Not all inline skates are designed to be used on the road. Rollerblading on pavement, blacktop and other road surfaces can eat up your wheels quickly and will have you replacing them more frequently than you probably would like. Road surfaces are often uneven and bumpy, so it's important to choose the right type of skate for maximum comfort and stability.
Types
There are several types of road-ready inline skates, including recreational, aggressive and five-wheel models. Each type offers specific features designed to be used for a different purpose on the road. For instance, recreational skates are for all-around use on sidewalks, paths and roads. Aggressive skates feature slightly smaller and wider wheels for freestyle road skating with jumps, tricks and rail slides. The inline skates featuring five wheels are ideal for speed skating or long distance road skating.
Skate Boot
Since roads are typically bumpy and uneven, it's important to find a skate with a comfortable and stable boot. The features to look for include a comfortable liner, a lightweight exterior and an adequate lace/strap combination for ankle support. The boot should fit snugly yet comfortably. When the skate is laced up and any straps and buckles are tightened, the skate should feel comfortable and secure.
Wheel Size
The wheels are probably the most important part of the best possible road skate. Roads can chew up wheels that are too small. Larger-diameter wheels are ideal for road use because they provide extra durability. Choose a skate with wheels that are more than 80 mm. Skates with smaller-diameter wheels are better used for inline hockey or freestyle skating. Beginners should not go with too large of a wheel, however--bigger wheels tend to increase your speed potential on the road.
Wheel Hardness
The hardness of an inline skate wheel is measured using the durometer scale. This scale ranges from 74A up to 85A or higher. The higher end of the scale represents wheels that are harder, meaning they will give you increased durability for road use. Harder wheels are also ideal for heavier people. Soft wheels offer greater grip, but they will also wear out quickly. The best way to go is to choose a middle-of-the-road wheel configuration that offers an optimal grip/durability combination. Typically, 82A or 84A wheels will help you achieve this goal; lighter individuals may be able to use 78A wheels efficiently.
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