Do Inline Skates Have Brakes?

Inline skate brakes are typically found on fitness inline skates. These brakes feature a hard rubber pad positioned at the back of the skate, behind the last wheel on the chassis. Brakes for inline skates enable skaters to stop by lifting the toe of the skate, pressing the rubber pad onto the ground. As the easiest way to stop on inline skates, brake pads are a crucial tool for beginners.

Types of Inline Skate Brakes

Fitness skates and recreational skates come with either traditional brakes or the Advanced Braking System (ABT). As mentioned, traditional brakes are hard rubber pads located at the back of the skate. Typically, the brake is attached to the right skate, but it can be switched between skates for left-foot dominant skaters.

Traditional brakes work by pointing the braking skate upward, forcing the heel and the brake to the ground. In contrast, ABT brakes are installed closer to the ground compared to traditional brake pads, allowing skaters to maintain their balance more easily when braking. This type of brake is the optimal choice for absolute beginners.

Remember to Change Inline Skate Brakes

Eventually, pre-mounted brakes will wear down and need to be replaced. The replacement process is straightforward and only requires a new skate brake, an Allen key, and a few minutes of your time. It is crucial to replace the brakes before they are completely worn down. A significantly worn-down brake may not be effective when trying to stop.

If you are looking for brakes for your quad skates, you should check out our category on Brake Pads & Toe Stops for Roller Skates.