Whether you’re a pro-level skater, a recreational skater, or a commuter, you need a way to carry your inline skates around. You need a way to carry your rollerblades between any two skate spots or destinations. In this short post, I share with you a couple of ideas on how to carry your inline skates around without looking awkward or getting your clothes dirty.
Related: Best Inline Skates
I’ve gleaned these inline skate transportation ideas from inline skaters I know personally. And of course, some of these ideas came from yours truly, a girl who skates.
How Do You Carry Inline Skates Around? Here Are 7 Practical Ideas
- Carry your rollerblades in a skate-specific bag (best idea for short trips).
- Use a backpack to haul your inline skates around (a good idea if you travel frequently).
- Get creative and use the Velcro straps as a carrying handle.
- Carry your rollerblades by the straps on the back of the skate.
- Toss your inline skates in a reusable shopping bag.
- Use the laces of your inline skates as a shoulder strap.
- Use a skate leash such as those made by Moxi Skates.
I’ll now add some meat to these suggestions to convert them into practical tips that you can use in your day-to-day skate life.
1. Use an Inline Skate Backpack
What if you’re attending college some of the time and need to carry your laptop, notebooks, and other learning-related supplies? What if you travel a lot to different places and love skating upon arrival?
Get something more convenient than an inline skate bag. An inline skate backpack would be the best storage system for you. This kind of backpack is pretty much like a regular backpack, and some options will allow you to store your skates, pads, socks, wheels, bearings, and helmet.
It usually offers features on the exterior where you can hang your skates. And in some cases, such a backpack will have exterior room for holding a skate helmet.
Best Inline Skate Backpack?
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I root for the Rollerblade Multisport Urban Commuter Backpack. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth every dollar you’ll fork over for it.
It looks nice and sturdy with everything packed nicely inside. And the brand name Rollerblade on the side of the bag gives the impression that you’re a serious skater that detests junk.
The carrying straps have decently thick padding, which makes for comfortable carrying. Rollerblade also throws in wheel covers so that the interiors can stay nice and clean.
I’m size 9, and my skates fit beautifully with room to spare. I’m pretty sure you can carry up to size 12, but they’d fit in pretty snugly. What’s more, there are two side pockets where you can store your water, too.
Do you intend to travel to some foreign destination with your skates? You’ll love this backpack because it’s rad and pretty compact. You won’t need to fight with it when plugging it into the plane’s overhead storage or under the seat.
Are Your Rollerblades Too Long?
If you’re looking for something to carry size 12 beginner blades with a heel brake, buy something else. The boots won’t just fit in this backpack, and do you really want to remove the heel brake every time you travel? Also, if your boots are quite big, like size 11 or bigger, you’ll have to hang your helmet on the exterior of this inline skate backpack.
One downside I noticed is that this backpack is pretty bulky with everything packed inside. Plus, it’s not designed to accommodate long inline skates with heel brakes. I’ve not come across one site that mentions this issue of boots with heel brakes not fitting in this backpack. It’s a shame.
You Can Use a Regular Backpack, Too
2. Use an Inline Skate Bag.
An inline skate-specific bag is perhaps the most convenient way to carry inline skates from point A to point B, especially for short trips to and from the skate park, rink, or other nearby skate spots.
Select a rollerblade-carrying bag that accommodates everything you need for your little adventure. Your inline skate knee pads, helmet, elbow pads, wristguards, water bottle, spare wheels, skate tool, socks, and whatnot.
If you’re going out for a serious ride outdoors and have to carry your helmet, protective pads, snacks, and a water bottle, choose a heavy-duty skate bag. Get a bag with a reinforced bottom, one that will take all of the abuse you’ll throw at it when moving it around.
The typical skate bag has a triangular shape and a couple of inner pockets. I can put every skate essential I need in my skate bag: my helmet, rollerblades, pads, water bottle, and a bunch of smaller items.
Good Inline Skate Bag That’s Not Too Expensive?
I recommend the Athletico Ice and Inline Skate Bag. Why? Because it’s pretty roomy, looks nice, and is quite sturdy. I can fit my inline skating helmet in the middle zipper pocket as well as my favorite skate pads.
