Roller Skate Buying Guide
To buy the right roller skates, pick a style for how you'll skate, then a supportive boot that fits snugly and wheels matched to your surface. Beginners do best in a high-top boot with an adjustable toe stop. Choose soft 78A–85A wheels for outdoor pavement, or harder wheels of about 88A and up for indoor rinks.
Last updated: October 28, 2026 · By the Skates.com Editorial Team
What are the different types of roller skates?
Roller skates, or quads, come in several styles. Recreational and outdoor skates focus on comfort and support. Artistic and rhythm skates have high boots and small, maneuverable wheels. Jam and dance skates use low-cut boots for footwork, while derby and speed skates are low-cut and built for quick acceleration and agility.
| Style | Boot | Typical wheels | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational / outdoor | High-top, padded | Soft, larger wheels (60–70mm) for rough surfaces | Beginners, trails, casual rink skating |
| Artistic / rhythm | High-top, supportive | Small wheels (around 57mm) for maneuverability | Spins, jumps and dance routines |
| Jam / dance | Low-cut | Hard indoor wheels | Footwork and dance tricks |
| Derby | Low-cut | Mid-size indoor wheels (often 59mm or 62mm) | Roller derby |
| Speed | Low-cut | Mid-size wheels (around 62mm) for sustained speed | Racing and fast skating |
Shop every style in Roller Skates, or start with Roller Skates 101 if you're brand-new.
What roller skates are best for beginners?
Beginners should choose a high-top boot for ankle support, an adjustable toe stop and wheels matched to their main surface. A supportive recreational quad, like the Roces RC1, is easier to learn on than a low-cut jam or derby skate. Lower toe stops help you brake sooner, and you can raise them as you improve.
Read Best Roller Skates for Beginners for what to learn first, or Best Roller Skates for Women for women's picks.
Hard boot or soft boot? High-top or low-cut?
Hard boots give more ankle support and last longer, while soft boots feel comfortable for casual skating but offer less support for first-timers. High-top boots suit beginners and outdoor, artistic and rhythm skating. Low-cut boots allow more ankle movement and quick acceleration, so they suit jam, speed and roller derby skaters.
What wheel hardness and size should I choose?
Wheel hardness is measured on the A durometer scale: the higher the number, the harder the wheel. Outdoor wheels are soft, around 78A–85A, to absorb bumps and grip rough pavement. Indoor wheels are harder, about 88A and up, so they roll fast and slide predictably on rink floors. Smaller wheels accelerate quickly; larger wheels hold speed.
| Surface | Typical hardness | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor: asphalt, sidewalks, trails | 78A–85A (soft) | Grips and cushions you from bumps, cracks and debris |
| Moderate indoor: most sport courts | 88A–96A | A balance of grip and slide |
| Grippy indoor: coated wood, many rinks | 94A–100A (hard) | The floor provides the grip, so hard wheels won't stick |
Skating on both surfaces? Many skaters keep a second set of wheels. See Skating Wheels By Type for more on durometer and wheel size.
Do roller skate bearings matter?
Bearings let your wheels spin freely, and each quad skate uses eight, so a pair needs 16. Most skate bearings use the ABEC scale, which has five grades: ABEC 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Higher grades mean tighter manufacturing tolerances, not automatically more speed. Clean, lubricated bearings and well-fitted wheels matter more.
Learn how to choose and care for bearings in our Skate Bearings Buying Guide.
How should roller skates fit?
Roller skates should feel snug, with your heel locked in place and your toes close to, but not crushed against, the front of the boot. Sizing varies by brand, and many quads use men's sizing. The Roces RC1, for example, lists a women's 8 as a men's 6, so check the brand's chart before you order.
Skates that are too tight quickly become painful, and skates that are too big don't support your ankle. Find brand charts on our Sizing Charts & Fitting Guides page.
What are the best roller skate brands?
