Rollerblades or Roller-skates for a 9 year old girl?
August 28, 2020 12:49 PM Subscribe
Should I get rollerblades or roller-skates for my daughter? She's a pretty proficient ice skater, but has never been on either rollerblades or roller-skates. For ice skating she used a pair of hand-me-down hockey skates. She was not comfortable on figure skates the one time she tried them. (She was used to the hockey skates at that point.)
I don't skate, so I'm also looking for resources that could help her learn how to skate properly, and advice about safety equipment (recommended pads, helmet, etc).
Daughter is not super athletic, but she loved the ice skating, and I'm hopeful that she'll enjoy tootling around the park near our house on these new land-skates. I don't expect to be taking her to skate parks anything like that. Think of this as an alternative to biking around the neighborhood. She's very excited about getting going on this.
Oh -- last question -- what should we look for when shopping for skates?
Daughter is not super athletic, but she loved the ice skating, and I'm hopeful that she'll enjoy tootling around the park near our house on these new land-skates. I don't expect to be taking her to skate parks anything like that. Think of this as an alternative to biking around the neighborhood. She's very excited about getting going on this.
Oh -- last question -- what should we look for when shopping for skates?
Are her ice skates comfortable for her? If so, look for inline skates from the same brand. If that's not an option, you can always replace the blade holder on the ice skates with an inline chassis. (Well, *you* probably can't, but if you have a pro shop nearby, it's not difficult.)
Otherwise, the key thing is fit. Nobody, kids or adults, wants to wear skates that don't fit, because they're uncomfortable. Have her kick her toe into the ground and look at the space between her heel and the back of the skate. If there's more than about a pinky finger, it's too big, and even that's kind of a lot. If she can't get similar skates to what she has, try on a few different brands to see how they feel on her foot. Ankle support is the other thing, although if she's used to hockey skates, just about any inline skates will be as good or better. I'm not as familiar with quad skates.
I never wore pads when I was leisure skating, and hockey pads are overkill, so I won't be much help there. A bike helmet should be sufficient for head protection.
In terms of actually learning to skate, she'll have a big advantage from knowing how to ice skate already. It's not exactly the same, but if someone is competent at one, picking up the other is usually pretty easy. Carrying a hockey stick generally helps with balance (a combination of being able to tripod, and the way tightrope walkers use sticks). It wouldn't be a bad idea to get her into hockey - the women's game is growing.
posted by kevinbelt at 1:06 PM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
Otherwise, the key thing is fit. Nobody, kids or adults, wants to wear skates that don't fit, because they're uncomfortable. Have her kick her toe into the ground and look at the space between her heel and the back of the skate. If there's more than about a pinky finger, it's too big, and even that's kind of a lot. If she can't get similar skates to what she has, try on a few different brands to see how they feel on her foot. Ankle support is the other thing, although if she's used to hockey skates, just about any inline skates will be as good or better. I'm not as familiar with quad skates.
I never wore pads when I was leisure skating, and hockey pads are overkill, so I won't be much help there. A bike helmet should be sufficient for head protection.
In terms of actually learning to skate, she'll have a big advantage from knowing how to ice skate already. It's not exactly the same, but if someone is competent at one, picking up the other is usually pretty easy. Carrying a hockey stick generally helps with balance (a combination of being able to tripod, and the way tightrope walkers use sticks). It wouldn't be a bad idea to get her into hockey - the women's game is growing.
posted by kevinbelt at 1:06 PM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
Can you ask her which she prefers? When I was a little girl back in the 80s, we only had skates. When I got into skating again as a teenager, everyone was rollerblading, and I would have died of embarrassment if I had to roller skate. Now I’m not sure what’s cool. As far as which is easier? Skates go slower and are easier to get the hang of at first. But rollerblades are faster and more “fun” (in my opinion). Rollerblades did take me a couple of tries to get comfortable.
