The sport of roller skating can be carried out on either traditional roller skates or inline skates. Traditional roller skates, also known as "quads," differ in many ways from inline skates.
History
According to SkateLog, quad roller skates, or skates in which a wheel in each corner creates a square, are the "traditional" type of roller skate. Quad skates were invented long before inline skates and are still used in a number of disciplines, including artistic skating. Although some skaters experimented with inline skate designs as early as the 18th century, inline skates did not become popular until the 1980s, when designers began to see their usefulness in cross-training.
Wheels
The most obvious difference between quad roller skates and inline skates is the way their wheels are designed and mounted. According to SkateFAQ.com, roller skates consist of four wheels, set in a "square" shape with two in front and two in back. The wheels are mounted to a steel plate, which is then attached to the skate boot. Inline skates, on the other hand, consist of four wheels set in a straight line. The wheels are suspended in a lightweight frame, which is then connected to a steel or plastic plate or molded directly into the skate boot.
Boots
Roller skate boots and inline skate boots also differ. According to RollerSkates.com, quad roller skate boots are typically made of leather or a tough synthetic such as vinyl. To attach the wheels, holes are drilled in the sole of the boot and the wheel plate is attached with screws driven into the holes. Inline skates, however, frequently sport a rigid plastic or polyurethane boot lined with removable synthetic padding. The wheels on an inline skate are frequently mounted to a frame molded to the boot.
Disciplines
Although roller skates and inline skates are interchangeable in many different sports and disciplines, most skaters find that one or the other is preferable in a certain discipline, according to SkateLog.com. Quad roller skates are often used in artistic skating, in roller derby, and are popular among recreational skaters due to their stability. Inline skates, on the other hand, are preferred for sports such as roller hockey, aggressive skating, and cross-training. Many recreational skaters also wear inline skates.
Form
According to SkateFAQs.com, a number of minor differences in a skater's form are apparent when a skater is using roller skates or inline skates. For instance, inline skates require a form similar to cross-country skiing, in which the entire body is committed to each "push" to gain momentum. On quad roller skates, however, the "push" of each foot is made with a bent knee, and the upper body does little except help the skater maintain balance.
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