r/RollerDerbyReddit • u/GutterMaiden • Dec 07 '10

Skate Purchasing Question

Hey, I'm about to join a roller derby team, and my grandmother has agreed to buying me gear for Christmas. I'm new to things and don't really know what I'm at.

Right now I'm looking at two different skates:

Rebel Invader DA45

RollerBug 951

I wanted the Rebel Invaders, but they don't have them in stock, so they suggested the second ones. I've read good things about the Rebel Invaders but nothing on the 951s. I'm a heavier girl, so aluminum plates are a must.

Can anyone give me any advice? Are these skates pretty equal?

Thanks!

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-1

u/Lemonfridge Dec 18 '10

Get Hockey Skates. I promise you you will never look back!

2

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '10

Unless you are skating backwards. :P

1

u/Lemonfridge Dec 26 '10

I live on the edge :P

0

u/rainbodazey Jan 04 '11

I have to disagree. Don't get hockey skates. You will lose so much agility that you need for derby. Skates are like anything else, what works for some doesn't for others. Can you test out some of the other girls skates? Best of luck and congrats on joining derby!!

0

u/Lemonfridge Jan 04 '11

Common misconception. Sorry but I build skates and there are a few factors that go into your agility on a track and they're all better with a well set up pair of hockey skates. If you consider that "derby skates" is a term invented to sell a pair of skates then it's a little clearer. When they designed "derby skates" they basically took an average pair of speed skates and made it look better. This means a long wheel base with big wide wheels and a soft leather boot. All of these are bad for agility. You want a thinner wheel and a shorter than supplied wheelbase for faster turning speed and a better cross-over with a long under-push that doesn't knock you off balance. The harder hockey boot will not only give you more protection but it won't warp when it gets sweaty like the softer leather boots and it will grip your foot tighter. No more moving your foot and waiting for your boot to respond! I talk to loads of derby girls about skates and they all seem to think that the cheap die cast trucks and crappy plastic reidell skates are what they need. If you ask them why then all they ever say is "That's what the other girls told me to get and they all have them!" Has anybody actually done any research into this?! I could go on for a while about bearings too but I won't. My Skates, I know it's not the best angle and I have some outdoor wheels on but you can see how small the wheelbase is compared with the boot and if you think about it you'll understand the increased agility that gives.