Looking for the BEST roller skates for men? You’ve come to the right place because our in house roller skating expert is here (along with 35 years of roller skating experience) to give out recommendations and reviews for the best roller skates for men.
New to roller skating? We’ve thoroughly reviewed several trusted brands we know firsthand and trust in this buying guide (which we hope you will read) but if you want the bottom line, TLDR on our recommendations you can find those below!
We break down our recommendations into three main categories: best inline skates for men, best speed skates for men & best freestyle skates for men. To find The Best Roller Skates for Women head over HERE.
We hope you’ll stick around to hear in detail all the things you should consider before making that important purchase. Our subject matter expert will be answering all your burning questions and help you select the right pair of men’s roller skates for your needs. We’ll also provide you with solid recommendations for roller skates to check out.
Should I buy roller blades or roller skates?
Roller stakes (or quads) are best for beginners because you have more stability, balance and support as you are learning to skate. It’s not like it is impossible to learn how to skate on rollerblades…it’s just more difficult. I always tell people to start with quads and move to roller blades (if they choose to) once they are fully comfortable on roller skates.
What should I look for when buying roller skates?
When selecting your first pair roller skates you’ll want to pay special attention to the boots, plates & wheels. Boots should be firm and supportive with ample padding around the ankles.
Plates should ideally be made of metal or composite over plastic but that’s not always possible when it comes to inline skates and speed skates which use plastic to save weight and gain speed advantage.
what’s the differencE between Indoor Roller skates and OUtdoor Roller skates?
The difference between indoor rollers skates and outdoor roller skates is mostly the components like wheels & bearings. You can wear just about any skates outdoors or indoors- it’s those two components that really make the the skate an outdoor setup or an indoor setup. It’s really easy to change between the two while keeping the skate boot you love.
When it comes to wheels you just want to know if they are intended for indoor use or outdoor use. Unless you exclusively do one over the other it’s best to have a set of indoor wheels and a set of outdoor wheels that you can change out based on where you are skating.
If you are going to be doing outdoor skating you want softer wheels with more grip on rough surfaces like concrete & pavement Outdoor wheels are a good choice for places like paved trails and the skatepark. The softer wheels absorb a lot of the shock from those rough surfaces.
I personally use and love Sure Grip Outdoor Wheels (78A). They have excellent grip and come in a wide variety of colors to customize your outdoor skate setup.
If you are going to be doing indoor skating you will be looking for harder wheels. Harder wheels are a great choice for smooth surfaces because they give you speed & better maneuverability for the roller rink activities (like freestyle dancing, skating backwards etc).
Each wheel has a hardness measurement that you want to look for…the higher the number the harder the wheel. I personally love and use Rollerbones Indoor Wheels (98a) for indoor use. They work beautifully at the rink and they come in a fantastic selection of colors.
If you see skates labeled “outdoor roller skates” it’s mostly due to the hardness of the wheels and possibly the type of bearings that are used. Pretty much any skate boot can be used outdoors. It’s never a great idea to skate in wet conditions as this can cause erosion of basic steel bearings that are inside your wheels. If you might encounter moisture regulary you might want to upgrade to ceramic bearings.
Ceramic bearings are a great choice for outdoor skating and they give you more protection against moisture. So if you occasionally hit a puddle or live in a high humidity environment you won’t have to worry as much about rusty bearings slowing you down or causing an accident.
I like & use Redz roller skate bearings for basic indoor usage and totally dry outdoor usage. Take note that skateboard bearings and roller skate bearings are the same size and can be used interchangeably.
Invest in an inexpensive skate tool and take it with you wherever you go skating so that you can make adjustments and changes to your skates if needed. These tools are small and can fit in your back pocket. I highly recommend a brightly colored tool so it’s easy to find if you drop it.
Let’s take a deep dive into all three of these important roller skate components.
It’s helpful at this point to show you an illustration of all the major components we’ve highlighted above (and a few others you’ll want to take note of for the future).
We’ll be making note of important components throughout our review so you can know what to look for while your shopping.
Note! Roller skates come as a complete set! While we’re going to talk important components and what to look for while shopping…you’ll be buying the whole enchilada at once!
What to look for in a quality roller skate boot…
Chances are you’ve rented a pair of skates at the local skating rink….remember how awful those skates were? Thin, single layer, leather boots with zero ankle support, wheels that barely spin and brakes worn down to a nub? Keep that downright awful skating experience in mine as we discuss boots..
