Skating has been an important part of my life for a long time. When I started skating in high school, the first pivotal question was which skates should I buy. Honestly, I was very confused at that time because your skates are as important as your skating talent.
If you are a beginner and confused just like I was a few years back, this post is meant for you. After doing extensive research, I have found two skate brands that are best for beginners- c7 and Impala.
But, what is the difference between the two? The major difference between the c7 skates and Impala skates is the cost. C7 skates are comparatively affordable as compared to the Impala Skates.
If you want to know more about the two brands, read on!
What Is C7 Skates?
C7 is a brand of roller skates. It was established as a laidback style skate, with a southern California feel to them. Not many companies make such skates which are perfect for indoor as well as outdoor skating.
What Is Impala Skates?
Impala Skates took the world by storm as they launched their site in 2017. Impala Skates is another brand of skates that is popular among beginners. Their quirky colors, safety pads, and accessories are a huge hit among people who are into pastel shades.
The pastel shades are the new colors which everybody wants to buy. Interestingly, even though they are new to the market and have targeted youngsters with their quirky shades, their designs are pretty retro.
Why Should You Buy c7 Skates or Impala?
I am sure you must be wondering what is so special about these brands and why you should consider buying c7 or Impala while there are so many brands available in the market.
Here are the three main reasons why you should buy c7 Skates or Impala:
Durable
Skates have four wheels in pairs which will tell you about their durability and stability once you stand on them. You can determine this by the hardness of the wheel by checking the durometer rating which ranges from 0-100A.
There isn’t much difference in both c7 skates and Impala skates. The c7 quad skates have 83A wheels whereas the Impala quad skates have 82A wheels and inline skates have 84A wheels mostly.
The rating being closer to 100A means that they have a longer lifespan, thus you do not need to change them very frequently.
Strong
Skates come with a truck and a plate underneath. These trucks and plates eventually determine the weight as well the strength of your skates.
The c7 skates have aluminum trucks and the Impala skates have Aluminium alloy trucks and base plates. Of course, this will make your roller skates a little heavier as compared to nylon trucks, but it will also make them stronger. I am sure you do not want to compromise on that.
Aesthetic
The look of your skates matters equally. You should never underestimate it and nobody should tell you otherwise. Both c7 skates and Impala skates have some of the best colors and designs.
If I talk about c7 skates, they have bright colors like pink, peppermint, and peach which will be even visible from a distance. On the other hand, Impala has colors like rose gold, pastel fade, bright yellow, and blue. They also deal in floral print and pink wavy checks. So cool, isn’t it?
Now let us dig deeper into the c7 and Impala skates and see their differences, pros, and cons which will ultimately help you make a decision.
c7 Skates vs. Impala Skates Pros
Pros of c7 Skates:
- Excellent Appearance
If you’re looking for a stylish set of skates, I’m sure c7 skates won’t disappoint you. These skates come in excellent pastel colors. Moreover, many people love them for their adorable appeal.
Another thing to note is that these skates are pretty minimalist. So, if you’re not a huge fan of fancy skates, c7 is the ones for you!
- Great Quality
Apart from the appearance, c7 skates offer impeccable quality in their functioning. They’re sturdy and smooth. Hence, they are quite suitable for beginners too!
Moreover, I found that the wheels offer a seamless skating experience as well.
- Admirable Customer Experience
One of the things that makes this brand unique is its amazing customer support and overall experience.
Its website is easy to navigate and offers a range of products. Additionally, the delivery is quick, and if you require any extra assistance, customer support is quite helpful.
Pros of Impala Skates:
- Quirky Designs
One thing that puts out Impala from other famous brands is how quirky it is. You can find a variety of skates with various designs. For instance, some are plain, whereas some have floral designs too.
So, if you want something different than the usual, Impala won’t disappoint you.
- Effective Working and Added Features
Impala skates offer exceptional performance. They can work on both roads and rinks. Also, they come with special features like an optional brake. Hence, if you are a beginner, this feature is extremely helpful for you.
C7 Skates vs Impala Skates Cons
Cons of c7 Skates:
- Sizing Issues
If you’re planning to buy c7 skates online, do take care of the sizing. I’ve found that a lot of people complain about the sizing issues with c7. Some say that they’re tight and short. Hence, when you order, you may have to go for a bigger size.
- Quite Expensive
Even though most premium skates brands like Impala and c7 are expensive, c7 is slightly more. For instance, most c7 skates start from $130, more than other brands like Impala and Rio skates.
However, they do offer quality which makes up for the price.
Cons of Impala Skates:
- Not Cost-Effective
Impala skates aren’t as expensive as c7 skates. But, they’re still on the expensive end as most skates cost more than $110. Also, the higher-end collection with premium features is costlier than many other brands.
- Quality and Durability Issues
There are a few people who have faced quality and durability issues with Impala skates.
For instance, the heel tears away at times. Also, even though you can wear them on roads as well, the skates wear off and deteriorate. So, they may have quality issues unless you use them cautiously.
C7 Skates vs Impala Skates Difference
When you are choosing between c7 and Impala, make sure to look at the following major difference:
- Cost of the Skates
Price is the first and foremost thing you should check out. As a first-time skater, you might not want to spend much on roller skates or you might have a budget for it like everything else.
