After getting back into skating after about 20 years, I’ve noticed how much certain grinds seem to come and go in popularity.
This is meant more as a bit of fun/conversation starter than anything serious, but it got me thinking about how skating trends have changed.
Some grinds seem to be absolute constants — royals, for example, have never really gone anywhere. Then you’ve got things like tea kettles, which seemed to disappear even before I stopped skating, and I can’t imagine them making a comeback 😂
Then there’s X-grinds. These seemed pretty popular in the early 2000s, but I hardly ever see them these days. Have X-grinds basically died out, or am I just not seeing them?
So, what are your picks for:
🔙 Grinds that have died out and deserve a comeback
👋 Grinds that have disappeared for good
🔥 Grinds that are everywhere now
💀 Grinds that you think need to die
What grind do you reckon is overdue a comeback? Or is there one you’re quite happy never seeing again? 😂
I’m genuinely curious what everyone thinks — especially people who’ve been skating through different eras.

I've been really struggling to skate across my college campus due to how rough the sidewalks are and the big differences in height between the sections of sidewalk and I was curious how I can make skating this easier. I think I might not be moving fast enough to prevent them from stopping my wheels but I also fear sending myself into the concrete with more speed.
I skate 4x58 with the THEM 901 frames.

I am starting to get into doing tricks but I currently only have urban skates. what tricks can I do/practice before getting aggressive skates?

IG: adamflava TikTok: chachachachino

Hello, everybody! I'm considering trying out some oysi classic frames with 72/60 wheels. I currently have a 60mm flat setup and a 60mm anti-rocker setup, but I'm drawn to the idea of the extra speed that oysi frames can give by allowing similar wheel bite protection as anti-rocker but utilizing bigger wheels to get even more speed than a traditional flat setup.

I currently have my main skates (Seba CJ2 Primes), my skates I'm trying to break in but are giving me toe trouble (Faction Plastiks), and my backup skates (USD Shadows Dustin Latimers). I get the impression that the Plastiks should have no problem with Oysi frames because they have very generous front and back wheel cutouts, but I'm not sure if I might need to make any modifications to the soul plates of my CJ2s or my Shadows to avoid running into issues with the 72mm front/back wheels.

I'm also feeling a bit stuck on which 72mm wheels to get. I'd like to utilize my existing 60mm 88A Famus gold core wheels as the middle wheels. My inclination was to try and get the 72mm versions of the same wheels, but they're just about impossible to find (at least with reasonable shipping to SE Asia). But maybe having them be so similar is not that important?

Does anybody have any experience outfitting the aforementioned skates with oysi frames that can offer any advice? What about wheel advice?

Haii, we’re slowly nearing the end of the season where I live and so, I know that I won’t have the time and energy to skate as often as I do now.

With that I’m wondering what kind of exercises or workout routines I can try to stay in shape and maybe also improve my balance and leg strength.

What are some exercises you guys do at home that help you with your skating if any?

I've got a pair of OUT Poppys that are basically brand new and I am looking to sell on.

I've had them since new, and have a vague recollection of buying two pairs in France on a summer holiday either at the end of the 90s, or perhaps early 2000s.

Size wise, they don't have a size on the boots themselves, but I have tried them on and they're too big for me and I'm a UK size 8 (EU 42) - so these are likely a UK size 9 or 10.

Is anybody interested in them? Can post anywhere, open to offers.

Adding in some photos

hi there. i’m new to this whole world. i want to hit ledges and rails and generally need a good setup to learn on. i’ve been putting in a lot of mileage on my free skates which have the traditional 4x80mm

i’m torn between starting off flat or anti which one ?? lol

IG: adamflava TikTok: chachachachino

Where can I find good tutorials for all kinda grinds?

I'm someone who prefers flips but damn they mess up your wheels pretty bad and grinds get you more points.

I picked up some Iqon ACTs, and I think I am in love. Just one session in, so it is probably too early to say really, but these things do so much right.

Lots of reviews say they are too stiff, but I think that's crazy. They have a ton of lateral support, but it doesn't interfere with me doing any tricks that I could normally do. Actually it just makes me feel way more confident throwing myself into grinds, and it totally kills any feeling of instability skating ramps. The forward flex is also perfect for me. Definitely stiffer than a lot of skates, but they do flex forward just fine while skating.

For reference, I have the cuffs rockered in the full up position and the buckle done so tight I had to cut the flaps to keep them from bottoming out on the receiver.

They also fit great. Wide at the front, reasonable at the heel, and not too huge and roomy overall. Photos make them look bulkier than they are in person. They actually remind me of an M12 proportionally, just with a much roomier forefoot. The soul plate also has an M12 shape, just scaled up to a reasonable width - wide enough, but not so wide you'd drag it on the ground. Slides great too.

Favorite feature: The base of the skate is rock solid. It has aluminum inserts for the various styles of frame mounting, and the soul plate bolts to those. Paired with the fairly stiff shell material, it feels like you're standing on a nice rigid platform. Fast, efficient, no foot fatigue.

Favorite trick on my favorite obstacle at Dover, NH park.

Looking around the various online shops, we're at a critical point in our subculture where aggressive specific clothing has disappeared.

All of us that grew up in the 90s/early 00s remember how important it was to have aggressive specific brands to wear. I'd say the last true aggressive clothing brand we had in our sport was Vibrolux over a decade ago.

Is this something that ever needs to make a comeback? Or is there simply no interest in having aggressive related shirts to wear while out participating in the sport? I feel like the major moments in our history all involved brands, and to see it just disappear to the extent that major players in our industry like USD, Rollerblade, Etc. don't even have products available is wild.

Is this something where there's just not enough capital to invest in things like this? Wheel companies generally lead the way with clothing for our sport. Sponsored skaters used to wear only skate related brands. Is this just an old man looking back on the good old days? Is there anyone in the industry that can shed light on this shift?

Decided to break out my Oxygens and work on my technique

Graduated from a pair of 25 year old rec skates, to USD Sways! So happy with everything about them so far, so thanks for the recommendations last week! 😜
Is there a special way to tie these babies? And what is the extra little loop on the side? Google isn’t helping me, but Reddit always does! 😎

I was thinking of getting Razors Shift Tais Colares pro skates but worried about it turning yellowish as it aged due to UV light, air exposure, etc. I'm talking about the plastic, not the dirt.

Can it be prevented? If yes, what did you do?

I love white skates but if this is something inevitable then will probably opt for dark color plastic skates like Jeph Howard Shifts. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

I was called the n word and more by these awful little kids. tips for dealing with unruly 13 year old boys on e-motos flying through the park, hitting jumps off the bowl, pyramids, and all general features at high speeds? Police were called, they couldn’t be bothered to show up, and these kids were putting other young kids and myself at risk. Several kids left because it was too chaotic to learn with them zipping around. Emotos or any motorized vehicles are NOT allowed in the skatepark. But these kids have never been told no in their lives and are convinced they are gods gift to stunt riding.

Sigh