Craft Your Own Style: Elevate your roller skating experience with our color customizable leather roller skating boots. Choose from an unlimited array of vibrant hues, including all available nubuck and suede leather colors, to design a pair of skates that truly represents your unique personality. Express yourself on the rink with a burst of individuality, making each stride uniquely yours!
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROLLER SKATE SET – A STRUGGLE FOR NEWCOMERS
There are as many categories of roller skaters as there are roller skating styles and roller skate brands, which makes choosing the ideal model and set very difficult at the beginning.
Unfortunately, many people go for cheap sets at the beginning. They just want to try it out to see if they like it. The boots are often made of plastic, hard and inflexible, or so soft that the untrained foot has hardly any grip in it. The plates are too heavy, hardly steerable, not adjustable. The wheels are way too soft or too hard. You don't make much progress because the equipment is inferior. But if you treat yourself to a good set right from the start, roller skating can become a passion.
As a rule of thumb, you start relaxed with one of the softer WIFA-STREET models with ELYO-plates to learn your first dance steps and cruise around. Then you discover your passion that may lead you to change the plates & wheels and buy better ball bearings. Artistic roller skaters stick with ELYO, whilst park and trail skaters switch to the more stable Avanti or Sunlite, jam skaters to the very manoeuvrable Avenger frame.
It is a lot about wheels!
The choice of the first set of wheels depends on the style and the floor you are skating on. At the beginning, you are often unsure whether you want to train outdoors or indoors. The softer hybrid wheels are ideal for the first few months as they can be used for dance and trail. Many skaters also appreciate the multiple LED versions we have in stock! Usually, you will soon have at least two sets: large and soft outdoor wheels for trail skating, smaller hybrid wheels for dance.
Which model should you start with?
Are you looking to have fun while learning dance steps (Jam Skating), integrate some smaller jumps into your choreography, master basic Parkskating tricks, or simply skate through the countryside or city streets?
With STREET SUEDE, STREET DELUXE or the new DUO-Hybridmodelle you will have maximum fun learning dance moves (jam skating), perform smaller jumps in your choreography, learn absolute basic park skating tricks or just skate through the countryside or city. You can order just the boot or a complete SET. There are several plates and wheels to choose from, for indoor or outdoor skating.
Choose your own setup here: WIFA Street Deluxe configuration SET WIFA Street Suede configuration SET
WIFA DUO Suede (coming soon)
WIFA DUO Deluxe (coming soon)
Brief description of the models
STREET SUEDE (suede leather), soft and very comfortable, particularly ideal for wider feet since very stretchy in the ball of the foot area.
Focus: dance and trail STREET DELUXE (nubuck leather)
soft and very comfortable, stretchy in the ball of the foot area, overall approx. 20% stronger than suede, as the leather is thicker and stronger.
Focus: dance and trail
Hybrid models for ice and roller skating
DUO SUEDE Ice and Roll (suede leather) (coming soon)
Slightly firmer than STREET SUEDE, as it is reinforced at the upper shaft end and ball area.
Focus for roller skates: dance and trail
Focus for ice skates: rink skating, ice dance, no jumps!
DUO DELUXE Ice and Roll (nubuck leather) (coming soon)
Slightly firmer than STREET DELUXE as it is reinforced at the top of the shaft and ball of the foot.
Focus for roller skates: dance and trail
Focus for ice skates: rink skating, ice dance, no jumps!
You can find more details in the product description of each model.
What models do you recommend for passionate and skilles jam & rhythm skaters?
You are starting to learn more complicated moves and roller skating is becoming an everyday workout? You are skating more on the edges and need a model with more lateral stability, but still comfy and not too hard?
The STREET SUEDE is the softest of the roller skates collection and still quite firm so also suitable for passionate skaters. The STREET DELUXE is 20% harder than the STREET SUEDE due to its firmer leather. Still, it is very flexible at the top shaft end.
If you are a skilled dancer or rhythm skater we would rather recommend the STREET XTREME for its stronger counter support and lateral stability. This model is 30-40% harder than the STREET DELUXE and will give you the support needed for challenging dance skating moves.
The CHAMPION LIGHT hybrid model is about as strong as the STREET XTREME. The flex notch and construction make it ideal for those who want it all!
This model offers more support than the STREET XTREME The CHAMPION LIGHT offers more stability than the STREET XTREME boot. The CHAMPION LIGHT has a lower shaft, is more flexible in the ankle area, heat moldable, available in 4 widths and suitable for so many target groups.
Ice figure skating (all single jumps and more for adults with +-60 kg) Ice dance Park-Skating Artistic roller skating – competition level Artistic inline skating– competition level Jamskating for beginners and advanced
You can find more details in the product description of each model.
