The 29 Best Roller Skates for Adults to Enjoy in 2023

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Buyers Guide: The 29 Absolute Best Roller Skates for Adults to Enjoy in 2023

The Buyers Guide section of bigwheelblading.com, provides everything you need to make informed purchases online.

There are many roller skate options out there, and researching and finding a skate that best suits your needs can be overwhelming. Having been in the skating industry for 27 years, I’m very familiar with what is out there. To save you time and frustration, I have curated a list of the best roller skates available from the major brands within the industry. This guide is a living article and will be continuously updated and modified.

We have compiled a list of the 29 Absolute Best Roller Skates for Adults to Enjoy in 2023 below, but if you are in a time crunch and want to hear 10 of our favorites, here they are!

The Moxi Rainbow Rider is the ideal skate for beginner recreational skaters looking for a high-quality and comfortable outdoor roller skate at an affordable price. The rainbow-themed boot has vinyl uppers and a soft padded, comfortable, and supportive lining. A durable die-cast aluminum plate is attached to the boot with soft 58mm 82A outdoor wheels, ABEC-5 bearings, and an adjustable toe stop to ensure a smooth, cruiser-friendly ride. Brimming with attention to detail and thoughtful touches, the Rainbow Rider is an undeniable value for the beginning or casual outdoor skater. It will leave you feeling like you are gliding along rainbows!

The Chaya Vintage is a vegan-friendly line of roller skates with aluminum frames and trucks. The Galaxy Evo plate has an adjustable Chaya Controller toe stop and a set of 59mm 78A Chaya Spectrum wheels ideal for cruising outdoors or if you need a slower start at indoor skating. The exterior is glass-fiber reinforced plastic with PU-nubuck faux leather. The interior has a built-in breathable mesh liner making these extra comfy skates.

Related: The 24 Best Scooters for Kids from Toddlers to Teens

Moxi Beach Bunny Skates offer an affordable price tag and animal-friendly construction, providing stress-free recreational skating. Drum-dyed vinyl uppers pop in the sunlight, and the custom-printed Dri-Lex moisture-wicking liner inside is convenient and comfortable. The boot comes mounted with a Die-Cast Aluminum base, and trucks with 58mm 72A Wheels and ABEC 3 bearings.

The BTFL Classic Unisex Artistic Roller Skates are a high-quality, affordable retro roller skate designed in Germany. These are the ideal skates for adults who want to do recreational, rink, boardwalk, or street skating. The BTFL Classic skates are made with foam-backed genuine suede that provides comfort and support during your skate sessions. They feature an adjustable toe stop and a lightweight nylon plate that provides a smoother ride and absorbs vibrations. The 62x38mm 80A hybrid indoor/outdoor round edge wheels are great for artistic, jam, and rhythm skating. The BFTL Classic Artistic roller skates are available in five color variations and multiple sizes. This is an unbelievable price for an all-leather skate, placing them on our list of best roller skates for adults.

Jackson Finesse Skates is a vegan-friendly option for fun-seeking outdoor skaters. The Finesse Boot is constructed with reinforced vinyl-coated uppers and has memory foam padding inside with an antibacterial lining. It is mounted to a nylon Pilot Viper Plate with 62mm 78A Atom Pulse Lite Wheels, Bionic ABEC 7 Bearings, and an adjustable XS Toe Stop.

Sure-Grip Stardust Skates take you from the streets to the rinks while turning heads the whole way. The stiff vinyl uppers provide lots of support and, of course, an eye-catching glitter imprint that is available in three different colors. Blue and Pink feature contrasting laces and eyelets, while Black does its best impression of the starry night sky, keeping all components black. Cushions, wheels, and toe stops on all Stardust Skates will match the color of the vinyl uppers. The soft urethane of the 62mm wheels is best suited for the great outdoors but is also perfectly serviceable in a rink setting!

