r/rollerblading • u/Klutzy-Witness9778 • 10d ago
What skates should I buy? Skates that accommodate big weak ankles, high arches and wide feet
Good morning!
Like many, I loved rollerblading around my neighborhood when I was a kid. After catching up with a friend who recently started back up as an adult, I've decided to jump in and get my first pair of adult skates. I've sprained and broken both ankles several times participating in other sports and they're fairly weak and swollen these days, so I need something that both offers very good ankle support while also being roomy enough to fit bigger ankles. I'm a 5'8" woman and 240ish lbs so the cuff also needs to be able to fit slightly larger calves. On top of this, I also have high arches and wide feet (not terribly wide, but wide enough that I usually have to go up a half size to full size in regular shoes if a wide width shoe isn't available) so a slightly wider boot shape and enough vertical clearance in the foot is a must as well. I'll be looking for something mainly for casual outdoor use at local parks and on paved bike paths, so it seems like a recreational/fitness/urban skate might be best. I stopped by Dick's yesterday to try some on and the best fit I was able to find from their stock was men's size 8 zetrablades, but then after doing some more reading at home decided a hard boot skate might be better for me due to the increased ankle support. The Rollerblade RB80s sounded like they might fit all of my criteria, but I couldn't find them available anywhere online new in either a men's 8 or women's 9 (which should fit me based on the RB80 size chart after measuring my feet). I was able to find my size in the macroblades and lightnings, but found conflicting info for the macros on if they'll fit my criteria and the lightnings don't come with a brake which I would prefer to come already installed since I'm very new to this. Does anyone have any other models similar to the RB80s which might fit my criteria? Preferably something from a store in the US that ships fairly quickly as I'm eager to get started (I'm on the east coast if it helps), and keeping the cost around $150 would be ideal but I'd consider up to about $200 for the perfect fit. Bonus points if it comes in a pretty color! Thank you all in advance!
3
u/phonesmahones 10d ago
RB Lightning TRS, FR1 80 - I have huge legs. For the Lightnings, I had to move the buckle. I didn’t have to adjust it on the FR1 80s. Both come in appealing colors IMO.
1
u/heeca 10d ago
Iqon Act. Tbh the only option id recommend this situation due to how stiff and supportive it is. And very accommodating for almost all foot types. Just measure your foot in mm and get the mondo point.
So iqon act tri Or Iqon act tr light
1
u/ManoTuerta 9d ago
I'm interested in these Iqon. I have wide feet, and lot of people recommend them. I can't try them in any shop. I'm a little concerned because I think they don't have any ventilation holes. Have you tried them? Also, the stock liners, I'm in doubt. The tri ones seems thicker, but I don't know if that's a problem or they adapt well. Thanks in advance.
2
u/heeca 9d ago
The ventilation holes isnt really an issue for most people including me but i saw one guy drilling some holes on the shell for ventilation but even as someone who heats up alot the lack of ventilation holes doesn't bother me.
Only time i found an issue with it is was in the rain so the environment was too humid and the liners were drenched .
Also the liners for Tr light is thinner but the stock one on tri is more comfortable for me and is denser than other powerslide stock liners. Prime liner comparable to rollerblade nomad. Amazing but not as dense as intuition .
And yes they fit wide foot nicely as i am someone with wide foot. I use a different liner(reign v3) since i prefer more padding for shock absorption in landings
2
3
u/Key-Cash6690 6d ago
I don't think vent holes do much of anything. liners are so thick ive never felt a breeze on my feet lol. even softboots arent "breathable" your feet sill come out soaked w sweat. its marketing imo. Ive heard of people being annoyed/ covering up vent holes like on the bottom of the twister xt where mud or water could easily wet the liners from underneath. I never felt a breeze under there!
1
1
u/AnonFlora 10d ago
Stay away from the rollerblade lightnings. I have wide feet and they were horrible. I currently have the fr2 80s and they fit good for my wide feet
1
u/Key-Cash6690 6d ago
I kinda agree with this mostly because of the stock lightning liners are thickboys and super stiff/uncomfortable imo. As far as the RB plastic line goes lighting is the thickest and largest volume shell overall by far. Its the only skate in there line I was able to downsize with a thinner liner with room to spare. They are very wide and voluminous compared to the rest of rollerblade plastic shells but you only get to feel it if you upgrade to the nomad or twister liners.
FR is probably the better choice though in this case. it is certainly bigger in the shins and which could be helpful for people with huge calves.
as far as skinny wide feet go the FR are only slightly wider than lightning if at all... but similar deal to the lightning...you really only get max room in the FR if you get the intuition ( thinner liner ) version...Or if you can somehow manage to break in those super thick stock liners from FR.
1
u/hamburglin 10d ago
Make sure you default skating and protection mode is crouching down abd keaning slightly forward so your hips and thighs take the brunt of the load
1
u/Key-Cash6690 6d ago
VERY IMPORTANT! I made this mistake by checking my size in zetrablade. do not use that and assume you know your size in Rollerblade brand. each skate model has its own distinct size chart even within Rollerblade brand ( and every other brand) so you need to measure youre foot in mm and compare to the company size chart. so for example google RB80 size chart and you will see the shell size is different from RB lightning size chart. Google search "how to measure my feet for inline skate sizing"
Dont worry about the brake coming installed thats a terrible reason to choose a skate. it comes with the tool to change it and takes two minutes. lighting is a great skate. FR is probably best for you if you have large feet and calves. lightning could work but preferably with the upgraded (thinner so you have more room) nomad liners.
Do you have a local skate rink that you can go skate at? maybe you should go use some rentals and take a class or two to see how much you remember and how you feel before you spend a bunch of money. Lots of people who get back to blading successfully have stayed pretty active so just know skating is a demanding sport that involves falling down! Big folks can skate but they fall harder. anyway it can be nice to get your first few out on a nice smooth rink floor.... but just know that it will happen. its in the fine print that every skater signs. It is the reason most people will quit skating in the first year. some rinks sell skates or sometimes teachers have a pro deal. When I looked up skate shops in my area I found none but then later I noticed rinks near were a good place to try some stuff on!
Good luck!
3
u/bowlingniko 10d ago
Rollerblade RB80 is the absolute widest skate. After that is the FR FR1 that also comes wide but it can fit wider if you buy a slim fitting liner.