Roller Skate 101: How to Prep New Quads

Ready to roll out?

Stop. Wait a minute!  Read this post before you strap on your brand-new pair of quad roller skates. 

Before you start rolling, you’ll need to adjust and prepare your skates. After being assembled at the factory, your quads are sealed directly into their box and are too tight to use. In order to roll smoothly, make sure to follow these few essential steps. 

You’ll need a Y-Tool! AKA the most important investment for a roller skater. 

1. UNBOX

Remove all the plastic and stuffing. Before you step onto a hard surface, make sure your boots fit perfectly on carpet flooring. The added cushion ensures you'll safely try them on and gives you the opportunity to exchange your size if necessary.

2. LACE THE BOOTS

Lacing your boot is all about your personal style and preference. Like any other lace up shoe (sneakers or boots), make sure the fit is snug onto your foot and ankle for maximum support and comfort. 

3. LOOSEN THE WHEELS

This is probably the most important step. Using your y-tool, loosen your wheels to your desired preference. Make sure to keep them balanced and even for a straight roll. Balanced wheels mean that all 4 wheels roll at the same speed. 

Skater Tip: Too much room between your wheel and truck screw is dangerous. But, if the wheels are too tight or off-balance this will prevent you from rolling smoothly. Find a happy medium.

4. ADJUST YOUR TRUCKS

A little goes a long way! Using your y-tool, simply rotate the screw about 45 degrees or your desired preference. This step helps you more easily lean side to side as you skate. 

Skater Tip: The trucks should remain fairly tight and just need slight loosening from factory presets. Compared to the wheels, which have more wiggle room, you barely unscrew them!

5. CHECK THE TOE STOPS

Some roller skates have removable toe stops, which can screw off completely if you'd like. Or adjustable toe stops, which you can twist to your desired height.

Skater Tip: If you’re new to roller skating, keep the toe stops; they’ll help you balance and stop. Toe stops are part of the skate design for safety and support. 

That’s it! You’re good to roll out. Don’t forget your helmet, knee and elbow pads. It’s important to note that your boots will take some time to mold to your foot, kind of like a ballet pointe shoe or an ice skating boot. The more you skate, the more you’re roller skates will move with you.

Now that you’re officially part of our Skate (S)quad, we’ll ensure you have all the necessary info to properly care for and customize your skates.

Stay tuned for more information on your roller skates directly from us in our upcoming Roller Skate 101 blog series.