Best rollerblades for beginners reviews so you can pick an option representing the best value for your money. Comfy, reasonably priced picks.
Buying the best rollerblades for beginners is as challenging as shopping for anything else that costs more than cents. That’s mostly because the inline skates market inundates shoppers with endless options. And all the noise from sometimes-not-so-honest marketers adds to the confusion.
Here, I reveal everything a beginner skater should know before shelling out for anything they think is the best inline skates for beginners. My goal is to provide you with honest and accurate information so you can confidently pick an option you’ll love.
*Affiliate Links Disclosure: This website participates in the Amazon Associates program. And as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Best Rollerblades for Beginners Comparison Table
[amazon table=”2921″]List of 5 of the Best Beginner Rollerblades
[amazon table=”2921″]
Here’s the list:
1.Rollerblade Zetrablade Beginner Women’s Recreational Skate
(Overall Winner)
[amazon [amazon box=”B07GB2T4KB” title=”Rollerblade Zetrablade Beginner Women’s Fitness Rollerblades” description=”With a near-the-ground frame that houses 80mm 82A wheels revolving around moderately fast SG5 bearings, beginner skaters get tons of stability. The 3-part closure system keeps the heel securely locked in while the outer shell offers great lateral support that makes for amazing power transfer. Best part? The price entices. ” button_text=”View Price at Amazon” price=” “/]
I bet you’re hunting around for an affordable soft boot for recreational skating. And the Rollerblade Zetrablade fitness skate for beginner women skaters is a good bet.
This recommendation sits on the #1 spot for a reason. I positioned it here because I couldn’t find a better deal for the money. And I’m not like the only person who feels that way about this cheap beginner blade.
First off, these guys are cute. You might think you’re looking at a nice pair of women’s regular boots. Ankle support-wise, few inline skates come close to the kind of support this boot offers.
The padding is thick and soft. And the thick training-performance liner takes breathability to a whole new level. So, what happens when you pair the cushiness of the comfort liner with the boot’s great breathing skills?
Skating in hot weather feels way better than merely tolerable. And when skating in cool weather, you’ll love how warm your feet will feel. No more smelly feet after skating.
If you’re a pro skater, though, you won’t like the level of support you get from this skate’s cuff. But then, these boots are meant for folks not planning on skating all that much or hard.
High, Supportive Cuff
The cuff extends high enough, further increasing the boot’s overall support and stability. High-cuff inline skates are a great choice for beginner and intermediate skating skills.
80mm Duro 82A SG5 Wheels from Rollerblade
With 80mm wheels at duro 82A, you can expect as much beginner-level performance as your play level permits. 80mm is about the sweet spot in case you’re wondering what’s the ideal wheel diameter and duro for entry-level inline skates.
These beginner rollerblade wheels are moderately tall and soft. Just the perfect set of wheels for recreational rollerbladers pursuing fun rather than performance.
The wheels have SG5 bearings powering them. With these bearings and wheels, you won’t go that fast. But you’re a recreational or fitness level-skater, and I guess speed isn’t super important to you.
But if you think these skates are slow, think again. You’ll want to read up on how to stop on rollerblades for beginners before strapping these blades on.
Fortunately, the brake on the rear of the right skate works well. I’ve skated on blades whose brake felt awkward and others that caused seriously unstable wobbles during stops.
A Sturdy Frame that Stays Low for Stability
The outer shell integrates well with a low-profile and durable Monocoque frame. You’ll ride comfortably close to the ground, and balance won’t be an issue. The frame flexes well, and rides are silky smooth and vibration-free.
But at that price, you didn’t expect a durable aluminum frame, did you? The so-called Monocoque frame is made of plastic, but it feels sturdy enough.
Sizing the Rollerblade Zetrablade Women’s Fitness Skates
These skates fit like your regular sneaker. So, if you’re a size 7 sneaker size, definitely this softboot in size 7.
What if your foot measurement sits between sizes? Let’s assume you measured your feet properly and the number you got was 26.5 cm. By the way, you should measure in centimeters rather than inches.
