INLINE VS ROLLER.....?

Question
PAT, MY FRIEND KIM SAYS THAT INLINE SKATES ARE FOR INDOOR USE ONLY...WHILE ROLLER BLADES ARE FOR OUTDOOR USE.  IS THERE ANY VALIDITY TO THIS STATEMENT, OR IS AN INLINE SKATE ACTUALLY THE SAME AS ROLLER BLADES, ANY DIFFERENCE?  SHE BOUGHT A $20 PAIR OF INLINE SKATES AT TARGET AND THEY WERE LABELED FOR 'INDOOR USE ONLY'.  THANK YOU, BILL.

Answer
Hi Bill,
  Inline skates and roller blades are exactly the same thing.  

  I have a feeling that your friends inline skates were labeled for "indoor use only" because they were inexpensive skates and perhaps wouldn't hold up to the abuse that outdoor skating puts on your skates.  

  The wheels take a beating when skating outdoors.  I'm guessing that the wheels that came with your friends skates might be hollow?  If so the pebbles etc would quickly damage and chip the wheels.

  All skates, no matter how much you pay, can always be upgraded by purchasing new wheels and bearings.  All boots are fine for outdoor or indoor skating...it's the wheels that are the main concern.

  Outdoor wheels should be solid and are specifically sold as outdoor wheels.

  I hope this answers your question but if you need any further info, feel free to write again.

Pat