Skating is a great way to teach your kids better balance and coordination and a fun way to explore the outdoors, while socializing with friends and family. Finding the perfect pair of kids skating shoes for your child can differ quite a bit depending on their skill level and what style of skating they want to pursue. Read on to understand what skating gear your child needs, depending on their skill level - beginners, intermediates or experts.
WHERE CAN I BUY KIDS' ROLLER SKATES?
You can find the right skates for your children either on Decathlon’s online store or use the store locator to locate the closest store to you. Explore Decathlon’s top-selling brand Oxelo, which is the go-to pick for kids' roller skates and rollerblades. Whether your kids are taking a quick trip closeby or stunting at the local skate park, Decathlon offers a great range of kids' roller skates. Find out how to buy roller skates for kids and all-things skating, from boys' and girls' roller skates to the best roller skates for toddlers and children of all ages, that will keep their comfort, stability and performance in mind.
A GUIDE TO BUYING SKATES FOR KIDS
SIZING
The rule of thumb is to ensure your child's rollerblades offer a snug fit, with a single layer of socks to prevent discomfort and blisters. It's also recommended that you go up a size for comfortable maneuvering (unless stated otherwise in the product-specific manual). Children's skates are often adjustable, so your kids won't be outgrowing them anytime soon and they offer you enough wriggle room, if you can't get your kids to try them in-store. If you're opting for non-adjustable kids' roller skates, it's a good idea to refer to the size guide before purchasing.
You can opt for age-specific rollerblades considering your child's size and skill level.
Best Roller Skates for Toddlers
For toddlers, consider investing in quad skates to offer the stability and balance needed to keep them safe, while depending on the extra support they need to learn to maneuver on four wheels. The four wheels' positioning- two at the front and two at the back - offer greater balance and slower speeds and act as a great induction into the world of skating. Check out the Kids’ Roller Skates Quad 100 which is a perfect pair of beginner-friendly skates for children who are just starting out or looking to casually skate.
Best Roller Skates for 5-Year-Olds
The best roller skates for 5-year-olds prioritize comfort, ankle support, and adjustable sizing, as they are still learning to stay balanced. Make sure your kid's roller skates are hard-wearing, so they can handle falls and scrapes easily. Make sure to gear up on skate helmets and protective gear for the peace of mind you need to let your kids test their limits in comfort and safety.
Best Roller Skates for 7 to 9-Year-Olds
The best roller skates for 7 to 9 year olds can be either quad skates or inline skates, depending on how experienced they are with skating and maintaining balance. If your kids have been riding for a while, their strength in their ankles would be developed to maneuver inline skates confidently. If they wish to continue it as a sport, sticking to quads for safer learning is the ideal recommendation.
TYPES OF SKATING
1) Recreational Skating - If your kids are new to the world of skating, this is the most beginner-friendly option on our list that you should start with. Recreational skating can be done at leisure, around the park or in safe spaces in the neighborhood or town. The skates focus on providing comfort and aren't made to level up or skate competitively. These are generally fitted with four wheels and a heel break and are on the softer side.
2) Fitness Skating - Fitness skates usually refer to long-distance skating, where you're likely to cover a lot of ground. These typically offer three- or four-wheel varieties and are great for intermediates seeking a comfortable, lightweight, ventilated ride.
3) Aggressive Inline Skating - Aggressive inline skating usually refers to stunts and tricks you'd see at your local skate park and on half pipes. Often making use of ledges and rails, aggressive skating is usually only suitable for pros. The skates tend to be heavy, offering smaller wheels for greater maneuverability and stable landing. Aggressive skates are also fitted with a ground plate for sliding and usually come without brakes.
4) Inline Hockey - Used for regular-ground (non-ice) hockey games, hockey skates focus on maneuverability with a short wheelbase. These offer a hard boot for durability upon impact and stay stiff for greater support.
