Skate Recs From Our Resident Gearhead, David

David is a skate gear enthusiast, and we think his recommendations are always on point. First, before covering his skate recommendations, let's cover some basics:

In this write-up, we'll use the term 'skate' to mean an entire set up, which includes everything pictured in each of the links below. But don't forget nearly all skates are customizable, meaning you can change the frames, bearings, liners, and wheels.

If there's one thing I need you to take away from this page, it's that sizing is everything. You have to measure your foot to the nearest centimeter AT LEAST and preferably to the millimeter as they convert easily. ALWAYS look at the sizing charge when buying skates because you need to get the best fit possible. Yes, sometimes skates can be too small despite the sizing chart provided by the manufacturere, but you can always return and size up. It's an annoying process, but getting the wrong size can lead to wasting an obscene amount of money. PLEASE take it from me.

Also, please note that ALL the skates I mentioned below fit in the "urban" category, which is ideal for city skating and sits in the middle between being too stiff and not providing enough support. They are the jack of all trades skate, if you will.

For more, this video, although long, is worth the watch.

Best All Around Value: FR1

In my opinion, the FR1 is the best all-around skate, though it does come with a premium price. The link provided here is for the 80mm variant, but they also sell the 110 and 125 versions for a slightly higher price. I personally believe that the 4x80 setup is the best for getting to know the skate. FR skates are highly compatible with aftermarket frames, as many companies use this boot as a reference. Therefore, starting with the 80s is a good idea, and later on, you can explore larger frame and wheel combinations by shopping around.

SCS members with this skate: Doann, Jen D., Juan A., JP, Haley, Ryan D., and Kim.

David's Personal Favorite: RB Pro X

The RB Pro X was my first skate, and I really enjoyed using it. However, I later discovered that I hadn't sized it correctly, which led me to switch to a different skate. Despite this, I still believe that this skate is an excellent value at just over $200. It's particularly good for those with wide feet and is known for being very comfortable.

One potential downside to this skate is that it can present issues when mounting aftermarket frames, depending on your size. For example, when I got a pair of Endless frames, I had to mount them slightly forward or back from the center, which is where you would typically want to mount your frames. Additionally, this skate offers different wheel size options like this.

For the Savers: Flying Eagle Line

TheFlying Eagle lineup is often considered a "budget" skate, but don't let that fool you because these skates are the real deal. The backstory of this brand is quite interesting - the factory where these skates are made used to manufacture skates for another brand. However, when the relationship between the brand and the factory ended, the factory decided to continue producing skates using the same tools and expertise. As a result, they're able to keep prices low, primarily by running minimal ad campaigns.

David's Second Love: the Twister

The Twister (XT or 110 3WD) is another skate from Rollerblade, which was my second skate. For an additional $100, you get more support and better control, but it's a bit heavier and tighter around the heel and arch, based on my experience.

This is probably the skate I've used the most. After breaking it in, it's super comfortable, and despite being tight, I even prefer it that way.

Like the RB pro X (or any RB boot) this skate can be tricky when shopping for aftermarket frames. However, Rollerblade as a brand offers a lot of frame options, so there will never be a setup that you can't do on these skates.

Honorable Mention: PowerSlide

Lastly, I don't have a specific skate from Powerslide to recommend since I've heard that this brand tends to be uncomfortable. However, feel free to browse their lineup as everyone's feet are different, and what may be uncomfortable for one person may work well for another. In my case, I have wider feet, which can make finding the right skate challenging.

More of our favorite things

Luminous Wheels

These Luminous wheels come in all sizes, and they're perfect for lighting up the streets - both for safety and for fun! A magnetic spacer lights up the wheel, which is powered by motion - no charging involved! They're durable, and handle city streets well, although they'll feel slow compared to performance wheels.

This Amazon Flashlight

Safety is important! Of all the different lights this group carries, this Amazon flashlight has been the brightest of the pack. It's rechargeable with USBC, but also runs with regular AAA batteries if preferred.

JBL Speakers

An SCS favorite is the JBL Clip 5 because it's light, durable and allows us to link our speakers together.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse