Which Roller Skate Do You Need? Heeled vs Flat

Hi Skaters, I get asked this all the time. It really depends on what type of skating you want to do. Here I explain the differences and hopefully help you decide on what's best for you.

Happy skating

Katie xx

0:00 - Intro
0:33 - Heeled - Weight Distribution
1:06 - Flat - Weight Distribution
1:20 - Weight Distribution Summary
1:34 - Heeled - Posture
2:22 - Flat - Posture
3:20 - How Flat Is Flat?
3:40 - So What's Best?
4:05 - Bye Bye

Join this channel to get access to perks:
YouTube Memberships:

Patreon:

Merchandise Links - some of the the links below are affiliate links. By making a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

By making a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you and is a great way to support the Skatie channel!

International Merch Store:

Amazon USA - T-Shirts

UK - T-Shirts

Socials

[nicolemoring]

This was great info. Would you consider doing a skate park basics video some time?

[ladydixon]

I've got to admit, I found heeled skates killed my feet because of the forced weight shift. Once I switched to flats for derby, I found this so much easier. A shame as there are so many pretty heeled boots out there.

[KianMehravaran]

Well put, thank you! As an ice and inline skater, never intended to do roller skating before I saw your videos. Only today my slightly heeled skates arrived and I had to try them on the smooth concrete surface of the skate park. The shorter wheel base takes you by surprise and throws you off balance.. but then switching back to inlines feels weird since they have only one row of wheels! Looking forward to further instructional videos from you.

[ajthefunkmonster]

Low-top jam skates (or at least mine) are rather unique:
the heel is slightly raised, but their layout kinda raises
your arches, which I think is useful for balance and
equilibrium (not to mention comfort)

[mr_ozzio]

Chopping up an old insole (pair) so you use the heel section, is an old aggressive blading trick to micro adjust heel height and shock absorption😎

[SadhviJenn]

Ahh! No wonder my flat sketcher skates from high school are so squirrelly towards the back! Thank you! No wonder certain tricks were harder too. I’m gonna try them in a skate park now.

And now I need another pair of skates

[cherishparkhurst]

Valuable information thank you, to whoever put this together!

[luablau]

Finally, the "low heel then crouched stance" makes sense!!!! I had always thought "but lifted heels make it easier to crouch" (and indeed it helps to overcome mobility limitations), but now you've showed me that it is because low heel skates _requires_ some more crouching for balance.

I'm not convinced about the jumping, though, because I tend to stretch my ankles and hit the toestop on the floor... I think the heel (which I use) should help prevent this a little, as it alows more stretching? Or I'm seeing through the wrong angle, just as I was with the crouching stance? 😅

[Prince_Charming_]

Thank you for those useful information. The heel skates hurt the frontside of my ankles and gives shin splint. I think the flat skates will probably work better for me.

[DupageDragonsFan]

Good video, thank you! Switching it up is good for cross training, for example doing pivots in speed/derby skates. It can give you more of a mastery of your skating. Having a heel makes a huge difference in some cases, especially "shoot-the-duck." With that trick, you may find that your speed skates tend to take off without you and leave you behind (or on your bum!)... and there is where the importance of weight distribution comes in (sometimes you have to concentrate on it).

[akashramit]

Hi skatie I'm a big fan and Iernd from u for 2 years and I have the flat roller skates I'm 8 and I'm ramit from india🇮🇳❤❤❤

[vincentmanera]

Looking forward to the shorty’s skate series / skatie crossover episode 🤞

[elachaudhary]

Could you suggest best quad skates for artistic skating....
Company, what features to look for artistic skates( quad)
I shall really be thankful 🙏

[LydieCakes]

I have watched so many videos trying to figure out Ur laces. Is it 2 pairs? Are they ombre? Do they switch colors in the center?

[kyliewoods]

I tried skating again after many years in my Candi Girl Carlin's, but the balls of my feet burned! I got some Chaya denim flat boots and for the first time I did a fair few laps of Maidstone disco. Although my toes went numb. Hoping that goes away as I skate more.

[Chibi-kittenplays]

Do you have any recommendations on where to buy wheel in europe? I saw your site only had them for the usa. I am looking for babypink wheels without any flashes or blinks and it seems impossible!

[holly]

hi! I was wondering which skates you recommend if I want to practice tricks but still go fast. I have flat skates right now, and I love the speed but I'm wondering if heeled skates would be better for tricks, spins and jumps? love ur videos :)

[tracyheath]

I have been working on shoot the duck...(still) lol....do you think it is easier getting into the squat and balance with a heel rather than more flat skate?

[michaelbills]

I'm a good crossover skater, but I am struggling with the "quick win" version. With 8 wheels on the ground I just cannot get crossed up- my thighs run into each other! What am I missing?

[luciatrinidad]

I have heeled skates but I really want to start going to the skatepark, do you think it will be too hard to start with heeled skates?