Complete Artistic Roller Skates Buying Guide

Guide Sections:

Boot Materials and Construction

Understanding Stiffness Ratings

The Importance of Proper Measurement

One of the most crucial aspects of selecting new skates is getting the right boot size and fit. Unlike recreational skates or hand-me-downs, professional artistic skates should be fitted precisely to your feet. The investment in proper fitting will significantly impact your skating development and comfort.

How to Measure Your Feet

If you can’t visit a professional dealer, accurate foot measurements are essential. Here’s our recommended process:

Boot Fitting and Customization

Width Options

• Stock widths: Most manufacturers offer B, C, or D widths as standard
• Custom widths: Many high-end boots can be ordered in AAA to EEE widths
• Special considerations: Some manufacturers offer split widths for skaters with different left/right foot widths
• Custom orders: Typically require 4-12 weeks for delivery depending on manufacturer

Stretching and Adjustment Options

For Boots That Are Too Tight

• Professional stretching: Boot fitters can target specific pressure points
• DIY stretching devices: Boot stretchers designed for specific areas (toe box, width, instep)
• Spot stretching: Techniques to address individual pressure points
• Breaking-in techniques: Methods to accelerate the molding process coming soon

For Boots That Are Too Loose

• Temporary solutions:
  • Lambs wool padding for toe areas
  • Commercial shoe sizers or “tongue pads”
  • Strategic padding with moleskin
  • Thicker socks or sock doublers
• Semi-permanent solutions:
  • Professional insole fitting
  • Added heel grips or counters
  • Ankle booties for improved heel lock

Understanding Wheelbase

The distance between your front and back wheels (“wheelbase” or “axle spread”) significantly impacts your skating experience. Your ideal plate size depends on several factors:

Shorter Wheelbase Benefits:

• Enhanced maneuverability for tight turns
• Improved agility for quick direction changes
• Better control in confined spaces
• Ideal for artistic skating elements requiring precise footwork

Longer Wheelbase Benefits:

• Increased stability, especially for larger skaters
• Better balance on uneven surfaces
• Reduced tipping risk during deep edges
• More controlled ride for beginners

Plate Sizing Guide

Using Manufacturer Charts

Most boot manufacturers provide plate sizing charts that match their boot sizes to recommended plate sizes across popular brands:

• These charts offer a convenient starting point for plate selection
• Example: A 260mm Edea boot might recommend a 160 Roll Line plate
• Charts can be found on manufacturer websites or through authorized dealers

Understanding Sizing Recommendations

Important considerations when using these charts:

• Manufacturer recommendations typically lean toward longer plates
• These suggestions often assume beginner or intermediate skaters who benefit from more stability
• Advanced skaters may prefer a size smaller than recommended for greater maneuverability
• Dance and freestyle skaters often select shorter plates than figure skaters

Custom Sizing Considerations

To determine your ideal plate size beyond generic recommendations:

1. Measure the distance between your heel and the ball of your foot
2. Compare this measurement to available plate sizes from your preferred brand
3. Consider your skating style (figures, dance, freestyle) and technical preferences
4. Factor in your body weight and height
5. Consult with experienced skaters in your discipline if possible

Custom Modifications

An important consideration when mounting ice skating boots on roller plates is the use of power wedges (also known as shims). Here’s what you need to know:

Mounting Wedges

• Purpose: Power or Mounting wedges are specially designed to fill the gap between curved ice skating boots and flat roller plates
• Function: They maintain the foot’s natural position and prevent boot deformation
• Benefits: Provide secure contact between boot and frame, resulting in more powerful pushes and strokes
• Usage: Strongly recommended for ice boots mounted on flat roller frames
• Exception: Not necessary for roller frames that already have a sloped front

Other modifications you might consider:

• Installing power wedges (shims) when using ice skating boots
• Understanding the importance of proper boot-to-plate alignment
• Optimizing cushion configuration
• Experimenting with mixed cushion setups
• Adjusting king pin angles
• Modifying mounting positions

What Are Cushions?

Cushions (also known as bushings) are crucial components of your roller skates that directly affect how your skates respond to movement. These rubber or urethane cylinders fit over the kingpin on either side of the trucks and provide the suspension system that allows you to turn, lean, and control your edges.

