| Term |
Description |
| ABEC |
This is an acronym for Annular Bearing Engineers'
Committee. This committee determins the ratings
for each bearing. The rating depends on the bearings
heat tolerance, rotating accuracy, and other measurements.
For the most part, the higher the ABEC rating,
the better the bearing should be. |
| Aggressive Inline Skates |
These skates are built very durable and are
designed for the skater who likes to perform tricks,
usually outdoors. |
| Bearing |
The bearings help the wheels move freely on
the skate. Generally, the higher “rated” the bearing
the better the bearing. However, most non-professional
or non-competitive skaters will not need anything
above a standard bearing. |
| Boot |
This is what attaches to the plates or frames
and wheels of your skate that your foot goes in.
Sometimes referred to as a shoe. |
| Boxer |
A manufacturer of quad roller skates and wheels. |
| Chicago |
A manufacturer of quad roller skates. |
| Double Action Plates |
These plates allow for quicker turns and they
make your skates feel much more responsive. |
| Fitness Inline Skates |
As the name suggests, these skates are designed
for the skater who wants a good pair of skates
to exercise in, usually outdoors. The shoes (boots)
are high top which offers excellent foot and ankle
support. These skates are also very comfortable
so that the skater can skater for longer periods
of time. |
| Hardness (wheel) |
The hardness of a wheel is determined by the
durometer for each wheel. The durometer is assigned
a number followed by the letter "A". A lower number
means the wheel will offer better grip in the
turns, and a higher numbre means the wheel will
offer a faster roll but will tend to have less
traction. Durometers of 94A and lower have more
of a "grip", and durometers of 95A and higher
are more "firm". |
| Hockey Skates |
These are skates that are made for those playing
the sport of Roller Hockey. Roller Hockey is a
very popular sport, especially among youth and
young adults. These skater were designed to hold
up to the abuse due to the nature of the sport.
|
| Hubs |
The inside part of the wheel. |
| Inline Skate |
Inline Skates are very popular skates, especially
for those wanting to skate outdoors as well as
those wanting to speed skate. Inline Skates feature
wheels that are, well, in line with each other.
Inline Skates have anywhere from 3 to 5 wheels
per pair of skate. |
| Kingpins |
A part of the truck that helps support and manuver
the skate. |
| Labeda |
A manufacturer of quad roller skates. |
| Lynx |
A manufactuer of quad roller skates and bearings. |
| Memory Foam Boot |
A boot that will conform to your foot to allow
the boot to "become one" with your foot and ankle. |
| Outdoor Skates |
These skates are simply meant for the outdoors.The
wheels are specifically designed to skate outdoors
where the ground is not as smooth. |
| Pacer |
A manufacturer of quad roller skates. |
| Plate |
This is attached to the bottom of your skate
and holds the wheels. Sometimes referred to as
the chassis. |
| Plug |
A plug will replace a toe stop in a quad skate.
Some skaters prefer to not have a toe stop get
in the way of their skate so they will replace
it with a plug so the metal from the skate will
not damage the skating surface. |
| Polyurethane Wheel |
Type of material that wheel is made out of. |
| Power Straps |
These are straps that tighten your boot for
more support as well as holds your laces. |
| Quad Skate |
Quad skates have always been considered the
“traditional” skate and this is what most skaters
rent when they go to their local skating rink.
Quad Skates are great for those wanting to go
fast, perform skating tricks, jam (dancing on
skates), play roller derby, skate outside, artistic
skate (type of dancing on skates), or just those
wanting an all-around rink skate. |
| Racing Inline Skates |
Racing Inline Skates are skates that were designed
to go fast, simply put. The shoe (boot) is designed
so that it fits as close to your foot as possible
allowing you the least amount of wind resistance
as possible. The wheels of these skates are easily
interchangeable to allow the skater to skate indoors
or outdoors. |
| Recreational Quad Skates |
Recreational Skates are also sometimes referred
to as Artistic Skates. These are traditional style
skates that are for those wanting to artistically
dance, usually in a skating rink, kind of like
ice skaters but instead of a blade they have wheels.
These skates feature high boots that allow for
good control while performing spins or jumps.
The wheels are more narrow which allow for easy
turning and maneuverability. |
| Riedell |
A manufacturer of quad roller skates. |
| Rock Skate |
A manufacturer of quad roller skates. |
| Roller Derby Skates |
The sport of Roller Derby dates back to the
1930s and is quickly gaining in popularity. These
skates are designed to take the abuse that is
experienced by participating in the sport. Roller
Derby Skates require durability but also a skate
that can get up to fast levels very quickly as
well as hold through tight turns. |
| Single Action Plates |
These plates allow you to be closer to the floor
and give you a feeling of stability when cornering
at high speeds. |
| Speed Wheels |
Wheels that are designed to help the skater
go faster. |
| Sure-Grip |
A manufacturer of quad roller skates. |
| Toe Stop |
Helps stop the skate. Usually in the front on
quad skates and in the back on inline skates. |
| Trucks |
The trucks attach to the plate and hold the
wheels. |
| Urethane Wheel |
Type of material that wheel is made out of. |
| Vanilla |
A manufacturer of quad roller skates. |
| Wheels |
Each skater requires different types of wheels
depending on what the skater is doing. Outdoor
skaters will need a "softer" wheel to allow for
the non-smooth surfaces and an indoor skater will
need a harder wheel. |