F.A.Q.

Skate Questions

1. What is the difference between a “low top skate” and a “high top skate”?

The low tops are generally considered speed boots. They are more popular and allow you to move your ankle more freely, and it will also not be as hot on your foot. The high tops generally offer more ankle support, so if you have weak ankles that would be a good choice.

2. What makes an outdoor skate different from an indoor skate? The difference is only in the wheels. Outdoor skates have a softer wheel. They help you to grip better as well as going over cracks in the pavement, small pebbles, etc. A soft wheel is normally considered to be anything under a 90A. The lower the number the softer the wheel.

Indoor wheels are any kind of wheel over 90A hardness. (See below for more info.)

3. How do I determine my size? SIZE INFORMATION Overview If this is your first purchase of skates, you need to know of few facts that will help you in choosing the right size for yourself or family. Buying roller skates is like purchasing a pair of shoes. Whatever is your shoe size should most likely be the size of your skates. There are a few exceptions and they are mentioned below.

Speed Skates (low top skates) Speed skates (low cut boots) are usually in men’s sizes only. If it is a black or white skate, they are in men’s sizes. Since that is the case, it is important the ladies go down one size even when you are ordering white skates. For example, a lady with a size 7 shoe would get a size 6 in the men’s black or white speed skates. A man would get the same as their shoe size. Another important point to remember is if the ladies size is 4 or lower, she should not go down one size.

The only exception to this rule is if you order the Carrera speed boots. These skates run smaller than most skates due to the abundance of padding. The size of the skate is the same as the size as men’s shoes but the padding makes them too snug for most people’s comfort. Because of this we recommend that men ordering Carrera get one size larger than their shoe size. If their feet are wide, they need two sizes larger as Riedell boots are B/C width. Ladies ordering Carrera need their shoe size for size 5 and down. (Ladies with narrow feet can usually wear one size smaller than their shoe size.) Sizes 6 and up need one size smaller.

If you are a half size, it is important to go up a size to ensure proper fit. For example, if you are a size 7 1/2 , you should order a size 8 skate. If the skate is a little big, you can wear thicker socks and lace them up tight.

Artistic and Recreational (high top skates) These skates come in black (men’s sizes) and white (women’s sizes). These skates are true to size (your shoe size). Ladies do not go down one size for these skates.

There are some skates in this category that are in half sizes and you can order based on your shoe size. But most skates are not available in half sizes so it is important to go up a size to ensure proper fit. For example, if you are a size 7 1/2 , you should order a size 8 skate. If the skate is a little big, you can wear thicker socks and lace them up

If a lady would like to order a black boot (or skate), she must go down one size. For example is she is a size 7 she must choose a size 6. If however the size is 4 or smaller, it is not necessary to go down one size.

CHILDREN’S SKATES Children’s shoes are the same as their shoes. Your child’s first shoe might have been a J1. The J stands for Juvenile or toddler. The smallest juvenile skates start at j8 and to j13. When a child gets to size 1, the size scale is the same as adult shoes. A child’s 4 is the same as and adult 4. A child that wears size 5, wears the same as an adult 5. There is no relation to age and shoe size in children. One very important tip—it is economically wise to go up one size when ordering for children. They can wear two pairs of socks for a few months if necessary.

INLINE SKATES

All of our inline skates are sized for men. Ladies then will need to order one size small that their shoe size or sizes 6 and up. If you need to confirm your size, you may wish to try on a pair of men’s shoes from a department store.

Wheel Questions

4. How many wheels come with the skates? If you are ordering quad skates, obviously you will get 8 wheels. You can also order them separately and most packages consist of 8 wheels. Inline skate wheels are sold separately on in packages of 4. Check our site for information about each of the wheels.

5. Some of the roller skate wheels come in different sizes. What does that mean? The larger the wheel the faster the speed. You can get a 57mm, 62mm (the average quad speed skate comes in 62mm),65mm,or 70mm.

This same things is true of inline skates. The larger the wheel the faster you can go. They come in sizes: 59mm,64mm,68mm,72mm,76mm,80mm,84mm,90mm,100mm and 104mm.

