Have you ever put on a pair of rollerblades and gone inline skating? There is a feeling of euphoria as you glide past everybody, taking regular thumpy steps, and feel the wind brushing against your face.
Image by Ilja Ketschik from Pixabay
If you do it with a group of friends or family members, the joyful experience is enhanced manifold. But that’s just the psychological benefit.
Rollerblading is also an anaerobic workout because it strengthens your body muscles while toning them. However, one needs to own a good pair of rollerblades first, and you may invite sprains and fractures if you do not use good skates.
If you are looking for the best rollerblades for men, here are some things you should pay attention to while buying them.
What is the size of the wheels?
The size of your wheels will also play a significant role in its speed, comfort, acceleration, and stability. If you are an amateur blader and are just starting, it is advisable to go with small wheels, as they provide extensive control.
Large ones will suit you best if you are an advanced skater looking for speed. Wheel sizes in rollerblades are mentioned as millimeters and are available in various options, including 80, 82, 76, etc.
What type of cuffs are available?
Most of the rollerblades you find have two types of cuffs: low and high. High cuffs offer maximum support to the ankle during recreational, freestyle, and other forms of skating. A lower placed cuff provides more ankle mobility, enabling a more comprehensive range of motion and edging control, and is suitable for races.
However, if you are an experienced speed skater and want optimum mobility, you could buy skates with no cuffs. But you will require strong ankle muscles and greater control for that.
Is the closure system efficient?
A closure system refers to the method which enables you to close and secure the blades. It is crucial to have a strong closure because you might easily fall or trip without it. You can choose from four types of closures depending on your requirements and preferences.
These are standard, ratchet, velcro, power-assisted, and boa lacing. The oldest is traditional lacing, which you tie into a knot. Ratchet buckles are two or three buckle closure systems used with standard and quick laces.
Velcro or power straps are used alongside standard lacing and ratchet buckling systems and keep your heels in the correct position. Power-assisted lacing is convenient as you can secure the skate with a simple tug of the cable that runs up the booth, while Boa lacing also has a quick pull and tighten mechanism.
What kinds of liners are used?
Liners play an essential role in rollerblades because they enable your feet to adjust to the feet comfortably. You should ensure that your rollerblades have comfortable liners that provide optimum support and hold your ankles properly while you perform maneuvers.
The most common ones are made of foam, that offers both comfort and padding, and is suitable for beginners. Auto-fit liners have gels of pads that adjust themselves to your feet automatically whenever you wrap the skates.
Are they a proper fit?
Before buying a rollerblade, carefully check if it is in alignment with your shoe or boot size or not. A bigger or smaller one will be highly inconvenient and prevent you from enjoying the activity thoroughly. Choose a rollerblade that is the exact fit as your standard shoe size.
So these were some factors that you must consider to find the best rollerblades for men and safely enjoy the rollerblading sport.
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