Although laces provide a better fit, buckle closures are okay if they retain their setting after you've taken the skates off. Harder wheels last longer and are faster on smooth, hard surfaces, while softer wheels absorb shock better and are better at gripping rougher surfaces. A skate's bearings determine how smoothly the wheels spin . Make sure the frame, the bottom of the boot where the wheels are mounted, is sturdy enough to hold your weight . Determine what kind of brake you're most comfortable with .
More experienced skaters seem to do better with heel brakes.
Skates made specifically for women have a lower cuff and narrower framework , but women with wide feet may prefer a men's model. Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our All The Reviews Reviewed chart. As mentioned above, the skate picked by the most reviewers, the Solomon TR, was pulled from store shelves in the U.S. due to a patent-infringement lawsuit. Other models with multiple top picks are included in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers. Other Considerations Manufacturers introduce new inline skate models every year.