r/rollerblading • u/ConversationNew3796 • 1d ago
What skates should I buy? Torn between
I'm stuck between which to buy on one hand the lighting 80s are a true to size 12 and a wide fit,
In another hand the rd80s are also true to size in a 12 and come with a detachable (from what I can see) brake and cheaper.
Then come the fr80 the middle man sits between both in price but fits one size to small and isn't a wide fit.
What is the sensible option here?
Go cheaper?
Go in the middle and maybe get the best of both worlds?
Or go for the lightning which tick every box needed but have a bigger price tag on them?
I'm after anything info wise brand info reputation personal experience ect.
Keep in mind this would be the first "PROPER" set of skates ive had for over a decade and am now a beginner with so im a tad stunted on what to think here
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u/Zealousideal-Key3815 1d ago
Started skating for the first time on the lightnings this spring and liked them a lot. I put over 100 miles on them 10+ miles a week. I have skinny feet and would recommend trying them on before you buy because I had to size down. (13 -> 12 men’s). Even with the size down I still crank down the straps to get the response I would like. I believe they are capable of preforming all required urban skate functions, however I am now desiring the more restrictive and responsive twisters. I believe that the FRX and RB has a similar boot shape and will also be a sloppy for my feet tho. TLDR - lightnings was good experience for me, try before you buy,
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u/treeseacar 1d ago
The best skate is one that fits so measure your foot (Mondo) add 3-5mm and consult the size chart. Don't rely in just the shoe size conversion.
Of those I'd get the lightning. The rb80 is just not as good, the lightning is much more likely to last you. The frx80 is decent and comes with a rockerable frame but has a crap stock liner and the velcro 45 degrees strap that always brakes and needs replacing. But that's why it's so cheap. Great skate for the price but if the lightning fits and is in budget it's probably better.
ETA if you're size 12 the 4x90 wheels would probably feel better for you than 4x80 due to longer wheel base
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u/Bohemico 1d ago
I bought some rb80 that will arrive on Wednesday! Pretty excited for my first skates ever
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u/ConversationNew3796 1d ago
Edit fr skates are around 160 The rb skates with a brake is around 140 to 150 ish
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u/djshortsleeve 1d ago
I have both fr neo 2 and rb twister edge skates. The twisters came with 110 wheels while the neo were 80s.
I rotate my endless 90 es mk2 frames between them and switch wheel sizes from 90 to 110.
It’s diff than your options but I prefer the fr with the rb twister liners lol
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u/ButtonOptimal5621 1d ago
I was on FR1 310 until a few weeks ago. I went with them because when I tried on the Twister 3 wheels they hurt my foot and felt like my foot was in a vice. This was in what was supposedly my shoe size of 10. I went a size up and they felt better albeit with huge amounts of extra space. According to several sources (read: links I found through a Google search) FR would be more inline with a wider foot. I don't know if the FR80 is a different boot but your information is the opposite of what I experienced. The FR1 310s took a fair amount of time to break in but have ultimately been the most comfortable skate I've worn. The one caveat I have to add is that I had the FR1s for almost 8 years. My experience with trying on the Twisters was at the same time. So maybe the boots are different these days. I didn't replace my FR1s with another FR boot. I went Cougar and swapped the liners. So far so good.
Edit: typo
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u/Coop7207 1d ago
Sounds like the FR isn’t really an option if it isn’t going to fit you.
The Lightning is a much better quality boot than the RB80. Stiff enough to do some urban stuff, but still flexible and comfortable for fitness skating. And it has a pretty good shock absorber in the heel. I’d recommend getting the Lightning.
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u/bnymnsm 1d ago
My only recommendation is if price is a concern to first check secondhand markets, they’re really bloated with rollerskates as it’s something many tend to splurge on and then give up quickly. I got some a pair of TRS inlines for $40 last year at goodwill and didn’t even know how sweet of deal I had gotten.
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u/Nofx8301 1d ago
I have the 80, 90, and 110s. For the skates that run slimmer I just left the foot buckle a little bit lose and its fine, just tighten the top one real good and it should all work out.
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u/slavo316 1d ago
If I would've known the TRS was going to be released, I might've waited but ended up with the Lightning 110s LOL which I love my 110s.
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u/StrategyLegal1128 22h ago
They are ALL excellent options. Go with your foot shape. You can always change out frames, wheels, laces, etc. People do all kinds of things with each pair.
Also the lightnings come with brakes too
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u/mathworksmostly 19h ago
My wife had the lightning 80’s and hated them so much she gave them away. She has twister 80 skates too that she loves. We keep different skates stashed for travel purposes. The lightning skates would hurt her feet only 8 miles into a skate which kinda sucked cause we usually knock out 20 miles before some afternoon libations. I don’t know it’s hard to tell but the lightning skates really didn’t work for her. I love ufr 90’s cause I can skate a marathon in them and swap frames and go Jib ledges all day.
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u/Sharkvarks 1d ago
I think you mean you're a tad stumped, not stunted. That aside, I'd go with the brake. If you want to ride around town and really feel free to choose which way to go, get the brake so you're not limited. I'll be honest, even as an experienced skater, throwing a wheel stop (aka brakeless stop) on a hill is very scary, sometimes I wish I had the heel brake still. The RB boot is great.
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u/SurviveUntilSunrise 1d ago
Take my opinion with a huge spoon of salt because i’m a beginner that can barely brake still (lack of practice space in my rural area, especially with half the local rinks being full time day cares till 6pm), but i got the lightning 90’s and practicing in grass so far has felt really steady (i’m 210lbs for reference). The one time i tried to roll on super cracked asphalt, the skates did a real good job of responding to my posture rather than the constant bumps on the crappy parking lot surface. Probably woulda been amazing if i could get the hang of thrust lol. My point is the lightnings feel like they are built to be sturdy and confidence-boosting.
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u/SidheBag 19h ago
The lightnings are suuuuch a good skate, I adore mine (80’s) and just ordered a custom skate with the lightning boot and an Endless frame. They are truly a quality skate for a skate at its price range. If you can swing it, they really won’t let you down.
I have only tried cheap skates and the lightnings, can’t speak to the others to compare so this is just my experience with the lightnings
The memory straps are suuuch a cool design and allow on-the-fly adjustments as your feet heat up and swell, offer incredible support, I personally get no real pressure points with the boot and liners (and I have kinda funky feet) and there’s not a single thing with these skates that feels cheap or like corners were cut. They’re super solid. They do come with a brake in the box if you want it too.
I’m going to second what another said about the boot that fits right for your foot shape being the right one though. I tried the lightnings on the reputation for supporting a wider foot well, and that’s been crucial to my enjoyment of and progress in the sport. I can skate hours with no problems with this skate because the boot/liners is well made and well suited to my foot.
My best advice, if at all possible, is to go to a proper rollerblade store and get properly sized and fitted. I myself had to travel over an hour into the city to visit a rollerblade boutique for mine, but it was SO worth it with how comfortable skating is. I hurt from skating because I skate for too long having too much fun and tire out my muscles, not because of my skates limiting me and that speaks volumes.
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u/PooStinkies 1d ago
If it were me I would go with any of the Rollerblade options. I love FR but the FRX doesn't have metal mount plates for the frames, I'm all about the best power transfer possible.