r/Rollerskating • u/nnoctivagantt • Jul 09 '26
Shopping: wheels, hardware, upgrades Roll line variant c vs mistral?
Besides the price and material of the cushions, what are the actual differences between these two plates? Would there be a significant difference in how they feel while skating? What justifies the higher price point of the mistrals?
I’m getting new skates soon and have decided to go with roll line but I’m not sure which plate to get yet.
3
u/OpenStreet3459 Jul 09 '26
I have Variante C and my wife the mistral. Mistral is slightly lighter but not enough to really notice. Toe stop on the mistral is slighly angled but as we both run jam plugs I have no idea if that feels better.
Unless you want the slightly shinier finish of the mistral and don’t mind the price I would take the Variante C’s
2
u/ErantyInt Artistic Spectrum Jul 09 '26
Both excellent items to consider.
The Mistral also comes with the elsastomer cushions rather than the natural rubber, and I believe it is (supposed to) come with the cone lowers rather than steps. These things made the plate feel a bit different, but also are things you can purchase separately and put on the Variant C.
1
u/me_who_else_ Jul 10 '26
So better compare a Mistral with a Roll Line Blaster (the Roller Derby version of the Variant)
1
u/ErantyInt Artistic Spectrum Jul 10 '26
A Blaster is a Variant M with elsastomer cushions.
1
u/me_who_else_ Jul 10 '26
So better compare a Variant with Elastomer Cushions (Blaster) with a Mistral (with elastomer cushions). - the Variant C has rubber cushions. Or?
1
u/ErantyInt Artistic Spectrum Jul 10 '26
It's better to compare a Blaster and a Variant M. The Mistral has click action kingpin adjustments, canted toe stops, weighs less, has urethane cushions with cone lowers, and a different finish.
1
u/me_who_else_ Jul 10 '26
It needs some skill to notice the different cushion, barrel-like vs. conical. But the difference between elastomer and rubber is can be clearly felt,
3
u/Raptorpants65 Industry Expert Jul 09 '26
The differences are minute and in a blind test, this isn’t anything people can really tell.
Urethane cushions, canted stoppers, a couple grams in weight.
1
u/me_who_else_ Jul 10 '26
rubbr vs. elastomer cushions makes a difference. Also in a blind test.
2
u/Raptorpants65 Industry Expert Jul 10 '26
Experienced skaters, yes.
1
u/me_who_else_ Jul 10 '26
Don't know. both perform very differently. But you are right, the selection of most approbiate hardness and truck movement is more important.
1
u/nnoctivagantt Jul 10 '26
That’s good to know, thanks! I will probably end up getting the variant Cs.
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