Are you excited to go to your first practice, nail your minimum skills, and join your first-ever scrimmage? Roller derby is a contact sport that requires protective gear to train safely and compete. Of course, you need roller skates, but the big question is, where do you start choosing from?

Everybody has different preferences and opinions about the kind of skates they wish to purchase. Since we are starting roller derby, high-end roller derby skates will not be considered. One can invest from the beginning but should not go too far because you do not have the experience to make the best decisions based on personal experiences.

The wheels’ size and feel, the boot material, and the type of hardware used to affect the skate’s maneuverability and durability. Let’s take a look at the best roller derby skates available in the market.

1. Pacer Mach-5 GTX500 Quad Roller Skates

The Pacer Mach-5 GTX500 Quad Roller Skates (Amazon link) are the best budget-friendly roller derby skates. They are great for beginners who are just starting. They are also an amazing choice for young skaters or children who do not need high-performance competitive skates. The size range on this skate is broad and can accommodate diverse feet sizes.

The Pacer Mach-5 GTX500 Quad Roller Skates are rated one on the Mach-5s, meaning they do not have the needed quality for advanced skaters. These skates have polymer nylon plates that work well for heavier skaters while remaining lightweight. The skate’s boot is lightweight and comfortable, which is crucial when introduced to quad skating. They additionally come in fun, bright colors.

Pros

Heavily padded comfortable boot
Velcro power strap
Low cut speed profile
Oversized wheels for balance.

Cons

Won’t last long with hard skating.

2. Riedell Dart Quad Speed Roller Skates

The Riedell company is widely known for making exceptional quad and dart skates. The Riedell Dart Quad Speed Roller Skates (Link to Amazon) are specific for beginners. The ABEC 5 bearings are great middle-of-the-road, making them perfect for beginner skaters. The wheels have a hardness rating of 93A, making them the most versatile skates that can be used both outdoors and indoors.

The boot is made of soft human-made material that reduces the amount of time to break them in. The darts are designed for narrow feet, and the midi gripper toe stops on the darts. This ensures that a skater has control over when they would like to stop.

Pros

ABEC 5 steel ball bearings
93 A wheels matching hub
Comfortable humanmade material
Midi gripper toe stops.

Cons

Doesn’t fit wide feet.

3. Candi GRL Sabina Artistic Roller Skates

The Candi GRL Sabina Artistic Roller Skates (Amazon link) is a great choice for a more traditional boot height. The skates come in various colors, allowing you to choose the one that suits your personality. Most speed skates come with a lower, but these have their signature high boot for better control and is traditionally a roller skate choice. They are the best freestyle skates meant for recreational purposes.

The Candi GRL Sabina Artistic Roller Skates have a padded lining and reliable ankle support that ensures that you will not roll your ankle. The faux leather design gives a stunning look and does not require a break-in time that most leather does. The wheels are specifically tailored for both outdoor and indoor experiences.

Pros

Bright and fun colors
Great control for turning, and tricks
Traditional high-top boot
Toe-stop on both skates

Cons

Poor choice for competitive skaters

4. Moxi Lolly Fashionable Quad Skates

The Moxi Lolly Fashionable Quad Skates (Amazon Link) are top roller derby skates that come in a wide range of colors. They include yellow, red, blue, purple, and suede. They have comfortable and easy to lace, making them very adjustable. The tongue is high-quality padded, ensuring that the skates are worn without struggle and are snug enough for the right fit.

The Moxi Lolly Fashionable Quad Skates have the ABEC 7 steel ball bearings that minimize friction and offers a smooth, fast ride. Ensure that you know how to break because these skates are very fast.

Pros

Easy lace design
Comfortable boot fit
ABEC 7 rating
Vibrant color choices

Cons

An adjustable toe stop can be loose.

5. Candi Girl Carlin Artistic Roller Derby Skates

For great fashion and design, the Candi Girl Carlin Artistic Roller Derby Skates (link to Amazon) are the best choice. They are made of pop color brushed suede with embossing, giving them an eye-catching design. Inside the skates is a soft suede lining for great comfort. The tongue is extra padded for the ultimate comfort feel.

The skate’s suede leather feels soft around the feet, molding gradually to fit the foot like a glove. They have a high-top boot, which is essential for beginners and recreational purposes. The skates feature aluminum trucks and aluminum chassis that ensure the durability of the skates. The aluminum is super lightweight, making it easy to control turning, cruising, trick, and dancing.

Pros

Aluminum chassis
Deluxe tongue with extra padding
Aluminum trucks with cushioning
Brushed suede with embossing.

Cons

Not ideal for speed.

6. Chicago Men’s Roller Rink Skates

The Chicago Men’s Roller Rink Skates (Amazon Link) are specifically designed for men. They have a classic look and have been designed to match the skates’ popularity. These skates are designed from humanmade materials with a controlled high top. It is specifically for recreational purposes for beginners.

The urethane wheels hold up well against normal wear and tear while skating. These skates are a great choice for casual skaters and are made to be used both indoors and outdoors. The wheels have a softer rating and have been approved for indoor use. They are strategically designed for gliding.

Pros

Urethane wheels
High top for safety and protection
Speed hook lacing system
Aluminum base plate

Cons

Adjustment features can loosen.

7. Moxi Beach Bunny High Top Skates

The Moxi Beach Bunny High Top Skates (Amazon link) are the most demanded, unique, and have efficient plate design. The plate is attached to the boot and is responsible for the wheels and fixation of the bearings. The high-quality plate improves the skates’ performance and increases the boot’s response to the skater’s movement.

The skate is constructed of high-impact Marvel die-cast aluminum with heavy metal trucks for the most amazing skating experience. The skate is also built with a micro kingpin that is very adjustable and is remarkably effective. The aluminum alloys on the plate provide great power transfer and better performance.

