Inline skates were first developed and produced by the German branch of SKF, in 1978 with wheels for hockey or street. From then on, inline skating has gained popularity with several inline skating disciplines emerging over time.
MUST READ: The Complete Guide to Help You Get Familiar With Inline Skates
Are you interested in skating at high speeds on inline skates? Well, the two essential factors that you have to take into consideration are boot cuff height and wheel size. Speed skate wheels typically have diameters of between 80mm to 125mm. The larger the wheel diameter, the faster the wheel is; therefore, if you want to skate faster, then larger wheels should be your choice.
The higher the boof cuff, the better the stability and the stiffer the boot, the more the support and strength when pushing off. Inline skates for racing are stiffer in construction for enhanced support and performance.
What are the Fastest Inline Skates?
The fastest recorded speed on inline skates is 77.47 mph. This record was set in Teutonia, Brazil, in 2016, by an Italian, Sandro Bovo. Other achievements by Bovo include winning the Italian championship in 2015 and finishing 3rd at the 2013 World cup.
How Fast Can Inline Skates Go?
The standard speed of inline skates is between 8mph to around 16 mph. However, advanced skaters can manage up to 25+ mph for at least one hour. Top speeds can even stretch to 40+ mph. There have been instances where skaters have been captured at 55-60+ mph. When sprinting on flat surfaces, skillful skaters can reach speeds of 35mph.
The Top 5 Inline Skates for Speed
Below are five inline speed skates that fall into the category of the best skates in the industry.
- Rollerblade Powerblade Elite 125 Skates & Headband Bundle
- K2 Skate Men’s Mod 110 Inline Skate, Gray Black Yellow, 6
- Bont Inline Skates | Inline Speed Skating Racing | Luna Skate Boot + 2PF 6061 Frame + Elemental 110mm Wheels + ABEC5 Bearings | Vegan | Youth – Boys – Girls – Men – Women
- Atom Luigino Strut 125 Inline Skate Package
- K2 Skate Mod 125 Inline Skate
1) Rollerblade Powerblade Elite 125 Skates & Headband Bundle
The Powerblade Elite 125 Skates (Amazon Link) are ideal race skates that come at a reasonable price and give any racer an upper hand at the podium. They are intended for marathon skating and other top-level skating activities.
All aspects of these skates have been carefully selected. They feature a heat moldable boot that permits customization to meet the skater’s foot shape and preference. These skates come with Neoprene tendon guards that offer comfort hence permitting you to fully explore the full range in motion utilizing the low-cut boot design. These skates’ 3WD frames give skaters an added competitive advantage with great efficiency, faster speed, less vibration, increased maneuverability, and a better roll – no wonder these frames have been shinning in the race circuits.
These skates are intended for speed, not braking. However, you can purchase the 3WD brake mount separately. The Powerblade skates feature extruded aluminium frames, TwinCam bearings, and Rollerblades top-performing urethane wheels.
Features:
- Extruded Aluminium frames
- Hydrogen 125mm, 85A urethane wheels
- ILQ9 TwinCam bearings
- Heat moldable carbon boot
Pros:
- Affordable
- Premium components
- Suitable for all speed applications
- Great fit
- Durable
- Pleasant clean aesthetic
- Customizable boot
Cons:
- Not ideal for casual skaters
- Do not come with brakes.
2) K2 Skate Men’s Mod 110 Inline Skate, Gray Black Yellow, 6
The K2 Mod 110 Inline Skates (Amazon Link) feature a custom-fit foam and well-ventilated microfiber uppers for superb comfort. They are great for marathons and intensive cross-training. The large 110mm wheels come in handy on rougher roads to ensure stability and a smooth ride while maintaining speed.
The low friction bearings ensure fast and efficient rolling while the 6061 frames ensure coherent power transfer.