But I would ask her what she wants!
posted by katypickle at 1:21 PM on August 28, 2020 [5 favorites]
But I would ask her what she wants!
posted by katypickle at 1:21 PM on August 28, 2020 [5 favorites]
For what it's worth, I was able to transfer my ice-skating skills (admittedly on figure skates) to quad roller skates really easily. I rollerbladed for awhile as a kid, but really grew my skills with quads (and roller derby!). I guess either should be fine, but my impression is that it's a lot easier to adapt quads to whatever you want to do -- skate for fun, roller derby, fancy tricks/dancing. I am also a giant princess about my gear and really liked that I could wear quads with low/no ankle support, and easily swap out wheels for different surfaces, or even run two different hardnesses of wheel on each skate.
posted by kalimac at 1:33 PM on August 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by kalimac at 1:33 PM on August 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
Random data point about what's "cool" these days: I live in San Francisco, and over the last year or two I've noticed an explosion of very hip teenage girls out rollerskating, old-school style.
posted by JuliaIglesias at 1:57 PM on August 28, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by JuliaIglesias at 1:57 PM on August 28, 2020 [6 favorites]
IMO roller blades are most similar to hockey skates, if you're going for the easiest transition.
posted by Sterros at 2:06 PM on August 28, 2020
posted by Sterros at 2:06 PM on August 28, 2020
You might want to try a pair of Rollergard skate guards - that way she can use the hockey skates and decide if she likes skating outside.
posted by mogget at 2:11 PM on August 28, 2020
posted by mogget at 2:11 PM on August 28, 2020
Seconding what folks said above: rollerskating is hot right now, but rollerblading is most similar to ice skating. They're pretty different beasts, also!
But if she loved ice skating, get her roller blades. Be aware tho that her peers might be all about the quads and she may want to switch at some point.
posted by wemayfreeze at 2:21 PM on August 28, 2020
But if she loved ice skating, get her roller blades. Be aware tho that her peers might be all about the quads and she may want to switch at some point.
posted by wemayfreeze at 2:21 PM on August 28, 2020
I would have died of embarrassment if I had to roller skate
This x1000. The right thing to do is include her in this decision. If you want to make it a gift, print out a little picture of a pair of skates and give it to her in a box. Make shopping for the right pair with her part of the treat.
I got a pair of rollerblades for my 9th birthday, and that was the cool and right choice in the 90s, but they were PINK so they were the wrong choice for ME.
If she doesn't know, and retail establishments are open where you are, go try some on. Any decent sport equipment store will let her try them on and scoot around for a bit.
posted by phunniemee at 2:36 PM on August 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
This x1000. The right thing to do is include her in this decision. If you want to make it a gift, print out a little picture of a pair of skates and give it to her in a box. Make shopping for the right pair with her part of the treat.
I got a pair of rollerblades for my 9th birthday, and that was the cool and right choice in the 90s, but they were PINK so they were the wrong choice for ME.
If she doesn't know, and retail establishments are open where you are, go try some on. Any decent sport equipment store will let her try them on and scoot around for a bit.
posted by phunniemee at 2:36 PM on August 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
I don't remember seeing rollerbladers side by side talking to each other much, but I've seen it a lot with skaters.
So if this is to be a social thing maybe skates would be better; if more purely athletic and solitary, maybe rollerblades.
posted by jamjam at 4:38 PM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
So if this is to be a social thing maybe skates would be better; if more purely athletic and solitary, maybe rollerblades.
posted by jamjam at 4:38 PM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
In-line skates (Rollerblades) with a short wheelbase (distance between the front and back wheels) and smaller wheels will be more maneuverable and most similar to hockey skates. In-line skates for speed-skating and fitness generally have long wheelbases and larger wheels, to allow you to keep more contact time with the ground. Hockey-style in-line wheels are also rockered (the wheels are arranged in a curve when looking sideways at the skate), where for speed-skating the wheels are flat.
In-line skates are often a semi-soft boot, with a combination of padded boot and hard plastic. The boots will typically ratcheting buckles to really clamp things in. Some boots will have an additional lacing system to get a better fit. Hockey-style boots also provide lots of support in the ankle, compared to speed-skating boots which are lower to permit more flex.
tl;dr If your daughter is comfortable in ice hockey skates, the hockey-style in-line skates will be an easy transition. She'll be rolling in no time. The one very important NEW thing will be learning how to stop with the heel brake, which will require some practice to use effectively. Be sure to watch some videos on stopping before putting on the skates! And yes, there are many ways to stop (like snowplow, toe drag, hockey stops, collisions with stationary objects, etc...) but being able to use the heel brake is a must.
