Aggressive skates. These are durable recreational skates with small wheels and grind plates to protect the skate when doing aggressive stunts
Artistic skates. These have boots like those on figure skates, and as few as 3 small wheels for maximum maneuverability, smoother turns, and spinning
Avoid cheap skates. If you want to enjoy the time you spend inline skating, get skates that are comfortable and built well
Build from components. To buy a custom speed skate, consider picking each component yourself: boots, frames(runners), bearings, and wheels
Choose two: When selecting a skate, you can have any two of: comfortable and durable, quality of construction and parts, and cheap
Choose your skates. Your choices are fitness & recreation skates, aggressive skates, artistic skates, hockey skates, or speed skates
Stay above the crummy skate threshold. Skates that have an original retail price less than $120 are not likely to be comfortable
Try hockey skates. Usually made of leather, with small wheels, and laces for tight fit. They don't have clips that can be undone by hockey sticks!
Try recreation/fitness skates. These have 4 wheels and good ankle support. These multi-purpose skates come with various wheel sizes, soft or hard boots, etc
Try speed skates. Light weight, with low-cut leather boot (little ankle support), long wheel base with 5 large wheels, and no heel brake. Not for beginners