While the cheapest c7 skates start from $59.99 and go up to $139.99, Impala skates have a higher starting price. They start from $99.95 and go up to $149.95. So, it depends on how much you are willing to spend the first time on your skates.
- Availability
When it comes to availability, both c7 and Impala are quite readily available. However, if you check out most sites, you’ll find that Impala is more readily available. You’ll also find a variety of options to choose from.
- Variety
As mentioned above, Impala offers more variety in their rollerskates than c7. Hence, the Impala brand has become extremely popular amongst rollerskating enthusiasts.
Best C7 Skates
Currently, the three best c7 skates are:
| Skates | Description |
| C7 (C SEVEN) Cute Roller Skates | The C7 skates are love at first sight. They look super cute and have a pop of color. You can show them off to your skating friends and customize them also. But, this is not all. The skates have strong yet lightweight aluminum plates that increase the stability and flexibility of the rider, a PVC interior for greater durability, and faux leather boots for structure and sturdiness. Also, they have a soft interior lining for smooth and comfortable skating. However, they’re unsuitable for wide feet. |
| C7 (C SEVEN) Retro Design Vixen Quad Skates | They have a classic black color that can never go wrong. A part of the Chibi Collection, they are retro boots with a 1mm heel and faux leather design. They are perfect for outdoor skating and will take you wherever your heart takes you. They have strong and durable 32mm 82A wheels that will last for around two to three years without any problem. The skates will give you the confidence to jump whenever necessary and have amazing traction. But, note that the brakes take a long time to stop. Also, the trucks are not adjustable |
| C7 (C SEVEN) Soft Faux Leather Roller Skates | Available in peppermint, candy pink, and sea queen shades, these are made up of 1.4mm white vegan leather. The colors will surely make heads turn and people will keep asking you about them. They are slim and lightweight. They have an 82A durometer and 54 x 32mm polyurethane wheels for comfort and durability. Ride on it if you want a smooth and stable ride with a cool breeze in your hair. The only cons here are that the bearings are small. Also, these skates aren’t practical for wide feet. |
Best Impala Skates
Currently, the three best Impala are:
| Skates | Description |
| Impala Holographic Quad Roller Skates | As you all know, the first thing you should ensure with roller skates is your safety. It is why this is your best bet. It has PVC upper heel and sole to secure you from shocks, ABEC 7 bearings for a smooth ride, and a PU stopper. Also, they have metal speed lace eyelets that remove all the hassle of tying the laces making it easy and fast. And the best part is the holographic silver color of the boots. But, keep in mind that these skates aren’t good enough for ramps. |
| Impala Quad Skate – Marawa Rose Gold | These skates are super cute and honestly, most people are buying these just because of that reason. It comes with optional brakes and a plastic outer body. The main issue that people are facing with this product is its sizing. Most of the users have complained regarding the difference between the sizes listed on the website and the sizes they received. |
| Impala Jupiter 37” Longboard | Longboard basically means a skateboard so if you are into this then do go for this. There have not been many complaints but some users have said that it is a bit uncomfortable to use. The color and design are catchy but I would recommend it if you see better options available in the market. |
| Impala Lightspeed Inline Skates – White | These stylish and appealing inline skates are every skater’s dream come true. When it comes to quality, they have good urethane wheels with ABEC 7 bearings that promise smooth flow. Moreover, they have plastic outer boots with an extremely comfortable, breathable, and padded boot liner. It also has an easy buckle entry and laces combo. To your surprise, it also has an optional heel brake and two Allen wrenches included. However, sometimes, wheels tend to veer in the wrong direction. |
How to Make Your Decision?
Still, confused? Let me make it easy for you. Below are a few points you should take into consideration before finalizing your skates. It will help you make an informed decision so that you will have no regrets later.
- Purpose
Choosing your skate or your kid’s first skate is a big responsibility. Therefore, it is vital to determine the purpose of why you are buying the skates.
The c7 brand offers quad skates that are most suitable for indoor skating or flat surface skating outdoors. However, if you want to go for outdoor riding, Impala offers a wide variety of inline skates that you should take a look at.
- Boot Material
You might think how the boot material will make a difference in your skating, but let me tell you are wrong here. Not only boot material determines the weight of your skates but also breathability.
The c7 skates are faux leather boots that provide ankle support using the standard PVC while the Impala roller skates have hard-wearing waterproof boots and inline skates have a durable plastic outer boot with a padded boot liner.
- Skate Bearing
The ABEC made a grading system for bearings that ranges from 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The higher the rating is, the better its tolerance. Anything between 1 to 7 is considered good.
If you are a beginner, you are likely to look for ABEC ratings between 1 to 7. However, as you become an advanced skater, you will opt for a wide variety of bearings and go for a rating above 7.
Final Thoughts
As a beginner or even a pro, the key to a successful career in skating is safety. The pair of skates you buy will ultimately decide your future. Therefore, it is significant to choose the right skates. It is why I have made an elaborate post about two of the best skates (c7 and Impala) in the market for you.
I hope you will finalize a roller or inline skate now and get started with your skating journey. Happy and safe skating!
