TOE STOPS

Most people know that toe stops are used to brake, but what many people don’t know is that they are also used for various tricks in park skating. It’s important to know the different kinds of toe stops, because they aren’t always compatible with all roller skates. It can also make a big difference, especially at the Skatepark, what material your toe stops are made of. Many toe stops provide little to no traction on ramps, making it slippery and even dangerous when attempting certain tricks. You also need to know which toe stops you’ll need, because they will eventually become smaller and shaved down, in which case you will have to switch them out for new ones.

What about toe stops and jam plugs?

There are two different kinds of toe stops:

Bolt on

Adjustable

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Bolt on toe stops are the ones that have a hole in the middle with a screw in them and are usually made out of plastic. If you can find bolt on toe stops made of rubber, we recommend these over the hard plastic ones, because rubber has more grip. Bolt on toe stops can’t be adjusted and tend to sit very close to the ground, leaving little room for toe tricks.

Adjustable toe stops are the ones with no hole, but a stem that is screwed into the front of the skate and are usually made of rubber. Adjustable toe stops can be raised or lowered according to your preference, so you can have them further or closer to the ground. Most adjustable toe stops are available with either short or long stems. Be sure to check which stem size is compatible with your roller skates before purchasing them! 

Toe stops come in all different colours, shapes and sizes. Personally, we prefer adjustable toe stops for all types of skating and recommend these over bolt ons, just because they are generally made out of rubber and have better grip. When selecting your skates and toe stops, keep in mind that bolt on and adjustable toe stops are not interchangeable. As for brands we recommend Chaya Cherry Bombs, Moxi Petal Brakes, Gumball Toe Stops and Grindstone Stoppers.

JAM PLUGS

Jam plugs, also known as toe plugs, are small plastic pieces that can be used instead of toe stops to protect your skates and the floor from damage. They are used in jam skating and generally for footwork because you have more space between your skates and the floor, which allows for more agility and room for toe work. You can tell them apart from toe stops by their shape and size. While toe stops are bigger and flatter at the bottom, jam plugs are smaller and rounder. When switching from toe stops to jam plugs you have to be very mindful of the fact that you no longer have toe stops to catch you, since this can be easily forgotten and can lead to falling, especially when you’ve gotten adjusted to having toe stops in. Just like toe stops, there are also two kinds of jam plugs: bolt on and adjustable. We recommend Sure Grip Dance Plugs (adjustable) and PRG Jam Plugs (bolt on). As for those of you who want that nighttime disco vibe during your jam skating and footwork sessions, check out these Jammerz Light Up Toe Plugs!