What size am I in roller skates? How do I know what size roller skates to get? Is my size in roller skates the same as my standard shoe size? These are questions we get all the time over here at Boardwalk Skater.
Today we’re going to answer them all so you can find the exact size you need.
Everyone knows what it’s like to wear something on your feet that just doesn’t fit right. Blisters, cramped toes and sore feet are all nasty side effects of wearing poorly fitting skate boots.
To help keep your feet happy and your skating super fun, we’re going to give you the information you need to determine the correct size boot for your foot length and width!
We’ll help you understand proper size of the skate, teach you how to measure your foot at home & provide you with just about every available size chart for trustworthy brands of roller skates. You’ll walk away feeling confident that you’ve found the right size & correct fit for you!
What Size am I in Roller Skates?
As a general rule of thumb, roller skates should fit like your regular shoe size. Skates should fit comfortably and have a snug fit. The boot should be tight enough that your foot isn’t sliding around while you’re motoring around the roller rink. Check the toe cap and make sure that you can fit at least a pencil width of space between the longest toe and the front of the skate. Check the heel and make sure that your heel doesn’t slip out from the heel area while you skate.
There shouldn’t be a need to size up or size down, but we always recommend that you try skating around a little in store to make sure you have the correct size before splashing the cash on a new skates.
Having to go up a half size wouldn’t be unusual, but it’s not that often that we see someone need to go up by a full size. Not to say it can’t happen if you have a wider foot…but it’s usually not necessary.
Most major roller skate brands have their own unique sizing charts that include men’s and women’s sizes, usually along with measurements in cm scale, mm scale and inches.
We’ll include some of the major brands sizing charts later in the article so that you’ll be able to reference them and determine what size you are in each brand.
What Size am I in Inline Skates?
If you want to give inline skating a try, the same rules apply for how they should fit. You want to make sure that the skates fit snug, but not toe crushing. In the toe box area there should be about a pencil width between your toe and the front of the skate, and your feet shouldn’t be sliding around inside of the boot. Your heel shouldn’t lift out of the back of the boot when skating.
If trying inline skates on in store, we always suggest skating around before deciding between skates of different sizes to make sure that your heel doesn’t slip out of the back as you move around. Skating around for a couple of minutes also helps to warm the skate up and give you a better idea of how they will fit and feel.
There isn’t much of a difference in skate width between brands and most of the variation in sizing is around the length of the skates. Like roller skates, each brand has their own sizing chart and we’ll attach them all for you down below!
How long does it take to break in roller skates?
With consistent use, you should break be able to break in your boots in about 30 days. Like a new pair of street shoes, roller skates take time to mold to the shape of your foot. You can check with the manufacturer or skate shop to see if your particular roller skating brand is “heat moldable”. If it is, your skates can be heated up and placed on your feet to make them conform to the shape of your foot (and thus shorten the break in time).
Some high end boots (such as Riedell, Harklick and Jackson pro figure skates) can have the ankles “punched” by a skate shop to give your ankles more space.
If your skates aren’t heat moldable & can’t be punched, the best solution to this problem is to consistently wear the same pair of roller skates when you head out to skate. Over time they should start to feel just right on your feet.
If you’re going in on a higher quality pair of roller skates then be prepared for a slightly longer breaking in period. This is because higher end brands tend to be stiffer and have more padding, which takes a little more time to adjust to the size of your foot while ultimately providing the support long term.
The breaking in period comes along no matter what pair of skates you buy. Try more frequent but shorter 30 minute rides to break them in instead of heading out for a longer 2 hour adventures- your feet & ankles will thank you for it!
Are shoe size and roller skate size the same?
This really varies widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. Usually each manufacturer has their own unique sizing system that does NOT align to traditional US or EU sizing. You really have to study the sizing charts for each manufacturer very closely. It can be helpful to do exact measurements of your foot (which we’ll show you how to do shortly).
Exercise some caution with online orders & make sure you understand the return policy. If you order your skates from a place Like Amazon, returns are easy and you can even order multiple sizes & return what doesn’t fit.
We always suggest trying on a pair of boots and skating around for a bit to make sure they fit correctly. There is always the possibility of even a half size difference between your shoes and your roller skates.
Do skates run big or small?
Usually skate brands do a good job of matching their skate sizes with shoe sizes so you should get a pretty good fit if you stick with your normal shoe size. Make sure you study the sizing chart from the manufacturer closely.
Do skates come in different widths?
If you have a wide foot you might be wondering if there are different widths of boot models. Generally speaking, there are not usually varying widths available from each manufacturer. This might be the rare case where you might have to size up for really wide feet. There are a few manufacturers who known for wider boots or do sell them. Take a look at Bont Skates or Riedell Skates for wider width options.
Are roller skates true to size?
For the most part skates are going to be true to size. Again, this comes back to their diligence in trying to match their sizing charts up with standard shoe sizes.