The boot is LITERALLY the most important component of your roller skates and if you don’t have a decent quality boots on your feet, chances are you won’t be skating for very long.
When you’re looking at skate boots, look down at the sole through the top of the boot. Make sure that the ankle area has thick padding and isn’t just a thin, single piece of leather or synthetic material. The tongue should ideally have substantial padding as well. Here is an example of what to look for:
This ankle area of the boot should be firm and stiff when you put the boot on. This area needs to support the most important area of your body while your skating…your ankles. It may seem stiff at first but you will break them in over time to a comfortable fit.
As a beginner you may be tempted by some of the low price point options but I can assure you that you get what you pay for…usually lots of blisters, zero support and lots of ankle/leg pain. I want you to be a life long skater (and I think you do too) so spend a little extra to get a boot with good ankle support. You won’t regret it.
What size roller skates (BOOTS) should I buy?
Your roller skates should fit comfortably much like a pair of normal shoes. The absolute worse situation is having skates that are too tight OR too large as this can cause blisters, rubs and extreme discomfort. Be sure to try on any skates with thicker socks (or whatever socks you anticipate wearing while skating).
Thicker/quality is better when it comes to socks but if you buy decent boots you won’t need crazy thick socks. When the boots are on make sure that you can comfortably wiggle your toes and they aren’t crammed into the toe cap. Your heel shouldn’t pull up out of the heel area when you skate. The boot should be close around your mid-foot but not choking it.
You may want to size up .5 to 1 size for roller skates. Recently I’ve seen strange sizing charts where you need to match up your US or EU shoe size to the manufacturers unique sizing system. Pay close attention to those sizing charts when making your selection. If it doesn’t fit, send it back and get the right size for you!
What to look for in roller skate base plates…
Plates (or base plates as they are formally known) can be made of plastic, composite, aluminum or magnesium. They adhere the boot to the lower skate components like the trucks and axles.
Obviously plastic is cheaper than metal which reduces the cost of the skate but can potentially mean lower quality. Plastic is also lighter weight and pretty much the norm when it comes to speed skates & inline skates.
My preference is always a metal plate but with speed skates & inline skates plastic or composite is usually all you can get (mostly to gain weight savings & speed).
Finally, make sure that the skate has an adjustable toe stop that can be replaced. It’s pretty rare to find skates that don’t have this option but I have seen it on really cheap roller skates and inline skates. Rubber toe stops do wear out and need to be replaced. You also want to be able to adjust the height OR completely remove them for advanced tricks down the road.
What to look for in roller skate wheels…
Wheels come in a variety of hardness levels. The hardness will affect how your skates feel. One end of the spectrum is grip and the other end is slide. When you’re a beginner or if you are skating outdoors you want wheels with grip.
In a moment I’ll get into the specifics about hardness but to simplify the discussion-if you are skating outdoors you should look for wheels that are “gummy” or rubbery feeling…these are the wheels that have grip. Wheels that feel like hard, shiny plastic have less grip…these are more for indoor skating.
You can pinpoint a wheel’s hardness (durometer) and size (profile) by looking at either the side of the wheel itself or searching in the product description. Look for the durometer number followed by an “a” in the wheel’s graphics or on the product description. Softer wheels have a lower durometer and generally provide more grip. Harder wheels with higher durometers offer less grip.
Which type of roller skates are best for beginners?
Based on all we’ve deemed important early on in this article we’re going to recommend quads for beginners. It really is the best choice if you’re splashing some cash on a new pair of skates. With four wheels on each foot you’ll enjoy more stability & balance through the learning process.
I always recommend that beginners start on quad roller skates first before moving on to inline skates or roller blades (if you choose) but you don’t have to. I’ve known plenty of people who have learned on inline skates. I just believe the learning curve is a bit steeper with inline skates. It’s harder to balance and master the basics (like crossovers) with the bulky, oversized boots & wheels that stick out that much..
Roller skates have come a long way in style over the years. Back when I was a kid you had a choice of white….or white roller skates. Wheels came in maybe 2 or 3 colors.
Today there are tons of colors and patterns to suit just about every taste out there! Everything we’re recommending meets all the important criteria we laid out above including padded, stiff and supportive boots, good plates and grippy wheels right out of the box. These complete roller skates are ready for beginners to start using today.
We’re only going to recommend a few manufacturers that we know, love & trust through personal experience to produce good, high quality roller skates for men. They are Sure Grip, Impala, Rollerblade, k2 & VNLA.
All of these skates and brands can be found on Amazon with easy shipping and return policies if your skates don’t fit like a dream.
