Find your
next skate gear.

No — hire first. Most beginner sessions on the events page offer skate hire, so there's no need to spend anything until you know you enjoy it. Everything below is aimed at people who've decided to buy their own.

Go by your regular shoe size as a starting point, but check the specific listing — sizing varies noticeably between brands, and boots are usually meant to fit snugly rather than roomy, since they pack out slightly with wear.

It comes down to hardness. Softer wheels grip better and feel smoother on indoor rink floors; harder wheels last longer and roll better on rougher outdoor pavement. If you only skate one or the other, buy for that; if you do both, a mid-hardness wheel is the usual compromise.

Budget options exist, but a first "proper" pair — boot, wheels, and bearings together — realistically runs from around the mid-tier upward if you want something that'll hold up to regular use. Cheaper skates tend to need replacing, or upgrading part by part, sooner.

A helmet and wrist guards, non-negotiably — wrists are the single most common injury when learning to fall. Knee pads are strongly recommended too, especially for anyone skating outdoors or trying anything new.

Yes, and it's cheap. Trucks loosen with use, and a basic skate tool lets you adjust them yourself in seconds rather than skating on trucks that are too tight or too loose.