One smooth and breezy way to exercise outdoors is on a pair of roller skates. Roller skating gives you an aerobic workout that moves you faster than jogging and keeps you closer to nature than riding your bike. Your first step, so to speak, is finding the best pair of outdoor roller skates to fit your needs.
Skate Types
Outdoor roller skates come in several types. Your first choice is between four-wheel quad skates and inline skates that have up to five wheels in a single file. Your next option is figuring out the type of skating you will be doing. Recreational and artistic skates have a higher boot for more ankle support while speed and derby skates have a lower boot for more mobility. Higher-cut boots work well for a leisurely roll around the neighborhood while the lower-cut speed skates give you more power for aerobic workouts.
Wheel Hardness and Technology
Outdoor roller skate wheels are generally softer than indoor wheels because they need to provide some bounce and shock absorption over rough terrain. Hardness, or durometer, for outdoor wheels ranges from 78A to 88A, with the harder skates having the higher numbers, Lead Jammer Skate explains. The harder wheels move faster but softer wheels provide a better grip on the skating surface. Most roller skate wheels consist of urethane and made with either TMI or MDI technology. Although the MDI wheels are more expensive, they are also less likely to pick up outdoor grit and dirt than the lower-cost wheels.
Wheel Size
Wheels that are narrow and tall are usually the way to go with outdoor roller skates, Lead Jammer Skate says. Narrow, tall wheels move faster than wider, shorter wheels because the wheel's diameter and width both play a part in the speed. The narrow wheels tend to slip more than wider wheels, but outdoor terrain is not as slick or slippery as indoor tracks or rinks. Wheels measuring between 62 mm and 65 mm work well for outdoor skating --- but only outdoor skating. Such a size would be clumsy, awkward and difficult for any indoor skaters, New Skate notes. Some wheels might claim to be sufficient for both indoor and outdoor use, but Roller Girl says you're better off with a specific set of wheels for each venue.
Other Factors
The skate's material is one more factor to consider. Leather is durable and pliable, but it generally needs a breaking-in period before it is comfortable, Roller Girl notes. Suede makes it easy to brush off dirt, New Skates says. Another option is synthetic material made to resemble leather, which might be easy to clean but not as breathable or pliable as leather eventually will be.
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