In this case, you’re clearly between two sizes, 9 and 10. You need to go to the next full size. The skate isn’t available in half sizes.
As of this writing, Amazon carries from size 6 to 10 for feet in the 23cm-27cm length range. Below is a size chart to help you size the Rollerblade Zetrablade fitness skate properly.
Rollerblade Zetrablade Recreational Beginner Women’s Inline Skate Size Chart
Foot Length (In Centimeters
Corresponding Skate Size (US Women)
23 6 24 7 25 8 26 9 27 10By the way, the softboot in the pic I pulled from Amazon above is size 8. If you glance at the skate size chart of this blade model above, it should fit feet measuring 25cm and 26cm without issues.
What If I Have Wide Feet?
Do the Rollerblade Zetrablade women’s recreational skates fit wide flat feet? This women’s fitness skate for beginner and intermediate-level inline skaters comes in medium width.
But since it is a softboot with lots of comfy padding inside, it does stretch a little to accommodate wider feet. I’m not saying this recreation beginner women’s rollerblade fits extremely wide feet, though.
If your feet are too wide, research online and I’m sure you’ll find an inline skate that’s designed to accommodate wide feet.
Closure System
The closure system includes laces, Velcro straps, and buckles. This 3-tier closure system ensures your heels stay locked in for perfect balance and stability.
The powerstrap helps immensely when it comes to keeping the heel locked in tight and securely. You won’t experience heel lift provided you tweak the closure right.
Tie up the laces, work the powerstrap, and crank the buckle above the powerstrap to keep the fit nice and snug.
Overall, these are super comfortable women’s beginner inline skates with an equally great price. And while the skate won’t last a lifetime, it holds up well to regular beginner-level abuse.
Soft boots focus more on comfort than on durability and performance, you know.
It looks nice, too. Plus, it comforts and supports the feet really well, helping keep fatigue at bay. What’s more, the product gives beginner skaters nice, smooth rolls.
Well, the deal isn’t exactly a steal. But this entry-level recreational inline skate brings tons of value to the table.
What’s next?
Grab a pair of these cute guys and start building up your core strength. There’s a reason this starter skate has pulled in a quality and performance rating of 4.8/5 from nearly 3,000 Amazon customer reviews.
2. Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT Women’s Fitness Skate
(Size 8) [amazon [amazon box=”B08KB6JNK3″ title=”Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT Women’s Fitness Skate with Half Sizes)” description=”Rolls on 80mm 78A wheels and ABEC 7 bearings, but it travels slower than the Zetrablade with SG5 bearings and 82A duro wheels. Looks great and comes in at a great price.” button_text=”View Price at Amazon” price=” “/][amazon [amazon box=”B08KB6JNK3″ title=”Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT Women’s Fitness Skate with Half Sizes)” description=”Rolls on 80mm 78A wheels and ABEC 7 bearings, but it travels slower than the Zetrablade with SG5 bearings and 82A duro wheels. Looks great and comes in at a great price.” button_text=”View Price at Amazon” price=” “/]
Bladerunner is a sister company to the better-known Rollerblade USA.
This shoe looks like the Zetrablade Fitness women’s inline skate above and offers similar features. These are essentially similar options, but the Advantage Pro XT offers half sizes while its competitor doesn’t.
Another key difference is that the Bladerunner isn’t as fast as the Zetrablade. That makes it a great choice for absolute beginners. In comparison, the Zetrablade Women’s recreational option works well for both complete beginners and intermediate rollerbladers.
The Comfort liner Offers Great Comfort, support, and Fit
A supportive outer shell houses an amply padded softboot. The soft boot and its foot-hugging comfort liner breathe moderately well. Ventilation could be better.
The plastic outer shell feels firm enough — it deserves a huge part of the credit as far as ankle support. But while this soft boot supports beginner ankles adequately, it may not be the best bet for more advanced rollerbladers.
As a starting skater, you’ll love the comfort, stability, and support you’ll get from this boot. But this pick isn’t something to upgrade to after you’ve been skating for years.
