Aggressive Inline Skating

These days there are several companies manufacturing skates designed for this type of skating. They are made of more durable materials and are designed with gaps and grinds in mind. One of the best things to also come out through the years has been UFS or Universal Frame System. It used to be that each skate company made their own frames and when that part of the skate wore down, you were due for a whole new pair of skates. Now most, if not all, skate manufacturers follow the UFS guidelines which has opened the door for companies exclusively developing the highest quality and most durable frames out there.

Almost every part of the skate is now replaceable; from the liners to the frames to the boots or skins. Not only can you replace a worn out or broken part of a skate, but now skaters can express their indviduality.

SET UP TYPES

Along with customizable skates, and UFS, we have also seen new types of frames, not just the standard four wheels, evenly spaced. Rollerbladers can now choose from a variety of frame types and set ups.

Flat Rocker - This type of set up refers to having a standard frame and all four wheels the same size and hardness on each skate. The benefit to this type of set up is speed since all four wheels on each skate are touching the ground.

Anti-Rocker - This, again means having a standard frame, however the two outside wheels are larger and softer than the two inside wheels. The smaller, harder inside wheels help with grinding on surfaces such as rails or ledges and are less likely than a larger, softer wheel to catch on these surfaces during grinds.

Freestyle - Freestyle is the name for a newer type of frame and set up where the frame only accomodates two outer wheels. Rather than having a small surface between the two inner wheels to grind, skaters now have the entire area between the two outer wheels for tricks. This allows skaters to grind wider surfaces as well as to more easily "switch up" or change from one grind to another while on a ledge or rail.

It's summer which means it's time for a ton of new skates, frames and soft goods to start dropping.

Kizer is out with the brand new Element frame which looks sick! It's all stretched out and you can roll flat with tons of room to grind. Also designed to make switch ups from royale tricks to souls a snap.

USD is out with the Billy "The Fish"
O'Neill and Sean Kelso pro model skates. Both have nice custom graphics and look great.

UCON, Valo, Heat, Denial and some other great companies have come out with their summer lines.

You can find all this new stuff at any of the online shops listed above and hopefully at an inline-friendly shop near you!