And what’s the size of this inline skate bag? You can fit in a pair of rollerblades as big as size 13. The bag comes with two side pockets with zippers that make carrying my skates easy and convenient. And the best part? The bag has an arm strap that makes for pretty comfortable use.
I really like that this bag doesn’t get in the way when I’m biking between skating points. Choose this bag if you can’t find a backpack that’s big enough for all your stuff.
Pick up a heavy-duty inline skate bag with strong outer material, one that’ll long last even with constant use. Essentially, you need a bag that won’t tear when you slide it, throw it on the ground, toss it in the car trunk, or pull it out of lockers at the gym.
If you travel frequently and encounter all kinds of weather conditions, consider buying a bag with a water-resistant exterior. And if the bag has grommets for improving airflow, that’s even better. Mesh vents are another useful design feature to look out for as these vents boost breathability.
3. Use the Velcro Straps as a Carry Handle.
Yes, you can use the Velcro straps on your boots to carry them. Just stick the parts with the velcro together and use the Velcro link so created as a carry strap for your skates. Not a bad idea for carrying your skates to and from a nearby recreational skate spot.
4. Carry Your Rollerblades by Your Boots’ Rear Straps.
Run two fingers through each of the straps at the back of the skate and carry it. If your skates are too heavy and you have to walk quite some distance, switch hands as needed to prevent circulation from being cut off.
I often put this idea to work when I want to just roll around without pads and don’t want to commit to carrying a bag or backpack.
5. Toss Your Inline Skates in a Reusable Shopping Bag.
If you’re a gym rat, attend classes, and also rollerblade, chances are you won’t be able to fit in everything you need in your backpack. You have notebooks, your adorable Nike gym sneakers, inline skates, and skate pads.
In such a situation, a reusable shopping bag comes in handy. When skating to college, consider putting your sneakers in a reusable shopping bag and then placing them inside your backpack.
Once you’re done exercising at the gym and heading back home, wear your sneakers and carry your inline skates in the reusable bag. It works fine for someone I know. And it’s definitely an idea you can try if your schedule looks anything like theirs.
6. Use the Laces of Your Inline Skates as Shoulder Straps.
To carry your skating boots by their laces, be sure the laces are strong enough. There are tons of high-quality rollerblade laces, and you can/should replace your “stock” laces if they’re meh quality.
Tie the laces together and use them as carry handles. This works, but it’s not my favorite method. To prevent street dust and grime from transferring to your pants, use wheel covers. And the Xiaomi Leyuan Pro Rollerblade Covers are frequently recommended by skaters. These work well for all inline skates: 3-wheelers, 4-wheelers, 5-wheelers, and roller skates.
7. Use a Skate Leash
You can use a leash to restrain your furry friend or carry your beautiful inline skates. This isn’t how I carry rollerblades, which means I’m not a big fan of this skate-carrying method. I suggest that you fit wheel covers over the frame/wheels to prevent dirt and grime from transferring to your clothes.
Many skaters recommend this Moxi Roller Skate Leash. You tie a knot around each wheel or wheel and carry the skates on your shoulder. They say it’s really cute, strong, comfortable, and reasonably long.
It’s not too long that your skates will keep bouncing around. And you can have it shorter or longer because it’s adjustable. If you tighten the loop around each front wheel, it will be longer compared to if you have it around the two front wheels.
Tips for Carrying Inline Skates: Wrap-up
Carrying your inline skates between skate spots can seem like a huge problem if you don’t know what to do. But hauling your rollerblading gear around isn’t hard at all.
For long skate-focused trips, use a backpack to carry your skates. And for shorter trips to your local rink or skate park, a skate bag suffices. You can also put them in a reusable shopping bag,
You can also tie your boots together using their laces and strap them to your shoulder. Alternatively, you can use your fingers to hold the skates at the back by their straps.
Another idea is to stick the velcro together and use your hands to carry your rollerblades. A skate leash may not be the neatest or most convenient skate-carrying option, but it works.