The Composite Frame Integrates with the Outer Shell for Stability
The outer plastic shell and the low-profile composite frame make for a strong integrated foot support system. The frame and the outer shell join around the heel area. But the front portion of this construction relies on screws to stay intact.
You’d easily tear down this entry-level recreational skate if the outer shell and frame weren’t permanently joined at the hip..sorry at the heel.
Bladerunner deserves a pat on the back for being mindful of the needs of starting skaters when designing this composite frame.
The frame is lightweight and keeps things pretty close to the ground. And that makes for increased rider stability. This frame definitely isn’t metallic. That isn’t surprising with an entry-level option.
80mm Wheels at 78A Paired with ABEC 7 Bearings
Yes, this skate uses ABEC 7 bearings which are known for speed and performance. But the wheels are duro 78A. That means these wheels are softer than those of the Zetrablade.
If two sets of inline skate wheels have the same duro but one set contains softer wheels, that set will be slower. But I bet you want slower wheels that deliver super-smooth rides.
As a complete beginner in inline skating, you want moderately tall wheels with matching speed capabilities. With this blade, you’ll go fast. And you’ll roll over twigs, cracks in the asphalt, pebbles, and other impediments to endless excitement outdoors.
You won’t outskate someone striding and trying to push their limits on the Zetrablade Fitness women’s skate, though. But you’re all about having fun rolling down smooth pavements outdoors, right?
Wheel Quality
The wheels of the Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT skate aren’t the most long-lasting. When it comes time to swap worn wheels out, consider mounting better wheels into the skate’s low-profile frame.
Go with Hydrogen wheels, Supreme wheels, or any other better-quality option with a diameter of 80mm.
Closure System
The closure of the Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT looks and works like that of its nemesis, the Zetrablade. So, no need to repeat myself describing how the closure functions.
The Braking System
As expected, the brake sits on the rear of the right skate. This stopping subsystem is designed to help neophytes come to a stable, smooth stop without wobbling.
But if you’d rather have the brake on the left skate, simply remove it and put it on your preferred side.
How to Size the Advantage Pro XT (Available in Half Sizes)
The inline skate in the pic above is size 8 in medium width. One small difference between my best pick and the runner-up option is that it’s available in half sizes.
Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT Size Chart
Foot Length Corresponding Skate Size (US Women) 22 5 23 6 24 7 25 8 26 9 27 10
Overall, the Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT recreational skate for adult women beginners is a decent pick. It fits true to size and offers enough support to untrained ankles.
Also,this choice looks good and rolls safely fast. Plus, the price point is right where you want to be. Choose these blades if shopping for your first-ever inline skate, and have never rollerbladed.
My post on how to ride rollerblades can help you get on the rink and make those first crucial forward glides and backward swizzles.
3. 5th Element Panther XT Men’s Recreational Inline Skates
(Best Budget Men’s Beginner Blades)
[amazon [amazon box=”B00CAPRYUC” title=”5th Element Panther Men’s Fitness Skate (with Half Sizes)” description=”features 82mm, 82A wheels with ABEC 7 bearings. Offers a long-lasting detachable aluminum frame.” button_text=”View Price at Amazon” price=” “/]
The 5th Element Panther XT is a men’s budget recreational inline skate that beginners and intermediate skaters can consider.
Who makes the 5th Element Panther XT skate? I couldn’t find any website called 5th Element Panther, but I did find Europe-based Roces that appeared like it owned 5th Element.
I’d advise you to stick with Amazon if you choose to buy this product for obvious reasons.
So, how good and reliable is the 5th Element Panther XT? Let’s see..
Detachable Aluminum Frames
This skate’s softboot and low-profile metal frame aren’t a one-piece construction. Sturdy screws attach the frame with the boot, and it’s not uncommon for some boots to come with these screws loose.
So, make sure to use a wrench to tighten the screws a little further to keep things tight and compact before getting the boots on.
