Soliciting Toe Guard Advice

[Snarles Darwin]

I want to buy toe guards for my skates-on-backorder, but know nothing about them.

Any advice about types (pros/cons), brands, and the best place to order toe guards?

Thanks!

[Splatty Hearst]

There are a couple different types of toe guards - strips and caps - and they both have their pros and cons. A strip guard is basically strip of leather that covers the toe. It can slip around side to side, so it doesn't always fully protect the leather underneath. They are fairly inexpensive, though, and don't seem to do any damage to laces. Toe caps are more protective - they cover the full toe area without sliding around. They cost more (thought not an exorbitant amount). And, they also seem to make laces particularly susceptible to damage. You can get them anywhere that sells skate supplies online (rollerderbydepot.com, lowpriceskates.com, etc.). Rolling Thunder Fun Factory in Bloomington has them, or you may be able to find them at DG Bicycles (86th & the Monon).

[Snarles Darwin]

There are a couple different types of toe guards - strips and caps - and they both have their pros and cons. A strip guard is basically strip of leather that covers the toe. It can slip around side to side, so it doesn't always fully protect the leather underneath. They are fairly inexpensive, though, and don't seem to do any damage to laces. Toe caps are more protective - they cover the full toe area without sliding around. They cost more (thought not an exorbitant amount). And, they also seem to make laces particularly susceptible to damage. You can get them anywhere that sells skate supplies online (rollerderbydepot.com, lowpriceskates.com, etc.). Rolling Thunder Fun Factory in Bloomington has them, or you may be able to find them at DG Bicycles (86th & the Monon).

Perfect -- that's exactly what I needed! THANK YOU!

[Cruel Whip]

i have toe caps that snap on around the bottom lace. they are more like vinyl than leather. i was told you could use a hair dryer to heat them up and mold them to your skates a bit to keep them in place, but that did not work for me. (perhaps it's because my hair dryer is older than i am.)

even though these are still sliding side to side on me, i believe they are protecting where i want them to at all times.

i do not like, however, the snap on the top of the cap. i can hear it dragging on the floor and i just don't feel like it's a good thing. also, it has come unsnapped on me, and that's really hard to deal with while you're wearing the skate and your wrist guards.

anyway, they were $25 at rolling thunder. in fact, i believe all three(?) styles of caps there were the same price. the others were leather. the toe guards are like $6.

[Beattie Sedgwick]

i have toe caps that snap on around the bottom lace. they are more like vinyl than leather. i was told you could use a hair dryer to heat them up and mold them to your skates a bit to keep them in place, but that did not work for me. (perhaps it's because my hair dryer is older than i am.)

even though these are still sliding side to side on me, i believe they are protecting where i want them to at all times.

i do not like, however, the snap on the top of the cap. i can hear it dragging on the floor and i just don't feel like it's a good thing. also, it has come unsnapped on me, and that's really hard to deal with while you're wearing the skate and your wrist guards.

anyway, they were $25 at rolling thunder. in fact, i believe all three(?) styles of caps there were the same price. the others were leather. the toe guards are like $6.

Pretty sure I paid $15 for mine at Rolling Thunder. They might be different.

[Cruel Whip]

Pretty sure I paid $15 for mine at Rolling Thunder. They might be different.

ha. i wouldn't be surprised at all if they told me wrong, since the whole reason i went down there was because they told me something was in stock that wasn't.

(speaking of which, if anyone is interested in a full set of heartless creeper wheels (green), they are finally at the store!)

[SalaciousT]

I have some toe caps that are too small for my skate if you want them you can have then free of charge.

[Bella Blueblood]

I have some heartless creepers for sale if anyone is interested. Full or 1/2 set available.

[Liberty Spykes]

Hmmm. I am thinking I might want new wheels and bearings. I need to learn a little more about the different ones.

[Ionic Bondage]

I have some heartless creepers for sale if anyone is interested. Full or 1/2 set available.

are these narrow wheels? what's the durometer?