Freeskating

What Is Freestyle Inline Skating and Who Is it For?

Freeskating, also known as freestyle inline skating or urban skating, is a style that falls between fitness skating and aggressive skating. This style is commonly practiced in cities and urban settings. The skates feature hard boots to absorb impacts and high-cuffs for enhanced ankle support. Freeskates are popular among both advanced riders and beginners new to skating.

Freeskating Styles: Urban and Slalom

These skates are among the most versatile inline skates available. They offer the same mobility and speed as recreational skates and can also be used for urban skating or slalom skating.

Urban skating

In this style, freestyle skaters use freeskates to either cruise through the city or perform aggressive skating tricks. For urban skating, riders often prefer using wheels sized 90mm to 110mm, as these make the skates easier to control on rough urban surfaces.

Slalom skating

Slalom skating is performed on smooth surfaces and is a highly technical style involving tight turns and tricks through equally spaced cones. Advanced slalom skaters also incorporate dance-like moves when navigating cones during sessions and competitions. For this discipline, riders use 76mm, 80mm, or 84mm wheels for optimal maneuverability needed to perform tricks.

Is Freeskating Right for You?

Deciding whether to embrace freestyle skating and start navigating urban environments largely depends on where you live. Although the skates used for this discipline are highly versatile, this style of skating is best suited for those in towns and cities with large, flat roads. Suburban areas or big parking lots are also ideal for freestyle skating.

If you consider yourself a fitness skater who enjoys long rides in the countryside, freeskates can still offer a great experience, especially if you're looking for a robust pair with high power transfer and good acceleration.

Would you like to know more about inline skates? Check out our skates buying guide: Which Type of Skates Should I Choose?