Aluminum frames flex somewhat better than plastic or composite ones. Plus, metal frames tend to outlast composite and plastic ones.
But this frame isn’t designed for the heaviest rollerbladers. Its stated weight capacity is 190lbs, about the average weight of the regular American male.
Skates with metal frames tend to be pricier, but that doesn’t apply to the 5th Element Panther XT. This men’s fitness skate costs similar to the women’s fitness options above.
So…
Support, Comfort, and Breathability
The cuff doesn’t go as high as it does with my two top picks. But it is still a decent cuff height that provides good support.
As for the comfort liner, nothing spectacular, but it does the job. Breathability? There’s many tiny holes on the boot, but breathability isn’t perfect.
Most skaters reported satisfaction with their purchase as far as support and comfort. But there’s few…
Comfort-related Complaints
A few reviewers said their boot wasn’t being super comfortable. For others, the heel rolled out or sat awkwardly inside the boot.
My hubby owns this skate. After tightening the screws a little, he got them on, and they rolled like a dream. They were comfortable, too, after he’d broken them in.
However, Jason’s buckle tends to get caught in the skate’s padding. Consequently, he can’t easily tighten the buckle. As a result, his ankles have a hard time staying straight.
Here’s how my SO solves the padding-getting-in-the-buckle’s-way issue. He pushes the padding in and then angles his ankles. Meanwhile, he’s tightening things neat and snug.
One more thing — he taps the heel on the ground a couple of times as he tightens, positioning the heel even better. Well, that’s a bummer, but one you can solve with a little creativity.
The Wheels
ABEC 7 bearings work alongside 82mm 82A wheels to give you really smooth rolls. These wheels are as soft/hard as those of my #1 choice. But the bearings of the Zetrablade Fitness skate aren’t ABEC 7.
The 5th Element Panther XT Men’s Recreational Inline Skate rolls a little faster than the Zetrablade. But that shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for a comfort-focused starting skater like you.
These aren’t proper-rubber wheels, though. So, definitely upgrade to something better come wheel replacement.
Closure Systems
The product uses roundish traditional laces alongside a hook-and-loop powerstrap, and a plastic buckle. Use the trick I revealed above if you have problems closing the buckle.
Fitment
These blades fit true to size. The boot comes in half sizes as well. Select the next full size if you’re on the larger side of foot length. Avoid buying a full size bigger, or you’ll end up twisting your ankle.
Overall, the Men’s 5th Element Panther XT is a decent budget starting-skater choice. And its frame is all metal. Also, the boot is lighter. This skate might last a little longer than its plastic-framed contenders.
4. K2 Skate Sk8 Hero Boa Junior Inline Skates
(A Mid-range Unisex Pick) [amazon [amazon box=”B084SV3MQC” title=”K2 Skate Hero BOA with Aluminum Frame and Adjustability” description=”Boasts 76mm, 80A wheels driven by ABEC 5 bearings. The lightweight metal frame is replaceable. This metal frame helps power transfer, flexibility, stability, and support.” button_text=”View Price at Amazon” price=” “/][amazon [amazon box=”B084SV3MQC” title=”K2 Skate Hero BOA with Aluminum Frame and Adjustability” description=”Boasts 76mm, 80A wheels driven by ABEC 5 bearings. The lightweight metal frame is replaceable. This metal frame helps power transfer, flexibility, stability, and support.” button_text=”View Price at Amazon” price=” “/]
K2 is a high-quality brand that’s been around for years. The company designs and creates comfortable skates that also look nice. As for performance and durability, K2 skates are big winners.
But is the higher price justified? We’ll see.
The Skate’s Looks
The black color on the softboot harmoniously contrasts the green on the wheels, front, and rear of the skate. Compliments will overwhelm your little girl or boy.
Comfort, Fit, and Support
Once you break this shoe in, you’ll love how comfy the liner feels. But this softboot flounders in the breathability department.
The shell feels tough, though. And the cuff doesn’t disappoint.
The Frame
The frame is constructed from premium-quality aluminum. That makes for great power transfer from the foot to the wheels.
