Home Articles Blade Check “What are those?”“I used to have rollerblades.”“I’ve never seen anything like that”These are some of the guaranteed interactions I have when I am lacing up my Off-Road skates. Instead of at a skatepark or on a set of stairs, these conversations were being had on hiking and biking trails in Montana. I didn’t know rollerblading could get better. Growing up in Montana, I have always been naturally drawn to the outdoors. In my youth, it was harder to find places to skate than to find a dirt road. I had seen some off-road or “all-terrain” skates earlier in my youth, like the Roces Big Cats and the Rollerblade Coyotes. Skates like those had always seemed like some far-away dream or something I would never get my hands on; I didn’t even know where to look, nor would I be able to afford such a skate. It wasn’t until 2019 that I got my hands on a pair of skates that would help steer me in a whole new direction. In 2011, I suffered a major snowboarding injury that changed the way I thought about and respected my body. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would skate again. The new goal was to walk again, followed by maintaining my skating lifestyle, not ending it early. With age comes knowledge, and my experiences had taught me that I was not bulletproof; time catches up with you.After I was able to skate again, I purchased some Powerslide Imperial 125 “Powerblades” as they were calling them. Still urethane wheels, but their size made cracks, and the little death rocks on the pavement a non-issue. I couldn’t grind in them, but I was able to cover vast areas effortlessly compared to the type of skating I was used to. It felt like the world was my asphalt ski hill. I was hooked on the Big Wheel Lifestyle.I started to see ads for Ready-To-Roll “SUV” Setups with the Trinity-Mounting System that my Imperials had. Finally, I could just swap out my 125mm urethane wheels and frames for the new “SUV” setup and go off-road skating (without buying a whole new pair of skates). The biggest difference is the wheels, or the TIRES. They sport the same valve stem that some bikes and cars do, safely hold 75-80 PSI of air, and make riding on trails or “off-road” a reality. The soft tires absorb the rocks, roots, and gravel that would normally end your day.Mountain skating, as I’ve leaned into calling it, is almost nothing like Rollerblading. In my first attempts at just rolling around the parking lot, I felt like I didn’t even know how to skate. The rubber tires squished, making skating on asphalt feel like trying to walk through shallow water. The skates didn’t seem to coast very far if you weren’t actively skating either. Frustration and doubt began to overwhelm me as I wondered if I just wasted a bunch of money on an idea that wasn’t all the way thought through.I am stubborn in general, so naturally I wasn’t going to give up on these things. I have never met a type of skating I didn’t like, so this must just take some work. I found that hardened bike paths, or harder grass, or a mix tends to be the best surface. Hiking trails or dirt paths and BMX courses are usually safe bets. Each has its own challenges, like other riders or pedestrians. I found it hard to keep your pump going on some of the local tracks, but I they are still super fun and physically challenging. I also came to the realization that mountain skating is the most cardio-intense thing I have ever done. This aspect of skating isn’t easy and can be even harder to make look good. Sending it downhill on a bike path or getting pulled by a large dog with a harness is where I have found the most success. It felt more like downhill mountain biking than rollerblading at times. I will hike up a trail and change into my mountain skates at the top for a nice cruise back down. Going uphill in these things is next to torture and looks hilarious. Do with that what you will. Having a small pump and being prepared for flats is another aspect that took some getting used to.Stopping isn’t always the easiest or most graceful when you get started. My Renegade 125s don’t have brakes, so I have found it advantageous to plan my routes as the skates gain speed insanely fast on bike paths and trails. Carving side to side like skiing or steering to the uphill side seems to be the smoothest way to avoid losing control when cruising downhill. It took some work, sweat, and dedication, but I am fully obsessed with this aspect of skating. The ability to bring my skates to the mountains with my dog is something I truly cherish. I bring them camping, on vacation, and on nearly every outing that may involve the outdoors. I have always loved trailblazing and being different, and Off-Road inline skates are exactly that. I am excited for the progression of the sport. I could see electric off-road skates and some different types of frames, wheels, and suspension being a thing soon. I hope this helps clear up some questions about this wild and upcoming sport! Stay Moving!- Casey WillettPhotography: Jacob McEachern, www.jacobjcreative.comClick here for more info on the Next Renegade 125 Dustin Werbeski skate by PowerslideBe sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more quality skate content.
