How to Choose the Right Pair of Rollerblades for Your Child

 Rollerblading is one of the most exciting activities children can perform. It's best if they start at a young age, preferably between 4-5 years old, so they can gain stability, agility and mobility. It's also a great way to improve their balance and coordination. Oftentimes, parents are scared to put their children on rollerblades because it's considered a bit dangerous, but that's why you have protective pads and helmets. So, don't be afraid, go ahead and teach your child how to ride skates.

Types of Rollerblades

Buying skates for your child can sometimes be confusing. Unlike adults, whose feet stopped growing a long time ago, kids are more complicated because they’re still growing and developing. That's why you need to pay close attention when you buy rollerblades for little girls or young boys. Finding the right size, fit and type of rollerblades is important. Here are some of the most common types on the market:

Fitness Skates

This is the type you can find in every store and online shop. You can use them as recreational or on cycle tracks. The recreational ones are great for beginners. Because of their low speed. The wheel size is 90-84mm and they have an aluminium alloy frame. The fitness type is for experienced rides because they have more speed and a bigger wheel size of 90-100mm. 

They have a higher focus point and good bearings. In both types the textile is soft and they have a higher chimney. The wheels are usually soft and there’s always a brake included. Fitness girls' inline skates provide comfort and good ventilation for the foot, plus you have a lot of choices when it comes to colour and design. The only downside is their slow response and sometimes the quality of the frame.

Freestyle Skates

These skates are made for trick rides such as free jumps, jumps, dancing and slalom. They have a hard shell, and small wheels and the frame is short and solid. The urban-style skates are good for city rides, jumps over barriers, stairs and back rides, and the freestyle ones are great for dancing and slalom. The freestyle skates are made from fibreglass, plastic or carbon and have a wheel size of 76-84mm. Their frame is adjustable and the flex is firm. They provide good support, have a great response and the energy transfer is perfect. They offer acceleration, and resistance and are good for both beginners and experienced riders. The only downside is the missing brake.

Aggressive Skates

The name may sound strange but these skates are made for aggressive riding. They're great for jumps, ramps, rails and skateparks. Because of this, they’re very firm, heavy and have a soleplate. The wheels are usually 55-60mm and have some space between them because of the rails you can ride. They always come without a brake but are very stable, absorbing and have good resistance. Some cons are their weight because they’re heavy, don’t have ventilation and don’t develop much speed.

Speed Skates

These skates are low and solid. They have big wheels for a fast ride, the boot is firm and the padding is minimal. The wheels are hard and usually, around 100-125mm and the frame is adjustable for your own convenience. The bearings are strong and there’s no cuff. They have a good energy transfer and good response, but you won’t be very comfortable in them.

Semi-Race Skates

These skates are a crossover from the speed and fitness type ones. They're great for both long tracks and fast rides. They have a solid boot and big wheels between 100-125mm. Semi-race skates usually come without a bake and can sometimes have heat moulding. The frame is adjustable, they’re fast, firm and have a good energy transfer. Their inertia and response are great but you can sometimes feel numbness and they may not be very comfortable.

Trekking Skates

They have two lines of wheels and are used for recreational purposes such as roller dance, roller derby and jam skating. They can be made from PVC and leather and have a brake on the front. You'll be very stable in them but they can weigh more than the other types.

What to Consider When Buying

Always Get Brakes

When you buy skates for your kid always make sure they feature a brake. This mechanism will be positioned at the back of the foot or in the front. Let the child try them on and see which mechanism works better for them. Some say they like the heel stop and some prefer the toe brake, so make sure the kid knows what they prefer. There is usually one brake installed on the right foot, but you can change this and place it on the left one if it suits the child better. Plus, you can add an extra brake and have them on both feet of the child feels safer this way.

The Right Size Matters

Remember that it’s always better for your child to wear low-quality skates with a great fit, than high-quality ones with the wrong fit. This is a line you need to remember when you’re buying rollerblades for little girls and boys. Smaller sizes can cut circulation, cause discomfort and hurt the child. Some of them can even cause bunions or other deformities. 

The skate size usually is the same as the kid’s shoe size, but they can vary depending on the manufacturer. The fit should be snug, not too tight to have crumped toes, or not too loose to have a lot of wiggling space. Always take your child with you so they can try them on with socks. Never buy them a size bigger because they’ll grow, instead, but their skates with adjustable size. This way you won’t have to buy new skates every 2-3 months.

What About Style and Material?

The kid’s ankles should always be protected and supported, and this is the job of the cuffs. There are high-top and mid-top cuffs. The first type does a better job of protecting the ankles and feet. The upper is usually made from synthetic materials combined with mesh so the kid can have more breathability. The boot can also be leather or suede. Suede ones are better for outside skating and leather ones for the inside. They may be hard to break in at first, but when they do, you’ll get perfect comfort and a great fit.

Which Closure System is Better?

When you’re choosing rollerblades for kids make sure they have laces, a power strip and a buckle. This is the best combination of closures that’ll keep your kid safe and secure. The heel will be locked in place, which is important especially for beginners. Some may even have a BOA system that is knob-based and easily customisable. This will make the skates a bit pricier, but if you can afford them, don’t give it a second thought. The right closure system will help your child learn how to put them on faster.