Types of Cushions and Their Properties

Rubber Cushions

• Replacement Schedule: Annual replacement recommended
• Temperature Sensitivity: More affected by ambient temperatures
• Cost: Lower initial investment
• Best for: Budget-conscious skaters, beginners
• Characteristics: Good basic performance, but less consistent in varying conditions

Urethane Cushions

• Replacement Schedule: Every 2-3 years (or when showing wear)
• Temperature Sensitivity: Minimal effect from temperature changes
• Cost: Higher initial investment
• Best for: Serious skaters, competition use
• Characteristics: Superior rebound, more consistent performance

Cushion Hardness Selection Guide

Primary Considerations

• Skater’s weight (most important factor)
• Skating discipline
• Skill level
• Personal preference for edge control

Common Issues

• Too Soft:
  • Insufficient support for heavier skaters
  • Over-responsive turning
  • Potential stability issues
• Too Hard:
  • Can damage boot through lack of flex
  • Difficulty achieving proper edges
  • Reduced maneuverability

Discipline-Specific Configurations

Large Circle Figures

• Upper Cushions: Hard
• Lower Cushions: Extra hard
• Rationale: Maximizes edge stability and control
• Variations: Some skaters mix extra hard and hard based on individual edge quality needs

Dance Skating

• Configuration: Typically matching hardness top and bottom
• Rationale: Provides consistent response for quick, precise movements
• Focus: Balanced edge control and maneuverability

Freestyle Skating

• Upper Cushions: Harder durometer
• Lower Cushions: 1-2 levels softer than upper
• Benefits:
  • Stable landing platform
  • Enhanced maneuverability for jumps and spins
  • Better edge control for technical elements

Fine-Tuning Your Setup

Adjusting Action

When standard adjustments aren’t achieving desired results:

1. Start with changing one cushion (upper or lower)
2. Upper cushion considerations:
   • Carries most of the skater’s weight
   • Primary factor in edge stability
   • Usually maintained at harder durometer
3. Lower cushion considerations:
   • Affects edge quality and transitions
   • Can be more flexible
   • Influences turning response

Mixing Hardnesses

• Start with your standard hardness
• Experiment with slightly more flexible options
• Consider discipline-specific needs
• Allow time to adjust to changes

Maintenance Tips

Regular Inspection

• Check for compression
• Look for cracking or deterioration
• Assess rebound quality
• Monitor edge control changes

Replacement Guidelines

• Document when cushions were installed
• Keep spare sets for different conditions
• Replace complete sets when possible
• Consider seasonal adjustments

Understanding Wheel Sizes for Different Disciplines

Discipline-Specific Wheel Diameters

• Freestyle: 55-58mm wheels
  • Smaller wheels provide greater maneuverability
  • Lower center of gravity for jumps and spins
  • Quicker acceleration for technical elements
• Dance: 60-64mm wheels
  • Current popular options:
    • Roll-Line Ice wheels (61mm or 63mm old style)
    • Komplex Bolero and Angel wheels (63mm)
  • Balance of speed and control for dance patterns
• Figures: 60-64mm wheels
  • Small loops: 60mm wheels provide tighter control
  • Large circles: 63-64mm wheels offer longer roll
  • Some skaters use different wheel sizes for different figure elements

Strategic Size Selection

• Larger diameter wheels:
  • Provide longer roll on large figure circles
  • Maintain momentum better on smooth surfaces
  • Offer higher top speed for dance patterns
• Mixing sizes strategically:
  • Using softer wheels on inside front position can provide more push-off
  • Maintaining harder wheels on outside edges maintains stability
  • Consider specific elements of your program when selecting wheel sizes

Understanding Wheel Hardness

Wheel Configuration Strategies

Modern artistic skaters often use mixed wheel setups to optimize performance:

Traditional Setup

• Same hardness all around
• Predictable performance
• Good for beginners
• Easier to maintain and track wear

Mixed Hardness Setups

• Different hardness levels strategically placed
• Customized for specific elements
• Optimizes slip and grip based on foot position during specific maneuvers
• Transforms skate performance without changing other components

Personal Experience with Mixed Wheels

In our experience, experimenting with different wheel configurations yielded surprising benefits:

• Starting with two hardnesses (from Roll Line’s Professional line) initially improved 3-turns
• Later trying three hardnesses (Mustang, Panther, and Leopard) provided the perfect balance of slip and grip exactly where needed