What Are Toe Stops For?
Stop Dragging Your Toe Stops!
One of the most common mistakes we see from beginner roller skaters is dragging their toe stops to slow down.
It might seem like the right thing to do, but constantly dragging your toe stops can do more harm than good.
Why you shouldn't drag your toe stops
Bent toe stop stem from dragging
Dragging a toe stop behind you while skating forwards reduces your balance because all your weight shifts onto one foot. This makes it much easier to wobble or fall, especially on rough or uneven surfaces.
It also wears your toe stops down incredibly quickly. Even worse, excessive dragging puts a huge amount of force through the toe stop stem and the bolt that holds it in place. Over time, this can bend the bolt or damage the mounting, leading to expensive repairs—or even a ruined skate.
What are toe stops actually for?
Toe stops are an incredibly useful part of your skates when used correctly. They're designed for much more than stopping.
Some great ways to use your toe stops include:
Backward toe stops
Toe jumps
Pivots and turns
Moonwalks
Creative poses and balance tricks
These techniques use the toe stop as a tool rather than something to scrape along the ground.
