Wifecat and I want to take advantage of some of the post-xmas sales and get ourselves some rollerblades and pads. What should I look for? Any specific brands I should buy/avoid? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks-
-Tcat
Make sure you purchase, and wear, wrist guards. They’re like splints for your wrists. If you fall, you’ll naturally stick your hands out to break your fall – and end up breaking your wrists while you’re at it. These are the single most vital piece of skating protection I’d suggest.
As for brand, I’ve only had a couple pairs, but… my Rollerblades were very nice. Right now I have some Salomon skates, and they’re ridiculously smooth, comfortable, supportive, and silent.
Too bad my Perfect Child[sup]TM[/sup] is out for the evening - she works at a roller rink and they sell skates there. She’s become a bit of an expert. I’ll ask her tomorrow and post and recommendations she has.
K2 makes a very good skate. This currently seems to be the preferred make these days. For skates do not go cheap, you may pay a little more for the K2, but your feet will thank you.
Well, I talked to the kid, and she said “If he wants real skates, then I can help him.” I believe that expresses her disdain for rollerblades. She has “quads” - we used to call them shoeskates back in the old days. Anyway, no help from her.
However, advice from a very occasional skater - make sure the fit is right. Looks and brand name mean nothing if your feet hurt. Happy shopping!
Take it from a 7 year skating veteran, GET GOOD WRIST GUARDS!!!
Even a slip while standing still could ruin your summer. A friend of mine forgot his wrist guards for a race last summer. He had to buy some at the pre-race expo. While skating back to our motel, he slipped and slid on his palms about 3 feet. Without guards, he would have been out of work (he’s in construction) for the whole season.
As far as skates go, I would stay away from the plastic shells. I second the suggestion to get them fitted properly. They should be SNUG! The more your feet move around inside the skate, the more blisters you will get. It took me two pair of skates to realize that blisters are not an integral part of inline skating.
I now skate 26 mile marathons without any blisters.
K2, Solomon, Rollerblade all make comfortable, reasonably priced ($200 or so) soft boot skates. Stay away from the K-mart, Walmart stuff, your feet will thank you.
Learn how to stop. With a heel brake, bend your knees, crouch a little, put your brake skate a little in front of you and push on the heel.
More advice? Just let me know, I’m full of it 
I have a pair of K2’s . I really like them.
I think one thing to know is how familair you are, Tomcat, with skating in any form. That may influence your preference in blades.
My wife did not have much experience in ice skating when we got hers and she preferred the ski-boot style as it gave her more support.
I’ve been ice-skating for 25 years (I’m 27 now) and wanted/needed something more flexible. The K2’s I have are more like a shoe on wheels.
It’s a lot of preference, but don’t go cheap. Try to pay in the mid-range of prices. That way, you’re not getting something cheap, and you’re not paying for something which is most likely designed for something beyond the demands you will place on them.