Outdoor Skating vs. Rink Skating

To a beginner or occasional skater, outdoor and indoor roller skating may not appear to have much of a difference. You can see some of the same tricks and basic moves, and the mechanics are largely the same for each. 

That said, where you’re rolling—whether outside or inside at a rink—will influence factors like your skating surface, speed, and handling. Read the following breakdown to get a sense for which setup makes the most sense for you. 

What Makes Outdoor and Indoor Skating Different

The primary difference here is the surface. The surface of your indoor or outdoor setting is the root reason for any adjustments you may need to make. A rink could have smooth maple floors, while an outdoor park will have concrete or asphalt surfaces with cracks and debris. 

These various surfaces have different effects on your wheels and, to a lesser extent, the boots and frames. That difference in surface is also why a skate that feels fast and smooth indoors can suddenly feel sluggish (or downright bumpy) the moment you take it outside. 

If you’re a beginner, it’s important to keep this difference in mind. No need to make your learning experience more complicated than it needs to be.

The Biggest Factor: Wheels

Wheel hardness, also known as durometer, is what changes most significantly between outdoor and indoor roller skates. Durometer is measured by what’s called the “A scale,” which is a measure of hardness covering softer materials like rubber. 

• Outdoor roller skate wheels tend to run softer so they can absorb bumps, cracks, and debris on rougher surfaces. You might find the hardness scale of outdoor wheels somewhere between 78A and 85A.
• Indoor roller skate wheels run harder than outdoor wheels. They come with less grip than soft wheels, so they glide better on smooth floors. They also experience less wear for the same reason. You’ll find indoor wheel hardness between 88A and 101A. 

If you use soft wheels on a rink floor, you’ll experience slower skating that almost feels sticky. Conversely, if you use hard wheels outside, you’ll feel every crack and bump due to the lack of absorption. 

Boots and Frames: Do They Change Too?

Boots and frames don’t factor in as much as the wheels when it comes to outdoor vs indoor roller skating. However, they can still vary from one style to the other.

Outdoor skates typically have sturdier frames and sometimes larger wheel clearance. Indoor skates, on the other hand, are lighter in frame and built for agility and speed. However, just about any boot and plate combination can be used outdoors (and vice versa), as long as the wheels are switched out for the rougher surface. 

Boots don’t change much from outdoor to indoor style skating. Boot variations are more dependent on preferred skate style (derby vs. dance, for example). However, you might find some outdoor skating boots with more durable, weather-resistant materials so they hold up to the elements.

Outdoor Skating: What to Know

Outdoor roller skating means dealing with whatever the ground throws at you. You’ll come across cracks, pebbles, twigs, and the occasional hill you didn’t see coming. Softer wheels can help take the edge off, but a few things are worth keeping in mind:

• Before you head out, check tightness of axle nuts, toe stops, and kingpin nuts to ensure safe and secure rolling
• Watch for debris, cracks, and uneven pavement
• Hills happen, so know your stopping ability
• Trails, boardwalks, driveways, and parks are all great spots to skate

If you’re shopping for a setup built with the outdoors in mind, something like the Riedell R3 Outdoor comes ready to handle it.

Indoor Skating: What to Know

Indoor roller skating is the more controlled, predictable experience. Rinks have smooth floors and usually no debris, just consistent rolling from start to finish. A few things to note:

• Harder wheels glide better and keep up your speed on smooth floors
• Climate-controlled rinks mean no weather to plan around
• Great for beginners building confidence before heading outdoors

If you’re shopping for a setup built for rink floors, something with harder wheels and a lighter frame will help you get the most glide out of every push.

Can One Pair of Skates Do Both? 

You can have one pair of skates for both indoor and outdoor skating, but you’ll want to make sure you have the right wheels. Thankfully, they’re easily swappable in just a few minutes with the right tools.

A set like the Riedell Crew is a good example. It’s built for outdoor use, but swapping in a set of indoor wheels like the Sonar Riva opens it up for rink skating too. 

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