Editing Inline skates (section)

=== Hard boots ===

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 | caption2 = Hard boot with pivoting cuff, top buckle, 45° velcro strap, laced front facing, and removable liner
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Hard boots dominated the inline skate market in the 1980s and 1990s at the inception of modern inline skating. They are made of plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other solid materials. A removable liner in a hard boot provides a snug yet comfortable fit between a skater's foot and the hard shell.<ref name="vegter-hybrid-hard-boot-soft-boot"/><ref name="powerslide-hard-soft-hybrid-boots"/><ref name="skamidan-inline-skating-in-brief"/>

Hard boots use a combination of velcro straps and plastic buckles as closures. Some also use laces for the facing of the boot, while others have a front strap (or buckle) instead of or in addition to laces. The front lace and top buckle secure the foot inside the boot. To achieve proper heel lock, the liner is shaped to fit the heel, and the 45° strap (or buckle) presses the instep of the foot against the contour of the liner.<ref name="powell-svensson-inline-skating"/>{{rp|15–18}}

Hard boots have a high cuff (or shaft) to provide proper ankle support. In order to accommodate dorsiflexion, the cuff is made to pivot near the ankle bones. As a skater leans their shin forward, the hinged cuff rotates to follow the lower leg while continuing to provide lateral ankle support.<ref name="powell-svensson-inline-skating"/>{{rp|15–18}}

Molds used in plastic injection molding are expensive to make. As a result, plastic hard boots are usually available only in so-called "dual sizes". One hard shell is made for two US and EU shoe sizes (e.g. US 9-10, and EU 42-43). A thicker liner is provided for US 9 and EU 42 to fill the gaps, while a thinner liner is provided for US 10 and EU 43. Some manufacturers offer "dual fit" liners, where the same liner can accommodate two shoe sizes using elastic parts, memory foam, and other compressible space-filling materials.<ref name="vegter-hybrid-hard-boot-soft-boot"/><ref name="powell-svensson-inline-skating"/>{{rp|15–18}}