Jackson Vista Viper Nylon Skates are stylish and affordable recreational outdoor skates with lightweight nylon plates. The Vista Boot is a sturdy high-top with a PVC outsole, built from suede microfiber and reinforced with leatherboard to enhance support, security, and durability. Memory foam padding around the ankle relieves pressure points, as does the foam-backed tongue that reduces lace bite and other forefoot discomforts. The fit is friendly and comfortable for first-time skaters and long-time rollers! Underneath the Viper Nylon Plate is 62mm 78A Atom Pulse Wheels, soft enough to grip any outdoor surface and smooth enough to roll over debris and imperfections in your way. Inside the wheels, you will find Bionic ABEC-7 bearings.

Sure-Grip Boardwalk Skates are classic suede high-tops that provide a comfortable and supportive ride for anyone looking to cruise the great outdoors. The boots got a makeover in 2021, offering fresh pastel colorways but maintaining the soft and pliable suede construction that makes them such a joy. The lightweight nylon plate has double-action trucks and a fully adjustable toe stop so each skater can adjust their braking preferences. Color-matched Boardwalk Wheels add to the eye-catching style while providing a smooth ride and plenty of grip, placing them on our list of best roller skates for adults.

Riedell Crew Outdoor Skates are traditional in design and feel but made for modern skaters who find their fun in the great outdoors. Whether on the boardwalk, in the streets, on the trails, or at the park, the Crew is a perfect outdoor roller skate. Riedell started with their classic 120 leather boot and gave it a touch of contemporary flair, then contrasted and color-matched the laces and toe stop to make it all pop. The 120 boot has a comfortable moisture-wicking lining called Dri-Lex and was designed with reinforced quarters that support jumps, spins, and various dance moves. The lightweight PowerDyne Thrust nylon plate houses 62mm 85A Sonar Zen wheels that spin on ABEC-5 bearings and an adjustable round toe stop.

The Chuffed Wanderer Skates are comfy, strong, and beautiful! They have excellent details and are made for any skater looking to wander around on wheels in the streets or the park in style. They have aluminum alloy plates, eyelets, and trucks, making them sturdy and reliable. The uppers are made of suede leather except for the vegan black skates, which have microfibre uppers. Inside, the boots have built-in liners with a cool-lined print and ample foam padding. They have cushioned insoles that can help prevent injuries from harsh landings. A cushioned tongue with their embroidered logo on the front, the eyes that are always watching. Underneath, their stock wheels come in black at 58mm and 82A hardness with ABEC7 bearings that allow them to spin freely.

Moxi Lolly Skates are the epitome of style for lifestyle skates, perfectly designed for recreational and street skating. The Lolly Boot is made with soft, foam-backed suede, giving it a comfortable and form-hugging fit that only improves over time as the leather breaks in. Underneath, a lightweight plastic Powerdyne Thrust Plate will help absorb vibrations and create a smoother ride, mounted with soft 65mm 78A Moxi Classic Wheels and ABEC-5 bearings.

Crazy Zoom Skates are entry-level speed skates with a wide, accommodating fit that is well-padded to promote a comfortable, beginner-friendly experience. The Galaxy Plate is a 20° composite nylon plate infused with fiber strands to improve rigidity and durability. Best of all, it has an allen key set screw to secure the fantastic Boost Toe Stop without worrying about a pesky nut and washer. Signature 62mm 93A Zoom Wheels offer excellent grip for digging into fast turns and deep crossovers, placing them on our list of best roller skates for adults.

Riedell R3 Derby Skates are the perfect setup to get started in Derby. A favorite with skaters year after year for its outstanding comfort, class-leading build quality, and undeniable value, the R3 Derby has been upgraded with standard black tough scuff leather toe caps to prevent abrasion on the boots and 59mm 88A Sonar Aura Wheels. The Riedell R3 Derby Skate will also come with lightweight nylon Powerdyne Thrust plate and ABEC 5 bearings. The R3 Derby offers quality and value that simply can’t be matched, placing them on our list of best roller skates for adults.

