| Are you a non-skating goalie playing in an inline or | | | | have 4 wheels with a grinding bar bridging the gap |
| roller hockey league and ready to make the move to | | | | between inner wheels (no concerns that a puck can |
| skates? Before you consider coughing up $200-$300 | | | | squeeze through) |
| for big name goalie skates, you might want to take | | | | - Aggressive skates tend to have quick release |
| an alternative and more economical option. | | | | strapping mechanism, where goalie skates are |
| Consider purchasing a pair of aggressive skates to | | | | typically lace based |
| advance your game to the next level. Goalies on | | | | - Aggressive skates generally cost a fraction of that |
| skates can move about their given radius of play a | | | | of goalie skates |
| little quicker and can lunge from side to side with | | | | In my opinion, the differences in skate functionality |
| more leverage than sneakers. Inline goalies and | | | | do not justify the cost difference. Although |
| aggressive skaters have a lot in common: | | | | aggressive skates vary in price, it is not too difficult |
| - Their skating hardware takes considerable | | | | to find a suitable pair at any of the plethora of online |
| punishment | | | | shops for about half the cost of goalie skates. You |
| - The skater maintains a low profile/center of gravity | | | | will probably find that a new pair of aggressive |
| compared to conventional skaters/hockey players | | | | skates is even more economical than a decent pair |
| - The skater often moves in directions other than | | | | of used goalie skates selling on your favorite online |
| that of wheel rotation | | | | auction site. |
| Aggressive skates offer a number of features that | | | | Before you start your search for aggressive skates, |
| are very attractive to the roller/inline goalie: | | | | keep in mind that all are not created equal. Some are |
| - Sturdy frame construction | | | | more suitable for goalie play than others. Here is a |
| - Reinforced sole plate | | | | short list of construction details to avoid: |
| - Reinforced inner boot side walls | | | | - Soft outer shell construction, especially in the toe |
| - Grinding bar offers increased rigidity of wheel axis | | | | region. A soft skin covering a hard boot shell is |
| - Durable outer boot shell protects foot from impact | | | | acceptable |
| of puck/ball | | | | - Wheels with low durometer (measure of hardness) |
| - Small diameter wheel offers low center of gravity | | | | rating. The ability to move (or slide) laterally will |
| for stability and maneuverability | | | | require wheels that are relatively hard. You might |
| - Overall construction is built for punishment | | | | want to experiment with different wheels (this is |
| How do the two types of skates differ? | | | | true whether aggressive or goalie) |
| - Toe reinforcement is not as hefty on aggressive | | | | Once you have purchased your new aggressive |
| skate | | | | skates, you can go ahead and use the money you |
| - Most goalie skates have 5 wheels for stability and | | | | saved to buy yourself a new composite goalie stick! |
| maneuverability, where aggressive skates usually | | | | |