Whether you're looking for a solid pair of aggressive inline skates for freestyle or just in need of a pair for recreational purposes, there are a variety of design aspects to look for in top-notch street skates. The areas of focus include the boot, wheels, chassis and bearings.
Boot/Shell
The boot is a critical part of a skate. The best street skates offer the most comfortable and stable boots. They use materials like nylon, miracle foam and strategically located ankle padding to increase comfort while skating on uneven surfaces, such as roads. The outer shell on the best street skates feature a ventilation system for keeping your feet cool and are made of lightweight yet durable materials, such as carbon fiber.
Chassis
The chassis is the part of the skate that holds your wheels. Riding on the streets can put a lot of stress on your chassis, so look for a high-strength, metal chassis system. It is made from lightweight metals, such as magnesium, titanium or aluminum alloy. Depending on your intended use of the skates -- recreation or trick skating-- your chassis size and shape will vary significantly. Aggressive inline chassis systems are shorter and flatter, making them ideal for rail slides and grinds. Recreational skates are taller for holding larger wheels for speed on the streets.
Wheels
Street skate wheels vary in size from 50 mm to 60 mm for aggressive inline street skates, to between 70 mm and 100 mm for most recreational/fitness skates. The best wheels to use for the street are slightly harder than indoor wheels to help increase durability. Wheel hardness is measured by using the durometer scale. A wheel with a durometer score of 80A to 84A -- people over 180 pounds should use the higher number -- will provide the ideal balance between durability and grip.
Bearings
Bearings are graded on their ABEC rating. This ranges from ABEC 1 to ABEC 9, with higher numbers representing bearings with tighter tolerances during the manufacturing process. ABEC 9 bearings are the best choice for indoor or outdoor skates. A newer type of bearing made from ceramic rather than steel balls might be a better choice for the street because it requires less maintenance and cleaning.
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