What are Cardiff Skates?
Cardiff Skates are bootless, strap-in skates that can be worn with your favorite pair of shoes. Unlike traditional inline and roller skates, Cardiff Skates have a patented wheel configuration and unique braking system, resulting in the most stable skate in the industry. This allows most people to instantly begin enjoying their skates, and because each skate adjusts to the rider's feet, they can be easily shared. They also go on and off in seconds!
How do they work?
Cardiff Skates expand by simply holding the back of the skate with one hand and pulling the front of the skate with the other. The skate will lock open with an audible click as the heel plate pops up. Then, the rider steps onto the skate with the foot straps undone or fully loosened. As the back of their foot presses down on the heel plate, the skate will automatically adjust to size. After buckling and securing the strap(s) snug over their shoe, and repeating the same steps for their other foot, they're ready to ride!
Stride one foot at a time as you would a traditional skate. To turn, slightly raise one front wheel off the ground and pivot your heel on that skate's two side wheels. Brake by putting one foot forward and raising its front wheel off the ground to engage the braking wheel on the back of the skate.
For safety, we recommend riders be seated when putting on their Cardiff Skates. Because skating is a physical activity, wear protective gear and observe all safety precautions before riding on Cardiff Skates. Note that in order to expand our skates, you don't need to touch the heel plate. Holding down the heel plate actually prevents the skates from locking open.
Which skates will fit me?
Because our skates are size adjustable, riders often fit into more than one model of Cardiff skates. Each product page has a Sizing Specifications section where you can find more information.
What's the maximum weight limit?
All Cardiff Skates have a minimum weight requirement of 45lbs, but the recommended maximum weight limits vary depending on the model of our skates:
- Cardiff Cruiser (Large): 250lbs
- Cardiff Cruiser (Small): 190lbs
- Cardiff Cruiser Lime (Youth): 120lbs
- Cardiff Cruiser Strawberry (Youth): 120lbs
- S1 (Large): 250lbs
- S2 (Small): 190lbs
- S3 (Youth): 120lbs
What's the difference between Cardiff Cruisers and the S-series of skates?
Though Cardiff Cruisers and the S-series look similar in design and function, the Cruisers are our recreational skates and the S-series are our performance skates. Some of the differences include length of warranty (12 Months vs 6 Months), bearing quality, wheel quality (Super High Rebound vs High Rebound), wheel width, wheel durometer, brake material, stitching style and color. Simply put, both skates perform well, but the S-series will be a little faster and have a little higher performance.
What's the difference between the S1 and S2?
The main difference between the S1 (Large) and S2 (Small) are their size range. The S1 (Large) fits Boy's 4 to Men's 13 and Women's 5.5 to Women's 14.5 while the S2 (Small) fits Boy's 2 to Men's 8 and Girl's 2 to Women's 9. The only other differences between the two models are their accent color and wheel diameter: the S1's accent color is metallic orange, the S2's accent color is metallic blue, and the wheels on the S2 are 10mm smaller in diameter than on the S1.
What's the difference between refurbished and new skates?
Refurbished Cardiff Skates undergo a thorough inspection and repair process to ensure that they are of high quality and safe to use. The Cardiff Skate refurbishment team:
- Examines the skates part by part
- Tests the wheel and bearing function
- Inspects the braking system
- Tests and inspects the spring loaded Automatic Size Adjustment™ system
- Ensures the straps and buckles operate properly and are securely attached
- Replaces any broken or heavily worn parts
- Tightens, adjusts and inspects all screws and moving parts
- Cleans & repackages the skates.
Refurbished Cardiff Skates are backed by the same warranty as their equivalent new models. While they are safe and functional, refurbished skates may come with minor scratches, slightly worn wheels, or other signs of light wear. Due to our quality-focused inspection and repair process, we guarantee that your refurbished skates will reach you in good condition.
What's the difference between recreational and regular use?
"Recreational use" refers to more casual skating whereas "regular use" refers to skating for a longer duration and with greater frequency.
The S-series is recommended over the Cruiser collection for regular use because it's covered by a longer warranty and features the best brakes, bearings, and wheel quality offered by Cardiff Skate Company.
I see only small and large sizes... Where's your medium skates?
Because our skates are size adjustable, there's actually an overlap in the shoe sizes compatible with our small and large skates. For that reason, we don't produce any specific medium-sized Cardiff Skates.
If I'm in-between sizes, which is best for me?
That depends on whom you'd like to share them with and whether or not you (or they) have growing feet. Though everyone's situation is unique and we offer no fixed recommendations, we generally suggest that:
- If you wish to share them with young kids, go with the S2 (Small) or Cardiff Cruiser (Small).
- If you wish to share them with a spouse or older kids, go with the S1 or Cardiff Cruiser (Large).
- If your kids are still growing and they're in between sizes, go with the larger size.
- For adults with shoe sizes under a mens' 7 or women's 8, go with the S2 (Small) or Cardiff Cruiser (Small).
How often do I have to replace the wheels?
We recommend replacing the wheels every 100 miles traveled.
Where can I find product specifications?
Specifications are available on the product pages for each of our skates.
What is the benefit of Cardiff Skates to the rider?
Thanks to our patented wheel configuration and Automatic Size Adjustment™ technology, riders benefit from a smoother, more stable ride – whether they're skating for exercise or just having fun. And because Cardiff Skates expand in size, you won't have to buy a new pair of skates every time you outgrow your shoes.
When did Cardiff Skates become available?
After eight years of research, development, patents, and painstakingly meticulous design, Cardiff Skates became available in early October 2013.