The equipment, gear, and other products associated with recreational quad skating, as well as the roller skating disciplines of artistic roller skating, roller speed skating, jam skating, roller derby, rink hockey, road skating, and roller skiing, are the focus of this part of our web guide.
While the terms "quad skates" and "roller skates" are generally used interchangeably, there is a nuance. Quad skates are a specific type of roller skates that feature two wheels in the front and two in the back, similar to a car. When people refer to "roller skates," they typically mean the classic four-wheeled skates, also known as "quad skates." However, "roller skates" can refer to any skates that roll, which includes both quad skates and inline skates, often referred to as "rollerblades."
Quad skates are more laterally stable than inline skates, making them easier for beginners, while inline skates offer greater straight-line speed and agility on smooth surfaces.
The core components shared by all quad skating disciplines include boots, plates (frames), wheels, bearings, and toe stops, yet each style outfits those parts to match the unique demands of the sport. Boots range from soft, padded recreational designs to stiff, leather high-tops for artistic jumps. Plates might be molded nylon for park laps or die-cast aluminum for speed. Wheels may vary in diameter (50-110 mm) and hardness (78A-99A) to suit surfaces from polished rinks to cracked tarmac. Bearings span ABEC-3 to precision ceramic. Toe stops or jam plugs give novice skaters braking power.
Recreational skates prioritize comfort and versatility. Comparatively, they are plush, often synthetic, or suede boots, and use forgiving 62-70 mm wheels arranged in a two-by-two configuration under a boot, while inline skates have 3-5 wheels in a single file. Popular models include Riedell R3 and Celebrity series, Moxi Lolly and Beach Bunny, Impala's classic PVC-boot skates, and even LED-lit wheels from Bont for evening cruises.
Artistic roller skating demands precision. This discipline uses leather or high-support synthetic boots with rigid soles, lighter PowerDyne or aluminum plates, ABEC-5+ bearings, 62 mm or smaller wheels at 88-92A hardness, and threaded, adjustable toe stops. Popular models include the Riedell Model 111 and 120, VNLA Luna and Medallion series, and Sure-Grip Boardwalk.
Quad speed skates bridge recreational and racing. Low-cut boots for ankle flex, lightweight aluminum plates, 58-62 mm hard wheels (95A+), and race-tuned ABEC-7 bearings are used in this discipline. Classics include the Riedell Dart and Chicago Bullet, while inline speed setups push wheel size to 110 mm and ABEC-11 bearings for flat-out sprinting.
Jam skaters favor lightweight boots (often denim or soft leather), low cuffs, flexible nylon plates, jam plugs instead of toe stops, rounded 62x38 mm wheels at 85-90A, and micro-adjustable trucks. VNLA's Zona Rosa line, Roller Derby Elite Primo, and accessory jam plugs, such as Jammerz, are well-supported.
Roller derby quads have to be rugged and agile. Reinforced suede or leather high-tops, carbon-steel cushions for quick turns, aluminum plates, 93A indoor wheels, and ABEC-5 bearings are favored. Riedell Siren, Chaya Onyx Carbon Pro, and Moxi Panther Derbe editions are staples in roller derby.
Rink hockey skates look like derby boots, but they swap wheels for medium-hard 65 mm hockey-cut polyurethane, steel-reinforced nylon plates, and ABEC-7 bearings to withstand slap shots and tight pivots.
Road skating uses larger (70-80 mm) outdoor wheels at 80A+, reinforced plates, and supportive boots for rough bike paths and uneven trails. Although inline "SUV" skates are common, quad off-road designs also exist, allowing skaters to tackle packed dirt and grass with knobby wheels, as featured by Powerslide and other specialty shops.
Roller skiing turns traditional cross-country gear into summer training tools: short "skis" on rubber or pneumatic wheels, bindings (Prolink, NNN), specific boots, carbon or composite poles, grips, gloves, and wheeled ski bags. SkatePro and RollerSkiShop supply models ranging from Swenor Fiberglass classics to pneumatic Pursuit Fork Flex racers, as well as gloves and bags for safe transport.
Safety and support gear cross all disciplines, and may include hard-shell or thin road-style helmets, wrist, elbow, and knee pads, mouthguards, skate soakers to protect wheels off the rink, and specialized bags for boots, sticks, or skates. Triple 8, 187 Killer Pads, and Jamm Soakers are respected brands.
