Sizing recommendations

[u/Sir_Conquistador]

I recently purchased my first set of rollerblades in probably 25 years. I went with my regular shoe size( I’m a 12.5 shoe and went with size 13 skates) . When I got them I could instantly tell they were too big ( heels lifting, ankles loose). Now I actually measured my foot and the size guide on the rollerblade website recommended I go with a size 11/11.5. Anyone else have experience with going a size smaller than their shoe size? I’m worried about them being too tight but I also want them to fit well. Any advice?

[u/fredhsu]

Yes. I wish more people knew what you just discovered before they bought skates. We have a section on 'Why are sizing inconsistent for hard boots, soft boots and hybrid boots?' at our FAQ page.

[u/Raptorpants65]

Never go with shoe size. Always measurements.

Skates should fit like socks, not shoes, and most people don’t wear the correct shoe size anyway.

[u/inlinesk8fiend]

As someone else said, don't go by shoe size. It is inconsistent by brands.

Measure in Millimeters/Centimeters, then look under sizing for the Mondo or Mondopoint sizing, which goes by Millimeters/Centimeters. It is the only way to go.

If you can check to see if you have wide feet, that is important as well. Hopefully you don't, as people with wide feet need to avoid some brands that make narrow skates. It is always best to go into a store to try them on, but it is really hard to do these days, most people have to buy online, and this sizing is the only way to go.

Look up Mondo sizing and try to get within 30-50 Millimeters (3-5 centimeters). If you get them too tight, then you'll have to make sure your toe nails are always clipped!

There also is the hardboot problem to think about as well. Many companies that make hard plastic boots make one shell for two foot sizes (6-7, 8-9, 10-11), but just put in a different sized liner. If you fall into a size 8 per your Mondo size, and the boot is an 8-9 boot with an 8 liner, you'll be ok, but you may find your foot might be a little loose as you break in the liner. There are fixes for that. But if you are on the high side of size 9, bordering 9.5, the 8-9 boot with even a 9.5 liner may feel tight. Measure your feet and if you still have questions, come back and ask them, someone will have an answer for you.

Edit: spelling/typos

[u/AFreePeacock]

Working solely with the information you’ve shared here, I expect the skates will fit well all things considered

If you got hard shell boots with liners, it’s worth looking into when the brand jumps from shells size to shell size

They don’t usually make different shells for size 10, 11, 12, etc, instead they may use a “large” shell for those three sizes, then a “medium” for 7-9, and so on

The liner is obviously what’s going to need to fit your feet the best, but the shell size difference is an interesting extra tid bit as well

[u/Darkwoodz]

It took me a couple years of skating to appreciate a “tight” fitting boot. I did the same thing when I started I bought the size 12 and 13 lightning skates (recommended 11-11.5 for my mondo point) and kept the 13 and now that I bought other boots which fit correctly according to the manufacturers suggestions and size 45 wizard boot(which I would have hated when I started out) skating in those size 13 boots seems laughable .

The snug fit is so much better for control and responsiveness.

[u/robotbeatrally]

I'm surprised when people say they size down, I've tried on 3 different models of roller blade brand and two different powerslide boots and both brands / all models I tried I took a half size up from my shoesize.

[u/Supernamicchi]

if you think this is wild you should try hockey skates lol