Purchasing Skates for Children
When it comes to selecting skates for youngsters, there are two main options: roller blades and roller skates. Many of these skates for kids are adjustable in size and provide strong ankle support, making them excellent for young users. This guide will help you choose the perfect skates for your child.
View this video for a brief summary of essential information before acquiring children's skates. The video is in English.
Skating with your child is an enriching and enjoyable activity that serves as a fantastic form of exercise and helps enhance their motor skills, like balance, all while enjoying the outdoor environment. If your child is a beginner, skating alongside them might boost their confidence.
Which to opt for: Roller Blades or Roller Skates?
There are several similarities and differences between roller blades and roller skates for youngsters. At SkatePro, we ensure that all skates are equipped with PU rubber (polyurethane) wheels as opposed to plastic ones. Rubber wheels offer superior grip on surfaces compared to their plastic counterparts.
Additionally, skates for children come with excellent ankle support, granting them better stability and control.
Children's Roller Blades
Roller blades, also known as inline skates, allow for easier acceleration and maintenance of speed, thanks to the narrow wheels that reduce surface contact and roll resistance.
These are typically lightweight and, without trucks, they require less upkeep.
If you're planning more extended outings with your child, we suggest opting for inline skates. They can also be seen as a summertime substitute for ice skates, enabling you to work on ice skating techniques in warm weather.
Roller Skates / Quad Skates for Kids
Roller skates, which are also called quad skates, feature wheels arranged in pairs rather than a line and come with a wide baseplate for enhanced stability and balance. A toe stop is located at the front, used both for propelling forward and as a brake.
Quad skates experience more roll resistance due to wider wheels, reducing the chance of an unexpected gain in speed.
Trucks located under quad skates enable the adjustment of skate hardness, allowing you to increase manoeuvrability or tighten them for more directional stability.
Often regarded as the traditional skates, roller skates were the earliest variety available, and some parents choose them for nostalgic reasons, recalling their own childhood experiences.
Adjustable Skates for Kids
Many skates designed for youngsters can be adjusted in size, simplifying the task of selecting the correct size. These adjustable skates can accommodate up to a growth of 3-4 sizes, and modifying their size is straightforward—you merely slide the boot in or out by pressing a button or another adjusting mechanism.
Should you decide on non-adjustable skates, consider these tips:
- Refer to the size guide included on each product page.
- Generally, you should select a size one step above the regular shoe size, unless the size guide suggests otherwise.
Protective Gear for Skating
To avoid injuries, we strongly advise wearing comprehensive protective gear that covers the head, wrists, elbows, and knees.
It’s important to choose certified protective equipment. At SkatePro, we offer only equipment that complies with the EN 1078 standards and most of it has undergone additional testing by skaters.
We recommend using a skate helmet for your child as it effectively shields the back of the head, making it particularly suitable for skating activities where backward falls are common. Some skate helmets even feature size adjustment options. Typically, children's wrist guards include two plates—one positioned over and the other beneath the hand—stabilising and protecting it from fractures.
Remember to consult the size guide for guidance on selecting the correct size.
Upkeep of Children's Skates
Properly caring for your youngster’s skates is essential to ensure their longevity and smooth operation. This involves:
- Avoidance of skating on sandy or wet surfaces.
- Storing skates in a dry, preferably indoor, location.
Peruse our extensive collection of roller skates for kids or roller blades for kids.
If you have further enquiries, feel free to reach out to us for additional guidance. Our customer support team is always prepared to assist. :-)