Features:
- Speed lacing system
- Mod 110 cuff
- Mod 110 extruded 6061 Aluminium frames
- TwinCam ILQ9 bearings
- 110mm 85A wheels
- Custom-fit foam
Pros:
- Easy lacing system
- Very stable
Cons:
- Unpleasant look
3) Bont Inline Skates | Inline Speed Skating Racing | Luna Skate Boot + 2PF 6061 Frame + Elemental 110mm Wheels + ABEC5 Bearings | Vegan | Youth – Boys – Girls – Men – Women
These skates from Bont (Check them out on Amazon) are fast, sleek, and are designed for winners. They blend speed skate construction alongside a minimalist look.
The Luna inline skate is the only entry/intermediate level skate built using one-piece manufacturing – an expensive technique found on custom boots. This skate has undergone major advancements be the designer, Inze Bont, for over 45 years. It is currently built using carbon fiber and fiberglass, memory foam, moldable epoxy resin, and anti-stretch tapes to minimize stretching over time.
Features:
- Carbon composite base
- Microfiber outer
- Suede L liner
- Vegan
- 2PT 6061 T6 Aluminium frame
- 110mm 85A wheels
- ABEC 5 race bearings
Pros:
- Anti-stretch
- Fully heat moldable
- Soft memory foam padding
- One-piece manufacturing
- All-rounder wheel suitable for all surfaces
Cons:
- Has no thermoplastic inside the boot
4) Atom Luigino Strut 125 Inline Skate Package
The Luigino Strut from Atom Skates blends Luigino’s (View on Amazon) most famous speed boot alongside top-performance frames to create one of the lightest and competitive racing skates out there. The strut boot features a carbon fiber shell that gives powerful and strong pushes on the frame. The frame features 3D foam core wrapped in carbon. This skate was built for world-class professional racing but can also be used by novices.
Features:
- Bionic Swiss bearings
- Striker Mark II bearings
- Atom Matrix 86A 125 wheels
- Nano Buckles and waxed laces
- Modified carbon shell
- Carbon EO Frame
Pros:
- Convertible frame
- Lightweight
- Reduced fatigue
- More explosive acceleration
- Perfect fit
Cons:
- Comes unassembled
5) K2 Skate Mod 125 Inline Skates
The K2 Mod 125 Inline Skates for Men (Amazon link) offers control, speed, and style. The 125 mm wheel configuration, K2 soft boot, and the carbon cuff and base combination ensure that the skater can go the distance for speed, cross-training, or marathon skating. The stand-alone closure system allows for optimal fit. The wheel configuration on this skate is 125x120x125 to maintain skate height low and ensure better control.
Features:
- Carbon cuff and base
- K2 patented SoftBoot
- K2 speed lacing, Velcro ankle strap
- Wheel configuration is 125x120x125
- Mod 125 extruded aluminum frame
- Ventilated Microfiber Upper
Pros:
- Great fit
- Unique closure system
- Better control
- Improved stability
Cons:
- The closure system deteriorates quickly.
A Guide to Buying the Best Inline Skates for Speed
When it comes to inline speed skating, you cannot afford to have things go south simply because you rushed to buy skates without making serious considerations.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best inline Speed Skates
Brand – it is advisable to keep off cheap imitations and go for brands that have built their reputation for design and quality.
Quality – it would be best if you avoided flimsy materials and questionable workmanship when selecting your new pair of skates. Skating at top speeds on low-quality skates is simply taking risks of breaking and injuries. You must choose skates that feature quality materials, as well as quality designs, as these will withstand the vigors of intensive inline speed skating.
Durability – It works best selecting sturdy and durable skates that rare designed to last long, especially for skaters who partake in events that demand pushing skates to the limits.
Reviews – there is hardly any better way of determining a product’s quality other than checking out opinions from people who have used them. Reviews are reliable because they give both the positive and negative aspects of a product. Therefore, when buying inline spend skates, lookout for a product that has more positive reviews than the negative ones. Reviews will also give you indications of any design setbacks.
