If you start playing roller derby with a professional club, they will lend you roller derby pads, skates and Triple Eight roller derby helmets so that you can get started right away. However, if you are learning from a self-hired coach or practicing on your own, you will need to arrange for your own gears. Although, the list of the things you need can be daunting but the most important things you will need, include skates, roller derby pads, helmets, wrist guards, and mouth guards. In this article, we will discuss how to buy skates for roller derby.
Skates
Skates are one of the first and the most expensive item involved in the game of roller derby. Most roller girls prefer buying the popular brands of the skates as they are easily available and it is easier to buy replacement for them. The most common brands for skates are Riedell, Minx, She-Devils, Vixens and Wickeds. All of these skate brands are greats but it is probably a good idea to have a look at your finances before finalizing one. After all you need to spare money for buying roller derby pads and helmets as well. If however, you are gifted with good finances, customs skates such as Bonts can be bought to get what need from your skates, of course at a cost.
If you have a tight budget, buy a skate with a metal plate. A plate is something that runs along with the base of the boot and every other part of skate is bolted on it. A skate with metal plate is much stronger and durable than plastic plates. If your cash is really tight, you can also consider buying second hand skates. eBay, Facebook, and specialized forums are great places to find second hand stuff. You can also contact your roller derby league to see if they have any special deals with local retailer. There are some online stores that offer discounts and free delivery for skates as well.
Once you have been skating for a considerable time to figure out the kind of skater you are, you are probably ready to upgrade your wheels, plates or bearings to further improve your performance. When it comes to selecting wheels there are so many styles to choose from. The best way to find out what works best for you is to check what other girls are using and ask if you can try their wheel for doing a lap or two.
Wheels are mounted on wheel using small, circular piece of hardware called bearings. Most bearings come with an ABES rating from 1 to 9. The higher the number on the bearing, the quicker the spinning will be. The most commonly used bearings come with an ABEC 5 rating. While selecting plates, the trade-off will be in between weight and strength. Nylon plates are lighter but not as strong and stable as aluminum or other metal plates. A skate is an expensive buy. Therefore, it is best to select them with utmost care and upgrade them when required.
Skates
Skates are one of the first and the most expensive item involved in the game of roller derby. Most roller girls prefer buying the popular brands of the skates as they are easily available and it is easier to buy replacement for them. The most common brands for skates are Riedell, Minx, She-Devils, Vixens and Wickeds. All of these skate brands are greats but it is probably a good idea to have a look at your finances before finalizing one. After all you need to spare money for buying roller derby pads and helmets as well. If however, you are gifted with good finances, customs skates such as Bonts can be bought to get what need from your skates, of course at a cost.
If you have a tight budget, buy a skate with a metal plate. A plate is something that runs along with the base of the boot and every other part of skate is bolted on it. A skate with metal plate is much stronger and durable than plastic plates. If your cash is really tight, you can also consider buying second hand skates. eBay, Facebook, and specialized forums are great places to find second hand stuff. You can also contact your roller derby league to see if they have any special deals with local retailer. There are some online stores that offer discounts and free delivery for skates as well.
Once you have been skating for a considerable time to figure out the kind of skater you are, you are probably ready to upgrade your wheels, plates or bearings to further improve your performance. When it comes to selecting wheels there are so many styles to choose from. The best way to find out what works best for you is to check what other girls are using and ask if you can try their wheel for doing a lap or two.
Wheels are mounted on wheel using small, circular piece of hardware called bearings. Most bearings come with an ABES rating from 1 to 9. The higher the number on the bearing, the quicker the spinning will be. The most commonly used bearings come with an ABEC 5 rating. While selecting plates, the trade-off will be in between weight and strength. Nylon plates are lighter but not as strong and stable as aluminum or other metal plates. A skate is an expensive buy. Therefore, it is best to select them with utmost care and upgrade them when required.
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