Roller Skate Or Rollerblade – Which One Is Better For Skating?

What Is A Roller Skate

Generally, a roller skate is a shoe on 4 wheels and added to the other parts. You wear them to travel along quickly for convenience and enjoyment.

A high-quality skate often contains 4 principal parts with 4 different roles:

• Internal boot (Liner): this is the cover of your feet, which will create softness and avoids external injuries.
• Shoe frames (or frames): this will be the pressure sustainer, so it is made of durable alloy material or extremely light high-grade plastic.
• Bearings: lying inside the wheels, this part reduces friction between the wheel and wheel axis.
• Wheels: hard wheels are usually compact, which are made of plastic or soft rubber.

What Is A Rollerblade

Rollerblades (aka inline skates) are a type of skates used for rollerblading. While the quad skates have two wheels in the front and two at the back, rollerblades commonly have from two to five assembled in a straight line.

Rollerblade’s structure is basically the same as that of roller skate except for the wheels’ number and the brake’s position.

How Does Roller Skate Differ From Rollerblade

Looking over the descriptions of both roller skate and rollerblade, you might think that they are just the same and only differ from each other in some external parts.

However, they are actually separate from the other in both internal and external characteristics.

1. Wheels: The most significant difference between these two is definitely the position of the wheels.
   • Regarding roller skate, the 4 wheels are divided equally into both the forth and back, just like the car’s tires.
   • Regarding rollerblade, on the contrary, the wheels are assembled in a single row, and each of which is not as wide as a roller skate’s wheel. This distinction is the basic foundation of other differences and usage, which we are gonna mention soon.
2. The brake system:
   • With the roller skates: The hard and durable brake is attached right before the forth wheels called the toe stops.
     To stop, incline your body forwards and put pressure on your toe so that the brake touches the ground, then you will stop.
   • With the rollerblade: The brake connected with the frame enables skaters to stop by gently lifting the toes of the skate backward and forcing it to the ground.
3. Turning and Stopping: The difference in the arrangement of the wheels has created contrast in turning and stopping.
   • Considering turning: it’s easier for rollerblades to make sharp and tight turns at a quite high speed while roller skating requires slowing down enough if you fancy a sharp turn.
   • Considering stopping: deriving from the brake, roller skaters feel quite easy to stop and stand still. When it comes to rollerblading, the brake requires practices and skills as the brakes are much lighter and harder to control.
4. Muscles Used: Different muscles are used in rollerblading than in roller skating, which also affects the energy exerted.
   • In roller skating: This is an excellent way to exercise and burn calories as it will affect your thighs, abs, and calve.
   • In rollerblading: Compared to roller skating, rollerblading uses more exertion and skills; therefore, the muscles are worked at a high intensity and burn more calories.

Pros And Cons Of Roller Skates

1. Pros:
   • Beginners will find it easier to keep balanced and take control because of the stable 4-wheel structure.
   • Durable and hard wheels.
   • Suitable for both indoor and outdoor skate sports and practicing artistic routines.
   • Unique design minimizes bouncing and slipping.
2. Cons:
   • Limited speed and agility.
   • Wheels often not replaceable
   • Hardly be used on the uneven or sticky surface.

See More: Pros And Cons Of Roller Skating

Pros And Cons Of Rollerblade

1. Pros:
   • Ideal for continuous skating events and competitions.
   • Wheels are commonly replaceable (with the exception of recreational skates)
   • Enable exceptional maneuverability.
   • Allow quick and rapid shifts of direction.
2. Cons:
   • Require skills and experiences to master.
   • Soft wheels often need to be renewed.

Roller Skate Or Rollerblade – How To Choose

1. Your level: Each kind of skate has different aims and users, thus determining what level you are in will make a difference at the skates you wear.
   • For athletes and professionals: both roller skate and rollerblade are no problems for them.
     Consequently, they can consider using rollerblade for a more exciting experience and amusement. Rollerblade will meet your need for skills and exhilaration.
   • For kids, beginners, and amateurs: the most suitable skate for those who just started to learn skating or have little experience is the traditional high-top roller skate. These will help you keep excellent and avoid unexpected shocks from the outside.
2. Your preference:
   • If you are the type of person that loves speed and the feeling of blading the wind, rollerblade is undoubtedly your companion.
   • If you just want something to help you move slowly and gently along the street to explore life and people, you will surely fall in love with roller skating, which will help you have gradual but steady movement.
3. The surfaces you skate:
   • The artificial skating rinks: these surfaces are specially designed for skating, mainly indoor, so both roller skate and rollerblade can easily be used on these surfaces without any obstacles.
   • The natural surfaces: roads, floors or pavements are all considered natural surfaces. These surfaces often contain unexpected barriers, such as humans, animals, and rocks.
     Roller skates may be sometimes a little bit slow to avoid these obstacles, hence rollerblades are of more choices when it comes to natural skating surfaces.
4. The price: The difference between the cost of these two may not be too big, but later maintenance may be a big problem.
   • The roller skate: the initial price of roller skate is often cheaper than rollerblade; moreover, its wheels don’t require to be checked and replaced regularly.
   • The rollerblade needs a bit more cash to purchase as well as the wheels usually need special care after a high-intensity skating session, which might cost more bucks.