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