Sport Today

I want to buy some inline skates for my husband, but would like to know what
the difference is between regular and "soft" skates.  Soft skates seem to cost
more, are they better?  I was told by a friend that they do not offer as much
ankle support.  Is this true?  Please advise!  Thanks!!!  

I prefer soft skates. They are much more comfortable. I think that's the
main difference. They don't all cost more, I paid $139 for Rollerblade
CY33S, a soft skate. Can you let him try some on
first?

Have fun,
James

Playing "point--counterpoint"...

I'm 48 and just got "hard" skates.  Since I haven't skied or skated in
about 20 years, I don't trust things like my ankle strength and I know I'm
not nearly as flexible as I used to was.

I appreciate having a skate that's almost a ski-boot, with wheels.

However, I'd say the bottom line is to take the "victim" shopping so he can
try them on and stand on them (at least) in the store.

And don't skip the helmet and pads.  Only idiots skate, bike, etc. without
helmets.

are you calling me an idiot? i only wear a helmet when it is required and i
naver hit my head because i know how to fall and i know my limits

Yes.  You and me both.  In a way, you're both wrong.

As to Paul's statement, I'd say idiots go beyond their limits (out of
control) or do things without proper protection (proper protection is
different for everyone).

And Eickstead, having never hit your head and knowing how to fall isn't
enough of a reason to go without a helmet.  Things out of your control,
such as another skater or oil/sand patches, can knock you to a
uncontrolled fall.  We go without helmets some or all of the time
because we believe we're skilled enough AND we're willing to take the
risk (of head injury).  This is in the same lines of speed skaters
wearing only a helmet and gloves (no elbow or knee pads).

It all depends on the skater.  We should wear helmets, but the choice is
ours.  People are different, just because you can skate doesn't mean
everyone in the world can learn to, same goes for how you feel about
protective gear.

When in doubt, wear everything.  Freedom of choice rules.

As to the ones who wants us "idiots" to die out, it's not going to
happen because we're still here.  The best protection is your brain --
skate under control.  Protective gear is a close second.

FYI, I use my EVO2 when speed skating and my Protec for ramps and
tricks, other times I'm bare headed.

SLee

Soft skates better?  Depending on what type of skating you plan to do.

Soft boot are generally more comfortable and can be lighter, at the cost
of lateral ankle support.  For recreational or fitness skating, it's
fine, even better for some people.  If you have aggressive tendencies
and have the urge to jump or ride stairs, hard boots are easier and
safer.  All soft boots use laces.  If you're the type that just have to
get a few laps in during your 5 minute break (like me), hard boots with
buckles are much quicker to get in and out of.

For most people, soft boots are better, and yes, it does cost just a
little more because the technology is newer, though it has come down
quite a bit.

SLee

The 'soft' skates are about the same as regulars except the boots are soft.
Theres no difference in frames or wheels (you can replace that stuff
anyway)... soft boots are more comfortable i hear [personally i prefer hard
ones - better ankle support, even tho im a pretty good skater i like to keep
stiff ankles].
Good ankle support doesn't just rely on the hardness of the boot, also how
high it is. Lower cut skates wont have as much support, but better control
cause you can move your ankles more.
Guess i kinda made it sound more complicated than it really is.. :)
Anywayz i hope this helps..

SNIP

YES!

If you'd like to see what you're risking, find your state Brain Injury
Association, then when there's a support group meeting, and go to one.  You
don't want a brain injury!

Preview: you might not walk again or not without a cane or walker.
Skating?  HA!  You might not talk again.  Your friends will almost surely
disappear.  You might end up in diapers at your age.  Your job is history.
You might never get another one or one with a decent paycheck.  You might
not be with it enough to realize any of this.

In lieu of a helmet, get $8 million dollars' worth of insurance.  That's
what maintaining you for the rest of your life will cost, on the average.

If you're the breadwinner in the family, they'll starve.  Your family will
be scared shitless, devastated, and stuck with dealing with what's left of
you; personality changes are very common, and you will probaby have a major
bad attitude!

Unfortunately, I have first-hand knowledge of all of this.  My son was
driving a tractor-trailer when the load shifted and he fractured his skull.
 *I* wouldn't hire him!  He was earning money for college; he's been
accepted on full scholarship, admission delayed until the medical and legal
stuff is settled.  My best guess is that he'll wash out in a month.  He's
26 and has been home on total disability for 3-1/2 years now.

Less damaged: my wife.  Menier's Disease.  New cure--cut the balance nerve
on the affected side; this nerve is on a line between your ears and
straight back from your eyeball.  Dig any further into your head and it's
shorter to start on the other side.  Alternative: throw up continually,
since you're always dizzy even when lying still!

Least damaged: me.  I thought it would be cute to help the dog chase the
neighbor's cat.  A moment's inattention (or mis-attention on the cat
instead of the dog) and I got a leash wrapped around me and slammed into
the garage wall between the two overhead doors.  3 titanium plates in my
face and a rotten attitude.

All that said, go for it!

I always wear a helmet when "speed skating",
or "street skating"(skating in the streets),
but sometimes I will go out on a sunday afternoon if i'm at the beach, without
a helmet.

Being without a helmet makes me super cautious, and i will NOt go fast or do
anything
haxerdus.  
In fact, I purposely don't wear a helmet
sometimes <when I want to have some rest time, and force myself to be social
and have fun on my skates>.

Sometimes it's good to remember that's why I started
outdoor skating in the first place-not to compete, but just for fun!

Jonathan

You can make all the excuses and justifications you want, but God forbid
you bash your brain--there won't even be a point to my saying "I told you
so" because you might not be with it enough to comprehend that!

The point is, we've all got a choice wheither
to wear a helmet or not.  I wear mine 99%
of the time, and ALWAYS when speed of street skating.

But if you want to be safe,
you should strap on one each morning, and wear it all day!

But then I've only been outdoor racing since
1979, what do I know?  lol

Jonathan

: You can make all the excuses and justifications you want, but God forbid
: you bash your brain--there won't even be a point to my saying "I told you
: so" because you might not be with it enough to comprehend that!

There is no doubt that a helmet would help prevent a serious head injury.

But based on your tale we should be wearing helmets when we are walking the
dog.  We could also wear helmets for walking up and down stairs, going
jogging, driving a car, etc.

Everything we do has risk.  Helmets reduce the amount of damage caused by
some head injuries.  In every case we should ask ourselves does the cost
outweigh the benifits?  In this one instance the poster indicated that
the cost (discomfort and making it more difficult to socially interact)
outweighs the benifit (reduced risk of head injury, temperd by the fact
that he is being cautious.).

Is he right?  I don't know.  He probably hasn't done the math, but then
he probably can't.  Not because of any lack of intelligence on his part
but because he doesn't have the statistical data to figure out how likely
He is going to have a serious head injury that a helmet would prevent.

Look... shit happens ... life has risk, and there are ways we can reduce
risk.  Wearing a seatbelt?  The benifits far outweigh the costs.  Wearing
a helmet while speed skating or aggressive skating? Yes.  Wearing a helmet
while walking the dog, or running in the park, or 'social' skating?  Maybe
it isn't worth it.  But each person should figure that out for themselves.

I guess my point is that it is not inherintly stupid to not wear a helmet,
but there are stupid reasons to not wear a helmet.

W