Bont Prostar Skates make an outstanding choice as a first pair of skates due to the relatively affordable price tag, their significant performance advantage over typical entry-level skates and the advanced features that improve quality of life. The Prostar Boots are heat moldable and introduce users to the famous Bont fit that’s snug, comfortable, and responsive. Prodigy Plates are fiberglass reinforced plastic, which saves weight and dollars, but feature lock screws for toe stops that solves the #1 problem of entry-level skates (losing toe stops). Upgrading to the Tracer Plate offers a heavier aluminum plate with better power transfer. Both sets have 60mm 92A Ballistic Wheels, ABEC 5 Bearings, and an adjustable round-toe stop.

Jackson VIP Skates is a great package for beginners to roller derby or those looking to upgrade their first pair of skates without breaking the bank. The Vantage boot offers more performance than lower-end vinyl boots with its microfiber construction and comfortable fabric lining. The Pilot Viper plate uses reinforced nylon for rigidity, durability, and stability. Atom 60mm 91A Wheels spin on Bionic ABEC-7 bearings and are fantastic for slick and outdoor surfaces, placing them on our list of best roller skates for adults.

The Sure Grip Rebel Avanti Aluminum Skate package by Sure-Grip is a highly affordable offering that includes a leather boot & aluminum alloy plate. The proven and popular Rebel boot is paired with Sure-Grip’s next generation of plates – the Avanti Aluminum. The Avanti is both lightweight and very strong, with a traditional 10° steel kingpin and sleek polished finish. Set with a Carrera speed stop and 92A Fugitive wheels.

The Roller Derby Elite Legacy Skates are an excellent setup for skaters seeking elite performance capabilities in comfortable leather boots. This package is available with two different RD Elite plates, and both are machined from a lightweight but robust magnesium alloy; the 10-degree Pro Octane and the actual 45-degree Axis 45. The Octane plate offers dependable stability and power, while the Axis 45 plate is an ultra-responsive plate that some advanced skaters may prefer. If you’re unsure which one is right for you, we recommend going with the Octane.

Elsewhere, all components are the same between models. The Legacy boot on top has full-grain leather construction in its upper panels and a stitched leather outsole with a small external heel lift. Labeda provides 59mm 91A Royalty wheels that spin on a set of their excellent Swiss bearings, and down at the front, RD Elite has included their world-class Bounce toe stop. Start building your Legacy in these great, high-performance skates!

The comfortable, lightweight, and stylish Riedell Solaris is the most technologically advanced quad roller skating boot Riedell has ever produced. They used cutting-edge technology and design to redefine the standards of performance and comfort for quad skating boots. The Solaris utilizes a stiff composite outsole and new ContourFit C/AA last to improve strength, durability, fit, feel, and response.

The ergonomic last follows the natural contours of your foot, placing the toes in a more natural position to enhance comfort, improve balance, and increase performance. The boot mounts to a Reactor Pro Plate that pairs perfectly with the composite outsole to provide a level of performance suited for even the upper echelons of derby competition. Halo Wheels spin on Kwik Zenith Bearings with a Jupiter Toe Stop out front.

The Antik AR2 Derby Skate is a traditional skate package with some of the best products assembled from Antik’s and Riedell’s impressive catalog. New in 2019, the AR2 Boot has done the impossible and supplanted the legendary AR1 boot as the flagship offering. Pulling over the same composite outsole technology and moisture-resistant microfiber lining found in the Solaris Boot, the AR2 is undeniably sleek with its signature high top and angular panels (that look great customized). Underneath is a powerful but lightweight Reactor Pro Plate with responsive Magic Cushions, adjustable trucks, and micro-adjustable kingpins. Halo Wheels speak for themselves now; if you don’t know their awesomeness by now, ask anyone to testify!

The Riedell Solaris Platinum is a complete setup from Derby Warehouse with an Arius Platinum Plate, providing you with the best Riedell and PowerDyne offers. The package includes Halo Wheels that offer grip when you need grip and slide when you need ro slide, Zenith Bearings, and a Jupiter Toe Stop.

