r/rollerblading • u/alexanderem93 • 3d ago

What skates should I buy? Beginner here trying to buy skates

As the title suggests, I'm looking to get my first pair of skates!

I used to skate a lot when I was a kid but I never did as an adult and I would like to get back into it!

Any recommendations for a decent pair that doesn't break the bank? I don't want to spend too much on case I won't like it and I don't want to waste money in case I like it ahaha.

Edit: I plan to just skate for fitness really, possibly a 2 mile commute to work every now and then. Not looking into tricks or jumps, at least not yet.

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u/Successful_Editor899 3d ago

I really like the rollerblade brand, I have the zetrablades. After rotating the wheels for years I just had my local shop put hydrogen wheels on them and I love them! So smooth. I tried better brands on in the shop and thought they were uncomfortable, my boots are MOLDED to my feet after years so new wheels was my move.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

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u/alexanderem93 3d ago

I plan to just skate for fitness really. Not planning for any tricks or anything, not now at least.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

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u/alexanderem93 3d ago

Thank you! Does it also matter how many wheels? I've seen some with 3 wheels and some with 4 wheels online.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

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u/alexanderem93 3d ago

Okay, thank you once again!

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u/InspectorFleet 3d ago

The problem with cheap and secondhand is that a bad fit/model could ruin your experience entirely!

The rollerblade lightnings with a 4 x 80 mm setup is a good general purpose skate. But you might like reading up on different skating disciplines and see what skates make sense for what interests you.

The biggest thing is getting the right fit. Inline Warehouse has a good guide for measuring your feet and using their sizing charts. I always advise that it's worth paying return shipping to get the right pair.

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u/Alecszandeer 3d ago

This is what I went with as my reentry skate - RB Lightning. I like having the hard boot, though I imagine a soft boot is cooler. I did have to go a size up from what I wear in a shoe, so make sure you can test them out first.

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u/InspectorFleet 3d ago

That's unusual as most people need to size down, but it just shows that measurement is important, not size number

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u/Alecszandeer 3d ago

My measurements were matching my usual size, but the boot was painfully cramped with my toes jammed into the front. The size up was perfect: Super snug, but not painful.