What models do you recommend for park skaters?
If you are basically an allrounder but want to develop your park skating skills – you will need a model with more support in the ankle area. You can make first trials with the STREET SUEDE and STREET DELUXE but as soon as you want to make more challenging flips you will need a STREET XTREME: It has more ankle and lateral stability although still softer in the ball area than the ice skating boots.
If you are a competition park skater, you will appreciate the stability of our hybrid model CHAMPION LIGHT, fully heat moldable and available in 5 widths. Here a link to our test skater Lea Neuhold who switched from STREET XTREME to CHAMPION LIGHT.
The CHAMPION LIGHT hybrid model with its flex notch and construction is ideal for those who demand everything from their boots. This model offers more support than the STREET XTREME, has a lower shaft, is more flexible in the ankle area, is heat moldable and is available in 4 widths. It is suitable for the following performance groups:
Ice figure skating (all single jumps and more for adults with +-60 kg) Ice dance Park-Skating Artistic roller skating – competition level Artistic inline skating– competition level Jamskating for beginners and advanced
You can find more details in the product description of each model.
If you come from the figure skating world and would like to switch to QUAD (retro) rollers in the summer then you basically still are a beginner artistic roller skater. You will be doing first jumps. For basics you can still use the two softer models STREET DELUXE & STREET SUEDE.
If you are more ambitious, you should rather opt for the STREET XTREME, as it is overall more robust and has more lateral stability – and will be more durable on the long run. It is reinforced in the ankle area, softer in the ball area than an ice skating boot, and has leather lining, which is a big advantage if spending lots of hours in quads during summer temperatures.
When you want to switch to Inline skating, you need to go for ice skating models since you need a boot with a fully reinforced and stable ball area. PRIMA INTERMEDIATE or CHAMPION LIGHT as well as INTI for children are specially suitable for both sports, ice and inline skating, since all these models have a soft cushion at the shaft top and are more flexible at the top shaft end.
STREET SUEDE is the softer model. It is made of very flexible and breathable suede leather. STREET DELUXE is made of firmer, durable NUBUK leather with a velvet finish. Due to the stronger leather (2-2.2 mm), it offers more support and is more durable. It is approximately 20% stronger than STREET Suede. Both models are suitable for street skating and dance, even for first park skating tricks.
STREET XTREME is basically a reinforced STREET Deluxe but approximately 40% stronger. More stable at the heel, increased side reinforcement to also absorb jumps. The STREET Xtreme was adapted to the needs of the target groups - advanced street & jam & rhythm skaters as well as park skaters.
We offer only high-quality quads from the brands STD (Spain), Suregrip (USA) and SUNLITE (USA).
STD-plates have a kingping angle of 20°. We now offer ELYO plates with 7 AND 8mm axles.
They are basically made for artistic and skilled leisure skaters but are also stable enough for park and trail skating. The stability can be changed by loosening or tightening the « action adjustment nuts » and by using cushions of different hardness that you can order via internet ( STD ) if you want to exchange them.
We also offer the two very popular models of the US-brand Suregrip, Avanti and Avenger.
Avantis have a 10°kingpin angle and are very stable plates for challenging flips and jumps in the skate park and for skaters who appreciate a stable plate. Avengers have a kingping angle of 45°. They are very appreciated by skilled Jam and Rythmskaters for their extrem agility.
The economic high quality nylon SUNLITE plates have a 10°kingpin angle and are appreciated for their lightness and stability.
We use the same orthopedic lasts for roller skates AND ice skates. The roller skates are made in the standard width "C" (wide fit).
You will figure out that you might actually need a smaller WIFA size than your usual shoes. They run big and your foot should have a rather snug fit. Your feet are the most important reference we work with. On our website you can print out the insoles. In order to avoid mistakes due to transmission distorsions, please remeasure the insoles after printing the A4 sheets!
The insoles help a lot to determine the size as you can visualize how much toe space you need. If you have wide feet at the front (e.g. Roman foot shape), you will need more toe space since the WIFA boots are slighly narrower at the toe cap. If you have narrower feet and a Greek or Agyptian foot shape you will need less space for a rather snug fit. But please leave at least 4 mm comfort toe space to be on the safe side - unless you can try them on in a shop.
For a STREET SUEDE you will need less toe space than with STREET DELUXE & STREET XTREME , because the suede leather is softer and more elastic and therefore adapts better to the skater’s foot shape. The following rule of thumb applies: STREET Deluxe & Xtreme - we recommend to take the same size as the shoe size (for skaters with wide feet at front) or half a size smaller (for standard or narrow feet).
