Skateboarding vs Rollerblading – Complete Comparison

Lack of knowledge on skating? Don’t fret! I’ve settled the battle: Skateboarding vs. Rollerblading sufficiently to raise your understanding.

There is nothing more pleasant and entertaining than a man on wheels. It is not only fun to experience but also maintains your physical health, mental strength, behavior, and personality traits and improves your well-being.

When we heard of skating; Skateboarding and Roller skating popped into our minds, and both terms seem similar to many of us, but they aren’t. Both activities include moving on wheels, but the control, technique, convenience, and tricks are different in each. Thus, I decided to experience both to bring a truce to the battle: Skateboarding vs. Rollerblading fairly

What is skateboarding?

Skateboarding is a recreational sport or activity that involves a deck called a skateboard. The skateboard has four supportive wheels below the deck on which the player stands and roams around. It would be best if you had a good skateboard, a helmet, a pair of decent sneakers, knee pads, and wrist guards.

I’ve also written on: How to Clean a Skateboard and Its Decks

Technique:

The primary strategy behind skateboarding is “pushing.” You have to push the board to move forward. Balancing is of primary concern because, in skateboarding, you’ve to stand on the deck with one foot while pushing the ground with the other foot. It may sound difficult at the start, but practice will make you perfect.

Build Quality:

Never compromise on the quality of your skateboard because this is what you’re relying on! The best skateboards are the ones that are composed of hard rock maple material. It is also called sugar maple and is a form of hardwood that provides durability and stiffness to the deck. Maple wood is denser than softwood material.

Besides the deck, the wheels of a skateboard are of considerable interest. There are different types of wheels based on size and weight. I always suggest beginners should go for large and soft material wheels because it provides more stability. In skateboarding, you don’t have to control the wheels like in inline skating. So the main emphasis is on the deck, which is your base here.

Accessibility:

If you’re an entry-level skater or a kid sporter, then skateboarding is the best platform for you. It is easier than inline skating. Why? Undoubtedly, the deck provides more ankle support and balance as compared to rollers. Plus, you have an option to start a turtle walk with one foot on the deck and the other on the floor.

Balance:

To balance a skateboard, try to bend a little at your knees. This helps you to attain stability while moving. Then, try to uphold continuity while propelling the board in a forwarding direction. In other words, you have to manage your speed like a projectile: slow in the beginning, keep fasting with time, and sluggish at the end.

Flips and Tricks

Flipping a skateboard is not an easy job to do! The reason is that you’re not locked in the board but have to carry it with physics. Secondly, the control is more problematic on board than on rollers. If you’re an amateur, then I suggest you do these tricks on rollers instead. Though professionals can perform jump backflips, kickflips, hard flips, toe flips, inward double heelflips, dragon flips, and the rest.

Check out the List, Buying Guide, and Reviews of Best Electric Skateboards

What is RollerBlading?

Skating on rollers or roller blades is called Roller Blading. Indubitably, it is different from skateboarding. There are different types of rollerblades depending upon the arrangement of wheels. Typically, the rollers have two to five wheels, either inline (inline skates) or pairs (quad skates). You have to wear those shoes and slide them against the floor to move forward. A good pair of rollers, a helmet, knee pads, and wrist guards are what you need for a perfect rollerblading experience.

Technique:

The primary technique here is “balance” because standing straight on skate rollers is hard-hitting compared to skateboarding. First, wear the rollers and all safety gear properly. Once you stand in it, please don’t move left or right frequently. Be passionate and focus on your path, bend a little on your knees, and move. Trust me; you’re going to rock it! Over that, I must say that rollerblading is easier than skateboarding for contact with thumps and edges.

Build Quality:

Getting the right gear is imperative. Numerous brands produce rollers, but try to do some research before getting one because each roller boot is not suitable for every level rider. I found Nylon material excellent in roller skates because it is super light and comfortable. “Moxi” is a recognized skate-producing brand that is famous for its quality and convenience.

Like decks, wheels required prior attention while getting skates too. Good skate wheels are those which are light in weight, portable, durable, and smooth. Polyurethane wheels are the ones that fit best to this scale, as they’re long-lasting, endurant, and soft.

Accessibility:

If you’re an amateur and want to enjoy rollerblading, you should go for Quad skates instead of inline. The Quad skates have wheel arrangement in pairs: two at the front and two at the back. It provides more stability and less risk of falling. Roller skating is easier than skateboarding in the sense that your feet are fixed in the shoes. Contrarily, it is more challenging than skateboarding in a way that you can’t just stand easily on those wheeler boots without practice.

Balance:

As I said before, balance is a key, regardless of the skating you’re going to follow. In roller skating, balance is difficult at the start, but once you dig into the flow, nothing will stop you. Rollers have one advantage over boards, and that is “brake.” But, it’s not a car brake; it needs tactics and practice to stop a roller skate at speed.

Flips and Tricks

Every enthusiast wants to try flips and tricks to have the real fun of skate rolling. Flipping is comparatively easier in rollers than on the deck because your feet are attached to the boots. If you are interested in doing tricks on edges, then wear inline skates. In the end, practice and skills matter the most.

Skateboarding vs Rollerblading Infographic:

Take a look at key points for comparison of Skateboarding vs Rollerblading in the Infographic form, and share interesting points with your friends over social media!

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

I’ve tried to answer the most asked questions while comparing skateboarding vs rollerblading. If you still have any queries you can ask in a comment.

You can also read about Is Ice Skating Hard to Learn? How Long? Tips and Guide