IMPORTANT ORDERING NOTE! I’m writing this article in early 2023 but I did witness first hand what the pandemic did to the availability of roller skates in the spring & early summer of 2020 & 2021. During the pandemic ALL outdoor sport equipment pretty much sold out in the spring/early summer. Demand was HUGE for outdoor activities and thanks to the pandemic many overseas factories were shut. Demand completely outstripped supply and that is still the case with some brands. If you’re going to order a pair you may have the best luck ordering early in the off season (cold weather months).
I would not be surprised to see any of our recommendations sell out before spring arrives as we are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic and all the same supply/demand inequities are in place.
Sadly, there are many unscrupulous people who are trying to take advantage of this supply/demand imbalance by selling roller skates at 2X or more of retail on sites like Ebay. Do your price research & buy from reputable websites to make sure you’re not overpaying.
Okay, let’s dive into to our recommendations for best roller skates for men). We’re only going to review the brands we love, trust & use. Our buying guide is divided into three skate categories- speed skates, freestyle skates & inline skates.
indoor vs. outdoor skates– what’s the difference?
The main difference between the two is the wheels, bearings & the materials used in skate construction.
Outdoor skates are designed with rougher, tougher materials in order to be able to withstand the roughness of roads, skate parks and sidewalks. The wheels are softer (to absorb the lumps and bumps encountered outdoors) and more grippy. Inline skates are often designed with outdoor use in mind.
Indoor roller skates are designed for smooth concrete or the wood surfaces of an indoor rink so they don’t feature rubbery/gummy wheels like their outdoor counterparts do- the wheels are harder. The materials used in construction may be of less durable than outdoor skates. Freestyle quad skates & speed skates are usually designed with indoor use in mind.
As your shopping and making a selection think about how you will be using the skates and if you should purchase an additional set outdoor or indoor wheels.
Best roller skates for men- Speed skates
men’s VNLA quad Speed skates
The VNLA SLVR Jam Skates comes with light weight nylon plates & upgraded aluminum trucks. The boot is crafted with durable leather (one of the few in our buying guide) which will conform to your foot (over time). The best part about speed skates is the little to no break-in period (thanks to the low cut boot). Strap them on, and you are ready to start skating, pain-free.
We love the upgraded ABEC-9 bearings and overall look of this skate (you can also get these skates in a BLUE COLORWAY). These skates will turn you into a speed demon.
men’s sure grip rebel quad Speed skates
If you’re looking for a roller skate that can provide speed and comfort, the Sure-Grip Rebel is the perfect option. It’s built with a sturdy construction that makes it durable enough to handle any skating challenge, while the comfortable padding ensures a snug, supportive fit.
The Sure Grip Rebel comes with a leather boot which softens & conforms to your foot over time like a glove. ABEC-7 bearings, lightweight nylon plates, metal trucks & 92a hardness Fugitive wheels round out this sweet set of wheels.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skater, these quad roller skates are sure to provide hours of enjoyment. I’d recommend upgrading to better bearings (as they only come with ABEC-7 bearings), spacers & speed rings for maximum effect.
men’s sure grip cyclone quad Speed skates
If you’re looking for a top-quality roller skate that can handle high speeds and intense performance? Look no further than the Sure-Grip Cyclone Quad Speed Roller Skate.
These Sure Grip Cyclone Quad Speed Skates come with lightweight nylon plates, double-action trucks, adjustable toe stops & grooved wheels are perfect for indoor skating. I’d recommend upgrading to better bearing as they only come with ABEC-5 bearings and ordering waxed skate laces for these as the laces don’t stay very tight.
This skate is perfect for men who want to enjoy a quick, smooth ride (and turns) without sacrificing comfort. The special construction and cuff support ensure that your feet will stay in place and you’ll be able to navigate tight corners with ease.
Best roller skates for men- inline skates
Rollerblade Macroblade Mens Inline Skate
Looking for a fast, comfortable and advanced inline skate? Look no further than the Rollerblade Macroblade 110 3WD Mens Adult Fitness Inline Skate. These skates have been designed specifically for men who want to take their skating fitness to the next level.
With 3 large wheels (110mm) they are perfect for speed skating, advanced fitness skating and commuting. The 110mm/85a hardness wheels and SG9 bearings reduce wear and provide plenty of speed.
The soft boot makes them comfortable even on long distances. The athletic mesh knit uppers provide a high-comfort, breathable liner with additional padding in tongue/ankle. We love the sleek design with minimal plastic bits to get in the way of your skating. Check out all the glowing 4-5 star reviews on Amazon for another perspective.