STREET Suede - can be half a size smaller or even a full size smaller. Please read our Technical Guide for more detailed information and the relevant measuring tables.
Please watch our VIDEO TUTORIALS for foot measurements and size selection.
We make a full mounting suitable for all skating styles. Our mounting service cost net 25 €.
If you order our mounting service we will mount according to our recommendations and to our sizing chart (catalog p. 40). We mount slightly „off center“ as recommended by most specialized shops and top skaters. If you want a different mounting, please advise.
For STD-plates and the Avenger (Surepgrip) we take the shorter plates since most skaters use these plates for dancing and want them to be more indented at the front.
For Avanti (Suregrip) and SUNLITE plates we use the longest possible plate size as these are normally used by skaters seaking stability.
How to mount the plates:
heel: 2 pull-through screws, 2 long screws (length 25 mm)
front part of boots: 2 pull-through screws (20mm) + 2 screws (16 mm)
CAUTION! Inside the boots - at the heel - screws are placed that are very important for the heel stability. The shaft is glued with high pression on the soles and screwed additionally to the heel. These long screws must not be removed! If they are in the way when mounting the plates, please move them to another part and screw them in again.
IMPORTANT CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Like all quality products, WIFA boots deserve the best possible care.
All feet sweat during training - some more than others, and even though the boots are made of breathable leather, they can get very damp inside.
After a training session the boots should be carefully dried inside and outside. Skating bags should only be used for carrying boots home. Skating boots should never be put on top of, or near to a radiator, or in the sun. They should be left in a well ventilated place.
If the boots are very damp, please use moisture absorbing products like „boot bananas“ or simply use the old school method of stuffing paper into the leather boots.
The right care of the upper material
Dirt can be easily removed with warm water and mild soap. Please do not use aggressive cleaning products.
Our protective caps or special tape for skates can be used to prevent scratches on the boot cap. Tip for white smooth leather: if there are already scratches on your boots, please cover them with high quality white acrylic paint (color titanium) and spray a water-soluble colourless varnish over it or apply with sponge.
Roller skates made of NUBUCK leather can become greasy over time if they are not adequately cared for. Use a nubuck rubber brush to clean the boots. Leather color can be freshened up with a nubuck spray.
Our NUBUK boots are water-repellent (hydrophobic), but please imprignate after longer use. All care products mentioned above are available in every well-stocked specialist shoe shop or on the Internet.
The right care of the soles
Although the soles are waxed, abrasion marks develop over time, especially when skating on edges. These should be covered with natural wax or transparent shoe balm on a regular basis so that no moisture penetrates. If the boots were used during wet weather or on ice areas with water puddles, soles have to be dryed immediately and waxed additionally. We advise against using varnishes, as leather needs to breathe. Special impregnation sprays with natural components should only be used as a temporary solution.
However, if mold has already formed on the surface, we recommend using a 1:1 mixture of transparent vinegar-essence solution (25% acetic acid) and water. Please clean the areas thoroughly and apply wax when dry. If the mold has already penetrated the sole, damage will occur which is often difficult to repair. This damage is not covered by the warranty.
Please check regularly that the blades or plates are securely fastened to the sole. If not, the screws must be retightened, otherwise moisture can penetrate the leather and cause damage. If the screw holes are worn out and screws have no grip, put small wooden sticks into the holes and insert the screws. Also use free holes in the plates to insert new screws.
The right care of the wheels
We use shielded ball bearings on the outside to protect them against dirt. When skating in rainy weather, moisture can nevertheless penetrate the ball bearings, which inevitably leads to rust formation. If you are caught in the rain, take off the wheels and place them in the sun to dry. If necessary, treat the ball bearings with thin lubricating oil. A rust remover (WD 40) can be used to loosen small rust formations. If the ball bearings are heavily rusted, they must be cleaned or replaced.
The right care of the roller plates
Please always check that all components of the frame are screwed tight. The adjustable toe stops can be fastened with a hexagonal wrench and fixed with a drop of Locktite or nail polish, if necessary.
The stability of a frame can be changed by loosening or tightening the kingpin nuts and by using cushions of different hardness.
STREET SUEDE (suede leather), soft and very comfortable, particularly ideal for wider feet since very stretchy in the ball of the foot area.
STREET DELUXE (nubuck leather)
DUO SUEDE Ice and Roll (suede leather) (coming soon)
DUO DELUXE Ice and Roll (nubuck leather) (coming soon)
You can find more details in the product description of each model.
Ice figure skating (all single jumps and more for adults with +-60 kg)