SKATE AND GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
TRY OUR INLINE SKATE BEFORE PURCHASING.
Skate Journeys offers new students the opportunity to borrow skates during weekend classes in Lynnwood, which are free for the first two sessions. See Rentals for more info»
Investing in high-quality skates is crucial for an incredible learning experience for you and your loved ones. At Skate Journeys, we believe that your skating journey should be smooth and effortless, which is why we insist on the right equipment. It’s also worth noting that most of our locations require non-marking skates to protect their gym floor. Embrace the challenge and start your journey today! Review our Gear Purchasing Guide.
We have valuable recommendations for your Inline Skate, Quad Skates, Helmets, and other skate gear purchases. Should you have any inquiries, our Executive Director and staff are at your service to assist you in selecting the perfect skates and gear. Contact us.
WHY the type of Inline or quad skates you buy make a difference?
• Many brands and models do not provide sufficient support; the foot moves around inside.
• The wheels are often plastic, not designed to roll, instead of Urethane which is designed to roll.
• Wheels can mark up floors.
• Heel break and toe breaks can also mark up floors.
List of skates that are not allowed on our gym floors:
| Roller Derby, | Schwinn | Nike | Bladerunner |
| Lower end models (The ones that run $139) | |||
| Rollerblade lower end models (The ones with “X” in the name like GTX are acceptable) | |||
| Any model without a brand on it are not appropriate. | |||
| There are also others not mentioned here. Feel free to contact us to ask us if they are acceptable. | |||
IMPORTANT NOTE: Skate Journeys leases several area gyms and is required to inspect skates before allowing them onto the floor. It’s important to note that incorrect skates can damage and mark the floors, which is both costly and could jeopardize our lease. We reserve the right to deny the use of certain skates that could potentially damage the gym floors. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Purchasing Inline Skates
We Recommend: www.shop-task.com. (Students get 10% Discount)
Only buy Skates at high quality stores, like our local skate shop: www.shop-task.com. While Big Box stores offer you convenience for buying many items, we suggest that you not attempt to purchase skates at chain stores (eg. Big Five or Target).
Purchasing a $70 pair of kids’ skates means that they will be of cheap construction; and the wheels, brakes and spacers are often made of plastic instead of urethane, rubber, and aluminum respectively. You should expect to pay approximately $125 -190 for good quality kid skates and $175-$275 for adults. These skates will also likely have a high resale value.
We will check your skates and determine if they will provide your child, or you, with what is necessary to learn and improve. Please see our Purchasing Skates tab for reliable vendors, then you can be confident you have purchased quality skates that you can use for learning, playing and they will last.
High Quality Skate Brands.
- Rollerblade / Rollerblade Jr
- * SEBA / SEBA JR.
- Roces (Note: Disposable skates, not appropriate for reselling)
* Instructor Favorite / Demo Fleet
Skate Brands to STAY AWAY from.
- Roller Derby
- Schwinn
- Chicago
- Nike
- Bladerunner
- Skates without a brand
Purchasing Quad Skates
We Recommend: Riedell
Get Your Bearings Skate Shop carries quad skates and can help you learn about them. Best Brand? Hands Down it’s Riedell.
Important: Do not purchase Roller Derby or Chicago quad skates, you will outperform them in just a few lessons.
Helmets
We Recommend: Triple 8 Helmets
Our helmet of choice is the Triple 8 brand with the sweat saver band inside. “Protect” and other ‘utility’ helmets also provide good protection and are often cheaper. While bike helmets work fine, if you are taking up skating, we recommend purchase of the utility helmet with the flat back. Please note that ‘bike’ helmets have been rated appropriate for skating, but the inexpensive ones tend to be “one-hit” use meaning if you drop them on the ground, or fall, they should be replaced immediately. We hope you don’t fall, but it is likely, and we want you to protect your head. Learn how to fit your helmet.
Protective Gear
We Recommend: Triple 8 Safety Gear
This type of gear is easier to find and some of the big chain stores have great quality brands. Look for gear that has cushioning for impact in the knees and elbows and good sliders on the palms with wrist protection on the back. Try it on because we have found that only Triple 8 offers gear that always fits elbows, knees and wrist.
Look for Triple 8 (our best bet). Also, recommended are Hyper, K2 & Rollerblade brands in no particular order. Just look for gear that has some cushion. You must try it ALL on to insure it will fit because rarely do the elbows and the knees both fit. Triple 8 gear tends to fit most people. You can store and machine wash your gear (with the Velcro fastened) in mesh laundry bags. Richards Homewares makes a good quality mesh bag that is widely available. We like the tab that allows you to hang or attach it for drying transport or storage. Also, note that Shop Task offers Triple 8 gear for $28 (after your 10% Skate Journeys student discount).
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: We receive no renumeration from the above brands or stores, although SEBA & Triple 8 have provided us with a non-profit price discount for our rental fleet purchases.
TOP↑