Best Roller Derby Skates for Jammers

Most people skate for fun, although it offers great physical fitness as well. This is why skating has evolved into a major recreational sport as well as a competitive sport. It is an activity that has become popular among both children and adults alike.

Jam roller derby skating entails a combination of skate dancing and gymnastics done on roller skates. It goes without saying that skates play the most crucial role in whichever type of skating one engages in – they enable movement of the players.

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If you want to make your jam roller skating experience safe and enjoyable, you will need to invest in the best roller derby skates. Using the best skates guarantees your best performance while reducing the chances of accidents and injuries. They also ensure you are well relaxed when rolling.

The Best 5 Roller Derby Skates for Jammers

When shopping around for the best roller derby skates for jammers, you will have to consider several factors before you pick a pair. The major determinants for your selection will be how you intend to use your skates and what you expect to get out of them.

It is a good thing that the market has been flooded with jam roller derby skate models for you to choose from. However, this is, at the same time, a major problem because choosing the best skates then becomes a difficult process. If you are facing this challenge, worry no more since you are in the right place. This article discusses some of the best selections to help you decide the product that suits you.

Following are the best 5 jam roller derby skates out there:

  1. C SEVEN C7skates Soft Faux Leather Quad Roller Skates
  2. Crazy Skates Zoom Roller Skates – High-Performance Speed Skates
  3. Pacer Comet Children’s Roller Skate
  4. VNLA Tuxedo Jam Skate Men’s & Women’s Skates
  5. VNLA Royalty Jam Skate Men’s & Women’s Skate

1.  C SEVEN C7skates Soft Faux Leather Quad Roller Skates

These cool fashion roller skates from the C SEVEN Store bear a retro design alongside a modern twist. If you’re interested in these skates, you can find it on Amazon here.

These sleek skates are slim and lightweight, and its features are not overdone high-tech. They are comfortable, durable, and they fit whichever skating type that you want to partake in. Whether you are jamming out your favorite disco styles or just enjoying life at the rinks, this product offers you the perfect ankle support.

The 54mm 95A wheels ensure that you have unmatched agility and movement when on the move. The ABEC 6 bearings are sturdy enough and offer great reliability. The boot on these skates is soft and pliable; they do not increase the bulk, dig in, or increase weight. These skates will form to your feet for a perfect, snug fit.

If you are looking for roller skates for your kid who is new to skating, these C Seven skates are a perfect choice. Their sleek design makes them an ideal gift for newbies of all ages, whether novices or seasoned roller skaters.

Features:

  • Classic heeled high-top style retro boot and colorful laces
  • 54 X 32mm 95A durometer wheels
  • Soft faux leather material
  • Long-lasting design
  • Super tough, reliable ABEC 6 ball bearings

Pros:

  • Totally versatile
  • Tough, durable, shock-absorbing wheels
  • Unisex
  • Affordable
  • Ideal for novice skaters
  • True to size
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Plastic toe stop wears out fast
  • The wheels are too hard
  • Small wheels not ideal for outdoor use
  • Low-quality bearings
  • Poor finishing
  • Not so good balance

2.  Crazy Skates Zoom Roller Skates – High-Performance Speed Skates

This product from Crazy skates is a roller skate monster. They are made from strong and durable material. Their attractive design catches attention easily. The toes top can be adjusted for a better response. If you’re interested in these skates, you can find it on Amazon here.

These skates were made with speed, comfort, and smooth rides in mind. They are easy to maintain, and they have a good warranty.

Features:

  • Low sneaker-cut classic boot style
  • Solid 20-degree galaxy fiber nylon plates
  • Adjustable pure urethane toe stops.
  • ABEC-5 rubber shielded speed bearings
  • Super low profile 62mm urethane speed wheels
  • Super comfortable padded boot
  • Alloy trucks
  • Soft rolled collar

Pros:

  • Nice and sturdy laces
  • Nicely tight trucks
  • Good warranty
  • Easy to maintain
  • Durable
  • Classic style
  • Built for speed

Cons:

  • Sticky bearings
  • A bit stiff
  • Not ideal for outdoors – the wheels don’t work well on rough terrain

3.  Pacer Comet Children’s Roller Skate

These illuminating skates made by Pacer features two outer wheels on both skates that illuminate when your kid rolls. You can find these skates on Amazon at this link.

The best thing about them is that you will not need any batteries; they are self-power generating. The amazingly grippy, bouncy urethane wheels are ideal for both indoor and outdoor skating. The boots on these skates are lightweight, stylish, comfy, and they last long.

This product is available in various colors and sizes – your child is guaranteed to get something they like. The closure system consists of lace and Velcro for added comfort. These skates are easy to clean and maintain, and they make a perfect birthday surprise.

Features:

  • Lace and Velcro closure system
  • Human-made
  • Deluxe sport profile boot
  • Padded collar
  • Lightweight Torsion Beam chassis
  • 54mm cast urethane wheels
  • 608ZB Excellerator ball bearings
  • Fixed toe stops

Pros:

  • Light up wheels
  • Superb comfort
  • Easy to clean
  • Secure
  • High-quality bearings

Cons:

  • Wheels are a bit slow
  • Hard plastic front toe stopper

4.  VNLA Tuxedo Jam Skate Men’s & Women’s Skates

These skates from the VNLA Store feature a strong boot, stitched rubber outsole as well as super sturdy shoe lining. The frame is a 5-degree, specially designed nylon frame. This product comes with cone-shaped cushions and Vanilla jam plugs. You will have a smooth ride thanks to the ABEC-9, race spec bearings alongside super light Backspin nylon hub wheels.

You can find these skates on Amazon at this link.