The Riedell Blue Streak Platinum Skate features the Riedell’s Blue Streak boot mounted to an updated Arius plate. This combo has been a common sight at the Derby Warehouse custom-built station, prompting them to add it to their stock offerings! The combination of the comfort of Kango-Tan uppers, incredibly soft leather liners, and the extreme performance of the progressive lateral movement in the Arius make this skate like heaven on your feet. Blue Streak Platinum Skates now ship with Radar Halo wheels instead of Presto wheels, as pictured.

The Riedell Boost Skates are rink-ready and made for dancing with the beginner dance skater in mind. With vinyl uppers that are supportive and soft lining, they require a very brief or no break-in time. Underneath, they have the Powerdyne Thrust plate, which is user-friendly as the nylon reduces the vibrations of the surface, making them great for anyone who’s just started skating. They hold a jam plug that won’t get in the way of your moves and 57mm 96A Sonar Riva wheels.

The Roller Derby Elite Primo Skates is a smooth and sleek setup with features destined to make you the star of the local rink, dance floor, and neighborhood. The lace cover gives the Primo a clean aesthetic but keeps your laces tied and tucked out of the way. Lace hooks and a wraparound ankle strap ensure excellent security around your heel and the boot. The inside of the Primo feels great, thanks to the comfortable padded liner with additional padding around the ankles and at the forefront of the boot. There’s even a lovely footbed!

Underneath the boot, the leather sole is stitched and attached to lightweight, fiberglass-reinforced composite plates. The plates come with jam plugs installed and will accept any standard 5/8″ toe stop or jam plug. The RD Elite Primo Skate rolls on Kemistry Aspiro 62mm 97A Wheels and Bevo bearings.

The Chaya Chameleon High Skates are high-cut jam skates that are strong and supportive while staying comfortable and lightweight. They are made with a glass-fiber reinforced composite with genuine PU leather with plenty of padding within the boot. The Flap’n’Strap system is removable and interchangeable so that you can customize it with different colors, and they come with three extras in red, blue, and gold so that you can start customizing right out of the box.

The Chaya Zena plates are made of 6061 aircraft aluminum, making them very precise and robust with excellent energy transfer. The plate is mounted on the Dual Center Mounting System, which uses a bolt underneath each truck and allows you to customize the position of your mounting and offer you an easy way to change out the plates quickly. They also have Chaya Diamond Jam Plugs that are fixed onto the plate with a clamp mechanism. The wheels below are Chaya’s Drift wheels, which are 59mm with a 95A hardness and spin freely on ABEC 9 Wicked bearings.

The Chaya Kismet Barbie Patin Gold Skates, inspired by renowned roller skater Barbie Luciana, combine park performance with affordability. Featuring Barbie’s signature Gold color, these skates offer a luxurious design and cater to both advanced skaters and those new to the skate bowl. With a comfortable mid-cut boot providing excellent support, they incorporate the unique Karma grind block for enhanced stability during grinding and a glass-fiber reinforced plastic for a smooth slide.

The Chaya Shari plate, equipped with the Power Toe System and Offset Toe Stop, enhances power, speed, control, and acceleration. The 20-degree axles ensure agility, turns, and power transfer without compromising stability, while the Barbie Lu Pro wheels and Abec 7 bearings deliver a premium glide experience.

Bont ParkStar Skates are a fresh take on the ParkStar that offers versatility in the parks and streets, wherever your skating takes you. The ParkStar Boot is the same innovative design with a snug fit and excellent response, now with pastel suede uppers. The fully heat moldable base allows each skater to customize the fit at home without worrying about a bothersome break-in.

A strong aluminum Tracer Plate sits underneath, with 57mm Glide Wheels that are nice and soft for outdoor use. ABEC 5 Bearings and an adjustable toe stop (with a locking screw!) round out the components of this stylish and fun skate package, placing them on our list of best roller skates for adults.

The Chaya Karma Pro Skates are advanced park skates designed for durability and performance. These skates feature a lightweight and sturdy construction with a combination of glass-fiber reinforced composite, genuine leather, and nano-leather materials. They come with Chaya’s innovative Shari Plate, which utilizes a dual-point mounting system for easy adjustment and flexibility.

