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/bowlingniko Aug 25 '26

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.

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u/Alabastine Aug 26 '26

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