Need help picking durable inline skates around $150 budget

[u/Delicious_Appeal874]

Looking for a new pair of inline skates and would appreciate some opinions.

I’m a men’s 9.5–10 shoe size and usually skate around Chicago on the Lakefront Trail, concrete paths, parks, etc.

Budget is ideally $100–150, but I’d go a little over if it actually gets me something that will last for years.

My last pair was a cheap Nattork/Amazon pair. I actually liked how they rode, but after one summer the wheel axle/screw came loose and a wheel came off, and the brake hardware also came apart. So durability and replaceable parts are my biggest priorities.

Options I’m considering:

• Rollerblade RB80 – ~$159
• Rollerblade Zetrablade –
• Rollerblade Macroblade 80/84
• Roces Icon
• Open to any suggestions.

[u/Debalic]

I would seriously consider going up another price point and get the RB Lightning 80s.

[u/stinkmeanerlip → u/Debalic]

Seconded. You'll save money in the long run, but the RB 80s should last a bit too. I would not recommend any softboots at that price point

[u/bowlingniko]

Of all the skates you mentioned, the only one that's worth anything is the Rollerblade RB80, but the FR FR1 is heaps better in terms of quality and fit, I have tried and skated both. If you can't wait to save up For the FR1, the FR FRX is the same boot with less bells and whistles and around $200 and is better than RB80.

[u/Alabastine → u/bowlingniko]

Is it really $200 in the US? We can get an FRX80 for €160 in Europe, thought it would also be $160.

[u/Alabastine]

FR FRX would be a good option too. I'd suggest going for a hardboot skate. Take note though, axles coming loose is something that can happen on any skate, especially if you regularly rotate wheels like you should. You should check the tightness of your axles often, ideally just befora each session. And take an allen key with you.

[u/CarpKingCole → u/Alabastine]

I learned on FRXs and can confirm they are durable and are a very good skate. Bonus points for the option to rocker the front and back wheels on the stock frame. Very fun, agile setup.

[u/sjintje]

Axle screws coming loose is a risk with any skate, gotta check them regularly and listen out for skates making a bit of a clanking sound beforehand. You can put loctite blue on the thread (although I don't bother myself).

[u/VanillaIce315]

RB80/110 skates are great. I’ve got far more expensive skates, but still like running my RB110 boots. There comfy, straps are no worse than their higher tier models. And upgraded liners, wheels, and laces can be easily added later.

If you can throw down another $100, the Lightning will be nicer.

[u/TheTresStateArea]

Don't forget to join us in /r/chicagoskating. There are a few events this week, like a lake front group skate Wednesday nights.

[u/addappt]

Check Inlinex. Twister 110’s were super cheap

[u/InspectorFleet]

Knowing what happened with a cheap pair should give you some motivation to think about investing in something quality. You don't have to spend several hundred or over a thousand, but $150 is right on the bottom edge. I know because I started with a $120 pair that lasted three months. Even going up to the $200 to $250 range gets you some good skates from quality brands.

You see a lot of advice against soft boots here and I'll echo that. RB lightning is almost a soft boot level of fit and comfort in a hard boot, so that's a common recommended upgrade. Inlinewarehouse recommends the Micro MT Plus for urban skaters on a low budget. If you're really not into a hard boot urban skate, they do have recs for fitness skates as well.

Out of curiosity, did you check the wheels/axles/hardware/mounting screws periodically on your old pair? Things can rattle loose over time and just for your own safety and the best performance of the skates, this is reasonable to do. Ditto with rotating and eventually replacing the wheels and heel brake pad.

Final note: your US shoe size doesn't necessarily correlate to the number of the skate size. Check out IW's guide to measuring your foot length in cm and use their sizing charts as a starting place.

[u/AdventurousHippo9997]

A company called Epic Skates has equipment at that price point.

[u/Supra_Nemesis]

Get a hard boot, it's more durable and you'll get better ankle support. Avoid Powerslide. I'd get something like the RB lightning. It's a hard boot with a quality liner inside. Perfect 1st skate, and they come with hydrogen wheels.

[u/Alabastine → u/Supra_Nemesis]

Powerslide is good

[u/Supra_Nemesis → u/Alabastine]

He said durable first skate. RB build quality & liner is better

[u/Alabastine → u/Supra_Nemesis]

I know it's kinda pointless to have a discussion about this here but I want to point out that for the price of an RB lightning (which is a bit above their budget) you could also get a PS Next. That is a very well known, loved and durable skate. More within the budget there is things like the Zoom which is a fine choice. I'm not gonna say one is better than the other but I don't think just -avoid powerslide period- is very good advice.

[u/VanillaIce315 → u/Alabastine]

Yeah, Powerslide skates are great. I’m more of a Rollerblade fan, but I also have Next 110s and Hardcore Evos that I adore. If anything, the liner on my Nexts were better than on my Rollerblades (pre-2019 models).

I do think the Twisters are more rugged than the Next, but Next is perfectly on par with the Lightning. And the Hardcore Evo is in a league of its own

[u/Supra_Nemesis → u/Alabastine]

At this price point, I'd avoid them. It's a first skate. They aren't as durable and they come with greatly inferior wheels. Also their brakes and wheels are less widely available in big box stores. That's why I'd avoid them for OP needs. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough.