Beginner's guide - Start to derby
Choose Your First Roller Derby Gear
Welcome to roller derby! We hope you are as excited as we are to attend your first practices, improve your minimum skills, and join your first scrimmage. Roller derby is a contact sport that requires protective gear to train and compete safely. And, of course, you can’t start without roller skates! But how do you choose the right gear? Every roller derby skater has their own opinions and preferences, but with this useful information, you will make an informed decision.
 | What you need to join a roller derby practice:
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Roller Skates
Let’s be real: the choice of roller derby skates is overwhelming. You will find skates from 50 euros up to over 1,000 euros. Since we are talking about roller derby, let’s leave aside the fun and recreational skates. They are not suitable for this type of skating and will quickly fall apart.
As a beginner, you should not choose high-end roller derby quads. The investment in these skates is usually not proportional to your experience. So for your first roller derby, put your personal preferences aside and go for beginner or intermediate skates.
Some roller skate brands have special options for roller derby, here are entry-level models:
- Riedell R3: The classic. You will see these skates on every track. This is the perfect entry-level model that can handle all the challenges of learning to skate. The Riedell R3 comes with very basic wheels. Depending on your training location, you might want an extra set of wheels that stick more to the floor or slide more.
Other options include the R3 Derby or R3 Hybrid, the R3 skate with an upgraded set of wheels and a set of toe caps to protect your skates. Do you have standard to narrow feet? Then the R3 is your entry-level pair of roller skates. - The Chaya Ruby is also an entry-level option for skates. These quads are loved for their stiffness, agility, and comfort. The shoe has an ergonomic shape and the toe stop is held by a slightly better system. The Chaya Ruby is more suitable for normal to wider feet.
- Other options include the Antik Skyhawk Indoor or the Bont Prostar Racer roller skates.
Attention! The shoe sizes of roller derby skates sometimes differ from standard sizes. They vary by brand and even between different models of the same brand. Most sizes are US Men’s, which have no logical relation to European or UK sizes. Therefore, we always recommend trying on your roller skates and if in doubt, contact us. Be sure to consult our size guides on each product page.
Tip!Trucks are the parts on your plates where your wheels and axles are attached. Cushions determine the maneuverability of these trucks. The tightness of your trucks directly influences your basic skills! Have an experienced teammate look at your pre-assembled skates and adjust the cushions/tension of your trucks if necessary.
Protective Gear
You MUST wear protective gear to skate roller derby. Believe us, soon you WILL WANT to. Especially your knees and wrists suffer when you are learning the basic skills and taking your first steps into roller derby. We have great pre-assembled protection sets to start with. You will undoubtedly upgrade them over time: you will quickly learn why you need all this protection.
Knee Pads
Good knee pads are of utmost importance. Not enough budget for a full protective set? Then let knee pads be your first investment. You will complete the rest of your equipment when you have the means. There are different types of knee pads, each with different types of foam or padding. Make sure they fit well so they can do their job effectively.
Mid-range and high-end knee pads have a ‘butterfly closure’. This means that you wrap them around your knees with straps. Lower-end knee pads have a sleeve and need to be pulled up your leg – so don’t put on your roller skates first. Different types of foam are used for knee pads. Generally, knee pads that require a larger investment have thicker or more protective padding.
We offer a selection of quality brands such as 187 Killer Pads, TSG Protective Gear, S1, Triple Eight, Ennui, Rekd and others.
Elbow Pads
Elbow pads are tricky! If they don’t fit well, they’ll slip from your elbow to your lower arm or you might lose them completely. Better lost than found? Look at the caps of your teammates’ elbow pads during practice. And especially at the scratches on them. Every scratch is proof of the importance of good protection.
Elbow pads come in different thicknesses and lengths. There is an option for every skater. We find the 187 Killer Pads elbow pads to be very good, for example.
Wrist Guards
Wrist guards come in different forms. ‘Slide on’ models by Smith and Ennui differ from a TSG or 187 Killer Pads 3-point fitting in material and fit. We have wrist protection with a splint on the palm of your hand, and with a splint on both the palm and the top of your hand.
