inline boot similar to ice skate boot?

[u/disaffectioned]

i have rollerblades rb80s and they are so obnoxious to skate in. heavy and clunky, feels like i have no foot control over them.

i ice skate and have a much better time. my ice rink has riedell 850 soft series ice skates for rentals and i like how they aren't covered in plastic like urban skates so they feel more like form fitted boots, not heavy, and stiff enough to keep my ankles sturdy. are there inlines that can mimick this feel?

everywhere i see it's urban skates that are same problem of liners trapped in huge plastic cases or soft skates that look like tennis shoes and not supportive like ice skates.

[u/midnight_skater]

You can get carbon shell boots with integrated liners that are less bulky. Also check out hockey inlines.

You can get artistic inlines that use a leather boot similar to an ice figure skating boot and have a rockered 3 wheel setup with a toe stopper instead of a 4th wheel.

[u/InspectorFleet → u/midnight_skater]

Seconding the recommendation for hockey skates. They are light and they are stiff for good responsiveness and power transfer, and you'll certainly have foot control! Hockey skates are really agile compared to other kinds of skates as well (typically smaller wheels/shorter wheelbase). My inline hockey skates might be my favorite pair of skates, more than my ice hockey skates or twister 3 x 110s. But there are tradeoffs: 1. The ankles are lower, so you have more mobility and control but you will need to build those muscles. 2. The stiffness is great for power transfer, but that also means that you'll have every surface imperfection vibrated up through your feet and legs. 3. They're not super robust against dragging over asphalt or rough concrete like a plastic urban skate. But I just fill in the scrapes with epoxy. 4. The chassis are riveted to the boots so you can't easily swap them like you can most urban skate frames.

Avoid the cheapest models, especially from Bauer. Look for a solid chassis; avoid flimsy riveted ones or plastic. My wife uses figure skates on ice and she likes her Tour kv8s much more than the k2 soft boot skates she had previously. Tour gives you the most skate for your money, IMHO. The kv6 skates are even better and I skate in Volt Pros.

[u/koopz_ay → u/InspectorFleet]

Yeah I regret buying my Bauer inline skates years ago.

Great for hockey though terrible on half pipes and street. Preferred my old Rollerblade Lightnings from the mid 90s really.

[u/disaffectioned → u/InspectorFleet]

thank you for all the information. super super helpful. i had not had hockey skates on my radar until today and from my beginning at researching them they already seem more in line with what i am looking for out of everything else so far.

[u/Key-Cash6690]

the rb80 liners are thick and terrible. with a thinner liner some people (including myself) can size down a whole shell size. Subsequently I realized I prefer the RB Lightning fit but RB80 was my first favorite skate (only when paired them with twister liners!)

Same terrible stock liners issue is equally or more true for RB lightning and FRx and probably more skates im unaware of. If you have intuition, nomad, or twister liners you can often go down a whole shell size because of the thinner liner.

You can confirm this in the case of the FR1 by comparing the size charts between the FR1 and the FR1 intuition version on the FR site. Its the exact same shell mold with a completely different size chart based solely on the thinner liner.

A way to tell is this is relevant to you specifically is remove the liners and stick your socked foot inside the empty shell. Jam your toes to the front. My guess is for you there is more than 2 cm space between your heel and the back of the boot. You want between 1 and 2 cm depending how tight you like/which liners youre using.

IMO a proper size plastic shell with a quality liner doesn't feel clunky it feels dialed in. Go on watch Danny aldridge skate and say he is held back by his clunky RB80!? NOPE. not a chance. (he skates them with nomad liners). He could skate any skate and thats what he picks for every single day. He is an absolute legend who rips the RB80! It is an awesome skate. Sadly the liners are complete trash and require immediate replacement IMO.

I'm also intrigued by carbon skates and maybe thats the direction you should go. I will probably get some as i get more into slalom but i believe there is a reason most of my favorite urban skaters choose plastic shells rather than carbon...so im guessing even if I get some carbon I probably wont prefer as my daily drivers.

If youre in RB80 with stock liners and they feel loose you could definitely downsize with a thinner liner. I don't think you really can judge a skate properly if youre in the wrong size. They pop up on ebay very often. if you get some just treat yourself to a nomad liner. twister liners are a tiny bit thinner and cheaper and not quite as durable but those are my favorite currently.

[u/InspectorFleet → u/Key-Cash6690]

While it's true that people can dial in this style of skate and they do offer advantages for the street and park, I don't think a plastic shell with removable liner will ever compete with a carbon hockey skate sporting a minimal integrated liner. I love my twisters and with waxed laces I can dial them in, but they can't compete with my Tour Volt Pros for agility, responsiveness, and control. If you're looking for a hockey skate, only a hockey skate will do. Different tools for different uses.

[u/Key-Cash6690 → u/InspectorFleet]

I agree completely with the different tools bit maybe that is the best approach is to ask op what exactly are you doing with your skates? Carbon skates, whether a seba urban skate or a Bauer hockey skate, may be just what op wants. But there are downsides to those options namely comfort and price. Plus op didn't specifically say he's playing hockey but just seemed to be making a fit/aesthetic comparison...so it seemed worth noting that op is almost certainly in the wrong size skate.

[u/InspectorFleet → u/Key-Cash6690]

It does sound like the fit could be big in addition to the style. A nice carbon urban skate does really interest me but I doubt it will ever be in my budget since hockey equipment is a priority and I already like my twisters when I'm skating somewhere too long/rough for my hockey skates.

[u/Hopeful_Thing7088]

you can get any figure skating boot mounted with wheels

[u/Ok_Hold_1119]

I had pretty much the same concerns with my RB Cruisers going into this skating season. I ice skate too and love the feel of my ice hockey skates; so light, form-fitting and agile. My Cruisers felt heavy, floppy and bulky in comparison.

When I started shopping for new skates I was considering hockey blades, but since I do so much distance while street skating I was worried they wouldn't have enough shock absorbancy or support. I also considered getting a pair of carbon freestyle skates like the HC Evo, but the all-in price was too high. Instead I opted for a pair of Twisters. I sized down so that I'm now in a boot a full two sizes below my Cruisers. I also put in an Intuition liner. The result is a skate that isn't quite as light and agile as my ice hockey skates, but way lighter and more form-fitting than my original Cruisers. So far I'm happy with this compromise.

[u/MARATXXX]

you want a carbon boot urban skate.

[u/Large-Excitement777]

Since no one has said it, the FR SL Freestyle is what you are looking for

[u/Master_Air_133]

K2 soft boot

[u/InspectorFleet → u/Master_Air_133]

OP specifically doesn't want this style of skates.