Unless you’re a roller skating guru, you might not be aware of the different types of rollerskates that are available and what they are designed to do. Among the different roller skate types you will find are Artistic, Jam, Speed, Derby, and Rhythm. Depending on what style of quad skating you plan on doing, you will want to get the appropriate skate style for it.
Artistic Skates
Artistic skates are used in many different skating disciplines, but the easiest comparison is to that of a figure skate used on ice. Artistic roller skates are composed of a leather boot, very strong sole plate, and a jump bar that adds additional reinforcement. Like ice skating, an Artistic skate is used on a roller skating surface for single free skate, pairs skating, solo dance, pairs dancing, precision or synchronized skating, and show teams. Although each of these skate disciplines is different, the common thread that they share is the use of an Artistic style quad skate.
Artistic skaters need a skate that is strong enough to withstand the force that is exerted on the skate when jumping or landing. The boot on artistic skates is higher than those found on other quad skates. The boot sits a few inches above the ankle providing more support and stability for the foot.
Jam Skates
Jam skates are different than any other type of rollerskate because of its unique low-cut design and lack of toe stop, that’s right, no brake. The original jam skate design was actually much different, resembling an artistic skate with a high-cut artistic-style boot and tradition toe stop brake. However, over the years, the design has transformed into a skate that resembles the picture to the right. The modern skate design features a low-cut speed skate boot and a dance plug in placement of the toe stop. They feature lightweight frames for fast, agile movement for the skating style associated with jam skating.
As a skating style, Jam skating is a combination of dance, gymnastics, and skating. Jam skating’s roots stem from the roller disco days of the 1970s, but over time it has evolved and been influenced by multiple sources of artistic outlet. Modern dance, artistic skating, and break dancing have all contributed to the jam skating style of today. For jam skaters, jam skating is more about personal expression rather than aggressive or speed type of skating. The free flowing movements of jam skating have been given countless names such as hexing, shuffle skating, toe-skating, and spot skating. But regardless of its name, jam skating has always been about expression and passion.
Speed Skates
Most people instinctively think inline skates when they hear speed skates. The truth is that speed skates are available in both inline and quad form. While inline speed skating is more common and more widely recognized, quad speed skating is extremely popular. A speed skate features a boot design that more closesly resembles a shoe. A speed skate will fit closely to the fott and have very little padding, increasing the foot to boot ratio. The cut of the boot is lower and will usually sit around the ankle bone, or underneath it. The design of a speed skate creates tremendous maneuverability and freedom of movement.
From a usage standpoint, speed skates are intended to be used in lap skating, time trials, sprints, relays and marathons. They typically offer lightweight plates to reduce fatigue for skating long distances. In recent years, jam skaters have also taken to speed skates because they offer a similar design and freedom of movement. The most notable difference being that a speed skate features a toe stop, unlike a jam skate that uses a toe plug.
Derby Skates
Roller derby is a worldwide sport that many people know about, but may not fully understand. While I won’t go into detail about the particulars of the sport, just know that roller derby is a contact sport that utilizes strategy and strength to win. Derby skates are designed specifically for use in the sport of roller derby, though they resemble the everyday rollerskate design.
Derby skates feature a low-cut boot design with a lace up closure and Velcro strap to properly position and fasten the foot in place. The boot design itself has more padding than a speed or jam skate so that it can withstand the bashing and bumping that roller derby entails. Derby skates can also be equipped with accessories to protect against injury, as can be see with the skate to the right.
Rhythm Skates
Similar to a Jam skate, Rhythm skates are designed for dancing, shuffle skating, and slides. The difference between a Rhythm skate and a Jam skate is most evident in the boot design. Unlike a Jam skate boot, a Rhythm skate boot is not low cut. In fact, the boot design looks very similar to an Artistic skate, essentially providing you with the ankle support benefits of an Artistic skate, but the freedom of movement of a Jam skate.
Rhythm skates do not have a traditional toe stop brake, but instead features a dance plug like a Jam skate. If you want a skate that allows you to move to the beat, with added ankle support, the Rhythm skate is the ideal choice.
Tags: Articles, Quad Skates, Roller Skates
Thanks for the infomation. Always wondered what the difference was.
This information was extremely helpful. I am trying to determine which skates best suit my near term versus long term purpose and this article was very useful.
Do you know of any roller skates designed to go slower then usual, or with rollers closer to the ground to prevent falls?
Hey Norma,
For the most part, most beginner skates will come with lower grade wheels and bearings, causing them to go slower than the ones designed for a more advanced skater. As for lower to the ground skates, try looking for skate with smaller wheels (either 55mm or 57mm will be fine). These will bring you as close to the ground as possible when you are skating, giving you a better sense of balance than bigger wheels. Hope this answers your questions!
Regards,
Dru
All of this information is so overwhelming. I am looking to get my daughter some roller skates. She has shown an interest in skating but I have no idea what skates to get.
Hello, WOW! i never realized there was so much to rollerskates
I’m a ex-figureskater looking to purchase some skates, I’m guessing artistic would be best for me? Is there any particular surface they are best suited to? I would be using them on concrete tracks and basketball courts.
Also what are good makes of skates? My old figure skates were Riedell silver medallions, with jubille blades. Is there a difference between wheels etc?
& how do roller skates differ to figure skates?
Thankyou!
Gina xx
Gina,
Artistic roller skates are going to most simulate the fit and feel of figure skates. The fit on these style of skates are going to nearly replicate the feeling of a figure skate with great support and comfort. As with new figure skates they will take some time to break in and will not fit “perfect” right out of the box, you will need to break them in with a few skating sessions. If you skated with Riedell figure skates I would suggest trying out some Riedell Rollerskates as they will offer a similar fit you are accustom to.
The wheels that come on most rollerskates are going to be multipurpose and will work great for where you will be skating. When you replace them you can get some that are specific to concrete and outdoor use but the ones that come on the skates will give you no issue.
Thanks,
Chris
I used to shuffle skate in the 80′s and had a pair of white women’s ridell skates that looked similar to the Artistic skates. But the description for the Rhythm Skates best fit my type of skating, however I don’t like the stoppers. Is their a big difference between Artistic and Rhythm skates?
Thanks
Hi Linda,
There are a few differences between artistic and rhythm skates. As you noticed, the rhythm skates (as well as the jam skates) tend to have a dance rather than a brake to facilitate the different moves and techniques associated with the more free form types of skating. Although the boots may be very similar in the two types, there are also differences in the frames used on artistic skates; due to the force that is exerted in many jumping maneuvers, they tend to have sturdier plates combined with jump bars for added support. But, if you’re looking at a more recreational style skate, you may not see any difference between a rhythm and artistic skate besides the brake. I hope this helps!
Best,
Kate