Tall boots are better for dancing because the heel puts your weight in the ball of your foot which is where you want it while turning and spinning.

Tall boots are better for beginners because the heel allows you to sit back a little more without ending up on your butt. It's a little easier to balance in a tall boot while you're learning. 

Tall boots have more ankle support which can make you feel more secure.

Short boots allow for more ankle mobility which is important for the skating stance required in roller derby and can also be more comfortable for long distance skating.

Short boots don't have a heel which requires a little more balance and forces you to lean forward so you don't fall backward.

For beginning dance we recommend the Riedell Boost, or Sure Grip Fame.

For beginning outdoor recreation we recommend the Impala Skates or Jackson Finesse.

For beginning ramp skating we recommend the Sure Grip Boardwalk or Moxi Lolly.

Any skate can be an indoor skate or an outdoor skate depending on whether it has indoor or outdoor wheels.

Indoor wheels are harder (durometer reading 84a and up) and meant to be skated on a smooth surface. The harder the indoor wheel, the more slide you will have. There are two main shapes of indoor wheels: small, narrow, hard wheels for dancing and skate parks and wider derby wheels with a hub.

Outdoor wheels are softer and meant to roll smooth over uneven surfaces (durometer reading 78a to 80a). The bigger outdoor wheels make for softer, smoother ride but will also be slower. The smaller outdoor wheels will have more agility but you will be able to feel more of the uneven surface under your feet.

For beginning dance and park skating we recommend the Bones Team or SG Fame wheels.

For beginning derby we recommend the Bones Pet Day of the Dead, Radar Halo, or Atom Savant wheels.

We recommend big, soft wheels for beginner outdoor skaters like the Moxi outdoor, Atom Pulse Lite, and Bones Miami.

We recommend new skaters wear full protective gear. Wearing protective gear makes most skaters feel more confident which makes learning to skate easier and more fun.

For recreational or rink skating the Triple 8 Savers Series gives you padding without bulk.

For derby and park/ramp the minimum protection we recommend is the 187 6-Pack or the 187 x Moxi 6 Pack.

If you're skating on concrete we strongly recommend a helmet. Helmets are required for derby. The Triple 8 Certified Sweatsaver or S1 Lifer are both great options.