Fitness
Fitness Equipment

A beginner's guide to roller skating: Where to buy the best skates

Join in on the fun hobby that keeps you active.
By Miller Kern  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Our Top 8 Picks

Sure-Grip Boardwalk outdoor skates (opens in a new tab)

Best Investment Pair

You won't always be a beginner, and these skates will be with you for the long haul.

The Good

  • Adjustable rubber toe stops
  • Multiple color options
  • Durable
  • Comfortable and supportive

The Bad

  • Weird sizing
  • Suede might stretch out and make the skates too big

The Bottom Line

You'll be thankful for the investment in a few years.
Pros & Cons

XUDREZ PU leather roller skates (opens in a new tab)

Best Budget Pick

If you're not sure you want to invest in an expensive pair of skates, this is a good starter pair.

The Good

  • Budget-friendly
  • Option for light-up wheels
  • Prime shipping

The Bad

  • Thin, unpadded tongue
  • Women's sizing doesn't go below 7

The Bottom Line

Get into skating without having to invest in expensive roller skates.
Pros & Cons

Rollerblade Zetrablade women's inline skates (opens in a new tab)

Best Rollerblades For Women

For those who believe inline skates are superior to quad skates, Rollerblade is the best of the best.

The Good

  • Good ankle support
  • Great quality
  • Balanced and stable
  • True to size

The Bad

  • Might be too tight for people with thicker calves
  • Could use more cushioning on the insole

The Bottom Line

Inline skates don't get much better than the Rollerblade Zetrablades.
Pros & Cons

Rollerblade Zetrablade men's inline skates (opens in a new tab)

Best Rollerblades For Men

Beginners and more advanced skaters will love this pair of inline skates.

The Good

  • Durable frame
  • Secure fit
  • Stable and balanced
  • Smooth

The Bad

  • Thick calves might not fit
  • Insole could use more cushion

The Bottom Line

Whether you're trying it out for the first time or getting back into rollerblading, these skates are your best choice.
Pros & Cons

Impala Skate quad skates (opens in a new tab)

Best For Aesthetics

Bold patterns and a comfortable design make these a fun choice for beginners.

The Good

  • Large selection of patterns and colors
  • Good for dance skating
  • Vegan materials

The Bad

  • Design scuffs easily
  • Boot may separate from heel over time

The Bottom Line

These cute skates are ideal for casual skaters who don't need anything professional-grade.
Pros & Cons

C7 quad skates (opens in a new tab)

Best For Indoor Skating

While you can skate both inside or outside with the C7s, they really shine indoors.

The Good

  • Designed for indoors and outdoors
  • Multiple solid color options

The Bad

  • Might need to replace the wheels if you skate on rougher ground
  • Run slightly large (size down if you're in between sizes)

The Bottom Line

These beginner-friendly skates show some colorful personality without being too over-the-top.
Pros & Cons

Chicago men's quad roller skates (opens in a new tab)

Best For Men's Sizing

With sizing up to a men's 13, these are suitable for people with bigger feet.

The Good

  • Large sizes
  • Good for both indoors and outdoors

The Bad

  • If you become more advanced, you might need to replace your skates
  • Some reviewers had to replace the wheel bearings

The Bottom Line

This inexpensive pair of roller skates comes in a nice range of sizes.
Pros & Cons

Chaya Melrose Deluxe (opens in a new tab)

Best For Outdoor Skating

These were made for beginners and casual skaters who aren't afraid to get a little adventurous outside.

The Good

  • Smooth boot and smooth ride
  • Made for beginners and casual skaters
  • Multiple color options

The Bad

  • White wheels get dirty quickly
  • Toe stops might be a bit short for someone learning how to use them
  • Men's sizing doesn't go very high

The Bottom Line

The light wheels will probably show dirt, but these roller skates are great for beginners trying to skate outside.
Pros & Cons

You may have noticed that roller skating became a hugely popular hobby during the pandemic. It provided a relatively safe way to be active and out of the house. Now that the U.S. has opened up more, we're not all rushing to find hobbies at the same rate as before, but maybe part of you is still thinking about investing in a pair of roller skates and giving the activity a try.

Why you should get roller skates

Roller skating is a fun way to get exercise that doesn't feel like exercise. If running makes you question why you were ever born, skating is a great low-impact alternative. After skating for an hour or so, you'll be feeling the burn in your legs and glutes.

Aside from being a form of exercise, roller skating is just a fun hobby to have. You can explore cute parks in your area, check out skate parks, learn tricks, and really make it your own. And even though you are a beginner, you might fall in love with roller skating and become one of those people who build their own pair of roller skates and can do all sorts of fancy tricks. Plus, you can get great content for TikTok, regardless of skill level.

You can also find community through skating, both in-person and online. You might run into other people roller skating at local spots, and you can always turn to Reddit where there is both a rollerskating subreddit(opens in a new tab) and rollerblading subreddit(opens in a new tab).

