Product Reviews

Reviews of inline skates and skating products listed in reverse order of publication:

Rollerblade's 4Ds: Flexible and Fast
The big thing (besides the big wheels) about Rollerblade's new Crossfire 4D and Activa 4D models is their adjustable length frame: good for both rec and fitness skating. We put them through the paces and found them to be quite fast ... until we started climbing. (Go to the Planet review.) (March 21, 2006)

Rollerblade's New Crossfire 90
The 2006 Rollerblade Crossfire 90s are comfortable, well balanced and fast. We put them through the paces, tallied the pros and cons and decided that these high-end rec skates deserve a four-star rating. (Go to the Planet review of the Crossfire 90s.) (March 3, 2006)

Chad Hedrick's Instructional (and Sometimes Goofy) DVD - Got a speed skater on your list? If so, here's a great stocking stuffer: Push, Chad Hedrick's instructional DVD. It's short but worth the price. Not only do you get to hear the 50-time world champion explain his signature technique — the double-push — but you get an introduction to his wacky sense of humor. (Go to the Planet review.) (Dec. 8, 2005)

The Garmin Forerunner: Made for Runners, Great for Skaters - Want to know how fast you skate and how far you go -- and be able to quickly scan through two years worth of workout stats? If so, consider buying the Garmin Forerunner 201. Contributing writer Travis Brown says that though this GPS device was designed for runners, it's great for skaters, too. (Here's the Planet review!) (Aug. 2, 2005)

Forget Dr. Scholl's ... The Best Solution for Blistered Feet Is Ezeefit's Ankle Booties - I skated with pain for more than a month after my new racing skates arrived. I tried all the recommended remedies, but nothing worked. ... Then I got my feet into a pair of Ezeefit ankle booties. ... Ah, what a relief it is! Happy feet are back again. (Here's the Planet review of the Ezeefit ankle booties.) (April 23, 2005)

Bearing Cleaning Made Easier ... Cleaning bearings is nobody's idea of a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. But if you've got the Pleasure Tool Bearing Cleaner Kit, at least the job's a little easier. Check out the Planet review and find out how to cure the Crunchies without banging up your bearings in the process.

Salomon's Gel Knee Pads ... Salomon's Gel Knee Pads: Comfortable, cool and tough. Are these the best knee pads on the market? Maybe! ... Read the review!

London Skaters Skate Reviews ... LondonSkaters.com has a nice cross-section of reviews of inline skates!

The Fitness Skate Forum at Inline Warehouse ... You'll find reviews and buying advice on recreational and fitness skates here.

The Aggressive Forum At Inline Warehouse ... You'll find reviews, advice and plenty of attitude at the forum. ... Did I mention attitude?

The Inline Forum At Speedskating.com ... You'll find reviews and advice about inline speed skates and equipment here.

Inline Warehouse's Hockey Equipment Forum ... Here's the Inline Warehouse site where skaters post reviews about hockey skates, gloves, sticks and other equipment.

Hemlet Reviews Galore! ... From the Mountain Bike Reviews web site, a virtual mountain of helmet reviews. Very helpful!

Related Reading:

• Inline Buyers Guide