Since it became famous in the 1970s, a great deal of people are hooked with roller skating.
Whether as a hobby or as a sport, it's an activity that's well-loved by both children and adults. For this, make certain that you will have the ability to do it safely and correctly, you want to put money into the very best roller derby skates, such as those which are briefly mentioned in the rest of this post.
The usage of superior roller skates is vitally essential to guarantee a person's best performance whilst at the same time minimizing the probability of an accident. The perfect pair are also critical of your relaxation.
Undecided about which product is best to purchase? Continue reading and we're going to share with you a few of our best selections.
List of 5 Best Quad and Roller Derby Skates
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1. Pacer GTX-500 Quad Roller Skates
- BOOTS - Black Pacer GTX-500 - Comfortable Speed Boots from Pacer with a Cinch Strap
- BEARINGS - BEVO ABEC-3 High Quality CHROME STEEL AAA Rated!
- PLATES - Zytel Nylon - Great lightweight plates with Double Action Trucks!
- WHEELS - Black Pacer Mach-5 63mm x 35mm All Purpose Grip Speed Wheels
- TOE STOPS - Fixed Toe Stops
If you are looking for the best beginner skate then you need to look no further than these popular roller skates from Pacer. The GTX-500 is a sturdy and well-padded skate that you will find still feels comfortable even after hours at the rink.
These skates might not be the cheapest entry level skates, but they sure do pack plenty of bang for their buck. You can really feel the quality of these boots as soon as you lay your hands on them. They come with solid racing bearings that not only offer a smooth ride, but also long lasting durability too.
The MACH wheels are 63mm x 35mm, which provide plenty of stability and a reasonable level of maneuverability. Available in both black and white with cool pink laces, these skates are fine for either indoor or outdoor use.
Thought the boots sizes are based on men’s, they are also suitable for women, who only need to order a size lower than normal to get the correct sized skate.
These boots will definitely do the job and will outlast the time it takes your skills to outgrow their performance, when you will want to move onto a more expensive expert boot. These boots are an excellent mix of stability and performance that is ideal for any beginner to intermediate level skating ability.
These are some really great boots, which if you are looking to start out skating for the first time or to scrape the rust off after a few years out of the rink, are the perfect choice for you.
2. Chicago Bullet Men's Speed Roller Skate
- A CLASSIC: This iconic Bullet Speed Skate from Chicago is strategically designed for racing but is also a popular choice for all-around rink...
- SUPPORT: The Chicago Bullet Speed Skate features a controlled low cut boot for greater freedom of movement as well as high quality laces for...
- STABILITY & CONTROL: Featuring wide 62mm urethane wheels with precision bearings and premium fixed axels for ultimate control and stability,...
- COMFORT FIT: Made out of durable and dependable vinyl and an easy lace closure system that allows you to make proper adjustments...
- SPECIFICATIONS: Complete with double action adjustable polycarbonate trucks, high rebound speed urethane wheels, ABEC 1 precision speed...
Not the coolest design we must admit as they look more like a set of work shoes than fun packed roller skates. But looks aside, these are a really great set of roller skates.
In fact, these boots are thoroughbreds. What they might lack in appearance, they sure make up for in performance. Designed as a speed skate, these are a long lasting vinyl skate that are low cut to allow you better ankle movement and therefore skate control.
The wheels are a nice 62mm, which thanks to the addition of some great bearings and a really sturdy axle give an excellent all round ride. As you might expect from a performance boot, these are nice and light and with their front toe braking system, really easy to control also.
If you feel that at some stage you want to get a little extra performance out of these roller skates, then you only need to get yourself a set of more expensive wheels for them to do so. This will up the grip and performance enough to really make you notice the difference and help extend the working life you get from these really great skates.
You can use these anywhere you like, including around town and at the rink, where you will be getting noticed not for the boots fancy design, but for how good they make your skating. So if you want a nice set of performance beginner boots, give these ones a whirl.
3. Chicago Men's Roller Rink Roller Skates
- A CLASSIC: This iconic Roller Rink Skate from Chicago is strategically designed for gliding and is also a popular choice for all-around rink...
- SUPPORT: The Chicago Rink Skate features a controlled high top for optimum safety as well as high quality laces for maximum protection,...
- STABILITY & CONTROL: The urethane wheels hold up well against the normal wear and tear of skating, provide traction and control, and the...
- COMFORT FIT: The skate features a traditional high top profile boot to support your ankles and a simple eyelet/speed hook lacing system that...
- SPECIFICATIONS: Complete with an aluminum base plate with adjustable truck provides easy turning and control as well as wheels suitable for...