Features:

  • 5- degree nylon plate
  • Cone-shaped cushions
  • Vanilla jam plugs
  • ABEC-9, race spec bearings
  • 62mm, 95A hardness wheels
  • Low profile toe stops
  • Upgraded aluminum trucks

Pros:

  • No break-in time
  • Great ankle support
  • Smooth ride
  • Durable leather
  • Versatile

Cons:

  • Expensive

5.  VNLA Royalty Jam Skate Men’s & Women’s Skate

Get these skates in your feet, and you will be jam start for spinning. You can find these skates on Amazon at this link.

This product is speedy and features ABEC 9 rated bearings, nylon frame, and cone-shaped cushions. The wheels are lightweight, and they have a lifetime warranty. These skates are stable and secure, and they allow you to perform complex styles, tricks, and gymnastics.

Features:

  • Finely stitched suede leather boot
  • Vanilla Gorilla nylon plate
  • Micro-adjustable lock nut, washer, and 8mm axles
  • Aluminium trucks
  • Vanilla Genuine Backspin 62mm, 95A wheels
  • Low profile toe stops
  • Vanilla Jam Plug

Pros:

  • Indoor/outdoor capability
  • Top-quality skates
  • Speed demons
  • Crazy maneuvering
  • Superior comfort
  • Perfect for complex moves and spins
  • Sleek look
  • Grippy wheels
  • Durable, cozy skates

Cons:

  • Not designed for heavier people
  • Ankle collar gives blisters.
  • Bearings rattle
  • Trucks have huge wobbles.

Choosing the Best Roller Derby Skates for Jammers

To ensure that you get the best roller derby skates, you will need to analyze the skate style, design, and components carefully. Some of the things to look out for include:

    i.        Skates Boots

Roller derby skates usually feature boots shorter on the ankle than boots on the traditional roller skates. This is because lower cut boots offer more movement and performance. The main items to look out for in your skate boots include:

Sizing:

The comfort and safety provided by your skates are heavily dependent on the skates’ sizing. Similar to any other athletic footwear, there is always some sizing variation in skates. The variations exist because individuals have varying feet sizes and shapes, and also manufacturers have varying sizing mechanisms.

You definitely would love perfectly fitting skates for your next jamming session. An unwritten rule is that skates should give a snug fit from heel to toe; they should not be too loose or too tight as this affects your comfort and performance. If your skates are too tight, your toes will pinch, giving you unnecessary pain. If they are too loose, your feet will slip around, causing ankle injuries and blisters.

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Because there is no perfect conversion chart to use, it is recommended that you refer to specific product sizing charts. However, it would be best if you visited a skates’ store physically to try on your new skates before purchasing them. Skates for beginners usually come in whole sizes. Something to keep in mind, though, is that with regular use, skates usually break-in.

Padding:

Skates are either padded or not padded. You will decide on the choice that you prefer. Padded skates are typically more rigid when it comes to ankle support. Padding makes skates more comfortable to wear and take off. Traditionally, roller derby skates are not padded, but instead, they are built to give softer ankle support.

Material:

Most roller derby skate boots nowadays are human-made or leather. The human-made material is typically more comfortable and affordable. However, they will not form into your feet as well as leather material does.

If you want a top-quality boot, select those made from leather. With these, you are guaranteed skates that will serve you for a longer period and offer a better fit than human-made material.

  ii.        Skate Wheels

If you are a novice skater, wider and more grippy wheels should be your choice. This is because when learning to skate, you will require added stability. As your skills continue to improve, you will prefer harder wheels, which allow for more maneuverability. Overall, wider wheels offer added stability, while narrower wheels offer more agility.

iii.        Skate Brand

When searching for the best roller derby skates to buy, ensure that you consider skate models made by popular brands. Famous brands produce top-quality skates to remain relevant in the market. Therefore, buying well-known brands will reduce the chances of getting mislead and convinced to buy skates that won’t meet your requirement or won’t last long enough.

iv.        Trucks and Cushions

One of the things to look out for in your trucks is the truck angle. The truck angle of your skates is a key factor in your skates’ agility levels. The range of truck angles varies between 10 to 45 degrees, which is a big gap. Lower truck angles mean your skates will be more stable, while higher truck angles imply more agility. It is recommended for novice skaters that they try lower truck ratings until they master their skating skills.

The cushions on your trucks also affect how agile your quad skates are. Most skate manufacturers usually prefer hard cushions because they are more stable. They are, however, harder to maneuver on them. The good thing is that you can replace the hard cushions with softer ones for better reaction abilities.

There are two types of cushions; cone and barrel. Cone cushions provide more agility, but if you are interested in better turning abilities, your choice should be a barrel cushion at the back as well as a cone in the front part.

   v.        Toe Stop

Toe stops facilitate slowing down and stopping on your roller derby skates. Most players prefer having the toe stop at the front, while others prefer having them back or even both.

Toe stops are available with either a long stem or a short stem. The stem on your toe stops determine the levels up to which you can lift your feet. Long stems usually go along with large wheels, while short stems are usually matched with smaller wheels.  You can determine the right length by fitting three fingers between the rear wheel and the ground when lifting your skate to the toe stop.

The Bottom Line

If you are searching for roller derby skates for the next jam session, ensure that you get proper roller skates. An essential thing to look out for is the comfort that the skates offer. Your new pair of skates should be easily adjustable, be easy to maintain, and should be a product that has the potential to last long.

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This article entails a review of the best jam roller derby skates from the right skate vendors to help you narrow down your buying options. The above-discussed skates make the top of any list of best jam roller derby skates.

Reading through this article, you will be in a position to make the right choice and avoid falling prey to counterfeit products. Strike a balance between your budget and needs, get yourself one or two pairs of skates, and enjoy the ultimate skating fun.

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