Blog

Sure-Grip has a new wheel for the skaters that want as little grip as possible. They’re called the Slicks. The wheels are brown, 45mm, and, as the name implies, they’re pretty slick. In stock now.

Vanilla Bags
Vanilla has several bags coming soon. These bags are in the USA now, should be here very soon.

String Bag – This string bag is deluxe, with two pockets, and reinforced bottom.

Backpack – This backpack features custom VNLA zippers, reinforced bottom, and multiple compartments. Great for skates or for school!

Travel Bag – This travel bag doubles as a backpack, features a detachable, second backpack on the front, features urethane wheels with ABEC-9 Vanilla bearings, and a retractable handle for easy trolley action!

Tour is coming out with several new inline hockey skates. The first ones just arrived, here are the details:

FB225 – The boots are black with red and white highlights. They have reinforced ankle support and deluxe comfort padding. The frame has an Aluminum Power Track Tri-Coil System. The wheels are Tour Force Speed Formula and the bearings are Bevo 5.

38TY Youth – adjustable small (11J-1, 64mm wheels) or medium (1-4, 72mm wheels). Not yet available.

48TA Junior – sizes 12J-4, 72mm wheels. In stock now.

58TA Senior – sizes 5-13. Size 5 and 6 have 76mm wheels, size 7-12 have 80mm wheels. In stock now.

FB325 – The next step up. Similar to the FB 225 but with Tuff-Skin Material on the boots, designed to hold up to outdoor use. The color highlights are orange and white. The frame and bearings are the same as on the FB225. The wheels are Tour’s Rival Outdoor wheel. Sizes 5-6 have 76mm wheels, sizes 7-13 have 80mm wheels. Model # 68TA. In stock now.

The 38TY model is not yet ready, the other Tour skates listed above are in stock now and ready to ship.

Roller Derby’s EZ Roll rental skates are juvenile sized skates with a different design. They’re quad skates, but the wheels are shaped more like an inline. The back wheels are much larger than the front wheels and it has a fairly wide wheel base. This helps with stability for newer skaters. There is a brake in the back of the skate, similar to what you see on an inline skate. The goal here is to reduce the chance of a younger skater falling backwards and hitting his head, which is one of the worst types of falls for a beginning skater. These skates have been out for several months and the reviews have been pretty good.

We now have a resale version of this skate in stock called the Fun Roll. It comes in a blue and yellow version for the boys and a pink and white version for the girls.

Both versions come in adjustable sizes. The small skates fit sizes 7J-11J and the medium skates fit sizes 11J-2. Both versions of this skate are in stock now.

Roller Derby’s EZ Roll rental skates are juvenile sized skates with a different design. They’re quad skates, but the wheels are shaped more like an inline. The back wheels are much larger than the front wheels and it has a fairly wide wheel base. This helps with stability for newer skaters. There is a brake in the back of the skate, similar to what you see on an inline skate. The goal here is to reduce the chance of a younger skater falling backwards and hitting his head, which is one of the worst types of falls for a beginning skater. These skates have been out for several months and the reviews have been pretty good.

We now have a resale version of this skate in stock called the Fun Roll. It comes in a blue and yellow version for the boys and a pink and white version for the girls.

Both versions come in adjustable sizes. The small skates fit sizes 7J-11J and the medium skates fit sizes 11J-2.

We just received a big shipment from Vanilla.

Their new 360 boots are now in stock. This is a black and white boot with red highlights and a power strap across the top of the boot.

The black Carbon inline skates are now back in stock in all sizes. We had been out of this one for a long time, but they’re here now.

They’ve really expanded their wheel lineup with new colors and hardnesses for most of their wheels. Here are the new color options that are in stock:

Remix – Tiffany, red, or grey. Red aluminum hub.
Deluxe – Tiffany, purple, red, or grey. Silver aluminum hub.
Mayhem – Tiffany, purple, red, or grey. Black aluminum hub.
Groove – Tiffany, purple, red, or grey. Silver aluminum hub, slim profile.
Royal – Purple or red. Gold aluminum hub.
Revenge – Tiffany, red, or grey. Black nylon hub.
Beast Mode – Tiffany, red, or grey. White nylon hub.
Heat – Red or grey. Red nylon hub.

For each of these, the color determines the hardness. Tiffany is 91A, purple is 93A, red is 95A, and grey is 97A.

We’re now stocking the Sure-Grip rental laces. So far we have them in 48″, 54″, 72″, and 81″ lengths.

The new catalogs and price lists went out with last week’s mail, so you should be getting them very soon if you haven’t already. Remember on the catalogs, the Candi Girl, Stomp 5, Ion, and Stryker skates are not ready yet, as soon as they are we’ll let everyone know.

The new catalogs are now available. We apologize again for all the delays, but they’re here now.

This year there are two versions. The standard version is similar to the catalogs we’ve done in the past. We also now have a version without the prices. That way, if you prefer to do your own prices, you can still use the catalog pictures and descriptions without worrying about the prices.

