subject: Which Wheels for Rollerblades? [print this page] Which Wheels for Rollerblades? Which Wheels for Rollerblades?
I'm an experienced skater, so I often forget that many of the things that I do naturally as a skater are not natural at all for beginners. One of those items is the question revolving around what skate wheels should be used when rollerblading. A lot of people that I run into have absolutely no idea that they're using the wrong wheels for the type of terrain their skating on, they had no idea that there were different types, and they also wouldn't know what to look for if they went shopping for the right kinds. Well I'm hoping that this article will help clear up the mystery that is inline skate wheels.
Durometer Rating (Wheel Hardness)
The first topic that I would like to discuss is wheel hardness. Wheel hardness is more appropriately known in the skating industry as Durometer rating. The Durometer rating is a rating scale for wheels that lets the user know how hard (or soft) a wheel is, and also should indicate to the skater the intended use. The problem is that the rating scale isn't commonly understood, which leads to many skaters not knowing they're using the wrong wheels in the wrong place. Here's how Durometer ratings basically work, and how those ratings break down into intended use.
Durometer ratings are indicated by a number followed by a capital letter A. The scale runs from 0 to 100, with 0 being the softest rating and 100 being the hardest. And while the scale begins at 0, when speaking in terms of skate wheels it is extremely unlikely that you'd find anything rated softer than a 68A. A wheel that is softer than this will wear down too quickly regardless of where it is used.
Determining what Durometer rating you need for your wheels is simple. The first step is determining what type of skating you will be using your skates for. Indoor only? Outdoor only? Both? Once you make this determination, you can then narrow down the Durometer rating that you will need.
Softer wheels are to be used on smooth surfaces such as indoor hockey or skating rinks. Softer wheels are ideal for this type of surface because they have much better grip than harder wheels. This also equates to faster acceleration.
Harder wheels are to be used on rough surfaces like sidewalks and streets. The harder wheel will not absorb as much shock as a softer wheel, but its durability will prevent it from breaking down quickly. A soft wheel used outdoors will wear down fast and in some cases even fall apart in chunks.
If you want to inline skate indoors and outdoors, there is a middle ground that will offer the grip for indoor but the durability for outdoor. The catch is that you can't use it on extremely rough outdoor terrains.
Breaking Down Durometer Ratings for Skate Wheels
Here is a breakdown of Durometer ratings for their intended use:
68A - 76A rated wheels - Indoor use only
78A - 80A rated wheels - Indoor/Outdoor use (78A rated should be used on smooth outdoor terrain only.)
82A - 84A rated wheels - Outdoor use only (84A is usually the highest Durometer rating you will find on recreation or fitness skate wheels).
