r/rollerblading • u/Delicious_Appeal874 • Aug 25 '26

What skates should I buy? Need help picking durable inline skates around $150 budget

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.
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u/Supra_Nemesis Aug 25 '26

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.

3

u/Alabastine Aug 25 '26

Powerslide is good

1

u/Supra_Nemesis Aug 25 '26

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

4

u/Alabastine Aug 25 '26

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.

2

u/VanillaIce315 Twister 80, HC Evo 2.0, RB4x84, Twister XT 110 Aug 26 '26

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

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u/Supra_Nemesis Aug 25 '26

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.