This replaceable frame is also quite responsive. What’s more, the chassis flexes well. When skating on these, your baby won’t experience much vibration.
Additionally, the aluminum frame reduces fatigue while boosting response and power transfer.
Duro, Diameter, and Bearings
The wheels measure 76mm in diameter vs. 72mm wheels of the K2 Skate Youth Raider Pro reviewed below.
Smaller wheels stay closer to the ground which lowers your center of gravity and increases stability. Aside from that, smaller wheels offer more maneuverability than larger ones.
These are durometer 80A wheels, and the bearings are ABEC 5 vs. ABEC 3 for the K2 Raider Pro below. These wheels are soft enough, and they roll great.
But wheels with a height like that (76mm) tend to be harder than duro 80A. This wheel height/duro combination tells us that these wheels would work well both indoors and outdoors.
However, if the asphalt trails and pavements where you’re at are crappy, don’t let your kid skate on these guys. Instead, buy your kid taller wheels so they can easily navigate challenging terrains. At 80A, these wheels are grippy enough for stability.
Closure System
The closure doesn’t include traditional laces. Instead, it consists of a powerstrap that keeps the heel locked in snugly. A buckle and a BOA dial fit system are the other components.
This BOA closure system works. I’ve skated on BOA inline skates, and it’s easy to customize the fit.
Incidents where the BOA fit system broke or failed to work as intended are few and far between. But a BOA fit dial system can come loose.
Fortunately, BOA fit systems typically come with a guarantee spanning months.
Size Adjustability
Expandability is a great feature, especially if you have a kid with fast-growing feet.
So, how do you adjust for size with a boot like this one? Just push a button or open a lever and turn screws. Then, give the toe a forward pull.
Sizing the K2 Skate SK8 BOA Junior Rollerblades
This K2 skate comes in 3 junior skate sizes including Small, Medium, and Large. But the item shown in the product box above is M.
The skate extends from size 1 through size 5. It’s for kids with a foot measurement ranging between 20cm and 23cm.
So, measure your foot. Then, look at the skate model’s size chart below and note down the size that matches your foot length.
K2 Skate SK8 BOA Junior Rollerblades Sizing Chart
Foot Length in cm Corresponding Junior Skate Size (US Sizing) 18-21 11 to 2 20-23 1 to 5 21.5-24.5 4 to 8
Overall, this is a great blade for young beginner and intermediate rollerbladers. It looks amazing. And the wheels are soft which dampens impacts and vibrations. It’s worth the money.
5. Size-adjustable K2 Youth Raider Pro
(Great for Beginner Kids) [amazon [amazon box=”B084SV3MQC” title=”K2 Raider Pro Size Adjustable Inline Skates ” description=”These are high-quality kid’s rollerblades that offer adjustability so your child can grow with them. But the Velcro and ankle straps could be improved. Adjustable up to 5 full sizes so you can save money. Oh, and they’re not ABEC 5 as advertised.” button_text=”View Price at Amazon” price=” “/][amazon [amazon box=”B084SV3MQC” title=”” description=”These are high-quality kid’s rollerblades that offer adjustability so your child can grow with them. But the Velcro and ankle straps could be improved. Adjustable up to 5 full sizes so you can save money. Oh, and they’re not ABEC 5 as advertised.” button_text=”View Price at Amazon” price=” “/]
Possibly the best beginner kids inline skate, the K2 Raider pro allows size adjustability — you’ll save money. The Stability Plus Cuff, a lightweight stiff cuff, offers tons of support to young, weak ankles. A high cuff height maximizes lower leg and ankle support. However, this inline skating boot isn’t super breathable.
The F.B.I. interlocking plastic skate frame features a flexible base that dampens road vibrations, delivering smoother rides.
Moderately fast 80A wheels with ABEC 3 bearings (not ABEC 5 as stated in the Amazon description) and a good braking system make for comfortable inline skating kids gear that rolls at a safe, leisurely speed. I’ve For found that the 1-5 size range, the wheel configuration is four 72 mm wheels, and for the 11-2Y range, it’s four 70mm wheels. *You can introduce larger wheels, up to 76mm.