If you are looking for a set of good quality skating boots that comes with plenty of ankle support then these are the ones to consider. They are a bestselling quad skate that won’t cost you the earth either.
Another beginner skate, they have laces that tie up all the way to the top of the boot, giving you all the support you will ever need, and so are ideal for those of you worried about damaging your ankles.
For a beginner boot they are pretty maneuverable, mostly thanks to the aluminum base plates adjustable truck that makes turning nice an easy. The urethane wheels are also pretty good and certainly will be long lasting.
You can use these boots both indoors and outdoors though they might take a little time to break in properly. They are really well made so will stand hours and hours of punishment without ever missing a beat. The aluminum design also means that they are nice and light, which of course is a bonus for all of those who want to do some serious skating.
4. Riedell Skates - Dart - Quad Roller Speed Skates
- HIGH-QUALITY ULTRA DURABLE ROLLER SKATES - These quad roller skates are man-made using a vinyl material that creates a breathable skate...
- EASY TO LACE & COMFORTABLE FIT - These adjustable roller skates have an easy lace system, padded tongue, and a Velcro cinch strap that allow...
- SMOOTHEST RIDE POSSIBLE - These high quality skates feature ABEC-5 ball bearings designed to roll exceptionally smooth. These skates'...
- DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND - These traditional roller shoes are designed with safety in mind. The boot has a low, yet snug fit around the...
- VERSATILE WHEELS TO FIT ANY USE - The quad derby skates also have tough 62mm, 93A hardness polyurethane wheels that provide extra grip. This...
Available in 7 great colors where the wheel colors also match the shoes, these skates are the daddy so far as beginner skates go. They are man-made, have a PowerDyne thrust nylon plate, 62mm Dart wheels, midi gripper toe stops and come with ABEC 5 bearings.
What does all that mean? Well, it means that they are a really good all round beginner skate, which offers a great level of speed, turning and comfort. These boots don’t offer much in the way of ankle support, meaning you will need to take a little more care to avoid any nasty maneuver that might risk an injury.
This lack of ankle support does however free them up for that little extra twist and turn that you will need to pull of some really great turns, so it does have its benefits.
These skating boots are super comfortable from the moment you pull them out of the box, meaning that there is no need to have to wear them in before you start heading out longer distances.
These are definitely one of the best beginner skating boots out there. The only real catch is that they are a little more expensive than the average beginner set of skates, though to be honest, for more experienced skaters the skate itself can easily be pimped up in performance by simply getting a better set of wheels and bearings.
5. Roller Derby Men's Sting 5500 Quad Roller Skate
- High performance light micro tech upper boot with memory foam fit and quick wick comfort lining
- RTX 6000 Pro Frame, Aluminum, 5/8-Inch adjustable toe stop
- 58mm x 40mm Urethane formula speed wheel
- ABEC-9 RACE Bearing
These are another great set of Roller Derby roller skates. Designed to be light and maneuverable, these high performance roller skates are just that.
The upper boot is a lightweight micro tech material that has a memory foam inlay, which means that they will keep whatever shape best suits your actual foot shape.
The RTX 6000 Pro Frame is made from aluminum, so is lightweight and strong. They have an adjustable 5/8-Inch toe stop, which always a much welcomed feature, making breaking safe and easy.
The 58mm wheels are made from urethane and so offer a mix of high performance speed with long lasting wear. The only drawback to these wheels is that they are a little tough, so don’t offer the best level of grip of all the Roller Derby skates on this list.
The ABEC-7 race bearings are again designed for higher end performance, making these a great choice for beginners as well as intermediate skaters. Great as recreational skates and for disco rolling, these skates really look the part, while offering a good all round skating experience.
The Growing Roller Derby Trend
This growing contact sport is one of the most entertaining roller skate sports. The sport is played on a track where two teams with five members skate in the same direction. Each team has a designated jammer, a member that scores by overlapping members of the opposing team.
Currently, there are over 1000 amateur leagues around the world which a large number of them outside the United States, making this a truly international sport. These days the sport is dominated by all-female teams though there are unisex, male, and junior derby leagues that abound.
This specific sport goes beyond casual, recreational quad roller skating. Those with a competitive spirit and a desire for contact may find roller derby suitable to their needs.
Artistic Roller Skaters
This sport is like figure skating but rather than wearing ice skates, athletes use roller skates, traditionally quad skates. The specific type of skate typically consists of leather boots, a strong plate for the jumping and landing, and wheels with a different alignment and size than standard skates.
