The best roller skates of 2025, tested and reviewed
"If you've never skated before, you could get a very inexpensive pair of skates, but that may hinder you from actually learning to skate," says roller skating instructor Dirty Deborah Harry, founder of Dirty School of Skate. "If you spend a little bit more money and get a fully functioning skate, you'll have a much better chance at having a good skating experience."
Does that mean you need to buy the fanciest, priciest roller skates around? No. Instead, carefully consider what kind of skating you'll be doing — and where you'll be skating. After all, skates that are perfect for Roller Derby are not ideal for learning how to jam skate. And if you're planning on skating outdoors, "the region you live in matters too," says Jamison Fort, founder of Skate N Learn.
Before making your choice, talk to people in your local skating community, especially professionals, to get recommendations. Taking a class? Your instructor can offer valuable insights on which skates fit your needs. Once you're ready to try some on, check out a specialty shop that'll offer a wide selection or a nearby roller rink, which may sell high-quality brands. But remember: Function over style! As award-winning skater and SAG stuntman Joshua Batsmoke Smith puts it, "When new skaters get into lessons, they wonder why they're not able to do certain movements. It's because the boot is not allowing them to." Ready to explore some beginner-friendly options? Let's roll into our top picks for the best roller skates.
Just like choosing the right dance shoes or running sneakers, picking the best roller skate is all about matching them to your style. "Every part of the skate means something and helps you in different ways," says Smith. "There are pros and cons to every detail of the boot."
Your skating dreams and community play a big role too. Smith explains that skaters need to consider both their goals and their local skating culture — the boots you'll see in Chicago's skating scene, for example, often differ from what's popular in California.
Ready to explore your options? Here's what you need to know about different types of skates:
High-top boots: These supportive skates cradle your ankles and feature a raised heel that helps keep you centered. Perfect for beginners, they offer the stability you need while learning the basics.
Low-top boots: More like your favorite sneakers, these boots give your ankles room to move. While they offer less support than high-tops, experienced skaters love them for the extra mobility and freedom of movement.
Roller Derby skates: Similar to speed skates, Roller Derby skates typically come in a sneaker-style design. However, if you're just starting your derby journey, Harry suggests high-tops first. They'll help protect your ankles while you master the basics.
Inline skates: Unlike quad skates that have four wheels in a square pattern, inline skates place their wheels in a single row. Common types include fitness skates for exercise, aggressive skates for tricks, racing skates for speed and urban skates for city navigation. Like quad skates, each style uses specific wheels and bearings to match its purpose.
Dance skates: These skates vary depending on the dance style. Potential skating styles include figure skating, rhythm skating, jam skating, JB-style skating and more.
Speed skates: Made for velocity, these low-cut boots help you zoom around the track. You'll see them frequently in Roller Derby, and they're available in both traditional quad and inline styles.
Artistic skates: Artistic skates are often heeled high-top boots. The wheels are typically more narrow to allow for more maneuverability. They traditionally come in black for men and white for women.
Jam skates: There are two main skate styles for jam skating, a mix of dance and skating. Fort explains that traditionalists often prefer the classic high-top Riedell boots, while skaters who incorporate more breakdancing moves tend to gravitate toward low-top, speed-style skates. In addition to the brands mentioned, VNLA skates offers both styles and comes highly recommended by jam skating experts.
Your skating experience, foot shape and skating style all help to determine which roller skates work best for you. Here's what to consider:
Skill level: For beginners, Fort recommends skates with more support and stiffer trucks (the metal components that connect the wheels to the frame) for added stability. While looser trucks offer more maneuverability, they can be less stable, making it harder to build essential skills.
Intended use: Will you be skating indoors at a rink or outdoors on rougher terrain? Your intended use impacts the type of skates and setup that will work best for you. If you'll be skating outside, you're likely going to want larger, softer wheels that can roll over rocks, sticks and uneven surfaces more easily.
Foot type and fit: Getting the right fit is crucial, especially if you have narrow or wide feet. "Sizing is definitely one of the things people struggle with," says Croysdill. Your best bet? Check sizing charts carefully and buy from skate shops where staff can share real customer experiences.
Budget: While budget matters, very cheap skates can be dangerous and slow your learning progress. Low-end skates focus on looks over function, Harry notes. For beginners, she recommends spending $150 to $175 to get skates that are both safe and comfortable.
Personal style: Roller skates are highly customizable. "You can put your own personal style all over your skates," says Croysdill, from boot height to plates (the metal or nylon frame that attaches the boots to the trucks and wheels), trucks, wheels and laces. Choose parts that match both your skating style and personal taste. What matters most is feeling confident in your setup.
Wheel diameter, shape and hardness: Wheel diameter, measured in millimeters, shape (narrow or wide) and hardness all play a role in the type of skating you're doing. Smaller wheels are geared to indoor skating, dancing and racing, while larger wheels tend to be better for outdoor skating and stability. Likewise, harder wheels lend themselves to speed and maneuverability, while softer wheels can take rough surfaces and debris in stride. Wheel durometer (hardness) is rated on a scale of 0-102A, with most skates falling between 68A and 102A. Outdoor wheels typically fall on the lower side of the scale, and indoor wheels usually range between 88A and 102A.
Plate material: Plates — the skate platform that connects the boot to the wheels and trucks — typically come in nylon or metal. Nylon is less durable but more affordable, while metal plates are more durable but tend to cost more. Beginners who are skating recreationally can likely opt for nylon plates, but if you're taking your skating more seriously, metal plates are the better option.
