For everyone with wheels on their shoes: any kind of roller skates, quad skates, inline skates (rollerblades) or whatever else.
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I’m not sure what your budget is but Marsblade make some nice off-ice skates that vary in price. They’re rockered to feel like you’re on ice, so they would probably have the most authentic feel. I grew up on ice skates myself, so I know that feeling too.
If you’re looking for something cheaper, both K2 and Rollerblade have some rec skates that would get the job done to kick around with your son.
They do offer some strange technology. Even after reading most of their explanations I still don’t quite get how this kind of rockering is supposed to help but as I said, I have no clue about hockey. Anyway, fascinating stuff!
It’s weird. I don’t fully understand it myself and I was in ice skates as a kid. It’s supposed to give the same unstable feeling as being on ice, which is supposed to help keep your ice balance instincts and skills sharp when on asphalt. I wish I could simply try a pair just to see how it feels because the tech is indeed fascinating!
Unfortunately, I do not know anything about hockey. However, I recently did a bit of research on rockered frames in the context of wizard skating.
These are the brands I know of that are selling rockered frames:
A pair usually costs around 200 €.
You could get a relatively cheap boot, like the Powerslide Zoom (the same boot as in the USD Sway), but with wheels and bearings you’ll arrive at 300 to 400 €.
Maybe check out some freeskates instead, like this one: https://bladeville.com/seba-e3-80-black-black.html, Seba has a good reputation, as far as I know.
Whatever model you choose, I’d recommend going for a skate with removable frames (check out this video, if you want to know more about frame mounting).
You could also ask a store directly what they would recommend, they can mix and match different parts for you, at least some stores do (like thisissoul.com in the Netherlands, or skamidan.com in Germany).
Really appreciate you taking the time to put all that together. Will have a look thanks.
You’re welcome!
I’m curious which setup you’ll end up with and if it works out for you. So if you have the time, please feel free to share.
Also, if you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Anyway, good luck, I hope you and your son have fun!
I definitely will. So far I’m learning (I’ve been calling a lot of skate shops) that the HI-LO chassis of a typical hockey skate + rockering = not recommended unless you really know what you’re doing.
I’m also learning that even lower end skates have come a long long way since my 1990s Bauers.
Right, so:
I spoke with a lot of people and eventually ended up chatting with someone who supplies a serious league.
He gave me loads of advice - I would’ve bought from him if they’d been able to get my size, but instead I got…
A pair of X3.5 Bauers. Bottom of the ‘Vapor’ range but there’s no way I need the top spec.
I could’ve gone with something even cheaper but these were at my budget and skates are something I vaguely recall not wanting to cheap out on.
I haven’t rockered. Just gone with the ‘hi-lo’ of 80-80-76-76.
Feels like flying. So smooth. I’m a bit Bambi still, until I get used to being on tarmac. Still training the lad with me wearing shoes until I feel confident enough to catch a fall like I can on ice.
Will report back with a longer term review if anyone’s interested.
Seems like a decent pair of skates, glad you found something that works well for you!
Can you maybe explain the wheel setup? I guess with 80-80-76-76 you are referring to different sizes; what benefits do you gain from this arrangement compared to a flat setup?
Will report back with a longer term review if anyone’s interested.
If you like to, please do!
Ah yes, so 80-80-76-76 is wheel diameter in mm. Back 2, to front 2 wheels.
Pitches your weight forward in an aggressive or ‘ready’ stance much as you would in hockey, with a stick etc.
Comes into its own when sprinting too.
I see, that makes sense! Thanks!