Some splints even extend further up your arm. This affects your maneuverability and your feeling of safety. Generally, the better wrist protection is made of stronger material.
Helmet
A roller skating helmet with the right size and fit is one of the most important safety equipment you can wear in roller derby. We only offer helmets that are safe enough to play roller derby, skate in the streets, or go to a skatepark. These multi-sport helmets come in different shapes and colors.
A helmet must feel comfortable and fit well to protect you. When you shake your head from left to right, the helmet should not move around your head. If a helmet presses on your head and feels like it’s giving you a headache, try a larger size. The foam adjusts a bit, so don’t buy a ‘loose’ helmet.
Read more about the size and fit of your helmet here.
Mouthguard
There are countless mouthguards on the market, with all sorts of different features. With or without a helmet strap, big and small, custom-made, and so on. We like the SISU Guards. They don’t make you drool, provide superior protection, and mold to your teeth. You can even drink and talk with them. Never let anyone tell you that mouthguards prevent concussions. That’s not scientifically proven. Good mouthguards will disperse the energy from a hit.
Optional Equipment (Not Necessary, but Practical)
Extra Set of Indoor Wheels
Buy indoor wheels for roller derby practice. Outdoor wheels are cheaper, but they are mainly for (as the name suggests) outdoor skating.
Derby wheels vary in hardness, expressed in Durometer, from about 88A to 100A. Generally, you go for softer wheels on a smooth surface and harder wheels on a sticky surface. But there are many more factors to find the perfect wheel for you. Consider the wheel material, the wheel hub, how the wheel material is poured around the hub, your weight/size, and your skating style/technique.
The hardness of a wheel is usually indicated by its unique color. But to be sure, check the hardness of the wheels on our website for each product. Need more tips? Ask your teammates about their favorite wheels. Or take a test ride and find out for yourself what the ‘best wheel in the world’ is.
On our website, you can select wheels based on price, hardness, size, and brand. Popular wheels to start with are the Sonar Aura, for more agility. But the standard wheels on the above-mentioned skates are also of good quality and offer you stability to learn your minimum skills.
Bearings
Bearings are sometimes classified with 'ABEC' followed by a number, ranking them from fast to fastest. ABEC ratings were not specifically developed for roller skating, but they give you an idea when buying your first set. Anything higher than 5 is good to start with. Generally, price and quality go hand in hand: the more expensive the bearings, the faster they roll or the better the material they are made of. When you are happy with your skills, you can upgrade. Do you skate often outside? Then don't choose expensive bearings, dirt, and dust will damage them too quickly.
Toe Caps
These protect your skates from damage to the front of the shoe. When you learn to fall properly, you drag your skates across the floor, which puts a lot of strain on the material of your skates (whether synthetic or leather). Your roller skates take a lot of abuse in roller derby. With toe caps, your shoes will last longer. Some skates require specific caps or guards, you will find that information on the product page.
Skate Tool
A skate tool is very handy for tightening and changing your wheels or repairing your toe stop and trucks.
Knee Gasket
If you want extra support around your knees, a ‘knee gasket’ is the solution. These are sleeves with padding worn under your knee pads that provide additional support.
Crash Pants
Both in basic exercises and contact exercises, you will learn how to maintain balance. If you fall, a pair of crash pants will save you a lot of pain in your tailbone. These pants used to be very unflattering, but there are more elegant versions available, including pants that you can wear discreetly under your shorts.
Outdoor Wheels
If you want to practice outside or skate longer distances, buy a set of outdoor wheels. Indoor wheels wear out much faster outside, and it’s a shame to ruin your investment that way. Outdoor wheels are generally cheaper than indoor wheels. They are softer and can roll over small stones, twigs, and all those little things on the road. To switch wheels more easily, you might want to put a separate set of cheap bearings in your outdoor wheels. However, this is not a must.
Everything to Start Roller DerbyThis is a lot of information, we know. But it’s our effort to help you with your first roller derby kit. Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you! |
Related Categories
Roller Skates | Junior Roller Skates | Adult Roller Skates | Sizing & Info | Guide to Protection Sizes | Guide to Plate Sizes | Moxi Skates Sizing