Back in the 90s, everyone on Earth owned a pair of inline skates, or rollerblading, as it was more commonly known.
But like pogs, hypercolor t-shirts, and many other fads, inline skating soon lost popularity.
But despite the decline, there were still some skaters who were speeding up and down the streets on their inline skates or playing roller derby in halls around the country.
Many trends from the 90s have recently made spectacular comebacks, which begs the question, is inline skating popular today?
The answer is yes, inline skating is gaining in popularity as it makes a comeback in today’s social distancing world. With many fitness centers closed or operating differently, people are looking for new ways to get a workout. One of these activities is inline skating.
In this article, we’ll explore why inline skating stopped being popular and the reason for its recent comeback.
We’ll also take a look at some of the most popular inline skates today that are in high demand.
We’ll even let you know which cities are the most popular for the hobby.
Read on for all of these answers and more.
Where Is Inline Skating Popular?
Several places in the United States have seen a revival in inline skating, particularly around parks and tourist spots.
Some of the most popular skating cities include:
New York
The Big Apple has several indoor and outdoor inline skating trails.
Central Park is a popular spot, as is the West Side bike path.
The pavements are in excellent condition that it makes it safe to skate.
San Francisco
Not many cities will shut down streets for skaters, but San Francisco does.
On Sundays, half of John F. Kennedy Drive is closed for skaters to participate in games or play on the slalom course.
There is also a Friday Night Skate that starts at Justin Herman Plaza and goes on for 12 miles.
Los Angeles
Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Long Beach are home to all kinds of skaters who love the backdrop of the beach.
The Hollywood Hills is also a favorite for those who prefer greener pastures.
Washington D.C.
Skating around the Nation’s Capital is a quick and easy way to visit memorials and monuments.
The avenue behind the White House is also a popular place for inline skaters to cruise through.
Chicago
The Windy City is home to several long trails for inline skaters.
The Chicago Lakefront Trail runs parallel to Lake Michigan for 18.5 miles and the North Branch Trail, which follows the Chicago River, is 20 miles of peaceful serenity.
Many other cities around America and the world have seen their trails become popular for inline skaters, as more and more people dust them off and take them for a ride.
Why Did Inline Skating Stop Being Popular?
As the 80s transitioned into the 90s, inline skating reached the peak of its popularity.
But it became unpopular just as quickly as its rise to fame.
While there was no one reason for its descent into obscurity, some of the common causes were:
Threat Of Injury
While injuries occur in most outdoor hobbies and activities, injuries that occurred as a result of inline skating were more severe.
It was not uncommon for participants to break their collarbone or cause damage to their knees.
As stories circulated about the dangers of inline skating, fewer people laced up their blades.
Lack Of Venues
The most common place to inline skate was on asphalt paths.
Unfortunately, these tracks were also occupied by walkers, runners, and cyclists.
With many inline skaters preferring to travel at high speeds, limitations were put in place by local governments as to how fast they could go.
Once these rules were put in place, less and less skaters were seen on the paths.
Lack Of Media Coverage
The X-Games deciding to drop inline skating as one of their events was a big blow to the sport.
The Olympics also passed on the opportunity to include it in their games.
With inline skating nowhere to be seen on TV, enthusiasts had not one to look up or emulate.
With no one in the mainstream spotlight getting around on inline skates, the blades would end up in the closet to collect dust.
Rise Of Skateboarding
As several skateboarding personalities began to rise to fame, inline skating began to take a backseat.
People such as Tony Hawk received TV shows and video game deals that propelled them into popularity.
Inline skating never received the same level of attention and was quickly labeled a fad because of it.
Although many other reasons contributed to inline skating losing popularity, these factors were noted by many as the causes that had the most impact.
Why Is Inline Skating Popular Today?
While it’s not surprising for nostalgic items to make a comeback these days, many were surprised by the return of rollerblades.
According to reports, there was a 723% year-on-year increase in online traffic for consumers searching for inline skates.
The reason for the sudden surge in popularity went back to the origins of why they were created, to begin with.
Inline skates were initially designed to be used during the off-season by ice hockey players.
Recently, NHL professionals scrambled to get their hands on a pair of skates, and their fans would witness these antics on social media.
This would send the fans out to the stores to pick up their own inline skates.
The effect would snowball and see even more people grab a pair of inline skates and take to the streets with their newfound hobby.
What Are The Most Popular Inline Skates?
Inline skates have come a long way since the late 80s and early 90s.
They’ve become slicker, faster, and come in a variety of styles since their humble beginnings.
Some of the most popular inline skates available today include:
If you’ve got a need for speed, then these inline skates are for you. The boot is light and breathable to enhance your balance, so you stay on your feet.
If you skate indoors and outdoors and don’t want two pairs of skates, these rollerblades are perfect no matter where you choose to go. They are made of high-quality materials to ensure they are not only durable but are comfortable to skate in.
5th Element ST-80 Urban Inline Skates
Perfect for the streets, these inline skates are fitted with a light-weight aluminum frame that helps your maneuverability and speed so you can avoid any obstacles that get in your way.
These blades are one of the fastest skates on the market. It features an athletic shoe design, so it feels like you’re wearing a pair of sneakers instead of inline skates.
For a high-end inline skate option, these blades will give you the best bearings and wheels in the market. You’ll also get an aluminum frame that is adjustable if you prefer a lower center of gravity.
With so many choices available, there are inline skates that are available for all types of skaters, no matter how experienced they are. New models are also coming out faster than ever as the hobby continues to gain popularity.
Should You Take Up Inline Skating?
If you’re looking for fitness alternatives to running and jogging that won’t impact your joints, then inline skating could be the activity for you.
Besides its many health benefits, inline skating seems to be returning to popularity, particularly in major US cities.
So, it could be an opportunity to meet new people and see the sights of the city from a different perspective.
While it will take some time to learn if you never skated before, as long you have the right safety equipment, there should experience more thrills than spills.