... also be sure to get wrist guards! They will prevent little hands from getting cut up on pavement, and keep her from getting a broken wrist when putting her hands out to break a fall.
posted by gox3r at 4:46 PM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
In-line skates are often a semi-soft boot, with a combination of padded boot and hard plastic. The boots will typically ratcheting buckles to really clamp things in. Some boots will have an additional lacing system to get a better fit. Hockey-style boots also provide lots of support in the ankle, compared to speed-skating boots which are lower to permit more flex.
tl;dr If your daughter is comfortable in ice hockey skates, the hockey-style in-line skates will be an easy transition. She'll be rolling in no time. The one very important NEW thing will be learning how to stop with the heel brake, which will require some practice to use effectively. Be sure to watch some videos on stopping before putting on the skates! And yes, there are many ways to stop (like snowplow, toe drag, hockey stops, collisions with stationary objects, etc...) but being able to use the heel brake is a must.
... also be sure to get wrist guards! They will prevent little hands from getting cut up on pavement, and keep her from getting a broken wrist when putting her hands out to break a fall.
posted by gox3r at 4:46 PM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
Roller skates are much cooler right now.
(speaking as a mid-20’s woman who is active on social media)
posted by mekily at 5:32 PM on August 28, 2020 [5 favorites]
(speaking as a mid-20’s woman who is active on social media)
posted by mekily at 5:32 PM on August 28, 2020 [5 favorites]
I would ask her. Let me assure you, as the 40 year old out there rollerblading: the blades are NOT cool right now, not in the slightest, not even the tiniest bit (they are fun and efficient, though, so if that’s what she would use you should totally get her some).
Seconding wrist guards; if I had to leave the house on skates and was forced at gunpoint to choose between wrist guards and a helmet, I’d probably take the wrist guards.
posted by charmedimsure at 2:15 AM on August 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
Seconding wrist guards; if I had to leave the house on skates and was forced at gunpoint to choose between wrist guards and a helmet, I’d probably take the wrist guards.
posted by charmedimsure at 2:15 AM on August 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
Roller skates offer a lot more flexibility and ease of motion than roller blades, and they're definitely cooler right now due to roller derby. But your kid is a unique individual, and you should ask her which she wants.
Also, I'd note as someone who used to be involved with roller derby - skaters there have all kinds of backgrounds, hockey, figure skating, roller blading, whatever - once you get used to skates, it's easier to move to a different kind of skates.
posted by bile and syntax at 8:52 AM on August 29, 2020
Also, I'd note as someone who used to be involved with roller derby - skaters there have all kinds of backgrounds, hockey, figure skating, roller blading, whatever - once you get used to skates, it's easier to move to a different kind of skates.
posted by bile and syntax at 8:52 AM on August 29, 2020
My 10-year-old daughter who has been ice skating (figure) for many years found it difficult to adjust to roller skates and vastly prefers roller blades. Even with that, she still had to adjust, and has only in the past few months become really proficient in her roller blades (as we have not been going to the ice rink). So I would suggest that either will require an adjustment, but that all the figure and hockey skaters we know use roller blades.
posted by dawg-proud at 8:48 AM on August 30, 2020
posted by dawg-proud at 8:48 AM on August 30, 2020
Whatever she chooses, she’ll need to keep in mind that the wheel skates are heavier than ice skates.
posted by SillyShepherd at 3:09 PM on August 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by SillyShepherd at 3:09 PM on August 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
Let her choose! But if she wants rollerblades I highly suggest removing the back stopper as the extra length will probably trip her up at first and it will be easier to use ice style stop techniques.
I have hockey skates, figure skates, quads and blades. my least used are the figure skates. My favorite are my quads on actual rinks. For outside I prefer blades. Smaller pebbles feel a bit more dangerous on quads than blades when I'm skating outside.
posted by WeekendJen at 1:45 PM on September 4, 2020
I have hockey skates, figure skates, quads and blades. my least used are the figure skates. My favorite are my quads on actual rinks. For outside I prefer blades. Smaller pebbles feel a bit more dangerous on quads than blades when I'm skating outside.
posted by WeekendJen at 1:45 PM on September 4, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by J.R. Hartley at 12:55 PM on August 28, 2020 [6 favorites]