Rollers / Skateboards and urban skating
The rollers and skateboard page brings together urban riding on wheels: complete skateboards and decks, recreational, freeskate and speed rollers, adjustable children's rollers, scooters, skate shoes, wheels, bearings, plates and protective gear. Globe, Powerslide, USD, Foundation, Wicked or Kizer equip both the skatepark beginner and the skater who travels across the city every day.
Ride in the city, at the skatepark or on bike paths.
Deck, trucks, wheels: what makes up a skateboard
A skateboard consists of four parts. The deck, made of glued and shaped maple layers, is chosen based on its width: around eight inches for street and technical tricks, larger for ramps, bowls, or bigger feet. The trucks, the aluminium axles screwed under the board, provide turning, and their width should match that of the deck. The polyurethane wheels are evaluated by their diameter and hardness: small and hard for the skatepark, larger and softer to absorb asphalt cracks. Team boards from Foundation, a Californian brand founded in 1988, are assembled piece by piece, while complete skateboards from Playlife are ready to ride straight out of the box.
The selection
Surfing is organized by type:
Skate shoes: vulcanized sole or cupsole
A skate shoe should both feel the board and withstand grip, the sandpaper glued to the deck. The vulcanized sole, thin and flexible, like that of the Nike SB Zoom Blazer or the adidas VL Court, provides excellent feel for flips. The cupsole sole, molded in one piece and thicker, better absorbs landings and stairs descent. The suede upper is more resistant than canvas to repeated rubbing from ollies, and some models reinforce the area that wears against the grip. Globe, a company founded in Melbourne in 1985 by the Hill brothers, former Australian skateboarding champions, has developed models like the Tilt or Fusion around these restrictions.
Other sports
The other sports on the site, swimming, padel, fishing, motorcycle, camping, climbing, golf, fitness, gymnastics, handball, games and pedagogy, are all grouped on the other sports page.
Freeskate, speed or leisure skates
Freeskate skates, like the Powerslide Phuzion Radon, Kaze, or Imperial, have a hard shell and a short frame that make them manageable for slaloming, jumping a curb, or going down stairs. Speed skates, such as the Powerslide Swell Electric, are fitted with three large wheels and a low shoe that frees the ankle for long pushes. Leisure skates prioritize a comfortable boot; for children, the adjustable models from Tempish extend over several sizes. The Wicked bearings, rated on the Abec precision scale, and Kizer frames allow skaters to upgrade their skates piece by piece, just like urban skaters do.
Good deals
Good deals can also be found in good deals, promotions, clearance sales, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped within 24h are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a steady order: the Black Friday in late autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by summer sales and back to school.
Frequently asked questions
Rollers or skateboard: which one to learn first?
Rollers are easier to get the hang of quickly: after a few outings, you can move, turn, and stop, which also allows for easier transport. Skateboarding requires more patience to find balance, but it opens up to tricks and the skatepark much earlier.
What protective gear should I wear to start skating?
A helmet protects against falls backward, the most dangerous ones, and wrist guards are the most useful, as you reach out your hands when falling. Knee pads and elbow pads complete the kit, essential while learning to brake.
How to brake on skates?
The heel brake, mounted at the back of the right skate, is the simplest method: you move that foot forward and press down on the heel. More advanced skaters brake in a T formation, placing one skate across behind the other, or use a snowplow technique at low speed.
What size skateboard for a child?
A child under eight years old rides better on a short, narrow board, around seven inches wide, which is easier to turn. Around ten or twelve years old, they switch to an adult board chosen according to their shoe size and practice.
What hardness of roller wheels to choose?
Hardness is measured in A: around 82A, the wheel is soft and grips well on uneven surfaces; at 85A or more, it wears slower and rolls better on smooth floors. For the city, a medium hardness is a good compromise.
