The 6 Best Rollerblades for Men and Women, According to Pro Bladers

Whether your interest in rollerblading was born from childhood or a desire to add some fun to your grown-up exercise routine, there's no denying: Rollerblading is making a comeback.

Why, exactly? In short, because it's the ultimate two-for-one. Not just a fun pastime of '90s tweens, rollerblading is also a legit form of fitness — benefitting your endurance, muscle strength, balance, stability and mood.

"It's a fun, efficient, joint-friendly way of exercising that works the full body and also gets you outside for some fresh air," says trainer Kelly Cosentino, CPT, director of fitness for FitXR, a virtual reality fitness app.

Ready to hop on the roller-wagon? We talked to pro bladers and trainers to find out exactly what you need to get rolling. Read on a list of the six best rollerblades of 2023.

We consulted personal trainers and a professional in-line skater to get the scoop on all the best rollerblades. Using their guidance, we chose our top picks based on certain criteria, including:

• Secure lace systems
• Comfortable, safe boots
• Number of wheels

If you want rollerblades that do it all — stabilize, secure, slide and glide — consider this four-wheel pick.

"Four-wheel skates like this option carry speed well and have a longer sticking point for acceleration and pushing forward," says Jack Craig, CPT, a certified personal trainer with Inside Bodybuilding, a health clinic for professional athletes.

Additionally, the pair offers a strong buckle and detailed lace system that will help you tighten the boot as much as you need. Plus, this the arguably the most breathable pair on the market, as it's engineered with mesh.

Affordable, comfortable and stable, these boots feature a tight-but-soft boot design complete with cuff-buckle closures. Craig says your ankles will feel stable as you ride and glide.

And the best part: As you build up speed, you can switch out the wheels for a higher-performance set. "The larger the wheel, the faster you'll be able to go, and the easier you will go over larger cracks, rocks and bumps," says professional in-line skater Caleb Smith.

Three-wheel rollerblades are generally reserved for intermediate and advanced skaters, as they offer better maneuverability — meaning they're faster — Craig says. If that's you, consider the the Macroblade 100 3WD.

"The high boot will provide more stability through the ankle, limiting any opportunity for twists or fractures," he says. And the mesh upper-boot supports breathability, which will keep your foot dry all glide long.

Maybe you skated as a kid or maybe you tried your partner's pair and now want your own. Whatever the reason, if you're reading this list because you're looking to upgrade your current pair, the K2 Skate Alexis 84 Boa Incline State is your move.

It has a soft-but-stable boot, sturdy aluminum form and boa closure system for security. What's a boa closure? It's a crank that's attached to wires in your boot. Turn to tighten or loosen with ultimate precision.

This pair checks off the two most important features of any boot, according to Smith, which are quality and comfort.

This pair is an absolute steal — especially considering it's made by Rollerblade, a brand ‌known‌ for their high-quality blades. Perfect for the rink, walkway or park, this pair is as stable as it is stylish: very. That's thanks to the sturdy boot structure, which gives you more stability and control.

Plus, at 80 millimeters in diameter, the wheel size is perfect for beginners, according to trainer John Gardner, CPT, CEO of Kicko, an online custom fitness platform. "For beginners, you want a wheel that's 75 to 85 millimeters," he says.

For those who like to speed skate down the road, this is the perfect pair. Speed skates like these have larger wheels (more on that below), according to Smith, allowing you to move more quickly without too much extra effort.

Plus, these have a well-ventilated, washable liner, so you don't have to worry about unwanted odors after a sweaty ride.

Even the most wallet-friendly pair of skates can put you out $100. And a pair of blades isn't the only thing you'll need to get rolling! You also need a helmet, knee pads, wrist guards and/or gloves and elbow pads, Craig says. That can cost you an additional $100 to $200.

If you're on a budget, rather than skimping on protective gear, Craig recommends hitting your local second-hand sporting goods shop to see if you can find safety gear there. "Skating without proper protection can result in serious injury," he says.

No matter what, you should prioritize size over style, Smith says. Rollerblades are usually sized the same way as running shoes, so if you're an 8 in running sneakers, you'll likely be an 8 in blades. But if you can, try them on before investing.

"Too big of a skate will cause blisters and too small of a skate will cause pressure points," Smith says. Generally, you want to be able to fit a pencil between your heel and the back of the boot, but ‌not‌ wiggle it around once it's there, he says. And that applies no matter what type(s) of closure your skate has.

If you're buying online, check the return policy. "A lot of online retailers will allow you to buy skates, try them on and return them as long as you don't cause any visible damage," Smith says.

Laces and Velcro, buckles and knobs — all skates have ‌some‌ type of closure mechanism. Actually, most skates feature multiple for the most secure fit.

Everyone will have their own preference, and that's OK, Smith says. The kind of closure(s) doesn't necessarily matter as long as the skate is equal parts quality, comfort and security.

For casual users, a four-wheel pair is perfect. They're ideal for learning to rollerblade, and most people feel like they have more control while using them, Gardner says.

"But for people looking to go longer distances, join races or go really fast, three-wheel is best," he says. Three-wheel blades have room for larger wheels, he explains, and larger wheels make it easier to pick up the pace.

The larger your wheels, the faster your speed. That's why the best rollerblades for beginners tend to have smaller (75- to 85-millimeter) wheels, and competition-ready blades have the bigger (100- to 110-millimeter) ones, Smith says.

That said, even if you're a beginner now, that doesn't mean you will be in the future. If you think, with time, you'll want to pick up speed, opt for a pair that allows you to switch out the wheels with a larger set, Smith says. The wheel change will allow you to go faster with the same blades — saving you money.