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Quad Skates
You have finally discovered the sport of Roller Derby and have decided you are passionate enough to participate for the long term, purchasing a solid pair of skates will be your first major step. You'll want to look for derby or speed skates, and not the heeled figure skates. Our coaches can help guide the decision, as a skaters size and strength can help guide the available options. You should also consider the wheels on the skates, indoor wheels with a hardness of 88-95 are common for derby. |
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Helmet
A proper fitting helmet is arguably the most important piece of safety gear you will invest in. Bicycle helmets are NOT acceptable, as they do not cover enough of the skater's head. The front of the helmet must cover most of the skater's forehead, and the helmet cannot slide back and forth on the skater's head. Triple Eight and S1 make excellent helmets. Look for certified helmets! |
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Knee Pads
Make sure that the knee pad fits tight enough so that it will not slide off. Knee pads will compress over time and wear out; you should inspect them regularly for cracks, rips, and exposed rivets. Many skaters rely on 187 Killer Pads, but some other good name brands are Pro-Tec, Rector, TSG, and Triple Eight. You can plan on spending $35 to $100 on knee pads, or buy a combo pack that includes elbow and wrist guards. |
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Elbow Pads
Elbow pads should fit snugly just like knee pads. You should treat your elbow pads just as you would knee pads. Inspection, care and maintenance are essential for long lasting protection. |
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Wrist Guards
Wrist guards are designed to protect your hands and wrist, they absorb impacts to the hand and give support to your wrists. Some guards have splints on the top or bottom and some have splints on both sides. Like all protective gear your wrist guards need to be sized correctly for optimum support. |
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Mouth Guard
Mouth guards protect against concussions, the inside of your mouth, and teeth. There are a couple of different styles to choose from, but derby requires moldable mouth guards. One of the most popular models is the Sisu Aero which costs about $20. Night guards or non-moldable football mouthguards are not acceptable. |
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Water Bottle
You will be drinking lots of water so bring a reusable water bottle. |
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Hip Pads ("Butt Pads")
Hip pads protect your hip bones and tailbone. It can help alleviate the fear of falling when you are learning new skills. Hip pads that have a hard shell are not recommended because they can hurt an opposing skater. |
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Maintenance Equipment
(Duct tape for pad/skate repairs, skate wrench.) • Roll of Duct Tape (Repair loose pads, Tape Feet, Etc.) • Dry Rag • Skate Tools (Adjusting Trucks, Axle nuts, and toe stop. Powerdyne tool by Riedell works well) • Spare Bearings, Axle Nuts, Toe stops, Laces, Mouth Guard |
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Outdoor Wheels / Backup Wheels
Optional. You may want wheels that can be used on an outdoor rink for skating activities that take place outdoors on concrete or asphalt (e.g. a parade). As skaters improve, different indoor surfaces may be slicker or stickier. Think of the difference between polished concrete, a wooden "gym" floor, or sportcourt (interlocking plastic tiles). |