The most important thing about size is simply to make sure that the boot fits snug enough that your feet don’t slide around inside the boot as you skate. Be sure to reference your brands sizing chart to make sure you have the perfect fit.
Should roller skates be tight or loose?
The short answer? Neither! You want your skates to fit snug enough that your foot doesn’t slide around, but at the same time you don’t want your toes to jam up against the front of the skate. You don’t want your heel to slip up and out. While sizing is an important part of this, it’s also worth thinking about laces for your boots. Waxy roller skate laces (purpose built for roller skates) hold their tension better WAY better than standard laces. This ensures that your skate stays tight after you tie them. We recommend using Derby Wax Roller Skate Laces.
Which skates are better for beginners?
If you are just dipping your toes in to skating then your best bet is to roll with a pair of quad skates. The simple reason to go with quads over inline skates for beginners is that quad skates have four wheels and provide more stability and put less pressure on your ankles than inline skates. The braking on quads is more intuitive and quads really give you maximum control over your skating when you’re a beginner.
Bottom line the eight touch points that come with quads gives you more stability while at rest OR skating in comparison to inline skates (which place a greater demand on your own ability to balance). Both types of skates are great and there’s no harm in starting off with quads and then working your way up to inline skates if that’s your end goal!
We always recommend that you spend the dollars to get high-quality skates because this will improve your overall comfort and experience. When it comes to skates you get way you pay for. We want you to be a life long skater and enjoy this sport for years to come.
You can read all our recommendations for high quality beginner skates at the link below:
High Quality Beginner Skates for Women
High Quality Beginner Skates for Men
How do I measure my feet for roller skates?
If you want to get even more precise grab a tape measure! To get the exact foot measurement, the best way is to take an exact measurement. To find your correct skate size there’s a very simple method to go about measuring:
Step One
- Tape a piece of blank paper to the floor and stand up straight with your foot on top of the paper
- Make sure to wear the same type of socks you wear when skating
Step Two
- To measure the length of your foot, use a pen or pencil to place a mark on the piece of paper behind your heel and a mark at the top in front of your big toe
- Then place a mark on either side of your foot to measure the width. Make sure you are measuring at the widest part of the foot
- Optional- once you make the 4 markings, trace around your entire foot
Step Three
- Take a ruler and measure the distance between the markings both for length and width
- Measure in mm, cm or inches and repeat for the other foot
You can do this on your own, but it’s easier to have a partner help you out. Once you have the measurements for length and width, you’re ready to check out sizing charts and see where you fall.
Do roller skates have a weight limit?
This varies between different skate brands but most of them can handle weights between 220-300 lbs. The higher quality brands (like higher end Riedell boots & Moxi Beach Bunny roller skates with METAL PLATES ONLY) are generally the ones that can handle more weight. If you are at the high end of the weight limits you want to avoid plastic/nylon skate plates. They will break more easily under higher loads.
How do I know my kids skate size and ensure proper fit?
If you have young children, you know how hard it is to keep them in properly fitting shoes (it’s a nightmare). As they’re growing all the time, you want to buy kids skates with a little room to grow into but not too much.
Youth skates should run true to size, but the ultimate test is getting your kid to slide a pair of skates on, keep them loose, and then ask them to slide their toes up as far as they can. If there is at least a pencil width of space between the back of the boot and the heel, that should be enough to allow for some growing room.
Avoid the temptation to go any bigger than this as more space will cause the foot to slip and slide inside of the skate boot. Once your kid has been in the same pair of boots for a couple of months, be sure to pay attention to any complaints of foot discomfort or blisters as this will tell you that it may be time to size up!
Note that youth size skates may have a separate size guide from adults.
Roller Skate Sizing Charts For all the Major Roller Skate Brands:
Still wondering “What size am I in roller skates?”. Don’t worry…we have the ultimate cheat code for determining your skate size.
Below we provide you with the sizing guide for all the different brands that we trust. Remember that women’s sizes are often quoted in terms of men’s sizing. You’ll also find US sizes and EU sizes along with exact measurements. Make sure to reference these or take pictures before you head out to purchase your brand-new pair of skates. If you’re in doubt you can contact customer service departments via the manufacturer product pages.
Moxi Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Sure Grip Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Chaya Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Impala Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Luna Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Jackson Roller Skates Sizing Chart
VNLA Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Candi Girl Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Moonlight Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Bont Park Stars Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Riedell High Top Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Riedell Low Top Roller Skates Sizing Chart
Rollerblade Sizing Chart
You now have all the information you need to determine your size in both roller skates and inline skates! Remember, you want a skate that’s snug enough to stop your feet from sliding around but that still gives your toes some space to breathe. Keep these tips and tricks in mind as you head out on the hunt for your next pair of skates and don’t forget to reference the sizing charts above to make sure you nail down the perfect fit.
Happy skate hunting!!