Well-known roller skate brands include Riedell, founded in 1945 in Red Wing, Minnesota; Sure-Grip, founded in 1937 in Southern California; and Roces, established in 1952. Our roller skate catalog also includes Jackson, Chicago Skate, Crazy Skate, Pacer, Roller Derby and Fit-Tru. The best brand is the one whose fit and style suit your skating.
| Brand | Background | Examples in our catalog |
|---|---|---|
| Riedell | Founded in 1945 in Red Wing, Minnesota; still family-owned, now in its third generation | Riedell R3 Outdoor, Riedell Dart, Riedell Orbit |
| Sure-Grip | Founded in 1937 by John L. Wintz in a Southern California garage | Sure-Grip Rock GT-50, Sure-Grip Prism, Sure-Grip Rebel |
| Roces | Italian skate maker established in 1952 | Roces RC1, Roces Quaddy 3.0, Roces Piper |
| Jackson | Inline figure roller skates in our catalog | Jackson Finesse, Jackson Atom Ultima Mystique |
| Chicago Skate, Pacer, Crazy Skate | Recreational and speed quads in our catalog | Chicago Bullet, Pacer 429, Crazy Skate Zoom |
Browse every brand we carry on our Brands page.
How much do roller skates cost?
Prices depend on the boot, plate, wheels and bearings. At Skates.com, the adjustable Roces Quaddy 3.0 for kids is $79.99 and the adult Roces RC1 is $100.00 (prices checked October 28, 2026). Upgraded parts, such as aluminum plates, premium wheels and higher-grade bearings, raise the price as skaters progress.
What safety gear do roller skaters need?
Wear a helmet, wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads while you learn, and consider padded shorts. Wrist guards matter because beginners often fall forward onto their hands, and protective gear is especially important for kids. Choose a skate helmet, which is built to handle multiple impacts, rather than a single-impact bike helmet.
Shop protective gear and skate helmets, or compare in Difference Between Skate Helmets.
Which roller skates should I buy first?
For a first adult pair, the Roces RC1 is a classic high-top quad with an anatomical footbed, 85A wheels and ABEC 5 bearings. For kids, the adjustable Roces Quaddy 3.0 expands across a range of sizes as they grow. Both are in stock at Skates.com now, and both suit beginners learning to glide and stop.
| Skate | Best for | Key specs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roces RC1 Unisex Roller Skates | Adult beginners | High, supportive ECOleather upper; anatomical footbed; PU toe stop; 54x32mm / 85A PU wheels; ABEC 5 bearings | $100.00 |
| Roces Quaddy 3.0 Adjustable Girls Roller Skates | Kids | Adjustable sizing; each pair spans a size range (10J–12J, 13J–2, 2.5–4.5 or 5–8) | $79.99 |
Prefer inline skates? Compare in the Inline Skates Buying Guide or Best Roller Blades for Women.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best roller skate brands?
Popular roller skate brands include Riedell, Sure-Grip, Roces, Jackson, Chicago Skate, Crazy Skate and Pacer. Riedell was founded in Red Wing, Minnesota, in 1945, and Sure-Grip was founded in Southern California in 1937. Choose the brand whose fit and skate style suit you.
What size roller skates should I get?
Start with your shoe size, then check the brand's size chart, because sizing varies and many quads use men's sizing. The Roces RC1, for example, lists a women's 8 as a men's 6. Your skates should feel snug, with your heel locked in place.
Do roller skates run big or small?
It depends on the brand and model. Many roller skates use men's sizing, so women often need to convert, as with the Roces RC1, where a women's 8 is a men's 6. Always compare your foot to the brand's size chart before ordering.
What is the difference between roller skates and rollerblades?
Roller skates, or quads, have two pairs of wide wheels and usually a front toe stop, so they feel stable standing still. Rollerblades, or inline skates, have one line of wheels and a heel brake, and they roll more efficiently over cracks and rough pavement.
Are roller skates or rollerblades easier for beginners?
Quad roller skates usually feel easier to balance on at first because four wide-set wheels spread your weight. Inline skates roll more efficiently outdoors and use a heel brake. Both are easy to learn at any age.
Can you use roller skates outside?
Yes. Choose soft wheels around 78A–85A, which absorb bumps and grip rough pavement, and a supportive high-top boot. Hard indoor wheels feel slippery and jarring outdoors. Skate on smooth, dry surfaces.
How much do roller skates cost?
At Skates.com, the adjustable Roces Quaddy 3.0 for kids is $79.99 and the adult Roces RC1 is $100.00 as of October 2026. Skates with upgraded plates, wheels and bearings cost more.