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