Available in a kid-friendly blue/orange color combination, this inline skating equipment comes in two size ranges (11-2 Youth) and (1-5). Your little one gets up to 5 size adjustments. And thanks to the powerstraps, speed lacing system, and traditional lace-up system, achieving a snug fit is easy.
Overall, the K2 Raider Pro is a cheap pair of kids recreation inline skates that expand to accommodate growing feet. These are probably the best rollerblades for beginners (kids) in that price range.
How to Choose Good Beginner Inline Skates
The best beginner inline skate is stiff and comfortable, has a low deck height (low center of gravity), and a high calf height. Also, a good beginner inline skate is adequately breathable, and it’s not the costliest option on the market.
But before we jump into the buying guide…
Rollerblades vs Inline Skates: What’s the difference?
What’s the difference — if any — between rollerblades and inline skates? There’s absolutely no difference between the two. Actually, the reason they’re called rollerblades is that Rollerblade, a U.S. inline skates manufacturer, made them insanely popular. As a result, everyone started associating the company with the product.
1.Roller Skating Wheels Size
Wheel size and hardness determine how fast your inline skates go. Inline skate wheels typically range between 76 mm to 90 mm in diameter. Larger wheels are ideal for skating long distances, skating at high speeds/speed skating, and urban skating, especially in high-traffic environments.
The smaller the wheels, the lower the profile or center of gravity and vice-versa. As a beginner, you’re not looking for the fastest roller skates. Instead, you want skates offering safe and comfortable transportation. Beginner inline skaters should almost always choose low-profile and mid-profile skates, leaving high-profile options for pros.
You’re an entry-level inline skater, a leisure skater, a recreational skater, or whatever you want to call yourself. Your needs are different than those of someone looking to do aggressive rollerblading.
I’ve tested several wheel sizes and duros over the years. For beginners, I recommend 85mm or smaller wheels. In that diameter range, you’re assured of a sufficient level of balance and stability as you roll around.
Note: The best rollerblades have urethane wheels rather than plastic ones.
2. Wheel Hardness/Softness (Durometer)
Recreational and fitness roller skaters best ride in the 78A to 84A hardness range. Softer wheels give smoother rides on most terrains while harder wheels are handle powersliding extremely well. But it’s best for beginner skaters to ride different duros until they find that sweet spot that gives them a comfortable ride every time.
3. Women, Stop Buying Men’s Rollerblades
It’s not uncommon for some women beginner inline skaters to buy men’s skates instead of women’s. But what such skaters fail to consider is that men’s and women’s feet have different anatomy.
Men’s feet are in general bigger and wider than women’s. And naturally, women’s shoes and skates tend to be narrower.
4. Do I Buy Rollerblades Online or Shop In-store?
Sizing issues aren’t uncommon when buying rollerblades, particularly when buying online. Why shop online when you could walk into a store and try on different sizes of a model for the perfect fit?
In most cases, people don’t have the time to shop in-store. Or, they may not live near a skate shop. But the most prevalent reason people buy rollerblades online is the frequent mouthwatering discounts.
A friend visits a local skate shop and tries different brands and models until she finds the right size. Afterward, she buys the product at Amazon or wherever else the item might sell at a discounted price. Well, that may seem a little crafty, even leech-ish. But aren’t there times when saving a buck or two means so much?
5. Are the Rollerblades Extendable?
One way to stop worrying about buying the wrong sizing is choosing extendable rollerblades. These skates come with a toecap push button that lets you adjust boot size.
Typically, you can extend the skates up 5 sizes. You can find extendable inline skates for adults as well as extendable rollerblades for kids.
Extendable inline skates are usually the best bet for young children. These skates grow with your child, so to speak. Going with a size-adjustable option can save you a small sum over time because you won’t buy new skates every time.
