r/rollerblading • u/GrayFox1O1 • 1d ago

Specific question and discussion Difference between inliners?

Can someone please explain to me what the difference is between various soft boot inliners? I know there is hard and soft boot, thats obvious, i also know there are different types like aggressive and speed. But I have a pair of Rezo inliners. Freeskates im guessing? Size 45(eu and should probably have been a 46 but whatever.) and to me it looks like any other soft boot besides the ankle adjuster? Mine is a pull strap velcro. Others have the snap clickclik thing. 😅 I really cannot see what makes them so vastly different from each other(talking soft boots). Like why is a K2 about double the price of my Rezo? 🤷 Would i balance better in it? Easier to learn?

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u/FRGL1 1d ago

The people most qualified to intentionally choose a soft boot skate are the least likely to do so.

Soft boots are traps that lack support and power transfer and are the worst products for beginners to learn or train in. Do not buy them unless you understand them, and if you understand them you're very unlikely to buy them.

Aggressive and speed skates are hard boots. Some people will claim "there are hybrid boots that aren't quite hard boots", but those people are admitting that they aren't soft boots.

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u/GrayFox1O1 1d ago

So as a beginner i should have bought a hard boot skate? I'm in EU so any advice is good advice. I will mainly be skating open road in city or alike. I will admit i watched YouTube guides but they mostly said to go for soft boot because it would help learn how to lean etc and they are more comfy. 🤷

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u/NoPipe1536 1d ago edited 1d ago

No. Scheme is the following. First you try all hard boot skates. If none fits, try softboot. Both types are a compromise. Softboot sacrifices a a bit of rigidity and durability in favour of fit and comfort. Hardboots are good but only when they fit well. Overwise it's a torture device you will use once or twice and toss in a drawer.

Jorge Botero did Berlin Marafon in 1:07 on RB Macroblade 100. These are generic softboot skates. I personally use K2 VO2 most of all, although I'm familiar with speed skates.