Urban and freeskate skates

When to choose urban skates

Choose urban skates if you skate on pavements, paving stones and among people, or if you’re still learning technique. A hard shell transfers the movement of your foot to the frame without delay, and a short frame (typically 243 mm with four 80 mm wheels) lets you turn tightly and change direction quickly.

The same design is more tiring on long, smooth routes: smaller wheels need more frequent pushes than fitness skates. We describe the differences in the guide urban or fitness skates.

What to look at when comparing models

• Frame — check in the specifications what it’s made of and the largest wheel diameter it takes.
• Liner (inner boot) — a removable one can be dried, washed and replaced years later.
• Closure — a cuff buckle, a 45° buckle or a strap over the instep, and laces. The instep closure is what keeps your heel in place.
• Brake — sometimes it’s in the box for you to fit yourself, sometimes it’s sold separately.

Differences between ranges

Rollerblade Twister XT and RB, FR Skates FR1, FR2 and NEO, and Seba E3 share the same idea: a hard boot and replaceable parts. They differ in equipment (frame, liner, wheels, bearings) and in the shape of the shell, so the choice often comes down to a fitting or measuring the width of your foot. Choose the length in millimetres — how to measure your foot.