Abstract: An in-line skate construction includes a soft shoe element that replaces a conventional molded boot type having a foot enclosure. The shoe element is fixed in position using a pair of screws which penetrate the sole of the shoe element, a foot frame element and a chassis element to engage corresponding nuts, thereby enabling the shoe element to be manually attached to the chassis element and removed for washing, replacement, and separate wearing by the user. The heads of the screws are recessed in shaped washers positioned within the shoe element so as to avoid projections under the foot and heel of the wearer. The shoe element is of standard height and is independent of an ankle cuff, so that it may be open at the upper portion thereof for improved air circulation.