Pros

Quick response to movement
Adjustable cushions
Provide a smooth ride
Incredible safety features

Cons

Heavyweight plates

8. Epic Skates Evolution Quad Roller Skates

Suppose you are looking for something that can bear complicated and freestyle moves for roller derby; the Epic Skates Evolution Quad Roller Skates (Link to Amazon) are your go-to brand. This skate is well built with a low-cut shape around the ankle. In addition to the ABEC 7 bearings, the skate provides a diverse range of movements with less hassle.

The skate has an epic aircraft-grade aluminum and a double-action plate that offers extra cushion below the truck. The extra lower cushions stabilize the tricky movements and reduce unwanted sensitivity due to sudden movement. The skate has installed ankle padding and toe stops for optimum safety while skating.

Pros

Excellent safety features
Double action plates
High-quality bearings
Creative low-cut shape.

Cons

Leather laces are hard to tie.

9. Sure-Grip Rock GT-50 Roller Skates

The Sure-Grip Rock GT-50 Roller Skate (Amazon link) is an ultimate choice for novice skaters who just began skating. The plate material is nylon, which is the most appropriate option than aluminum, fiberglass, or magnesium. With the ultra-lightweight nylon, skating is utterly enjoyable and effortless.

These skates have the ABEC 5 bearings and Carrera speed toe stop that provide beginners sufficient speed and smooth transitions. One can learn quickly how to turn, rotate, and spin without stumbling over. The skate features a high-quality jump bar design typically mounted under the kingpin heads or cushions. This improves stability and safer spinning and turning.

Pros

Affordable price
Boosts stability
Beginner-friendly
Smooth movement transitions.

Cons

Limited performance.

10. Pacer GTX-500 Quad Derby Skates

The Pacer GTX-500 Quad Derby Skates (link to Amazon) takes pride in being the best product value. The power packs of its essential features and high-quality are ultimately the best. The boots are synthetic with a Velcro strap and durable nylon for extended durability.

The skates’ maintenance cost is more than half the price of other skates in the market. Besides, the skates feature the G-force 608ZB ABEC 3 sealed bearings. It also has an adjustable truck, fixed toe stops, and extra cushions that are ideal for beginner skaters.

Pros

Long-lasting bearings
Suitable for beginners
Fully equipped with essential parts.
Modern design

Cons

Cannot perform complex acts

11. Riedell Skates Dart Ombré

The Riedell Skates Dart Ombré (Amazon link) is the best skates in the market for an indoor skating experience. The indoor roller derby playground has distinctive traits, including smooth surfaces with nearly friction-free texture. The skate wheels are specifically designed to offer enough rigidity to glide across the smooth floor.

The Riedell Skates Dart Ombré is well equipped with a tough 62-mm and rated 93 A hardness polyurethane wheels. The wheels can be easily customized and removed. If you want to play outdoors, you can detach the indoor wheels and replace them with the outdoor wheels.

Pros

Diverse colors
Comfortable fit
High-quality die-cast aluminum plates
Sturdy and durable wheels.

Cons

It takes a while to get familiar.

Things to consider when choosing roller derby skates

Not every roller derby skate in the market is going to have your specific preferences. For you to be effective and safe on the rink, several factors must be considered, such as wheels, plates, and bearings. They include;

Wheels– when venturing into roller derby, you need to think about the size and hardness of the wheels and your weight.
Size– the size of the wheels depends on specific preferences. You can choose between a diameter of 59mm, and 62mm. The width of the wheel is also important, which can be slim or standard. Standard wheels are 38mm and are very popular. Slim wheels are more agile.
Hardness– the manufacturers of skates use a durometer scale to rate the hardness of a wheel. The bigger the number, the harder the wheel. On a slippery indoor floor, a softer wheel is recommended so that it grips the floor better. The hardness rating to consider is between 88 and 92 A. on a grippy floor, the suitable is between 93 and 99A. Most skaters opt for hardness between 93 and 95A as they are great all-round in sports arenas. For outdoor skating, a wheel that can grip the outdoor terrain is recommended. There are usually at 92 ratings.
Weight– the weight is a major factor when looking at the wheels. For a lighter person, softer wheels are a good choice, while for a heavy person, harder wheels are good to go.

Plates– the three common types of roller plates are aluminum, fiberglass, and nylon.

Aluminum– these plates are durable and more responsive following your movements in the rink. Aluminum can endure more weight and lasts longer than other materials.
Fiberglass– this plate is lightweight, a little more affordable, and more rigid. It is great for a beginner who wants more plate strength. Fiberglass is sufficient for skaters weighing below 300 pounds.
Nylon– these plates are lightweight and inexpensive. They are great for beginners and light skaters. Skaters who weigh above 200 pounds are not advised to use nylon.

Bearings– roller derby skate’s bearings allow them to turn the axle of the wheels. Although they are tiny, they are very important for protection and control. Each wheel has two bearings, which makes a total of eight bearings. Most skates use 8mm bearings, but others use 7mm. It would be best if you looked at the tolerance using the ABEC scale. Quad skates usually have ABEC 7 or 9 bearings.

The Bottom Line

As a general rule of thumb, leather skates last longer and are more comfortable than synthetic material, while metal frames are better than plastic. When it comes to wheels, the smaller, the better agility, while the larger, the better long-distance traveling, at any level, skating protective gear should be used. These include helmets, elbow pads, wrist pads, and knee pads. The safest place for beginners to skate is the skating center or roller rink, outdoor or indoor. These places are significantly less prone to safety risks and easier to maneuver around. With the above list, you will have the best roller derby skates to help you learn skating way faster.

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