If you are on a budget, and you already know current or retired rollergirls, you may want to see if they have any gear that you can borrow for a while. A used pair of skates will get you thru tryouts and free up some cash for your own pads, etc. If you need to purchase gear from scratch, know that the sport of roller derby is growing every day. If for whatever reason you decide not to continue skating you might be able to resell your skates for part of what you paid for them new, either to a future skater or on EBay. However, we hope you will continue to skate, even if it doesn’t involve hitting people, since it’s a lot of fun and great exercise!

The following recommendations come from me (Romo) not only being a derby skater myself since 2005, but also being ARRG’s Newbie Coach for 4 years and having something like 300 skaters thru the Monday Night Skatium door. I gained quite a bit of knowledge the hard way long before I went into business this past year.

Skates

In roller derby, we use “quad” (the kind with 4 wheels on the bottom like back in the old day, not inlines or Rollerblades) speed skates. Speed skates are “low top” (come up to the ankle, not calves) which works better around the sharp turns of the derby track.

Skates that are best for new competitive skaters run $89-199. Most derby folks get 6 months – 1 year + from these skates. They are usually not real leather, so they will stretch/.breakdown over time. But at that point you will know that derby is for you and have a good idea of what kind of skater you are, what position you play the most, etc. and will be able to make an informed decision about what kind of skates to upgrade to for the next few years of derby. Most skaters continue to use their newbie skates for outdoor use and as a pair of backups after they upgrade.

Recreational skates sold at rinks or sporting goods stores are usually not designed for the demands of derby. They may be better than having to rent skates if you are a regular at a local rink or are a casual outdoor/trail skater. If you already have these skates, they are usually acceptable to use during tryouts, etc. but they will absolutely hold you back in terms of speed, agility, and likely make your feet hurt if you try to skate on them competitively long-term.

Quad speed skates come in MEN’S sizes. Usually this is 1 ½-2 sizes down in number than a women’s size. For example, Romo wears a women’s 9, but usually wears a size 7 in a men’s skate/shoe. That being said, sizing does vary from brand to brand, model to model, and everyone’s foot is a little different. If you are unsure what size is right, you can come by Rockstar Skates and get measured, or follow the sizing/measuring instructions on the Rockstar Skates website. Most entry level skates come only in whole (full) sizes (not half sizes).

So what skates should I get?

The Riedell R3 is one of the most popular for new competitive skaters. $99.00

The boot is fairly comfortable for most people, at least after a few nights. The plate (the thing that is attached to the boot & holds your wheels and stuff on) is nylon. Aluminum plates are usually better than nylon, but nylon will do just fine for most skaters when they start out, unless you are already an experienced skater or are exceptionally heavy.

The wheels (Radar Cayman) will do just fine to get you thru tryouts and a little bit into derby. Once you pick up some speed & agility you may find yourself sliding (depending on the kind of floor you are skating on), so this will probably be the first thing you upgrade in a few months. When you are ready to skate outside either in a parade with your league or maybe trail skating for extra practice, you will need different wheels that are suited for outdoors. Not only are indoor wheels too hard for outdoors (not meant to roll over rocks & cracks), rinks with a nice floor will likely not let you back on their floor with wheels that have been outside.  You can get outdoor wheels fairly cheap, however ($29-59).

Bearings are the things inside your wheel that spin on the axle of your skates.  The R3 comes with Kwik ABEC 5 bearings, which are just fine when you are starting out. Later (when you get outdoor wheels is a good time) you will probably want to upgrade to ABEC 9, Bones Reds, Bones Super Reds, or even Swiss bearings. Many folks then put their first bearings in their outdoor wheels (as long as they still spin and aren’t busted) so they don’t have to swap bearings back and forth (time consuming and increases possibility that you will damage the bearings).

Occasionally if the R3 is on backorder, etc. we recommend the Sure Grip Boxer, which is pretty similar to the R3 and also $99.00.

Other decent options for newbies that are just a bit more $:

Sure Grip Rebel ($165 with better wheels and a little higher & comfy boot)

Riedell Vixen ($199 with better wheels, aluminum plate, and leather boot)

What you might eventually upgrade to (or you can buy now if you have money to spend):

Riedell Cobalt ($249)

Riedell Vandal ($299)

Riedell Wicked ($399)
Riedell Minx ($499)

“Build your own” ($249-999+)

PADS

FYI, Rockstar Skates offers entire pad packages for a discounted price. $139 will get you everything you need for derby.

Knee Pads ($29-65)

In derby, it’s not IF we fall, but WHEN we fall. In fact, you will be falling on your knees HUNDREDS of times in the first few months. IF vs. WHEN is what you need to think about when looking at knee pads. 187 Pro Knees were designed for skateboarders who skate ramps, pools, etc. these skaters fall/slide on their knees all the time just like we do. This is why 187 Pro Knees are probably the most popular knee pads in derby, and in my opinion, provide the most protection of any other option out there. Triple 8 also recently started making a similar kind of pad (Rockstar Skates can get these but isn’t stocking them at the shop just yet).

If you are on a budget, Triple 8 and ProTec both make “street” pads (think about skateboarding kids you see rolling down the street. It’s IF they fall, not WHEN). These are a great option if you are thinking of tryout out for derby or will only be skating at the park, etc. for now. I recommend these for recreational skaters, trail skaters, significant others, parents and kids. However, they are acceptable in derby, and some skaters do prefer them since they are less bulky. 

Elbow Pads ($18 - $25)

We fall on our elbows a lot less than our knees. ProTec or Triple 8 street elbows are totally acceptable. 187 also makes great elbow pads that are about $5 more.

Wrist Guards ($15 - $25)

Many wrist guards are made similarly. They wrap around the wrist with Velcro and have a hard plastic piece along the palm to protect your wrist from getting broken. The biggest difference in price tends to be in how well they are made. Triple 8 or ProTec wrists are fine.  187 also now makes wrist guards.

Helmets ($30 - $40)

Any kind of skateboard-style helmet (not bike helmet, not motorcycle helmet) will do. Rockstar Skates usually has Triple 8, ProTec and 187 helmets in stock. S-One is also good. If you are digging one up from your boyfriend or the basement, make sure it fits correctly and is in good condition.

Mouthguard ($5 - $20)

Basic boil & bite mouthguard is $5 at Rockstar Skates. It should do you just fine thru tryouts. After that you may want to get something that provides more protection for your teeth and to prevent concussion. Shock Doctor Gel Max mouthguards are still pretty cheap ($10) and come either with a strap (to keep it from ending up on the floor) or without a strap (looks better in bout pictures!). Again, make sure you remember to BOIL your mouthguard before practice. Directions are included in or on the box.

OTHER GEAR

Tools ($4 - $25)

To adjust your wheels, trucks, toestops, etc.

Butt/Tailbone Protection ($1 - $50)

Tailbone injuries are among the most common for new skaters. McDavid and Triple 8 both offer options that could mean the difference between a small bruise and being off skates for weeks. If you are on a budget, stick a maxi-pads in the back of your shorts. Not kidding.

Toe Guards ($10 - $20)

These fit over the front of the boot of your skate (held on by the toestop and laces) and protect the boot from getting scuffed or torn up from falling drills.

Of course you’ll want to keep a little money aside for new workout clothes, fun derby apparel (some of which you can find at Rockstar Skates), fishnets, and cash to go out for drinks after practice with your new friends! Rockstar Skates can help you out by setting up a discount for your league! Email us or contact us on Facebook! We are also hoping to launch a “Frequent Rocker” program in 2011, which will reward you and your league for getting all of your stuff from us instead of shopping around.   

Good luck! See you on the track!