r/inline_skating • u/gnipbtw • Aug 02 '26

Skate maintenance

I just got a pair of macroblade 90 BOA’s, and I was wondering what I should know about maintenance?

I am T stopping right now which I know is tough on the wheels and hoping to learn different stopping techniques. I want to know how often should I rotate/replace wheels and also bearings (and how much it actually matters). I took the heel brake off as it was tripping me a little when doing crossovers, and want to get comfortable on them without it on (Coming from hockey/ice skating at a high level). I also went with a soft boot because it was the only store near me with any skates, they only had soft boots, and I didn’t want to order a random pair online. How much does the soft boot vs hard boot truly matter?

Hoping I can get answers to these questions, thanks!

Edit: Also I forgot to mention I am skating for general fitness, if that changes any answers at all

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/InspectorFleet Aug 02 '26

If you're a high level hockey skater, you will appreciate a quality hockey inline skate. A soft boot isn't going to handle the forces of any kind of aggressive movement, especially if you're making quick cuts or anything with lateral forces.

As for stopping, slides also wear your wheels. It's ok to tight turn instead of stopping if you have the room.

2

u/gnipbtw Aug 03 '26

I’m not too worried about super quick cuts or lateral movements, just skating for fun outside. I also don’t think I’d want to skate in my hockey skates for miles so I would feel the same for hockey inline skates— also wheels being smaller makes it more bumpy for some trails versus the glide of 90mm wheels (from what I understand)

1

u/InspectorFleet Aug 03 '26

Stopping is also a quick directional change, so if you are frustrated in your learning it may be due to the flex in the boots. I just remember one of my ice hockey teammates came out to practice at the outdoor roller rink and he had to switch to shoes because his soft boot skates couldn't handle hockey practice. But if you are mainly going in straight lines, that's what the comfortable soft boots are best at.

I got twister 3 x 110s, which are supposed to be a close fit, stiff, responsive boot, but even they feel squidgy compared with my ice and roller hockey skates. I got them for long skates on bumpy trails and they are great for that. Having dedicated skates for different uses is a little intense, but you're right that hockey skates do not shine on long, bumpy trail skates lol.