Quad skates vs. inline skates

Quad skates are what you'd traditionally picture when you think of roller skates. They have four wheels (hence, quad) that sit in two rows of two. Inline skates are more commonly known as rollerblades, and have a single row of wheels down the middle of the skate.

The arrangement of the wheels on quad skates gives them more stability, making them good for beginners who struggle with balance. They're also better for dancing, tricks, and roller derby for when you get more experienced. To brake on quad skates, you put your weight on the front of your foot and lean forward onto a toe stop. Quad skates are more customizable than inline skates— you can swap out the trucks, wheels, and toe stops to create a roller skate that works best with your feet and skills.

Inline skates are easier to maneuver quickly around obstacles and are better for speed. They have similar vibes to ice skates, but chunkier and with wheels. The brakes on rollerblades are in the back and usually only appear on the right skate, so it is a little tricky to stop if you're new to the practice. (I've been rollerblading for more than a year and still brake by grabbing onto poles or ramming into fencing or railing.) Inline skates are better for skating long distances and skating fast. Standing still on a pair of rollerblades takes some skill, but you'll be moving and grooving most of the time anyway, so don't be put off by that. Beginners can still get the hang of inline skates pretty easily.

Whichever type of roller skate you decide on, don't forget to wear protective gear(opens in a new tab) like knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and a helmet. You might feel confident — a little cocky even — that you're going to be a pro right off the bat, but trips and falls happen.

What makes roller skates good for beginners?

A good beginner skate is comfortable with good ankle support. A new hobby that gives you blisters is likely not one you'll be excited to continue. Look for padded boots with padded tongues, and make sure the skates lace all the way up, so they stay nice and tight against your legs to avoid wobbly ankles.

As a beginner, you don't want a skate that's going to require too much care or effort. Changing bearings and trucks probably isn't on your to-do list. Plus, it's annoying if you have to swap out the wheels for a set better suited to your needs — like if you want to skate inside or outside. You want a pair of roller skates that you can just put on and start skating.

Indoor skates vs. outdoor skates

What makes a skate good for indoor skating or outdoor skating depends on the wheels. It might sound a little complicated for beginners who don't care about all the nitty-gritty technicalities of roller skating, but the wheel hardness determines how well skates ride on different surfaces.

Wheel hardness is measured by the wheel's durometer, with the average durometer for skate wheels ranging between 72A and 102A. All you need to take away from this is that lower numbers are better for outside because the wheels are softer and absorb more shock — say, if you happen to roll over a pebble or something. Higher numbers are better for indoors or smooth outdoor surfaces with good traction because they are not as absorbent and allow you to go faster. Anything around 78A to 82A works for both indoor and outdoor use, which gives you options if you're trying to figure out which type of terrain you prefer.

If you do use your skates outside and want to use them at an indoor rink, check to make sure they allow outdoor skates. Some rinks don't because there might be debris or rocks in your wheels that could scratch up the flooring.

What size roller skates should you get?

Roller skate sizing is usually the same as your regular shoe sizing. Make sure you look at the sizing chart that will likely be on the skates' listing page to be safe because sometimes sizing is only listed in men's or only listed in women's and it might not be clear which it is.

In terms of fit, you want the skates to be snug — but obviously not too tight that your big toe is crammed. Loose skates can lead to rolled ankles, and it's probably safe to assume you don't want that. If your skates do arrive too loose, just wear multiple pairs of thick socks to pad them out. And (semi-) pro tip: Wear tall socks with high-top skates to avoid any uncomfortable rubbing on your ankles — at least as you break the skates in.

Whether you want to skate in a rink or the great outdoors, we got you covered. These are the best roller skates for beginners in 2022.

Best Investment Pair
Credit: Sure-Grip
Specs
  • Sizing: Men's 5/women's 6 to men's 9/women's 10
  • Wheels: 57 millimeters, 82A durometer

Yeah, you're a beginner now, but eventually you'll become pretty good at skating and you won't want to be wearing a cheap pair of skates. If you know you're in it for the long haul, invest in a high-quality pair of skates now. The Sure-Grip Boardwalks(opens in a new tab) are a durable pair with a suede and leather boot that conforms to your foot over time. Some reviewers mentioned that the sizing was off, so make sure you look at the sizing chart and measure your foot to ensure a good fit. The wheels are a bit small, but they're still OK for skating outside.

Best Budget Pick
Credit: XUDREZ
Specs
  • Sizing: Women's 7/men's 5.5 to women's 13/men's 11
  • Wheels: PU wheels for indoors and outdoors (size and hardness n/a)

If you're an absolute beginner (like, have never skated a day in your life) and aren't sure you'll actually like skating, this is a good starter pair of roller skates. You don't want to invest too much money in something you might not enjoy, so this budget-friendly pair is good for testing the waters. The XUDREZ skates(opens in a new tab) are available in blue, white, and pink with the option to have light-up wheels or standard wheels. The tongue is not padded like more expensive pairs, so make sure to tie the laces tightly to get that much-needed ankle support.

