SKATE AND GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
Skate Journeys will loan you skates at weekend classes for free at your first 3 classes, so try our skates out before purchasing.
Any of the major brands models that are less than $170 for adults and $115 for kids are generally not good-quality skates (Exception: Shop-Task Seattle does offer good-quality Roces skates for about $80 after a 10% skate Journeys student discount). Do not believe it when they state the original price for an adult skate is $250 but it’s on sale for $125. Work with our director to find the right skates for your goals.
**Please note that we reserve the right to deny participants the opportunity to use certain skates on our gym floors due to the fact that they will ruin floors.
Skates are not allowed on our gym floors:
• Roller Derby, Schwinn, Nike, Bladerunner, and lower end models (only the ones that run $139)
• Rollerblade lower end models (only 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 email us to ask us if they are acceptable.
WHY?
• The above brands and models do not provide sufficient support (the foot moves around inside).
•The wheels are often plastic, not Urethane and are not designed to roll.
• We rent several area gyms; and are required to inspect skates before you skate on the floor. The incorrect skates can ruin and mark floors which is costly and can cost us our lease.
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).
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.
Purchasing Quad Skates
We Recommend: Riedell
Roller Derby 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.
Purchasing Inline Skates
Recommendation: www.shop-task.com. (Students get 10% Discount)
Purchasing good Quality skates is important to provide you and/or your family a great experience in learning to skate. At Skate Journeys, we want you to learn with ease by having the right equipment so that you get the most out of your lessons and your skating journey. Also important is that many of our locations only allow skates that will not mark up their gym floor. With this in mind here are our suggestions:
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.
>>Purchasing Adult Skates
>>Purchasing Kid Skates
>>more detailed info ( add a link)
High Quality Skate Brands
- Rollerblade / Rollerblade Jr.
- K2
- * SEBA / SEBA JR.
- Roces (Note: Disposable skates, not appropriate for reselling)
Skate Brands to STAY AWAY from
- Roller Derby
- Schwinn
- Chicago
- Nike
- Bladerunner
- Skates without a brand
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.