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Skates should match use-case; it is valuable to know what kind of skating you will be doing so your skates meet you where you are [and if you are a beginner,] or so you can meet your skates half-way.
Skaters should not compromise on good fit. Skates are not shoes. A very snug fit, where toes are touching the boot, is ideal. It is risky to skate in a pair of skates that shake when you move. We recommend being fit properly at a local skateshop or talking it out with a respectable skateshop manager.
[I would] AVOID: Dollskill, Impala, Angel Skates, Steve Madden, C7, Mota , Sugar Thrillz, & YRU Shoes.
I would not trust a skate that costs less than $150 when:
Wheels cost $30-50+
Plates cost $50+
Boots cost $70+
Beginner lifestyle recommendations (USA)
Beginner lifestyle recommendations (USA)
Think of these boots as jack-of-all-trades. They are not particularly specialized, to any kind of skating. The presence of a heel is beneficial for upright rhythm skating and backwards skating. These recommendations should hold up for several years given non-intense use. (Most beginners are incapable of skating intensely IMO.) Most boots that are very inexpensive are cheap and should be avoided.
Sure Grip Fame ($160)
This is a quality-built roller skate with all of the ideas that a lifestyle skater could want without a significant monetary commitment.
Riedell Crew ($250)
This is for the skater that wants to dip their feet (!?) into a more stylish, and solidly constructed boot. This can be a forever boot (Leather build)
Beginner artistic roller skating (ARS) recommendations
Beginner artistic roller skating (ARS) recommendations
Artistic roller skating is similar to figure skating but done on roller skates. There are tons of sub disciplines: Freestyle, Figure, Freeskating etc. (Don't ask me what they all mean). There are three things that set ARS apart from other roller skating styles from my perspective, (1) there is a scoring system for competitions, (2) there are official ranks/stages & associated tests, and (3) It prominently features the fancy jumps—e.g., lutz, axel...
Jackson Finesse ($180)
This boot isn't particularly stiff but it has the build for pointing. Beginner ARS has the skater learning edges so it should be okay.
If you believe that you will stick with ARS, starting on a dedicated beginner boot and building around it may be a strong option.
Belati is an Italian brand that crafts products for ARS skaters with from novices to professionals.
Edea Discovery (~$300)
Edea is one of the market leaders in ARS and Competitive Ice-skating scene. Their introductory packages are excellent starting places for new ARS skaters. Once you want to start practicing jumps, please consider more stiff boots.
Beginner jam recommendations
Beginner jam recommendations
Jam skating is a style of skating inspired by breaking (bboying/breakdance). Skates that are ideal for this kind of skating have a low-cut design to encourage ankle movement/freedom and lack a significant heel so floorwork is more accessible. Wheels for this kind of skate are typically fat for an increased contact patch (area of wheel in contact with the skating surface) for more friction. VNLA produces a gamut of dedicated jam skates so they are our first suggestions.
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