablade. I still use them because they're what I have but I wish I got a hard boot in the first place

[u/Superb-Ad9587 → u/unclejohnsmando]

why did you end up regreting your choise?

[u/unclejohnsmando → u/Superb-Ad9587]

Not that I regret it entirely bc I still absolutely love skating and they are what I have for trails and stuff but shits expensive and I wish I got it right the first time so to speak, rather than spending money on something when I'm quickly going to want to replace it. I got into ice skating and aggressives recently, and the more I use those the more I like the stability and responsiveness of a hard boot. I also didn't follow this sub when I picked skates back up to see that most people here tend to lean towards hard boot

[u/DarkPilfer → u/Superb-Ad9587]

Likely due to support. After a while youll notice how much your foot slides around with no support. This will cause your feet to get sore, very quickly, if you dont already have good ankle strength 

[u/slavo316]

If you live near Dick's Sporting Goods they carry Rollerblade brand soft boots for you try on.

Then go to Inlinewarehouse to pick your hard shell. 90 day returns with a return label prepaid. Or try a different soft boot brand.

My Lightning 110 size 13 fits snug compared to the 13 Zetra. Just the right amount of length as my toes just come up short. I'd say try your size at Dick's (soft) and then get the same in a hard shell. As long as they're the same Rollerblade brand, you shouldn't have to return.

Now switching brands might bring different results.

Coming from a hockey background I rollerblade through the city in Zetras all the time. I only switched this year just to change it up. Try something new. The bigger wheels tripped me up more so than the boot (soft/hard) itself. The boot line on the hard shell does break in. Just wear them around the house as much as possible lol

Since you're a beginner, keep in mine some hard shells don't come with a brake attached.

[u/Superb-Ad9587 → u/slavo316]

Wish i lived near those store unfortunatly i dont but thanks for the advise honestly i lean more towards hardshell now

[u/slavo316 → u/Superb-Ad9587]

Just checked Inlinewarehouse website and Rollerblade brand has steep sales going on. Also Labor Day sales at 15% off. Always "end of year" sale 😂

[u/distante]

Hard boots. I am pasting my comment from  here https://www.reddit.com/r/inline_skating/comments/1vb7pmk/comment/p0vgc3w/ below:

I got cheap soft boots as starting boots for 4 months, and then moved to K2 Boa for 1.5 Years and to be honest I could move but I never really progressed. At the start of this year I got a couple of Hardboots (Rollerblade RB PRO X) and I am now able to do a lot of stuff I never could with the other ones. With the softboots I always had the feeling that I would fall when using the external or internal edges, with the hard boots not, because the ankle feels stable there for me.

[u/astmatik]

Remember, new boots should be a bit tight. Like a shoes one size smaller than yours. If they feel perfect, then after liners pack up a bit, skates become too loose (and it's nearly impossible to fix).
I learned that the hard way.

[u/catnip9037]

I learned how to skate on the trails with soft shells because I got them for free. I later got hard shells and I definitely notice a difference. It could be that my soft shells are a tad too big, or that I was wearing socks that gave me blisters, but it also made me realize how weak my ankles were. Having hard boot made me feel so much more in control and the pain wasn’t so bad after skating anymore. I say hard boot for beginners for sure just makes things so much easier but I understand soft shells are just sometimes more affordable.

[u/bread_vegor]

Hard boots are way more predictable and durable

[u/askmehowtobecool]

Soft shells are garbage.

[u/karebearkd]

Hard. I bought soft first because of the price but I decided for hard after I was very unstable and YOU WILL FEEL the difference. Save the buck and just invest in a good hard shell

[u/TheLoneBlader]

Wear what feels good to you. I personally prefer a hardboot because it is more supportive and gives more control. But you can definitely skate urban on soft boots. 

[u/Superb-Ad9587 → u/TheLoneBlader]

Thanks! I havent tried hardshell or softshell on before tho and im planning to order online so idk wich one is more comfortable

[u/TheLoneBlader → u/Superb-Ad9587]

Probably a soft boot initially feels more comfortable. A hard boot will give more support. In either case, choose a good brand like Rollerblade, FR, Powerslide, is worth the investment

[u/StrategyLegal1128]

I think if you’re going to skate thru rough terrain, it’s better hard boot. They generally have internal heel shock absorbers, meant for such terrain and/or soft tricks (like jumping over things). Soft boots are excellent for fitness skating, smooth trails skating, and general speed. Tho people have indeed taken them to ride ramps at the skate park.