How to Tell What Size Quad Speed Skates You Wear

Quad skates are the old-school type that have two sets of wheels in front and two in back, permanently attached by a plate to a boot or shoe. These skates are often used for sports like roller hockey or roller derby. Choosing the right size skate is key to the health of your feet and ankles and your enjoyment of the sport.

Things You'll Need

  • Socks
  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start with your shoe size. Often a person wears the same size quad skate as shoe. If you wear a half size, use the next size up for comfort. Wear thick or double socks to customize fit.

    • 2

      Tape two pieces of paper long enough to accommodate one of your feet on each one in front of a chair. Sit on the chair and put your feet on the paper. Trace around your feet with a pencil. If you have a helper, do this standing up. Wear the socks you'll wear during skating. Measure the width of your feet across the ball and the length from the heel to the big toe. Most skate websites list the measurements of their boots. If your feet are different sizes by half a size, order the size of your larger foot.

    • 3

      Translate your shoe size from women's to men's. Most quad skates are sized with men's sizes. The rule of thumb is a woman's shoe size is one number higher than a man's. If you wear a size 8 woman's shoe, you will most likely need a size 7 men's quad skate. Skates with a lot of padding may not need to be sized down from women's to men's sizes, so its important to try the skates on.

    • 4

      Size up if your feet are wide. For comfort and safety, quad skates need to fit the foot snuggly. Squeezing your wide foot into a skate boot that's too narrow will be incredibly uncomfortable and could cause injury.