The Difference Between Roller Skates & Inline Skates

Traditional roller skates, called quads, are thought to have origins dating to the 1700s, and are still favored by participants in certain roller sports and types of recreational skating. Inline skates, sometimes called rollerblades, were invented in 1979 and gained mass popularity with recreational skaters in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

  1. Uses

    • Inline skates are used for speed skating, most roller hockey, aggressive skating and by many recreational skaters. Quad roller skates are used for artistic (figure) skating, roller derby, jam skating, and certain types of roller hockey and speed skating.

    Wheel Layout

    • Quad roller skates have two wheels on either side of the skate boot attached to parallel axles in a rectangle-shaped layout. Inline skate wheels are placed in a straight line, designed to emulate the blade of ice skates.

    Wheel Design

    • Quad wheels generally have a shorter height and wider wheel base (the portion of the wheel that contacts the ground) than inline wheels.

    Stops and Brakes

    • Quads typically have toe stops, which are mounted on the front of the skate and are used to slow the skater by pointing the toe downward. Inlines typically have a rear brake placed behind the back wheel of the skate that is used by tipping the heel backward.

    Boots

    • In general, inline skates have taller, thicker boots made of foam-filled fabric with a hard plastic shell, while quad skates have leather boots that are fitted closer to the foot and ankle and might be lined. Both have leather boots that do not cover the ankle.