Roller vs Inline

Question
Hi Pat,

I used to be quite proficient on roller skates and fairly good on blades as well.  I will be 50 this year and ready to purchase a new pair of skates or blades after 10 years of not skating but wonder if the skates might be a little safer for me.  My only concern is whether skates will hold up well to outdoor use or if blades are best.  I would really appreciate your help!!  Thanks!!  Susan

Answer
Hi Susan,
  I think that's a personal preference.  They make roller skates specifically for outdoor use and people seem to love them.  My personal preference (for safety reasons only) would be to use roller blades because I feel they handle stones, twigs etc. better.  It makes sense that the less wheel you have on the ground the less likely you are to trip over something.  Outdoor roller skates have a very wide wheel where the roller blades have thin wheels.

  I suppose it depends on where you will be skating.  If it's a clean, smooth, paved path it wouldn't matter.  But if it's somewhere where you'll run into stones, twigs etc. then I would go with the blades.

  As far as durability?   They are both equal as far as holding up for outdoor skating.  The other thing to consider is smoothness.   You will get a smoother ride from the blade vs the roller skate because of the width of the wheels.  

But like I said.....it's a personal preference.  But no matter which one you purchase..make sure you wear safety equipment if you skate outdoors.

I hope this helped a little bit.  It's a hard decision to make.  So buy both! <g>   Blades for summer skating
outdoors and roller skates for winter indoor skating.  How's that?  

Good Luck and have fun.
Pat