Tips and Tricks To Maximise Your Inline Skates
How do your inline skates fit? Are they comfortable? Too tight, too loose? It can be hard to know what to look for when fitting your inline skates. Here are a simple few tips and tricks to help get the most out of your skates and ensure you are ready to roll.
- Skate Sizing: Ensure your skates aren’t too big or too small. When bending your knees into the skating position, your toes shouldn’t touch the front. For hybrid boots like Swell or Kaze, a snug fit is ideal, and you may not need an innersole.
- Innersoles: Check the fit. Is there enough room inside the skate? Consider using innersoles for arch support.
- Heel Lock: To lock your heel in place, point your toe upward, hit the rear wheel to the floor, and bend your knees. Tighten the 45° strap while in the skating position to secure your heel.
- Skate Balance: Check if you flex to the inside or outside when standing. Adjust the frame accordingly. Loosen the frame and slide it inward if flexing inside, or outward if flexing outside.
- Stride Control: If balance remains an issue, use “Stride Control” wedges between your boot and frame. Place the higher side of the wedges on the outside mounting if you flex inward, and vice versa.
- New Skaters: Start gradually and avoid excessive movement inside the skates. Consider using special skating socks or an orthopaedic support like the Myfit Footies to prevent blisters.
- Arch Support: For flat feet, add arch support or an innersole with arch support.
- Ankle Pressure: Raise your heel with a shock absorber or 3/4 innersole to relieve ankle pressure. Removing innersoles may also help.
- Lacing Technique: Tight lacing provides more control, while looser lacing offers comfort. Lace all eyelets up to the top for better support.
- Cuff Tightness: A looser cuff improves forward flex and natural stability. Tightening the cuff enhances performance.
- Screw Check: Regularly inspect and tighten all screws and bolts on your skates, including cuff bolts, frame bolts, axle bolts, buckles, and the 45° strap.
- 45° Buckle Closure: If the buckle doesn’t close sufficiently, trim the plastic flap to the necessary length for better heel lock.
- Top Buckle Closure: Adjust the top buckle closure by trimming the plastic flap if needed. This applies to any skate cuff with overlapping wings.
As always, feel free to get in touch if you have any more questions about your skates, we’re always happy to chat.
