Riding over bad surfaces
Short answer
Bad surfaces can be tricky to skate on, but with the right setup and a bit of creativity, you can handle them like a pro.
Long answer
Skating on bad surfaces can be challenging, but customizing your skates can make a huge difference. At Thisissoul, we’ve spent years fine-tuning skates to help skaters like you tackle all kinds of terrain. From mixing and matching boots, soulplates, and cuffs, to creating entirely new combinations, we’ve seen it all.
For example, I’ve paired a Razor soulplate with a Salomon boot and even combined a Bauer skate with a Rollerblade TRS soulplate. These setups were built to push boundaries, and they show how much potential there is when you start customizing.
How to handle bad surfaces with the right setup
What makes a surface "bad"?
Rough pavement, cracks, gravel, or uneven ground are all examples of bad surfaces. Skating on these requires more grip, better shock absorption, and increased stability. That’s where customizing comes in.
Key skate parts to focus on:
- Soulplates: A solid and wide soulplate adds stability and makes it easier to handle uneven ground.
- Wheels: Larger, softer wheels can help absorb impacts from rough surfaces.
- Cuffs: A stiffer or more supportive cuff can improve ankle stability, giving you more control on tricky terrain.
Our website has special pages where you can find compatible parts for each skate model. For example, on the USD Aeon page, you’ll find cuffs from other brands that fit Aeon skates, like the Seba cuff.
Making customization easy
To make things simpler, we’ve developed a skate customization tool. You pick the skate you like, remove the parts you don’t need, and add the parts you want. Once you’re done, we’ll build your skate for you.
If your ideas go beyond what’s on the website, just reach out to us via PM, DM, WhatsApp, or email, and we’ll figure it out together. I love helping skaters get the ultimate setup, no matter how crazy their design ideas are.
Inspiration from past custom skates
Over the years, I’ve built hundreds of unique setups, from a Fifth Element skate with a completely custom soulplate to old-school Razors with modern upgrades. These examples show that with the right parts and a bit of effort, you can create skates that handle any surface while looking awesome.
Conclusion
Bad surfaces don’t have to ruin your skate session. With the right setup and tools, you can take on any challenge and keep rolling. Check out the customization tool on our website or shoot us a message to create your dream skates together. Skating is all about creativity, so why let rough terrain hold you back?