You might have seen skaters on the paved trails around NWA, then found yourself wondering why everyone’s skates look so different. There are inline skates (the type with a single line of wheels, front to back). Some of them have 3 wheels, and others have 4 wheels. Then, there are quad skates (the old-school style with two wheels in front and two wheels in back). So, inlines vs. quads for trails? Which one is best?
People cruise the trails in both types of skates, and there’s no true “better” type of skate to use for trail skating.
Really, it depends on a few key factors:
- Your goals for trail skating
- Your comfort level on inlines (Rollerblades) vs. quads (roller skates)
Let’s start with the first one: your goals for trail skating.
Trail skating goals
Do you just want to get out and cruise the trails to enjoy the scenery? Do you want to skate as far as possible? Are you looking for maximum speed, or do you prefer a casual rolling pace? All of these factors can contribute to which type of skate you pick.
I happen to use both quads and inlines on our trails, while Nick only uses inlines on the trails. So, let’s start with why inlines might have a *slight* edge.
Inline skates for trails
Long distances
Personally, I prefer inline skates for long distances. My inlines tend to handle rough terrain more easily, which makes it easier for me to stretch my skating session and log more miles at a time.
Most long-distance skaters do opt to use inlines. However, plenty of skaters, including those here in NWA, opt to use quads for their distance rides. It really comes down to your comfort level, which we’ll discuss shortly.
Handling terrain
Inlines have a reputation for handling rough terrain (think gravel patches. That comes from the fact that the wheels are more narrow as you travel forward, both in an anterior/posterior direction AND in a lateral direction. Quad wheels are not just wider laterally; they also are set up where you have two wheels in front and another two in the back.
What this means is when you hit a crack in the pavement.
I want to say, though, that much of this can be managed via technique. Plenty of quad skaters can do long distances without an issue. The techniques to manage rough terrain are the same for both skating disciplines: stagger your feet, put your weight in your heels, and keep your knees bent. Try to unweight a bit (“pop” your bodyweight up) as you roll over sketchy bits.
Comfort
Personally, I find my inline skates more rigid and less traditionally comfortable than my quad skates. This definitely becomes more noticable at around 10 miles, when I start to develop blisters around my medial malleoli (inner ankle bone areas).
That said, I skate with a hard boot, and such skate styles are known to cause blisters in some people. If you opt for a soft boot.
Quad skates for trails
Long distances
It’s very possible to ride long distances on your quads. My personal argument for the days I skate distance in my quads is that I find them more physically comfortable on my feet, and I’m less likely to get blisters. Plus, I find that steeper hills are easier to manage on quads…but only after you manage the backward descent technique.
If you do opt to use quads, I recommend using big, soft wheels. Let’s dive into how these are measured.
Durometer – the hardness of a wheel
Softness/hardness of wheels is measured in durometer. There are all sorts of ways to measure durometer, but for simplicity’s sake, let’s use the most common scale and measurements. You can find anything from 78a to 101a. The lower the number, the softer the wheel. Softer = gummier, which means your wheels will grip to the pavement better.
This is a good thing most of the time. The only drawback is that a gummy wheel is often a bit less maneuverable than a harder one specifically because it grips to the pavement so well. That’s why some outdoor skate dancers prefer harder wheels on smooth outdoor surfaces like tennis courts.
In my opinion, the minimum durometer you would want to use for trail skating is 85a. I skate this durometer during most of the year, but when things get really choppy (lots of debris on the trails) during autumn, I switch to 78a wheels. I do enjoy having a bit more maneuverability in my wheels when there aren’t tons of acorns, twigs, and such on the trails. The minute things get too choppy, I want those big, gummy wheels.
That brings us to
Inlines vs. quads: which is more comfortable for YOU?
I’m biased, and I think it’s fun to skate on both inlines AND quads on the trails. However, if your budget or space limits you to one pair, I recommend picking the one that feels most comfortable to you. If you’re able to do so, visit a skate shop and try on both inlines and quads, and see which ones feel more natural and comfortable for you. Local rinks also have skate shops where you can try on inlines and quads.
If you’re unable to do this — or you prefer to shop online —I recommend performing the following test at home to determine which type of skate might suit you best.
This test is very rudimentary, but it is predicated on the following concept: quad skates are more stable laterally (side to side), which means you’re more likely to fall foward or backward on them. Inline skates are more stable in the anterior/posterior direction, which means you’re more likely to fall to the side on them.
Perturbation balance test
Stand up with your feet parallel, about 8 inches apart. Very slightly bend your knees. Have a friend come up to you several times as your eyes are closed, trying to push you forward, backward, and from side to side. Whichever direction feels more stable to you might help you pick quads vs. inlines. If you feel like you’re less steady on your feet going forward/backward when someone bumps you, you might want to start on inlines, which are more stable in the forward/backward orientation. If you feel like you’re less steady on your feet going side to side when someone pushes you from the side, you might feel more comfortable in quad skates.
Personally, I found trail skating to be MUCH easier on my inlines when I first learned. Once I had the basics down pat, I started to take my quads on the trails. Now, I can use either type.
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