Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25238
More portable than a bike, more maneuverable than a longboard and a heck of a lot cooler than those aluminum scooters, training in-line skates are by far the best method for exploring cities under your own power and on your own terms. Whether you're dodging cabs and taking pit-stops at a Manhattan bodega or logging the coastal miles between Venice Beach and Santa Monica, two boots and eight wheels are all you need to enjoy the urban landscape at speed. As an asphalt warrior, you've have never had a greater selection of models to choose from, so how to decide which skate is for you? In-line skates are like skis in that the longer they are, the faster they'll go. But in-line skates with a long wheel-base are more difficult to control. Are you going to be skating for long distances, fast? Then go for a long wheel-base. If you're going to be mostly commuting and negoti- ating traffic, consider a smaller wheel-base that will make the skate easier to manuever. Next consider your ability. If you've never been on skates before (in-line, roller, ice or otherwise), you'll want a skate with good ankle support (high boot cuffs) and a user-friendly braking system. You won't need a long wheel-base or the fastest wheels on the market. If you are already an in-line expert, and you want the fastest skate out there, opt for a long wheel-base, five wheels and no brake. - Most people fall-no pun intended-somewhere in between. If you antici- pate getting good fast, then go for an advanced skate. If you're interested in more casual skating go for a slower, more responsive skate. The best way to find your ideal skate is to I THE LATEST SKATES TO TAKE YOU FAR, FAST. actually go out and demo various models. High-end specialty shops often have demo programs where you can put the cost of your rental towards the purchase of a new pair of skates. Each skate reviewed here comes in both men's and a women's models. SALOMON TR-MG ELITE 2 Salomon is German for "fast skate." Well, not really, but the TR-MG Elites are truly a force to be reckoned with when it comes both to speed and comfort. The skate boasts an impressive 289 mm length frame, complementing its 80 mm/82a Hyperformance wheels, all of which go a long way towards making sure you go a long way. The cuffs are lower than those on the other skates in our review, helping with fle xibi lity during extended strides and allowing you to truly maximize your strength when pushing off. A simple one-buckle cuff and easy-pull lacing system make entry and exit a breeze. The TR-MG Elite 2 also comes in a snappy women's model for 2002 that contains all the same attributes of the men's skate but is specifically adaptated for a female foot. The footbed is narrower, the cuff is shaped for a woman's calf and a last created on the higher arches of a woman's foot-and they are every bit as fast. A vision in silver and gold, this is the ideal skate for the advanced female skater. TESTER'S CONCLUSION: The MG Elite was the fastest we tested, hands down. You may not be able to race the five wheelers in Central Park, but you'll definitely be able to blow anyone else on four wheels out of the water. The women's skate, with its graceful narrow profile, is agile and able to negotiate the sharp corners and sudden potholes that come with urban skating. It's hard to find anything wrong with these skates ... they're close to perfect. Our only caveat is that they're not for the faint of heart or weak of ankle. If you're more for a relaxing stroll than a true speedster shoot-out, or are prone to ankle sprains, read on ... Salomon, www.salomonsports.com. $299 TEXT BILL BYRNE TESTING: BILL BYRNE. CLAIRE HOCHACHKA. RICHARD MURPHY. NICOLE JOHNSON WHEELS FO THE ADVANCED SKATER