The XTNDR trucks are solid forged aluminum with replaceable chrome steel axles, allowing customization of the wheelbase width. The Shari Plate has pre-installed asymmetrical grind blocks, and the skates include adjustable Chaya Controller toe stops. With 100A Firebolt Wheels and Wicked ABEC-9 Bearings, these skates deliver a smooth and responsive ride.

Related: The Best Slide Blocks for Roller Skates

The Chaya Ragnaroll Pro Skates are Ragnaroll’s first ever pro-skate! They are an all-white skate and have a vintage basketball shoe look. They are composed of genuine, and PU leather with glass-fiber reinforced p[plastic that will keep them durable yet flexible. The height of the cuff is higher than most Chaya Skates; it’s most comparable to the Chaya Jump 2.0 skates.

They come on the new Chaya Zena Plate, made of super strong 6061 aircraft aluminum. Chaya’s XTNDR trucks are solid, forged aluminum, and have replaceable axles. They are sold in various lengths so that you can customize the width of your wheelbase and make it your preferred width for any truck grinding. They also have pre-installed asymmetrical grind blocks that are unique to Chaya. The Chaya Controller toe stops are adjustable with a set screw, while Ragnaroll’s pro 60mm, 100A Wheels spin on Wicked ABEC-9 Bearings.

The Moxi Jack Fuse Skates offer a versatile setup suitable for various skating styles. These skates are known for their durability and comfort, with reinforced suede uppers that mold to your feet after a break-in period. The heel-locking cushions and genuine shearling lining provide ankle and forefoot support. The double-layer suede leather construction is ideal for park and street skating, offering resilience and style.

The skate features lace stabilizers, metal hooks, a triple-reinforced eye stay, and waxed laces for enhanced reliability. The lightweight reinforced nylon plate adds stability while allowing for easy maneuverability. The 57mm 92A Moxi Fundae wheels with ABEC-5 bearings suit various skating environments, offering speed and agility. Additionally, you can customize the skate with a grind block and personalized color choices to suit your preferences.

The S1 Lifer Helmet is a professional-grade helmet using a high-impact EPS Foam Liner for maximum protection against big falls and multiple collisions.

If you want excellent pads at a great price, consider the Triple Eight Saver Series Pad Set with Kneesavers, Elbowsavers, and Wristsavers. They are available in multiple colors and sizes.

The Ennui Street Wrist Guard features a large slider plate on the palm and an ultra-stiff splint on the back to give top-notch support. The liner features a mixture of neoprene and CoolMax fabric to increase comfort, while three velcro straps keep everything in place.

The Ennui Shock Sleeve Knee Gasket slides on and fits snugly around the knee, wrapping it in a spiderweb of ‘super foam’ that cushions impacts and saves your skin from nasty road rash. Skaters who shy away from the heavyweight protection offered by the much bulkier knee pads on the market will love these gaskets and their lack of restriction. The gasket is mostly polyester, with elastane strips inside at the top and bottom to help lock the pad in place and prevent slippage. Ennui uses MyFit SPC foam coated in thermoplastic rubber (TPR) to provide impact protection. Since this is not a genuine hard plastic cap, higher-impact skating disciplines may seek higher protection levels.

At some point, every skater will have to do skate maintenance. The best tool for the job is the Powerdyne Y3 Skate Tool, which offers excellent leverage to change wheels and tighten bolts on your roller skates. With two different size sockets (1/2″ & 9/16″) and a 15/16″ wrench, it is ideal for tightening standard axle lock nuts, kingpin lock nuts, and toe stops. The compact design of the skate tool fits easily in your pocket, so you can carry it with you whenever you skate. The Powerdyne Y3 Skate Tool makes an excellent gift for any skater in your life, landing them on our list of best gift ideas for roller skaters.

The Bont Bearing Press is a MUST for every roller skater who frequently changes bearings. One end serves to press bearings into your skate wheels, while the opposite end allows for easy bearing removal. The poll is adjustable and works for 7mm & 8mm Bearings.