Inline Vs. Quad Roller Skates

If you're new to skating, you are probably trying to figure out the differences between inline skates and quad roller skates. It all depends on your individual interest and preference.

  1. Design

    • Inline skates are designed with speed in mind. Quad roller skates are designed for both speed and agility since the wheels of quad skates touch more surface area of the floor.

    Wheels

    • Inline skate wheels are softer and much thinner than quad skate wheels. They can also be used both indoors and out. Inline skates can have four or five wheels per skate. Quad roller skates have wider wheels and only have four wheels to a skate. Quad roller skates often need to have the wheels changed for indoor and outdoor use.

    Function

    • Both inline skates and quad roller skates are designed for speed skating as well as recreational rink skating. Inline skates go faster than quad roller skates and inlines are also better for distance skating outdoors. Quad roller skates are more agile, and therefore better suited for such sports as roller derby or artistic skating.

    Benefits

    • Quad roller skates can be easier to learn on because the wheels are wider and form a box-like pattern. Inline skates are lighter and can be used both indoors and outdoors without needing to change the wheels.

    Considerations

    • Quad roller skates are much heavier than inline skates. Learning to skate on inlines, however, can be much more difficult because the wheels are aligned down the center like an ice skate, requiring much more balance than skating on quads.

    Fitness

    • Both skates work the same muscles, however quad roller skates tend to burn your muscles out faster because the skates are heavier. Inline skates are designed to accommodate distance skaters, therefore many people find they can inline skate longer than if they were to skate with quad skates.