Best Rollerblades For Women
Credit: Rollerblade
Specs
  • Sizing: Women's 6 to 10
  • Wheels: 80 millimeters, 82A durometer

Quad skates aren't for everyone; if you're more of an inline skate person, this pair from Rollerblade(opens in a new tab) (extremely fitting brand name) is great for beginners and more experienced skaters. They're very well-cushioned to keep your ankle in place without any uncomfortable pokes or jabs. They also secure onto your foot really well with laces, a velcro strap, and a plastic buckle. Your ankles will be stiff as a board in these puppies.

Best Rollerblades For Men
Credit: Rollerblade
Specs
  • Sizing: Men's 6 to 13
  • Wheels: 80 millimeters, 82A durometer

Like the women's version, the men's Zetrablades(opens in a new tab) are a top tier pair of inline skates. They're padded as hell with the same fasteners — laces, a velcro strap, and a plastic buckle — to keep your ankles and feet nice and secure. Because you don't have to worry about your feet slipping out or your ankles rolling, you can focus on learning how to master rollerblading, so you can pick up speed and learn tricks.

Best For Aesthetics
Credit: Impala skate
Specs
  • Sizing: Girl's and women's sizes 1 to 14 (boy's and men's sizes 12Y to 12)
  • Wheels: 58 x 32 millimeters, 82a durometer nylon core urethane

Depending on what's drawing you to skating, you might want your first pair of skates to be stunners. Impala(opens in a new tab) is the best for skates with fun designs and eye-catching colors. And they're actually good skates too — not just all flash. The skates have a structured boot and padded collar and tongue to give you ankle support without being too rigid or uncomfortable. They're also made from PETA-approved vegan materials if you're trying to be more conscious in your apparel choices.

Best For Indoor Skating
Credit: C7skates
Specs
  • Sizing: Women's 6/men's 5 to women's 12/men's 11
  • Wheels: 58 millimeters, 83A outdoor wheels

The C7 skates(opens in a new tab) don't have fun patterns like the Impala skates, but they do come in a few colors that channel retro vibes. The skate's boot is made from vegan leather and has thick padding around the ankle for structured support. The wheels are meant for indoor and outdoor use, but some reviewers said that the wheels are a bit small and not the best at going over bumps. So, you're probably better off wearing these skates inside or on smooth surfaces outside. You can also always replace the wheels if you want something bigger and better suited for rough terrain.

Best For Men's Sizing
Credit: Chicago
Specs
  • Sizing: Boys'/men's 1 to 13
  • Wheels: 60 millimeters, 78A durometer polyurethane

While plenty of roller skates are technically unisex, they do often tend to be a bit more feminine in style. These skates from Chicago(opens in a new tab) are designed specifically for men (though you can convert the sizing to women's if you don't wear men's sizing and prefer this pair). You can tear it up in the skating rink or on the sidewalk with these indoor/outdoor skates. If the wheels feel tight, reviewers have suggested replacing the bearings for a smoother ride.

Best For Outdoor Skating
Credit: Chaya
Specs
  • Sizing: Men's 5/women's 6 to men's 9/women's 10
  • Wheels: 62 millimeters 78A durometer or 59 millimeters 92A durometer depending on style

The Chaya Melrose Deluxe skate(opens in a new tab) is made from vegan materials and features a nice, smooth boot exterior. The ankle is padded for support and the skate design is fun and colorful all the way down to the toe stop. The wheel hardness varies depending on which color of skate you buy, but for the most part, these skates are great for outdoor use. One drawback, though, is that the wheels are either white or very lightly colored, so they do show dirt and scuffs from skating outside.

Mashable Image
Miller Kern
Assistant Reviews Editor

Miller Kern is the Assistant Reviews Editor at Mashable, where she's been covering products and shopping since 2019. If there's a hot new product or a trend going viral on TikTok, Miller's ready to put it through the wringer to see if it's worth the hype.


Recommended For You
I got a manicure with @RicoTaquito, TikTok's bestie

Tripadvisor in Australia: Everything you need to know

The robotic basketball hoop ready to test your free throw skills

This Eye Massager is the ultimate spa tool — Future Blink

I'm a bi woman with a husband. How do I explore my identity?

More in Life
Misfits Market: An eco-friendly grocery delivery service that's good, but could be great

Dial in your spring vacay with these awesome travel essentials

The 5 best Bluetooth trackers for travel and lost luggage

20+ Mother's Day gifts under $50 that moms actually want

The digital picture frame is the unsung hero of gift giving moments

Trending on Mashable

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer, hints for April 21

Dril and other Twitter power users begin campaign to 'Block the Blue' paid checkmarks

How to remove Snapchat's My AI from your Chat feed

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
By signing up to the Mashable newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications from Mashable that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!