Both men’s roller skates and men’s roller blades have wheels attached to the bottom of a boot, but while roller blades have all the wheels aligned in a row, roller skates have two pairs of wheels set side by side, like a car. Blade wheels tend to have a larger diameter and thinner wheelbase, making them fast, agile, and great for covering long distances. Roller skate wheels typically have a wider wheelbase which many beginners find easier to learn on and consider more stable. The other significant difference is the location and style of the brake. Only one rollerblade boot will have a brake attached behind the back wheel, while roller skates typically have one brake mounted to the front of each skate.
Because of their maneuverability, rollerblades for men are often used to play street hockey, for outdoor fitness, or to do tricks in skate parks. Roller skates, on the other hand, excel as indoor skates for roller derby and artistic, synchronized skating. You can also find men’s outdoor roller skates, which often come with larger and harder wheels better designed for rougher surfaces.