Inline skating is an easy-to-access social and physical activity solution for kids, but buying inline skates for young skaters is not as easy. There are many brands and styles of skates for children, but it is very hard to find small, durable, supportive, well-made inline skates with quality wheels and bearings. And your child deserves to skate in good skates - especially if he or she will participate in family skating activities and may need to try to keep up with you. The information below will help you make decisions on affordable solutions for children's inline skating equipment.
Children Need the Inline Skate Features That Adults Need
A child needs almost the same support, durability, quality and wheel set-up that an adult would need for a similar level of inline skating. A beginner kid can certainly use entry level equipment. A child who does trail skating with the family will need appropriate features to keep up with everyone. Children who participate in the hockey, speed or figure disciplines will definitely need sport specific inline equipment in order to participate.
Do Not Buy Inline Skates That Are Too Large
When buying inline skates for children, choosing a pair that is way too big is not a good solution to accommodate growth. Skates which are either too large or too small will cause blisters, provide inadequate support and slow down the learning curve, too.
Do Not Buy Inline Skates That Have Inadequate Support
Any children's inline skates that do not keep the ankle upright when securely fastened are not a good plan. Even if the boot fits the foot properly, lack of ankle support is a sign of the wrong skate for your child.
Consider Inline Skates With Growth Liners or Insoles
Recreational inline skates that come with removable liners occasionally have optional liner sizes to accommodate growth. Parents whose children who skate in inline figure skates can usually get growth insoles from the boot manufacturer or the shop that did the child’s boot fitting. This insole or the optional liner will temporarily fill up any extra space left for growth to maintain a good fit for the child’s foot until it catches up to the boot size. Availability of these options should be discussed with your rink pro shop or inline skate retailer, and these items definitely will require the presence of the skater at the time of purchase to fit properly.
Try Adjustable Inline Skates
A big consideration for parents when buying good quality inline skates is the expense of replacing skates as the child grows. But, there are a lot of affordable adjustable skates for kids that can be purchased online, at a local rink pro shop or at a sporting goods store. These skates will actually grow a few sizes with your little skater, so having him or her there for a fitting is not crucial. In addition to entry level recreational skates, there are adjustable inline skate models for young hockey and speed skaters, too.
Consider Buying Used Inline Skates
Another option is to shop on Ebay, at Play It Again Sports or at other used equipment stores. Usually, children outgrow their inline skates before they wear them out, so there is a lot of equipment that is in good condition sitting around in closets and consignment shops waiting for a good home.
Remember That Inline Skate Sizes Vary
Inline skates are just like any other footwear - sizes vary between brands and styles. Many seasoned skaters select brands for the slight differences in fit as much as they choose them for features. A child usually is not given the option, but his or her little feel have feelings and can feel slight differences, too. Whenever possible, bring the skater along on the shopping trip and listen to your child's comments. For gift purchases and other situations, make sure to follow the instructions below and be sure that any unused skate purchased is exchangeable. Keep your exchange options open by never skating in equipment that doesn't fee right while standing or walking on carpet.
How To Buy Without the Skater
If you are considering adjustable inline skates or will be making any other inline skate purchase without your little skater present, be sure to trace the child’s stocking feet in advance using the type of socks that will be worn for skating. Measure the length of the tracing from heel to toe and measure the widest width across the ball of the foot on the tracing. Provide these measurements as additional info, if shopping online. Most online retailers will appreciate this, because it may reduce returns. Or cut out the tracings to compare to insoles or liners, if shopping at a retail store. This extra step will help you and your sales person select an adjustable skate with the longest possible use time or a regular skate with a better fit. And if your child’s foot has any irregular features, this may prevent you from buying a skate that doesn’t accommodate them.
Do Not Buy Without Consulting the Coach
If your child is in a skating class or training program, be sure to speak with instructors or coaches before buying any inline skating equipment. The wrong equipment for training can make your investment in lessons a waste of money. Besides, private lesson and group class fees include any and all expertise your inline skating professional can offer - so take it even if you don't need it.
Protective Gear Can Be Outgrown, Too
If your little skater has outgrown his or her inline skates, be sure to check the helmet and other safety gear to see if they still fit, too. Everything needs to fit properly for safe inline skating.