6. What does the hardness number on the wheels mean? The hardness of a wheel is measured on a scale of a number and then an A. For outdoor use, you will want a wheel that is below 90A. The higher the number, the harder the wheel. The lower the number, the softer the wheel. For indoor use you will want a wheel from 90A up to 103A.

Bearing questions

7. What does ABEC mean when I am looking at the bearings? ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineering Council and it is a rating of how “good” bearings are. Basically the higher the number after ABEC the better the bearing is suppose to be. The scale goes like this: ABEC-1, ABEC-3; ABEC-5; ABEC-7; ABEC-9. Unless you are an advanced skater, it is not necessary to get the highest rated bearings. One important note: If you decide to purchase Bones Bearings, they are not rated; however they are generally better than most of the bearings in the ABEC scale. Of course, bearings come with all skates that you order as well as the wheels. Please check the description of each skate to determine type of bearings as well as wheel.

8. In the description of the bearings most are listed as 8mm but a few are 7mm, what is the difference? Those refer to the inner diameter of the bearing and the size of the axle it’s going on. Most skates use 8mm (or large)axles so you will need standard 8mm bearings to go on them. Some of the older models as well as high end skates use 7mm (or small) axles and you will need 7mm bearings.

9. How many bearings will I need? If you are ordering a skate, all the bearings come installed. However if you want to order the bearings separately, you will need two bearings per wheel. For Roller Skates, you will need 16 bearings total. For Inline skates with 4 wheels on each skate, you will need 16 bearings total. Determine how many wheels and then double that number to determine the number of bearings.

Plate Questions

10. If I decide to order plates, what is the difference between “double action” and “single action”? A double action plate has two cushions and the kingpin is usually at a 15 degree angle. It is used for all kinds of skating. The single action plate has one cushion and the kingpin is set at a 45 degree angle. This is made only in metal plates and is much heavier than the newer nylon plates. They are only used for quad speed skating.

11. Which is better, the metal or the nylon plates? The nylon plate is lighter and is double-action and allows the skater to have much better control and maneuverability. Unless you are an advanced skater it is wise to stay with the double action nylon or non metal plates.

Custom Orders

12. How can I order a custom skate? I want to build my own skate. Choose your boot, plate(roller skates), frame (inline skates), wheels, bearings, toe stops. If you need help we will assist you. Once you have completed the order, email us with your selections at sales@myrollerskateworld.com and we will give you a special price which will include mounting on your order. We guarantee that our price is the best that you can find!

Shipping & Return Information

13. How long will it take for my order to ship out? Some orders may ship out the same day or next day provided it is not a special order item and it is in stock. We usually ship UPS ground which usually delivers in 4 to 5 business days. If you wish quicker service, please check the appropriate box at checkout.

14. What if I ordered the wrong size, can I return it? Yes, you can, but please follow the guidelines on our web page for determining size. You will be asked to contact us before you return the skates. Do so by emailing us at sales@myrollerskateworld.com and give us your full information. The items can only be returned with pre-authorization. You will be asked to pay for the cost of shipping both ways. All returned skates must be in their original boxes or they cannot be returned. Exchanges or returns must be initiated in 30 days after you receive the skates. 45 days are allowed for the December holidays.

If we made the mistake in the order, of course the cost of shipping, etc. will be on us.

If the skate item you ordered is not currently available, you will be notified as soon as possible. You can pick another item or we will promptly refund your money. If a sale item is sold out or not available, we are NOT responsible to provide a similar item at the same price.

If you ordered custom skates, some are returnable and others are not. You can tell the difference by looking at the description. If the description does not say it is NOT returnable, then it can be returned. Also, no skates can be returned for any reason if they have been used for skating.

15. Can you ship to a Post Office Box? Our shipping provider is UPS and they do not deliver to P.O. Boxes. Please give us a physical address.

16. We ship to addresses in the U.S. and Canada and around the world. If you are from Canada, you must chose UPS Canada and not UPS shipping on the order page. We do not provide free shipping to Canada or to any other country.