When you consider buying inline skates vs. roller skates, you have to take a lot of details into account. These include structure, wheel alignment, use cases, and the type of brake design each style uses. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced roller-skater, knowing why the differences exist and what will work best for you matters a lot.
Why are they so different? What makes a roller skate toe stop the best choice for some people and the roller blades stop design the one others should choose?
Inline Skates vs. Roller Skates – Brake Design
Not only are the brake placement and design different for inline skates and quad-wheel roller skate styles, but how you use them is quite unique, too. Learn why they work the way they do, and which one suits your skating style better.
Roller Blades Stop – Back Brake Design
You can clearly see the rear-mounted brake on Nattork inline skates and other brands. In most cases, there’s only one instead of having a brake on each skate. The user definitely has to remember which is which when they’re zooming down the sidewalk or around the skating rink.
Although some people do tricks with inline skates, they are primarily used for speed more than classic four-wheel designs. The point of the braking system is to slow you down and let you stop safely, not to adjust momentum or direction quickly in an artistic way.
Roller blades or inline skate brake usage is simple. All you have to do is tip the foot with the brake on it back slightly and drag the braking pad along the ground. Keep this foot in front of the other one. This will slow you down gradually until you stop. You’ll have to maintain balance and keep your other foot from shooting forward quickly during the process. Bend your knees and lean back slightly to make it easier.
Roller Skate Toe Stop – Two Front Brake
Nattork roller skates feature a strong, rubberized toe stop on each of the quad skates they sell. This design matches the main purpose of traditional roller skates. Besides being easier to use for younger and inexperienced folks, it also helps if you want to do tricks or fancy turns.
These quad skates are built for style and versatility, not just zooming forward or slaloming down the road. The toe stops help you brake quickly but safely, start up again easily, and manage the maneuverability of each skate individually.
There are multiple ways to stop using the toe brakes on quad skates. The most common is quite similar to inline skates’ method, just in reverse. Let one foot trail behind the other, tilt it upward so the toe brake hits the floor, and let it drag to slow down. You can also alternate feet with toe drags if you have more room to stop.
Some people who choose this style of roller skate stop without using the brake at all. You can turn one foot sideways and drag it slightly or use a V-stop method similar to what you’d do on snow skis. Skilled skaters might even try a toe jump dance move that lands you on both toe stops at the same time with your knees bent. Don’t try this one unless you’re an expert!
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