Best-Roller-Skates-for-Your-Children

How to Choose the Best Roller Skates for Your Children

Best-Roller-Skates-for-Your-Children

There are many interesting and exciting activities children can participate in, but roller skating is probably on the top of the list. It’s the kind of aerobic activity that engages their whole body, helps them build physical endurance and muscles. It’s also a great deal of fun they can enjoy in on their own or with family and friends.

Same as with any other sport, it’s better for them to start practising at a young age, 3-4 years, so they can get used to balancing and coordination. They can even start with Heely roller shoes and then turn to roller skates. Some parents fear that their child will get hurt eventually, but that’s where the knee and elbow pads come into play together with the helmet.

What to Consider Before Buying

You may be wondering: “How do I choose beginner roller skates?” There’s no right answer, just a few simple rules you should follow. It can sometimes get overwhelming, especially when you’re buying for little kids, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the right size, fit and closure system.

Size is Key

Always keep in mind that your youngster will benefit more from wearing low-quality skates that fit them perfectly than high-quality ones that are too tight or too big. When you go out to buy from the wide range of little boys roller skates always keep this in mind. A smaller size may restrict blood flow, resulting in pain, and harm to the kid. Some of them can even lead to deformities such as bunions. Generally, the skate size corresponds to the child’s shoe size, but this might change depending on the brand.

little-boys-roller-skates
Source: istock.com

The fit is also important. It should be snug, neither too loose nor too tight. Your toes should have some wiggling space inside. Don’t buy skates without being sure they are the right size. The kid should try them on with socks, a pair that is of normal thickness. Take your kid along at all times so they can try them on with socks. Never get a larger size for them because they will “grow into it”. Instead, buy skates with adjustable sizes. They can go up to 3-4 sizes and you won’t need to buy new skates every few months.

Brakes are Important

If your kid is a beginner and is just now starting to learn the art of roller skating, get them a pair of skates with brakes. This mechanism can be placed either at the back or at the front of the skate. This depends on the kid’s personal preferences, so make sure they try both brakes and see which one works best. Usually, one brake is installed on the right foot, but if the youngster prefers the left, you can switch it to the left foot easily. Additionally, you can add one more brake and put them on both feet, which will make the child feel safer.

Styles and Materials are Vast

The purpose of the cuffs is to always support and protect the child’s ankles. You can find both high-top and mid-top cuffs. The high-top one is better for keeping the ankles and feet safe. The upper part often has a mesh and provides breathability and it’s a combination of synthetic materials. The boot can be suede or leather, or a combination of both. If your kid will skate outside, we recommend suede, and if the skating’s inside, leather ones are better. They could take some time to break in, but once they do, the kid will experience excellent comfort and a perfect fit.

Styles-and-Materials-are-Vast-roller-skaters-kids
Source: motherandbaby.co.uk

What About the Closure System?

Make sure the skates you choose include laces, a power strip, and a buckle. The ideal set of closures to keep your child secure and safe is this one, a combination of all 3 systems. This locking-in of the heel is essential, especially for beginners. Some may even include an easily customizable system. Because of this, the skates will cost a little more, but if you can afford them, don’t think twice.

Types of Skates

Kids Roller Skates

Although they look the same as adult skates, the little boys roller skates are designed for the smaller feet to withstand all the wear and tear. They don’t go as fast as the adult counterparts either.

Traditional Roller Skates

These are also known as the indoor and recreational roller skates, and are known for the stronger wheels as opposed to those of outdoor skates that are softer, because they’re better suited for the indoor skating rink floors. They’re great for spins as much as jumps and are easy for manoeuvring.

Trekking Roller Skates

Trekking skates are used for leisure activities such as roller derby, jam skating and roller dancing. They always have two lines of wheels. They have a front brake and can be crafted from leather or PVC. Although they weigh more, they will make you feel incredibly steady and give you the confidence for the next big move.

Trekking-Roller-Skates
Source: worcestermag.com

Speed Roller Skates

These skates are sturdy and low. They have robust wheels for a swift ride, a hard boot, and little padding. The frame is adjustable, and the wheels are durable and typically between 100-125mm in diameter. There is no cuff, and the bearings are sturdy. Although they have good energy transfer and reaction, they won’t make you feel very comfortable.

Inline Skates

If your child is interested in inline skating instead, these are the most common types of inline skates on the market: fitness, freestyle, and aggressive.

1. Fitness can be used for recreational rollerskating or as cycle tracks. The ones used for recreational purposes are great for beginners because they don’t develop a lot of speed. Their wheel size is pretty normal, 84-90mm in diameter, and they feature an aluminium alloy frame. The ones used as cycle tracks are for more experienced rollerbladers that are stable and well-balanced. They develop more speed because of their bigger wheels, 90-100mm in diameter. Their bearings are excellent and have a higher focus point.

2. Freestyle skates are designed for trick riding, by which we mean jumps, dancing, free jumps, slalom etc. They are characterised by a short and solid frame, small wheels and a hard shell. If the kid is experienced and knows how to do some tricks such as jumping over barriers, riding the stairs and back ride and doing some city rides, these are the perfect rollerblades for them.

The 76-84mm wheels are constructed of carbon, fibreglass, or plastic, their flex is strong, and their structure is adaptable. Their response is great, the energy transfer is unmistakable and the support they provide is perfect. One thing that you’d probably change is the missing brake. This is the only thing that doesn’t make them compatible for beginners.

Inline-Skates
Source: nymag.com

3. Aggressive skates are made for aggressive riding. Your kid can use them in skate parks, and for jumping ramps and rails. They even have space between the wheels to make the rail sliding much smoother and easier. These skates have a soleplate and are quite hard and heavy.

The diameter of the wheels is around 55-60mm and they never come with a brake. Even though they lack brakes they’re incredibly stable, absorbent and resistant. On the other hand, they don’t develop a lot of speed and don’t have any ventilation, which may be an issue for some kids.