When it comes to roller skating, most skaters either prefer quad skates (2×2) or inline skates (rollerblades). This is why at Gloucester County’s Deptford Skating & Fun Center, we carry both skate options in our DSC Skate Shop. Novice skaters may not yet have a skate preference, so we’ve decided to outline some of the features of each skate below to help!

Quads vs. Inlines

Quad Skates

• Quads (a.k.a. four-wheelers) are known as more of a ‘traditional’ roller skate, with their standard four wheels set in two side-by-side pairs.
• These skates are your standard indoor rink roller skate.
• Quads offer high stability, due to their wider grip of the rink, and are great for cruising.
• They also come in with a variety of boot styles, from old-school high leather boots to low, almost sneaker looking boots.
• Quads are used in a variety of skating, which include: artistic, derby and jam skating.

Inline Skates

• Inline skates (a.k.a. rollerblades) feature a streamlined, four wheels in a row design.
• These skates are ideal for outdoor skating, unlike quads.
• They are also excellent skaters for speedsters and are used in more roller sports than quads, like roller hockey, speed skating and freestyle inline skating.
• Inline skates are less stable than quads; this is perhaps one reason why most casual rink skaters prefer quads to inlines.

Advice for Beginners

If you are just starting out, quad skates may be your best bet (especially for very young children); however, the best advice we can give you is to try BOTH types of skates once you feel reasonably stable/confident while skating. Who knows, you may like your quads for the DSC rink and your inlines for skating around outdoors in the summer!

Just remember, DSC is here to help, whether you have a question about the skates you want to purchase or if you need skate lessons! We are happy to chat with you about skating/skates anytime. See you on the rink!