Price – of course, this is the deal-breaker when buying anything literally. The cost of inline speed skates is always a crucial matter. Ensure that you get top value for the money you remove from your pocket.
Comfort – the comfort of a skate is mostly dictated by the boot. The boot of an inline speed skate should have a snug fit on the ankle and foot while permitting the ankle to flex forward for balance. Novices should look out for supportive higher cuffs while skilled skaters should look out for flexible, lower ankle cuff that will allow aggressive movements.
Features to Look for In Inline Speed Skates
When selecting the best inline skates for speed, it is important to look out for the following aspects:
Liners
Liners are an important part of a skate. Ill-fitting liners make ill-fitting skates. The types of skate liners include:
Standard: These liners feature foam materials and basic padding. They do not come with special and customizable features and are most suitable for novices who intend to upgrade their skating skills.
Auto-fit: These liners utilize pads with gels. They form a perfect attachment with the feet automatically and offer more support and comfort than standard liners.
Memory fit: These liners bear a resemblance to the auto-fit liners that contour to the feet pattern.
Heat molding: These liners can be removed and heated to contour to the foot. They cool and harden after heating.
Cuffs
Cuffs for the liners provide support to the ankles. A high-quality cuff will permit generating more power when pushing off, as well as support when skating for long periods. Cuffs can be high or low.
High cuff: these are made of plastic and are mostly found on recreational inline skates. They are as durable and offer skaters a great feel of support and performance.
Low cuff: are mostly found on marathon skates. They are made from carbon and provide more response and support for skaters.
Closure systems
Inline skates come with varying lacing systems, including standard lacing, Velcro straps, and ratchet buckles. Skaters have varying preferences towards closure systems.
Skates with loose closures pose more danger. Therefore, it is important to purchase skates offer security after fastening.
Frames
A proper skate frame should possess features that include weight, stiffness, and durability. The types of frames include:
Plastic frames: The cost of making these skates is low; hence these frames are less expensive and are typically found on beginner skates. However, they are less stiff and less durable. They also are heavy, making the skate cumbersome.
Aluminium frames: These frames are stiffer and lighter, but they do not torque when subjected to stress as plastic frames do. They are durable and efficient and are typically found on intermediate skates.
Carbon frames: these frames make a more durable skate for advanced skaters. Carbon is the best material.
The skater’s power is entirely reliant on the frame; hence, frame stiffness is key; it enables a more direct energy transfer. The energy generated by the legs moves into the skate, then to the frame, and to the ground through the wheels.
Wheels
Wheels on skates have undergone major advancements over the years. Modern-day skates have wheels made of polyurethane. Wheels of the past featured plastic material, which crack easily. The skating type dictates the type of wheels that a skater needs that one is interested in. For fast skating, larger wheels are essential, while for enhanced maneuverability, small wheels are best.
Bearings
Bearings are meant to reduce friction between the frame and the moving skate wheel; thus, bearings determine your ride’s smoothness. They also contribute largely to speeding.
The quality of the bearings is indicated by the ILQ and ABEC numbers. This number stipulates how fast the skates can go; speed skates typically have bearings rated ABEC 7 or 9.
Brakes
Brakes form an integral component of inline speed skates and are more essential for beginners. Most inline skates come with a brake, although some models do not have brakes.
The Bottom Line
Skates are an essential gear that demands extensive research before buying. This guide should help you select the best inline speed skate for your professional or recreational skating desires. The article furnishes you with the important tips to look out for in the best inline skates as well as a buyer’s guide to help you find the proper pair of inline speed skates. Also captured in this article is a list of the top skates available in the market to help you handle the anxiety brought about by the numerous options available out there.
Keep in mind that gear is not everything; if you wish to partake in speed skating, you must have the technique. Choose your skates wisely by carefully analyzing their features, vis-a-vis your skating skill level. If you are not certain about your capabilities, you will need to enhance your training bit by bit before buying speed skates and diving into high-velocity skating.
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