Recreational Skates

 

 These feature a lightweight and comfortable boot, a fairly long wheel base and larger (70mm-80mm) wheels. They are designed for skating on flat tarmac or concrete such as around parks and on smooth roads. They usually come equipped with a heel brake

Aggressive Skates

 

 These are composed of a strong, heavy boot on top of a tough frame with a shorter wheel base and no heel brake. The frame usually has a gap in between the middle wheels that is curved to allow for tricks "grinding" rails and kerbs. The wheels themselves are much smaller and squarer in profile to other types of skates for ramp/trick work.

Free Skates

 

 These skates are a hybrid between Recreational and Aggressive skates. They combine the larger recreational wheels with a shorter wheelbase. The frame is stronger than the usual Recreational skate frame but does not have the gap for "grinding". The boot is also of a strong construction but not at the expense of comfort. These skates are popular for street skating involving up/down kerbs and a variety of different skate surfaces. Heelbrakes are optional!

Speed Skates

 

 These skates have an extremely long wheel base and can also feature 5 wheels instead of the usual 4. Speed skates can also use ceramic bearings instead of the usual metal ones which, although noisier provide a much quicker ride

 

Hockey Skates

 

 These are very lightweight in construction and of a similar wheelbase length as free-skates. The wheels are of a softer compound for better grip when playing indoor hockey. The boot has a lower cuff than most other skates and is generally made of a soft material such as leather rather than hard plastic.

Quad Skates

 

 These are the more traditional roller skates with 4 wheels in 2 pairs rather then in a line (hence in-line). They generally feature a toe stopper and while not so fast as inlines are more stable and preferred by people dancing and skating.