K2 Skate F.I.T. 80 Alu Inline Skate
Looking for a fast and comfortable inline skate? Check out the K2 Skate F.I.T. 80 Alu Inline Skate. This skate is designed specifically for men, with a sleek and speedy design that will have you cruising down the street in no time.
The K2 F.I.T. 80 features an aluminum frame for lightweight performance and a smooth ride, along with 80mm wheels and ABEC 5 bearings for maximum speed and agility. And to ensure a snug fit, the skate comes equipped with K2’s Dual cuff system, which provides adjustable support and stability on every stride.
I’ve owned K2s in the past and can personally attest to their comfort & minimalist design. Whereas many inline skates are coated with tons of hard plastic bits to get in your way as you skate….K2 has none of that. Just a comfortable boot that has only what it needs which makes it ideal for experienced to intermediate skaters.
Rollerblade Advantage Pro XT Men’s Inline Skate
The Bladerunner by Rollerblade Advantage Pro XT Men’s Adult Fitness Inline Skate is built for speed and comfort. The XT aluminum frame provides great power transfer while the 90mm/78a & ABEC 7 wheels provide a smooth ride.
The cushy boot liner offers great support and padding, and the skate is easy to get on and off thanks to the spin dial system. The level of support around the ankle area (and price point) makes this inline skate ideal for beginners. If you don’t believe me you can read the THOUSANDS of 4-5 star reviews on Amazon!
Best roller skates for men- Freestyle
men’s suregrip roller skates
Are Sure Grip Boardwalk Roller Skates skates worth it? Absolutely! I believe that Sure Grip offers the best roller skates for men on the market today which is why they’re among our top picks in this buying guide.
The boots are made of brushed suede with firm, high quality & well padded/ support around the ankle and on the tongue. The base plates are a bit of a bummer because they aren’t a metal alloy but the wheels are super gummy/grippy. You can also get this model with BLUE WHEELS.
Sure Grip Roller Skates skates last FOREVER. These skates are high quality, comfortable and long lasting for beginner to experienced recreational skaters. The boots definitely have a break in period but I wouldn’t call it out of the norm. The major positive with suede boots is that they will eventually conform to your ankles like glove which makes them more comfortable the longer you wear them.
Impala Freestyle Quad Roller Skates
The Impala Freestyle Quad Roller Skates come in next on our list for best roller skates for men. This line falls right in the middle of our freestyle skates price range. These skates tick all the boxes- nicely padded boots, alloy plates & gummy wheels.
The padding around the ankles and on the tongue is pretty impressive for this price point. The padding compresses a bit more than the top of the line Sure Grip Fame Skate (the nearest competitor).
That said…for this price point….these skates are jam packed with understated style! This pair of skates will turn heads wherever you go!
men’s suregrip fame roller skates
The Sure Grip Fame Roller Skates offer the most comfortable boot in our buying guide. With next level padding and support around the ankles you’ll be in for a comfortable ride.
The base plates are a bit of a disappointment because they aren’t a metal alloy but they are composite which is a step up from the standard nylon/plastic base plates that they are putting on lower priced skates these days. You can also get model with RED WHEELS or LIGHT BLUE WHEELS.
Sure Grip Roller Skates skates are a trusted brand & you just can’t go wrong with a product from this company. These skates are high quality, comfortable and will last you a long time. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced recreational skater.
These well made boots definitely have a break in period but it’s not an above average amount of break in time. This is a great skate for a new skater.
To summarize our recommendations…we think the Rollerblade Macroblade 110 3WD Mens Inline Skate is the best inline skate for men on the market today. You won’t be disappointed with the breathability & sleek minamilast design.
If you’re looking for a quality speed skate (that let’s your ankle area breathe & move about freely) we think the Sure-Grip Rebel Speed Skates will tick all your boxes & have you zipping around the rink in no time.
If you’re looking for a freestyle skate to hit the beach boardwalks or dance around the roller rink this Saturday night you can’t beat the classic Sure Grip Boardwalk Roller Skates. The leather boot conforms to your foot over time giving you a custom fit. This brand is legendary for quality so you won’t go wrong.
We hope you found this buying guide helpful in selecting the best roller skates for men. Now that you’ve found your skates, check out our extensive article on The BEST places to Practice Roller Skating Near You (That AREN’T the rink). There are tons of ideas regardless of the weather conditions!
