Before inline skates rolled the market up from behind (literally), roller skates were all the rage. And like many trends from the 80s, this one also celebrated a comeback in 2020: Since then, riding on four castors has enjoyed increasing popularity – especially among children.
In contrast to classic inline skates, roller skates do not have a brake pad at the back, but a stopper at the front. This is useful in many ways: it provides additional support, helps with navigation and provides more momentum when driving. For children who have not had any experience with skating, roller skates are the perfect introduction. Driving on two adjacent rollers is not only fun, but also promotes endurance and dexterity. However, before you decide on a model, you should know the most important (purchase) criteria. How to find the right roller skates for children
Checklist: This is what you need to consider before you buy
The sizeSince children’s feet are still growing, it is advisable to leave some room for improvement when buying roller skates. So that the skates will still fit next year. Nevertheless, you should make sure that your feet have a firm grip in the shoes – and don’t slip back and forth. Size-adjustable models for boys and girls, which can simply grow with children’s feet, are particularly well suited here.
The shoes There is a general distinction between hard and soft boots. This means the shoes on the wheels, which are either soft (and flexible) or hard and stiff. While pure plastic shoes offer more stability and relieve the joints, the wearing comfort of soft boots is significantly higher – and therefore also the better choice for children: Due to the improved mobility and the soft inner workings, hard boots are hardly available anymore anyway.
The wheelsThe shore durometer scale (0 to 100A) indicates the degree of hardness of the wheels. The harder the rubber, the higher the value. While soft rollers glide more smoothly over the ground and increase driving comfort, hard rollers do not wear out as quickly – and ensure more direct power transmission when driving. Accordingly, soft wheels are a safer start for children, while the hard models are more suitable for experienced skaters.
Roller skates for children: safety always comes first
The stopper (also called a toe stop) at the front of the roller skate is used to navigate and brake – this can wear down the material over time. In order not to risk damaging the fixing screw, the stopper should be replaced if it shows signs of wear over time. This means that the journey is always safe for your child.
It is also important, especially for novice drivers, to put on some kind of protective equipment before roller-skating – consisting of protective protectors for elbows, wrists and knees as well as a suitable helmet for children. It cushions dangerous falls and protects your offspring from painful abrasions, especially during the practice phase.
Learning to roller skate: tips for beginners
Your child (depending on their age) should not be left unattended when first trying to drive – instead offer your help to minimize the risk of falling. In any case, it is important that your offspring can hold on to something, be it you or a nearby fence. For practice, choose an empty parking lot or something similar with a smooth surface where your child can try out the first steps. The following tips should help:
And one more tip at the end: There are not only classic roller skates for children, but also special strap-on models. As the name suggests, these are strapped under normal sneakers and attached directly to the feet.
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