5th Blocker Skates

So! Roller Derby, eh?!
After hearing friends talk about Roller Derby and seeing the movie Whip It last year, I was feeling a twinge that maybe I wanted to go watch some Roller Derby. When I finally saw my first Auld Reekie Roller Girls game in Edinburgh, I was hooked. I had fun watching it, but more than anything, I wanted to be down on that track!
Fast forward to a week ago and a montage of shots of myself falling a lot, failing at and eventually managing techniques and zooming around a small track with the Capital City Rollers in Leith.
Fast forward to today, and I’m in Glasgow buying my starter kit from 5^th Blocker! I’m sure my story so far is very familiar to a lot of people who are into Roller Derby in Scotland. It’s a good thing this story involves 5^th Blocker as well! Since my phone call to them last week to check on stock, I’ve been met with the same welcoming, patient and friendly attitude I’ve encountered every step of the way so far among the Roller Derby lot.
The shop is tiny and you don’t have a lot of space to move around, but everything you need is there. It’s a bit cold in the winter months, as their heater is janky, but that’s okay. I won’t say this «adds to the indie appeal» because that’s a term reserved for a special kind of buffoon, but it’s something i won’t hold against a small shop owned and staffed by people who are passionate about the tiny but growing sport they cater to and indeed compete in themselves.
This isn’t sports direct or some other shop that sells gear for every sport but doesn’t know anything about any of them. They do one thing, and they do it well. Hopefully, Derby will grow to the point where these great folk can expand and operate in more comfortable space, but for now they have everything they need right here.
You should definitely make sure you have enough time when you come, though! And call ahead if you have a long way to go. I spent an hour and a half in there getting all my gear tried on, choosing helmets, having new wheels put on my skates (definitely pay the £25 extra to the starter kit to have softer wheels put on unless you’re quite big. New wheels are much more expensive to buy after the fact! Plus, you can choose funky colours, and it’s never too early to personalise!) etc.
PS: vegetarians, rejoice! Not only are the starter kit skates PVC based rather than leather, but they also have vegetarian-​friendly options for toe protectors for your boots.
It took longer as there was already someone in trying on shoes, but you can’t assume you’ll be the only customer. The person in there before me was still looking at shoes and pads when I left, and that’s cool too! The patience of the 5^th Blocker folk seems to know no bounds!
So make sure you have the time to spend, and keep a warm coat on, and you’ll leave happy as Larry/​Lori.
Can’t wait to try my kit out tomorrow!

They really could not have been more helpful; it’s a bit daunting to go into a shop when you don’t really know much about the sport. I’m a recreational skater (just got the RollerStop bug) so was looking for cheapish but durable option, it’s nice to own skates rather than hire (I’m so loving the crazy exercise roller disco gives). I didn’t really have a budget in mind, but knew certain skates would be dearer; I ended up with lovely sparkly light skates (tried on heavier metal plate skates but decided they might be a bit too much for my beginners balance!). The people who run the shop are fab, they know all about everything skating and I didn’t feel intimated to ask questions or explore the options. I also know that if I ever decide new skates or wheels are in order, no problem at all! Thanks fellow Unilocalers for your reviews of here too, indeed so much better to speak to folks in the shop and try things on rather than buy online and hope things work!

Came in here a couple of weekends ago on the tip-​off from Briony. I was searching for a cycle helmet and not impressed with the style of the typical cycle helmet (I always think they look like alien eggs!) I was searching for a more skate/​snowboarding style helmet to wear.
5^th Blocker Skates is located above Rig Bike Shop on West Regent Street in town. I found it easily and to my surprise when I walked in I saw an old friend of mine working there! I didn’t realise it is actually his partners shop but she was away on a Roller Derby bout so he was covering. Small world!
I told Jim I was after a helmet and they had plenty of options ~ different makes/​prices in adult & kids sizes & colours from your standard black or white ones to ones designed in a camouflage/​army style, a Misfits one or even a watermelon one! Ha ha! Brilliant choice. I picked the colour/​style/​make I wanted and next was just to find the correct size fitting. After a few tries (I think I tried them all, just for the hell of it! Ha ha!) I found the perfect one. I went for the S-​one Lifer helmet in bright pink. Jim told me that although these were a wee bit dearer (£39.99) the reason they’re called ‘Lifer’ is that they are supposed to last you much longer than regular helmets — Jim also told me that apparently once you fall over or even accidentally drop it & it hits the floor you are supposed to replace it. I didn’t know that.
Before I purchased my hemet I perused the other shop wares & I was amazed by the amazing technicoloured wheels they had in stock; so many beautiful colours/​designs! I said it made me want to start doing Roller Derby coz of how cool they looked! I never realised you could customise your skates so much.
I also loved the cool laces, skates (kids & adults), socks (I loved the ‘SCIENCE’, ‘BACON’ and ‘TOFU’ ones!) and skate shorts. The Rollerbones ones, complete with skeleton hands on your bum, are excellent and I have vowed to go back and buy some (along with the socks!).
If, like me, you are after a ‘cooler’ (or just a bit nicer) cycle helmet then I urge you to go here. I looked at helmets online & this shop sells them at a better price AND you can try them on properly for size. They have a great range too (unlike some other bike shops I looked in).
This shop is brilliant and if you or anyone you know is/​are into Roller Derby or rollerskating at all then this is THE place to go for all your needs. I was like a kid in a sweetie shop & I am a pretty rubbish skater but this shop MADE me want to be part of something that is clearly very cool & exciting. Go! Now!

Needed a full set of gear to skate and wanted some personal service and advice rather than ordering blind online. The 5^th Blocker store is run by Team Scotland players Marshall Lawless and Haberbashery and both have years of bout experience. Marshall helped me find the right skates and protective gear as I had knee and wrist concerns. Her knowledge was invaluable and she made sure I got the right gear without fuss.
I had concerns regarding the left boot being slightly tight but went ahead with the sale with the offer of a swap if necessary. When I get home I realised that the larger foot needed a larger size after all and 5^th Blocker were really cool about the return. All good.
I can’t recommend the 5^th Blocker service high enough. Professional, flexible and very friendly with plenty of choice of brands in stock (and more on order) You would be hard pushed to find similar service online.