The skills and movement in artistic roller skating call for a different skate design. Imagine doing a sequence of jumps, landings, and more jumps. Comparing this to a casual skate around the park it’s easy to see the need for a strong plate.
Quad Rink Roller Hockey
Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in many cold climate countries. Due to its popularity there has been a demand for it off the ice. On dry land there are two variations- inline roller hockey and quad rink roller hockey.
Both games consist of two five-man teams that try to hit a ball with sticks into their opponents’ goal. The difference with quad rink roller hockey is the use of quad skates rather than inline skates. One other striking difference is the there’s less contact in the quad version of roller hockey.
While this team sport is rather popular in Latin American countries it is definitely a global sport. There have been over 40 Roller Hockey World Cups with Spain and Portugal having the most titles. Further, the sport was a demonstration sport (a sport played to promote it) in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
2 Types of Roller Skates
There are two common types of roller skates- inline skates and quad roller skates. The biggest difference between the two is in the alignment of wheels. Inline skates offer users wheels in a straight-line while quad roller skaters have a pair of wheels in the front and a pair in the back.
While it is commonly assumed that quads preceded inline skates, the appearance of inline skating goes back as far as the 17th century while quads only appeared in the 19th century.
Like inline skates, quad skates are used in a myriad of disciplines that include recreational use, fitness and exercise, as well as competitive disciplines.
The majority of use is done indoors in locations such as roller rinks, sports centers or gymnasiums. Outdoor use would include pathways, bike and running trails as well as driveways and parks.
While there are differences in the engineering of inline skates and quad roller skates, one of the biggest comments is in regards to stability.
Many regard the quad roller skates provide more stability. However, both types of skates require a certain degree of balance. The differences and degree of difficulty and stability differ based on individual feel and preference.
Our recommendation is to try both and after seeing which one you feel more comfortable. For recreational use choose what is easiest to use, most comfortable, and most fun!
There are many reasons for preferring quad skates over inline skates (rollerskates). Sometimes they have better grip as they cover more surface space than roller skates.
Many users of quad skates participate in roller derby and have specific needs associated with this activity. Regardless of your reasons we are here to help guide you through the buying process.
While the quad skate market isn’t that large there are a few brands that you would have needed to sort through if you hadn’t found us!
Most recreational skates will be easy to find under the $100 range but if you’re looking at getting into some serious roller derby competition you’re likely looking at spending a couple to a few hundred bucks. Whether for disco dancing at your local skating ring or for roller derby we’ve got you covered.
Before choosing roller derby skates there are a few things you need to consider and answer honestly. Think about how committed you are to the particular activity you’re going to use your skates for. The main points we’ll discuss are geared mainly around roller derby as this is the largest, growing area for quad skates.
How To Choose A Roller Derby Skate
Best Size for Quad and Roller Derby Skates
There is always some variation on sizes when it comes to athletic footwear especially skates. While there is no perfect conversion chart is it best to ask and refer to specific product sizing charts. As a general rule of thumb, skates should have a snug fit from heel to toe. For beginner and entry level skates they usually only come in whole sizes. Remember though that skates, with regular use, will break in.
What type of skating will you do?
Beyond recreational use, once you have established a foundation of basic skills there are opportunities to try various disciplines within quad roller skating. Of course many of these disciplines will overlap with those in the inline skating sport. Here are a few:
Material
Most roller derby skates are made man-made or leather. Man-made material outside is usually comfortable and more affordable. However, this material will not mold to your feet as well as proper leather.
For a top-quality boot leather is preferred. This will provide a high level of durability and longevity. When it is broken-in it will give better comfort and a better fit compared to man-made material.
Best Roller Derby Wheels
For beginners, wider and more grippy wheels are better for stability. Look for 38mm or 44mm wide wheels. As your experience level increases you may want to use a harder wheel to provide more maneuverability. In general, wider equals stable and narrower equals more agile.
Best Roller Derby and Quad Brands
The best brands for roller derby skates are Sure-Grip, Riedell, Bont, and Atlas. These will vary in prices depending on what level of performance you’re using them. Specific to roller derby avoid Chicago, Dominion, Pacer and Roller Derby as there are simply low-end and won’t hold up in competitive use.
Conclusion
At any level of skating protective gear should always be used. The four main items for protection include- a helmet, elbow pads, wrist protectors/guards, and knee pads. Whether you are using inline skates or quad roller skates the safest place for building up skills is a skating center or roller rink either indoor or outdoor. There are significantly less safety concerns such as cars driving by or non-skating pedestrians to maneuver around.
In addition to all this you should wear a mouthguard if participating in roller derby. Whenever engaging in any physical activity or sport always consider safety first.