Bearings and bearing ratings: Your skate's wheels turn on their bearings, and the quality of the bearings makes a difference in overall performance. Most manufacturers (though not all) use bearings rated on the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee (ABEC) ratings scale. The higher the rating, the higher the bearings' tolerance and performance. The scale ranges from 1 to 9 using only odd numbers. ABEC-5 is a typical rating for recreational skaters, while those who skate more competitively may prefer a higher rating.
We evaluated each pair of roller skates against rigorous standards, focusing on these essential factors to come up with a list of the best roller skates:
Experts: We interviewed five professional skaters across different styles and regions, learning which roller skates they recommend and avoid. For customer insights, we consulted Val Selvaggio, owner of Xanadu Skate Boutique in Santa Barbara, Calif., and manager of Skating Plus Roller Rink, who shared real-world feedback about skate performance.
Quality and materials: We selected skates from established brands known for safety and reliability. Each model was evaluated for durability and performance, from boot materials and lining to wheels, bearings, plates and toe stops.
Testing: We tested eight skate models through a combination of outdoor sessions and rink time. The Riedell Crew and Moxi Beach Bunnies were tested outdoors in multiple 30-minute sessions. The Angel skates underwent both home testing and rink trials. We also evaluated the Moxi Lolly, Sure-Grip Boardwalk Plus, Sure-Grip GT-50 and Riedell R3 at the rink, while the Impalas were tested in several hourlong outdoor sessions. Experienced skaters Kaycee Krieg Wysaski and Bryson Myers provided additional testing feedback, with Wysaski evaluating the Sure-Grip Stardust, Moxi Beach Bunnies and Impalas, and Myers assessing the Riedell 120 Juice.
Reviews: We factored in reviews from various sources, including retailer websites, YouTube and Reddit, to gather more comprehensive feedback.
Most brands use men's sizing, so women typically need to go down one to two sizes. For the best fit, try on skates in person at roller rinks or specialty skate shops, where experts can measure your feet properly. Specialty stores can also customize your skates, letting you mix and match components like plates, wheels and toe stops to create your perfect setup. While online shopping is convenient, always check the manufacturer's sizing guide and return policy.
Wheel selection depends on your skill level, skating style and skating surface. "For beginners, wider and larger wheels provide better stability," says Gold. Wheel hardness (durometer) ranges from 78A to 101A — softer wheels (78A) work best outdoors, hybrid wheels (85A) offer versatility, and harder wheels (89A to 101A) are ideal for indoor skating, speed skating, park skating and derby. Match your wheel hardness to your skating surface for optimal performance.
"If you're skating outside, you'll need to do a little bit more skate maintenance than if you're skating indoors," says Gold. Regular cleaning and maintenance practices include:
Cleaning bearings every few months with mineral spirits.
Wiping dirt off with a dry cloth only — avoid water.
Removing hair and debris from axles.
Regularly checking for loose or damaged parts.
Keeping your adjustment tools handy.
Never skating through water or leaving skates in hot cars.
Newbies who are skating outdoors should always wear a helmet and wrist guards, says Harry, noting that knee pads are never a bad idea, either. "Falling is inevitable," reminds Fort, so it's smart to consider including elbow pads and padded shorts. Beginner or not, Croysdill requires everyone to wear a helmet, wrist guards and knee pads for their first class at Rolla Skate Club. "And that's whatever age you are," she says.
Impala Quad Skate Black: While Impala offers affordable ($80 to $100), stylish skates with comfortable support, their budget models have limitations. Most notably, many lower-end models lack adjustable toe stops. These skates prioritize aesthetics and affordability over advanced features.
Chicago Women's Roller Skates: Though affordable, experts advise against skates under $100 due to quality concerns. (These ring up at around $80.) For better quality from the same brand, consider the Chicago Skates Premium Lifestyle Leather and Suede Lined Quad Rink Roller Derby Skate ($400).
Sure-Grip GT 50: These entry-level derby skates offer a solid alternative to the Riedell R3 ($165). Both are reliable beginner options, with the GT-50 coming in at a slightly lower price point (starting at $155). Your choice between the two may simply come down to personal preference.
Sure-Grip Stardust: Unfortunately, these skates have a significant comfort issue. Our tester reported that the blunt back edge consistently rubbed against her ankle, making them uncomfortable for regular skating sessions.
Basics of Happy: These glitter high-top entry-level skates earned high praise from our tester, who ranked them as the most comfortable skates she's ever worn. While they offer exceptional comfort at an accessible price point (on sale for $69), their limited availability makes them harder to find.
Riedell Juice: Our tester put these skates ($379) through intense testing, performing handstands, cartwheels and flips. "These skates enabled me to do anything and everything I could imagine," he reports. Only the bearings showed wear from hard landings, while all other components held up well under aggressive use. That said, they're expensive and may be more skate than needed for most beginners.
Dirty Deborah Harry, a roller skating instructor and founder of Dirty School of Skate
Francesca Gold, a world-class level competitive figure skater and roller skate teacher
Jamison Fort, founder of Skate N Learn, an educational platform for roller skating and one-fourth of It's My Skate Night, a skate comedy and merchandise company
Joshua Batsmoke Smith, an award-winning elite roller skater, performer, trainer and SAG stuntman
Lucy Croysdill, a roller skating instructor, co-founder of Rolla Skate Club and founding board member of the Girls On Track Foundation
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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