6. Every Beginner Inline Skater Needs to Stop
Beginners shouldn’t pick skates they’d have trouble bringing to a stop. And that’s where good brakes come in. Quality brakes help you slow down or even stop abruptly. So, stay away from brakeless inline skates. Boots without brakes are for later in your rollerblading journey. Typically, only recreational and fitness inline skates have brakes. But skates for a marathon, inline roller hockey skates, and options for other competitive sports/activities usually lack brakes.
7. What About Brands?
I try to be very careful when it comes to the issue of what are the best beginner rollerblade brands. I’m independent, I don’t allow sponsored posts on this website.
That said, I keep coming across rollerblade brands that deserve a mention because… they’re great. When it comes to comfortable, long-lasting adult skates for both men and women, few brands outshine K2, Powerslide, Rollerblade, and Seba. Some of the recommendations in my best beginner rollerblade reviews are from these popular brands.
What if you’re looking for budget inline skates that demonstrate acceptable performance? Think of Bladerunner. Best rollerblades for kids? Look no further than K2 or Bladerunner.
8.Frame Type and Cuff Height
Beginner skates typically feature plastic frames. Plastic skates generally aren’t as supportive, stiff, or durable as aluminum ones. Aluminum frames are lighter, have greater endurance and strength, offer better response, and last longer while enabling serious power transfer/torque. Additionally, metal frames tend to have a longer lifespan.
But metal frames can drive the cost up considerably. Advanced inline skates tend to have a super lightweight carbon frame, though, that’s why they’re significantly pricier.
Some options use rockerable frames that let you lower or raise the skate’s center of gravity. Such options are the best for slalom, skating parks, freeride, freestyle, city skating, and aggro inline skating. But rockerable frames aren’t always the most ideal choice for beginning inline skaters.
As for cuff height, beginner inline skaters need boots with lightweight high cuffs as these provide lots of support while keeping the overall weight low.
Generally, rolling blades for novice skaters have high-cut plastic cuffs while hardcore inline skating options usually have low-cut carbon cuffs. Carbon cuffs are high-quality parts that provide loads of stiffness, which is why you find them on roller skates for hockey players as well as roller derby, aggressive or race skates. But plastic cuffs aren’t necessarily low quality.
9. Purpose and Skating Skill-Level
Different boot designs/styles are ideal for different skill levels and uses. You’re either a beginner, an intermediate/fitness skater, or a professional skater.
A beginner skater typically needs comfort more than they do speed. Recreational inline skates with wheel size in the 76mm-85mm range are usually the best option for them.
Intermediate-level skaters may use either beginner options or pro ones, and pro skaters are into speed skating. They need stiff boots that offer lots of speed, support, and durability.
10. Skate Pricing and Value
Most insanely cheap inline skates suck at almost everything. You’ll likely hate them within weeks of owning them. Quality typically improves as the price point moves up.
Expect $200 inline skates to be made of better quality materials than $40 options. At least, that’s true in most cases. Beginner rollerblades are pretty much like beginner skateboards. For the most part, the higher the cost, the better the quality.
Do you want long-lasting skates with the best frames, perfect breathability, and attractive pricing? Do you also desire extra features such as a BOA tightening wheel? You’ll pay more.
What if you come across two closely comparable rollerblade options and one of them offers extras such as protective pads while the other doesn’t? Pick the one that offers more value, of course.
Best Beginners Inline Skating Blades Overall?
The K2 VO2 90 BOA are arguably the best entry-level roller skates. This all-terrain pair of skates is comfortable, stable with a relatively low center of gravity, has an ideal wheel size, and nice-looking.
A well-known brand with boatloads of credibility makes them. It’s a for-everything-and-everyone-inline skating boot that cools the wearer’s feet really well. It picks up speed quickly. Luckily, it features a good braking system.
If you’re looking for the best budget rollerblades for women, consider the Rollerblade Zetrablade performance skates. As for the best budget rollerblades for beginner men, I can’t think of a better choice than the Bladerunner Pro 80.
Pick an option and let’s go blading!