| What are recreational inline skates exactly and | | | | HOT TIP: Retailers recommend that you order |
| how should they be used? | | | | one size up from your normal shoe size. This |
| Firstly, recreational inline skates are easy to use, | | | | helps to increase comfort and reduce painful |
| fun and a great way to get in shape. They can | | | | chaffing and blisters. |
| be used for most skating activities and offer a | | | | Another variation of the 2 skates discussed |
| good all-round skate. | | | | above is the aggressive skate, or street skate, |
| If you are a beginner then no doubt you will | | | | which are designed with smaller wheels and stiffer |
| come across the terms, inline and recreational | | | | boots, suitable for performing tricks similar to |
| inline skates and easily become confused. | | | | those of skateboarding, such as grinds and jumps. |
| Here's a quick comparison between both types of | | | | Some measure of protection in the form of |
| skate: | | | | elbow, knee, and hand pads along with a helmet |
| - Inline skates usually have five or even more | | | | should be worn by all skaters, whatever the style |
| wheels on each skate and are more suited for | | | | of their skate and skating. |
| speed skating. | | | | Whether you are looking for skates to suit your |
| - Inline speed skates have light, short boots with | | | | lifestyle or simply shopping for clothes and |
| large wheels designed to reach and maintain higher | | | | protection to make your skating experience both |
| speeds. | | | | stylish and safe, an online or local skate shop |
| - They are manufactured for fast, straight | | | | should be able to outfit you properly and give you |
| skating and are not well suited to recreational | | | | the right advice. |
| skating, ice hockey, or trick skating. | | | | As a rule of thumb, good recreational skate |
| - Recreational inline skates on the other hand are | | | | stores should offer from budget to top of the |
| the most versatile and generic of skate styles. | | | | range and from beginner to expert. They should |
| - Recreational inline skates have medium-sized | | | | also carry replacement stoppers, wheels and |
| wheels and are intended mostly for skating over | | | | other accessories. |
| moderate distance and providing healthy leisure | | | | Make sure that any skates you choose have |
| pursuit. | | | | brakes, and remember that wheels can be |
| - Inline skates have small wheels, and often have | | | | swapped out to increase speed as your skill |
| grind plates and areas of reinforcement on the | | | | improves. |
| sides, toes and between the wheels to make | | | | Beginners should avoid speed and aggressive |
| sliding along various obstacles easier. In the UK, | | | | skates as their lack of brakes may pose a health |
| recreational skates are available in size ranges: | | | | and safety issue. |
| UK4 to UK12. | | | | |