Major manufacturers of quad skating equipment and gear include Bont, Castrap, Chaya, Impala, Jackson, Moxi, Powerslide, Riedell, Rollerblade, Roll-Line, SH Skates, Sure-Grip, and VNLA. Roller Derby Skate Corporation serves the roller derby market. Manufacturers and retailers of quad skating products are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
Located in Monroe, New York, 808 Rollerskate is the Hudson Valley's premier destination for roller skates, derby gear, and custom fit-outs, powered by Shopify. They stock most of what a skater could need, from toe stops, outdoor and indoor wheels, bags, and apparel to helmets, mouthguards and decals, along with on-site repair and custom skate fittings. Its location, hours, and contacts are posted on the website, which includes its product catalog and online shopping.
https://808rollerskate.com/
The US-based retailer specializes in quad skating gear, including boots and plates, wheels, bearings, protective pads, and apparel. They carry top brands, such as Bont, Moxi, Riedell, Sure-Grip, and Triple 8. A live US help line is available for fit and gear advice, and the company has a free and easy return policy. Beyond its online catalog, the site features learning resources, including blog articles and video guides on selecting the proper skates, as well as breakdowns of wheel selection.
https://www.derbywarehouse.com/
Jenex is a US-based manufacturer of professional-level roller skis and Nordic training accessories. Headquartered in Milford, New Hampshire, its products can be ordered directly through its website, by phone, or through dealers that carry its products. The company offers several classic models, along with combi skis that blend classic and skate geometries, and skate-specific skis with wider wheels and shorter shafts for aggressive lateral push. An informational blog is included.
https://jenex.com/
Nordic Skater is a US-based retailer specializing in gear for cross-country skiing, Nordic ice skating, and roller skiing, offering a wide range of products, like Nordic skates, skate skis, and roller skis, along with accessories and rentals. This includes roller ski rentals and sales. Photos, descriptions, specifications, and options for each item are provided, along with prices, options, and online sales information. Size charts are provided, along with its return policies.
https://nordicskater.com/collections/roller-skis
Founded in Red Wing, Minnesota, in 1945, Riedell's skating boots are hand-stitched and made to fit. The company recommends that buyers visit an authorized dealer to get sized and fitted before placing an order. A worldwide network of authorized Riedell dealers can be viewed through the company's website. Riedell offers skates for jam skating, roller derby, park skating, and recreational roller skating. Riedell's Colorlab allows shoppers to select from a library of leather colors.
https://roller.riedellskates.com/
Roller Derby Skate Corporation
The sport of roller derby was invented in 1936. Shortly afterwards, the founders began producing skates, first under the name Aerflyte Company and then as Roller Derby Skate Corporation. As derby grew more popular, sidewalk skating became a phenomenon, and the Roller Derby Skate Company became a leading manufacturer of roller skates, including quad and inline skates. While the sport utilizes quad skates, the company produces both quad and inline skates, as well as scooters and skateboards.
https://rollerderby.com/
Based in Lenexa, Kansas, the online skate shop is staffed by lifelong skaters. Its product range includes indoor and outdoor (quad) roller skates. Its indoor skates include high-top and low-top skates, artistic skates, rhythm skates, speed skates, jam skates, and roller derby skates. Its outdoor skates include high-top and low-top skates, as well as skate park skates. Although most of their skates are quads, they also carry inline recreational, speed, and roller hockey skates.
https://rollerskatenation.com/
Rollergirl offers roller skates for several styles, including outdoor cruisers, rink-ready dance quads, kids' skates, and custom builds. They also provide a full derby setup (boots, plates, wheels, toe stops, and protective pads), as well as spare parts and upgrades (indoor or outdoor wheels, bearings, laces, and toe protectors). Also included are sizing guides, maintenance tips, and other useful information about roller skates, roller skating, roller derby, and bowl skating.
https://www.rollergirl.ca/
The US-based online retailer specializes in rollerskis and roller ski products, featuring brands such as Elpex, Pursuit, Swenor, and Swix, which cover skate and classic frames, wheels, bindings, boots, poles, and accessories. Key features of the website include roller skis, wheels and parts, poles and parts, ferrules, bindings, boots, accessories, clothing, and gloves. Free shipping is offered within the United States and Canada. Products and pricing are featured.
https://rollerskishop.com/
SkatePro: Roller Skates/Quad Skates
SkatePro is a global online retailer specializing in action sports gear, such as scooters, skateboards, inline skates, BMX bikes, surfboards, and roller skates. Its online catalog section for roller (quad) skates includes skates for adults and children, derby skates, parts, and accessories. Shoppers can search by color, brand, price, wheel diameter, skill level, or shoe size. Customer ratings are included, along with options, packages, sizes, and online shopping.
https://www.skatepro.com/en-us/c61.htm
USA Skates: Quad Roller Skates
USA Skates is a retailer specializing in figure and roller skates, offering brands like Edea, Jackson, Moxi, Riedell, and Sure Grip. The company caters to competitive skaters and casual enthusiasts. Its catalog of quad roller skates is sorted by brand by default. Additionally, shoppers can sort by featured items, newest items, best sellers, A to Z, Z to A, by review, price (ascending or descending). Product descriptions, prices, options, and customer reviews and ratings are provided.
https://usaskates.com/quad-roller-skates/
