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Okay everyone! I have owned roller skates for approximately 72 hours, so I obviously wanted to share everything from my expert point of view. LOL! As an expert, I can objectively judge my own skills and tell you that I’m not very good at skating. But it is making me incredibly happy to try. I think my biggest challenge will be getting over my dang insecurities. I’m embarrassed to be as old as I am taking these babies out for a spin. But I almost don’t care — because of how much fun it is! The first day I owned them, I just skated around the house and practiced a turn, which I was SHOCKED I could still do with very little effort. Muscle memory is legit, because I haven’t skated since I was a teenager, and that turn came back to me like it never left. A pleasant surprise!

Over the next couple days, I found some drills on YouTube and actually skated through my neighborhood. Once I put on some good music and got some speed on the open road (AKA sidewalk), I felt a freedom that I haven’t felt in a long time. I never imagined something like roller skating would let me experience that, but it makes me excited to keep going. I want to get more stable, maybe learn to skate backwards someday, and most importantly, not break any body parts. Wish me luck!

The Roller Skates

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Aren’t my roller skates the cutest? I did research for a couple months before I took the plunge and was basically planning to take any and all my advice from Maegan of Love, Maegan and just buy the exact same skates she has. She has some good beginner info on bearings and wheel sizes too. But unfortunately with how popular roller skating is becoming and how quickly everything was selling out, I missed my chance. So I continued the search and when this pair became available for pre-order, I went for it. They were a good price, cute color options (you can even mix and match) with versatile indoor/outdoor wheels, and there was a good return policy — so I felt the risk was worthwhile. Since it was pre-order, they took almost a month to arrive, but now it seems that they’re in stock for immediate shipping. Swoon!

Sizing

Most roller skates tend to run big or are based on men’s sizing. So I highly encourage checking the sizing chart of any skates you plan to purchase. For these particular skates, I found they run exactly true to size based on their size guide recommendation. I’m generally a solid 9.5, sometimes 10 and with half sizes they encourage you to size down. A 9 sounded so small, so I definitely hesitated. But I’m glad I followed the advice on the site. The 9 fits PERFECTLY, with enough room in the toe box for a little movement, but no sliding around. I can wear a boot sock comfortably and the only thing that has taken some getting used to is the high shaft. My ankles and shins have been a little sore, but I know that will get more comfortable over time.

The Safety Gear

Ok, so technically I haven’t invested in any safety gear yet, but I fully intend to. I’m not planning on doing jumps or flips or anything like that, but I want to work on spins and transitions. So while I get used to having wheels strapped to my feet, I think having a little padding will help me feel a bit more comfortable just in case I take a spill. Right now I’m wearing my old bicycle helmet and it’s real… dorky, for lack of a better word. Actually dorky is the exact right word. Haha. I’m sure wrist guards and knee pads will be dorky too, but if I at least have a cute helmet, maybe I’ll feel less roller derp-y and more roller derby. Ehhh! Roller derpy. Hahaha that should be my new IG handle. (Nevermind, I checked and it’s taken. Dang, I was cracking myself up with that one.)

Aaaahhh. Anyway! Here are some safety options I’m looking at: Helmet | Wrist Guards + Knee Pads | Butt Pads (I’m only kind of kidding about the butt pads)

Kids Skates

When Stevie saw my skates, he went bonkers for them, and constantly wants to put them on! Selfishly, I do not want to share, nor do I want him to ruin mine. I want to ruin them myself! So I took to the internet to find him his own (cheaper) pair. I was hoping for straight up little kid skates so they wouldn’t go too fast, but he’s already in a size 7 and most only go up to a size 4 or 5. After 3 days of hunting, I ended up ordering these. He’s at the tail end of the largest adjustable size, and would probably grow out of any pair we get rather quickly. So once they arrive, I’ll have to report back on how they fit. I also need to order him protective gear x’s 1000 because I’m completely terrified of where this is going.

OK, I think that’s all I have to report for now! I am trying to remember it’s ok to take this new hobby slow. With both my skills and buying up all the unnecessarily cute skating accessories!

How do you feel about roller skating? Strictly a nostalgic love or would you try it again now as a grown-up? Let me know if you have any questions!

loves,
jaana