Please ask for some with your next order, and specify which version you prefer.

The Chicago skate shaped bag is being discontinued. Right now we have a few of the red ones in stock. No pink or blue. Once these are gone then they’re gone. If you’re interested, get the order in quick, as they probably won’t last very long.

We now have the Sisu mouthguards available in the junior size. Choose from black, white, or pink.

Sure-Grip is introducing grind blocks to work with their Avanti and Avenger plates. Grind blocks are used by some to make it easier to slide on rails or perform other tricks on skates. They’re especially popular with the skaters that like terrain parks or ramp skating. They come in three sizes: small (fits plate sizes 4 and 5), medium (fits 6 and 7), and large (fits 8 and 9). These will be available very soon.

Roller Derby is introducing some new smaller inline skates and discontinuing some others. Here is an update on where we stand right now.

Cheetah – This is being discontinued. Right now we have some of the small size in the boys and girls versions. Some medium girls are expected any day.

Stingray – This one is also being discontinued. Right now we have a very few pair of the small in the boys and girls versions.

Web Stinger – This one is also being discontinued. Right now we have the small in the boy’s version.

Stinger 5.2 – This one is still current. We’re expecting a shipment any day with the boys and girls version in both the small and medium size.

Stryde – A brand new skate. One buckle and one power strap. Small (12J-2) and medium (3-6) sizes. Nylon frame. The boy’s version is black with orange; the girl’s version is white with purple. Expected delivery is early March.

Ion – Another brand new skate. One buckle and one power strap. Small (12J-2) and medium (3-6) sizes. Aluminum frame. The boy’s version is black with green; the girl’s version is white with pink and blue. Expected delivery is early March.

The expected dates are based on info from the manufacturer, but are certainly subject to change. Click on Stryde or Ion for pics and more details of the new models.

Powell-Bones has a new package for their very popular Bones Red bearings. The new version is a two-pack of 8mm Bones Red bearings. This is designed as an “emergency replacement kit” in case a bearing gets lost or damaged. Just two loose bearings in a small box that could easily fit in even the smallest pocket or container.

The Chicago Trainer Skate is a great value. The skates can convert from a traditional inline version to a tricycle style skate with two wheels in the back and one in the front. Each pair also comes with a skate bag, a helmet, wrist pads, and knee pads. The small is adjustable to fit sizes 10J-13J and the medium is adjustable to fit sizes 1-4. Available in boys (#505) or girls (#500) versions.

Atom’s Boom wheel is now coming in several different versions, all of which are now in stock.

Standard Boom Hybrid
sizes – 62mm x 44mm or 59mm x 38mm
colors – white with pink (firm), white with orange (x-firm), or white with red (xx-firm)

USA Version
sizes – 62mm x 44mm or 59mm x 38mm
one color – white with blue and red (x-firm)

Boom with Hollow Core
sizes – 62mm x 38mm or 59mm x 38mm
colors – black (firm), grey (x-firm), or white (xx-firm)

Boom with Hollow Alloy Core
sizes – 62mm x 44mm or 59mm x 38mm
colors – black (firm), grey (x-firm), or white (xx-firm)

We now have the Sisu mouthguards in a junior version. Black, white, or pink.

We have a full line of New Year’s Eve party equipment still available. If you haven’t received a list yet, please ask for one with your next order.

We are also still running our huge post-tradeshow closeout sale. Again, if you need a list, please ask for one with your next order. These prices are good through Dec 15, so place your orders soon if you’re interested.

As we approach the holiday seasons, here are details on the UPS schedule. Remember, the best way to get the skates on time is to order as early as possible.

Nov 27 – Thurs – Thanksgiving – UPS Closed
Nov 28 – Fri – Black Friday – UPS Is Open, Normal Service
Dec 24 – Wed – Christmas Eve – Normal Delivery, But No Pickups
Dec 25 – Thurs – Christmas – UPS Closed
Dec 31 – Wed – NYE – No Ground Service
Jan 1 – Thurs – New Year’s – UPS Closed

This is the first time in many years that UPS has delivered the day after Thanksgiving. This will make it a little easier to get the last minute orders out for the big weekend after Thanksgiving, but please order early if at all possible. Remember that Black Friday is the day the parents go shopping. This means that they’re asking their children for suggestions several weeks before Thanksgiving. If the kids see the product, they’r more likely to be putting it at the top of their Christmas list.

Our huge post-tradeshow clearance sale is going on. If you haven’t received a copy of the clearance flyer, please ask for one with your next order. We have huge savings on products from several different manufacturers.

Several new products are in stock now, including Sure-Grip’s Avanti plates, Royal wheels, and new colors for the Fame wheels.

Vanilla is coming out with two new versions of their Junior package. The Altitude and the Denim are both on the way, we hope to get them by November 10. If you’re interested in either, we will certainly accept pre-orders. It sounds like we’ll get a good supply of the Altitude, but the Denim might be a smaller shipment at first, so they might sell out quickly. The Altitude is shown below, we hope to have Denim pics soon.