Rollerblades are a challenge to get the hang of. Not everybody is going to be the master at rollerblading right when they put those shoes on. Shoes may not be comfortable for everyone which means that you need to break them in before giving up. For anyone who is just learning to rollerblade in the neighborhood, here are some tips. Follow this article, and we’ll teach you the right way to break in those rollerblades.
Buy the Right Pair of Rollerblades
Here is where people make the #1 mistake when it comes to buying their own rollerblades. At the store, figure out which rollerblades meet your skating needs. Besides that, you should make sure that the rollerblades make a comfortable fit. Compare it to your shoe size. Knowing your shoe size makes the picking process quick and easy.
Finding the Right Fit
Here is what you should know about the word ‘snug’. It does not mean uncomfortable. Snug refers to being able to fit inside the rollerblades while being able to wiggle your toes. Your toes should just barely hit the ends of the shoes when you are standing straight up in them.
Try on multiple pairs of rollerblades during your visit to the skate stores. The first fitting is not going to be the one. Everyone has a different foot size and conditions that are important to note. Make sure that the toes extend to the very end on each rollerblade. If not, then those are not the rollerblades for you.
Think About the Cost
Don’t buy rollerblades that are over $200. That’s breaking your back. Not to mention, your wallet is empty afterward. To get the best skates on the market buy rollerblades that are no less than $170. One detail that you should not pay attention to is the inflated “pre-sale” price. Look at the actual price of the rollerblades.
Apply Heat to Rollerblades
Here’s an interesting fact. Sometimes all you need to break in rollerblades is a little heat. No, that does not mean to put the rollerblades inside an oven. You’re only going to cause a house fire. And those rollerblades are not going to make a good stew.
Instead, use a hairdryer. Carefully heat the boot with a hairdryer, and don’t stay in one spot for too long. After that, put on a pair of socks, slip on the boots, and lace them up. You should always wear socks no matter what because your feet could develop some nasty blisters. Wear the rollerblades for 5 minutes so they’ll mold onto your feet.
Keep Tightening Those Rollerblades
Loose skates are never safe to rollerblade in. They are hard-to-control. If you buy rollerblades that are a size too big or rollerblades don’t tighten you’ll have a difficult time controlling your skate movements. You are much more likely to fall. Tighten each fit mechanism on the rollerblades as much as possible without making your feet uncomfortable.
What is the Condition of the Rollerblades?
Don’t let that stiffness turn you off from a new pair of rollerblades. In a matter of days, the lining of the rollerblades will become soft. The liners may rub up against the heel of the foot. That is not comfortable. It’s what causes those unsightly blisters.
Take the rollerblades off long before those blisters have the chance to form. Wear the boots for short periods of time and then the boot will be more comfortable to skate around in.
Choose Rollerblades that Have Plastic
In order to gain better stability, search for a pair of rollerblades that are plastic material. Plastic is better than anything. Rollerblades that are stable can cause an issue depending on one’s overall weight. To improve your direction and balance, get a skate with plenty of hard plastic up around the calf.
Keeping Your Feet Locked in Place
The best setup for rollerblades is to keep the laces across the box of the foot. Keep the rollerblades velcroed at the foot. You are going to have to adjust those laces a lot in order to break in those rollerblades.
All About Socks
Another tip is that you should wear thick socks whenever you rollerblade. Before you buy those rollerblades, look into a pair of socks in advance. A thin or medium thickness sock is the best call when your skate fits. However, if your rollerblades are too loose, always wear a thicker pair.
If you wear thick socks when shopping for the right pair of rollerblades, then switch to the recommended thinner socks during the first time you take a ride on the rollerblades. Your skates may feel loose but that it breaking in the rollerblades. Avoid the problem by getting fitness socks before trying on rollerblades.
The Right Way to Lace Your Rollerblades
Just like shoes, laces that are not tied properly emulate to tripping hazards. Improperly lacing roller-skates causes major discomfort for the feet and ankles. At the end of the day, your mind is screaming to get out of the boots.
Not to mention, poor laces cause serious injury, too. Nobody is ever too old to ask for help with tying their shoes. Have someone in the skate shop show you the proper way to tie your rollerblades. There are a few techniques on how to tie rollerblades to support your foot and ankle.
Pay Attention to the Wheelframe
Rollerbladers are to have an easier time skating if they have a moveable frame. It will let you adjust the skates to the way in which you stand. Everyone has different feet and standing positions. Oftentimes, certain standing positions won’t let the rollerblades roll in a straight line.
To make adjustments on a movable frame, place your feet together and roll forward. If the skates drop in or out immediately, you can modify the frame to correct the problem.
What Not to Do
Two of the most common errors that all new owners of rollerbladers make is tensing up your feet to control how you rollerblade. Never do this. You’re only going to damage your feet.
The second error that people make is tying the laces too tightly. Never tie the laces up too tightly or you are only going to cut off circulation. Don’t overtighten, and don’t make them too loose. Rollerblades should be just right.
Wear The Rollerblades Frequently
The best way to break into a pair of rollerblades is to wear them at any chance you get. No, not to work unless you work at one of those restaurants where the servers where rollerblades. As you rollerblade more, the skates will become softer as adjust to your skating style, the shape of your foot, and the pressure you place on certain areas of the skate while rollerblading.
While a new pair of rollerblades might not feel like your softer, older, and more broken-in pair, they’ll soon become comfortable with frequent use.
Take Your Time Learning How to Rollerblade
You have all the time in the world to break in those rollerblades. Start with short skating adventures instead of starting up in any activities. Your feet are not going to be happy campers at the end of the day when you’re soaking them in a tub of hot water.
Your arches and ankle strength will not be very sharp and you will be applying lots of muscles that you just don’t use as often when walking or running. As your leg muscles start to develop strength, Different skates put pressure on various parts of your feet. Be aware that you will develop callouses and tougher skin on the areas of your feet that are controlling the skate.
Make the Adjustments that You Need
These are your rollerblades. Which means these are your feet that you must look out for. Aside from all the adjustments, it’s important that you keep a positive attitude throughout all this. Don’t ever give in. Rollerblading comes within time.
As soon as you feel pain or blisters forming immediately take those rollerblades off. Before you go out and rollerblade you should warm-up.
- Make sure that you have the right socks to rollerblade in
- Heat mold the rollerblades if they need it
- Stretch out
- Put in skate socks to prevent nasty blisters
- Look into ankle guards
- Get insoles
- Play around with the lacing of the rollerblades, either tighten or loosen
- Make any needed adjustments on the rollerblades
Get Comfortable in Your Rollerblades
It is very important to get comfortable in your rollerblades before resorting to any activities on them. Wear them for a couple of hours to get used to them. If they feel snug then the material gradually expands to meet the needs of your feet.
The best way to break in a new pair of roller-skates is to settle in them and go rollerblading for the weekend. Sounds fun, right? The more you wear rollerblades, the more the leather will conform to the individual shape of your foot. Be able to bend at the knee.
