Roller skating is a recognized sport with benefits ranging from exercise to recreational purposes. Roller skates give one a great feeling, especially since you are moving fast on wheeled shoes. However, a part of roller skating that is commonly overlooked is the roller skate laces. Roller skate laces should be in extra long lengths in order to provide the right fit for any model of roller skates you want to wear. Many people ask me the question: ‘can I use regular shoelaces on my roller skates?’ Now, I will let you know why regular shoelaces are not advisable to use on your roller skates.
Why Are Long Laces Important for My Roller Skates?
I have come to see that long laces provide several benefits which the regular shoelaces do not offer, some of which are;
- Proper fit for high-performance skating: I personally recommend getting laces that are of the right size for your roller skates because it comes in the perfect length to cinch up any roller skate model. This gives you a solid fit while wearing your roller skates and will, in turn, increase your performance when skating. I choose long laces because it helps me properly lace my roller skates irrespective of the lacing technique I adopt and the roller skate model I choose to wear.
For high-top roller skates, you need extra-long laces to help you skate comfortably and do tricks. Regular shoelaces will not provide this reach for your roller skates. This is why I emphasize the need for laces in extra-long lengths for your roller skates.
- Ease of adjustability: Skaters typically face problems when putting in their skates, some of which can be attributed to the type of shoelaces used in lacing up the roller skates. When you use the right length for your laces, you will find that you can easily adjust them however you wish. This alone will help you avoid several problems that come with putting on your roller skates.
- Style: I think this is also worthy of note, even though it has no direct impact on your skating performance. I believe that skate laces are a form of self-expression and form a part of my identity. This is why I encourage people to infuse their personal styles into the skates – skate laces- that they wear. Wearing the right lace length, color, and type helps you to bring out your uniqueness and creativity. You can try out different lacing techniques that project you in the way you want.
How Long Should My Roller Skate Laces Be?
Typically, roller skate laces should be around 72 inches. For your low-top roller skate models, this is a good length, to begin with. With high-top or bigger skates, though, the required length increases. It is best always to have laces that are a little longer than the regular short ones.
Many skaters, especially new skaters, put little thought into their roller skates and skate laces in particular. Like I said earlier, you would not have the right fit if you used the wrong lace length for your roller skates. Having the wrong length will make you have a too loose or too tight roller skate, both of which will affect your skating performance. This is not what you are going for. You want your roller skates to have a snug and comfortable fit. I can tell you that regular shoelaces will not provide you with these.
When deciding on the lace length to use with your roller skates, the starting point is 72 inches. However, you will need to move away from this standard and go for longer laces if you have larger skates or high top skates like me. Better choices for these roller skate sizes are laces that are 96 inches or 106 inches long. High tops have a high boot and naturally require longer laces to tie them properly from top to bottom. This is the reason this particular lace is so popular at this time.
Problems that Can Arise from Using the Wrong Lace Length
Using the wrong lace length for your roller skates can lead to several issues because the laces would be too short, and you would not be able to tie them properly. However, as you have seen before now, long roller skate laces allow you to adjust your laces which can go a long way in alleviating the problems you may run into while lacing up your roller skates. Some of the issues that can arise from improperly tied laces and solutions I have proffered;
- Aching toes: This is one of the painful things you may experience when skating. When I started skating, this was one of the problems I faced too. When your toes are jammed together in your roller skates, it can cause nail problems or even hammertoes. However, you can fix this by adjusting your laces. Try tying one half of your laces side to side and the other half diagonally.
- Feet aches: Aching feet can cause long term problems if it is not addressed. If you are wearing the correct skate size and still experiencing this problem, I would advise that you consider tying your laces in a crisscross pattern as this will put some pressure off your feet. You can only achieve this lacing style when you have a long lace, hence my emphasis on not settling for regular shoelaces.
Conclusion
Laces are an essential part of your roller skating journey. Roller skates need to have extra long laces that will provide the right fit and provide more room for adjustability, resulting in more comfortable roller skates that can aid better performance. Like me, having laces in long lengths also allows you to try out several lacing styles for your roller skates, most of which would not be possible with short laces.
With this article, I have answered your questions on whether or not you can use regular shoelaces with your roller skates and give you information on how long these skate laces need to be for you to achieve optimal skating performance.
