Our guide to the best inline skates for beginners details everything you need to know to make an informed decision when buying skates.
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A Beginners Guide to Inline Skates
Finding Your Mondo Size for the Perfect Fit
To find the most precise fit when buying skates, you should know your Mondo size. Almost every footwear, skate, and ski/snowboard brand uses the universal Mondopoint fit system. Getting your mondo size is easy. All you do is measure your foot in centimeters (cm) while wearing the socks you plan to skate in. If one foot is longer than the other, use your longer foot measurement for your Mondo size. Use the wall method to get the best results by placing your foot on a piece of paper with your heel against a wall. You will then mark the paper from heel to toe and measure the distance in cm to find your Mondo size. Now, you can compare your Mondo size to the sizing charts for the skates you are interested in.
Our Picks for the Best Beginner Inline Skates of 2024
| Skates | Frame Mount | Wheel Size | Price |
| K2 Kinetic 80 | Integrated | 80mm 80A | $99.95 |
| Rollerblade Zetrablade | Integrated | 80mm 80A | $129.00 – $139.00 |
| Powerslide Phuzion Radon | Trinity | 90mm 83A | $149.99 – $205.99 |
| Powerslide Phuzion Argon | Trinity | 80mm 83A | $189.95 |
| Rollerblade Macroblade ABT | Integrated | 80mm 82A | $199.00 |
| K2 Alexis 84 BOA | Integrated | 84mm 80A | $219.95 |
| K2 FIT 84 BOA | Integrated | 84mm 80A | $219.95 |
| Skates | Frame Mount | Wheel Size | Price |
| Flying Eagle X3 Shrike | 165mm | 80mm 85A | $149.95 |
| Rollerblade RB80 | 165mm | 80mm 82A | $159.00 |
| Micro MT Plus | 165mm | 76mm – 90mm 85A | $169.00 |
| Rollerblade Lightning 80 | 165mm | 80mm 85A | $199.00 |
| Powerslide Zoom Pro 80 | Trinity | 80mm 86A | $199.99 |
| FR FR3 80 | 165mm / 195mm | 80mm 85A | $220.00 |
| Powerslide Storm 80 | Trinity | 80mm 88A | $249.99 |
Best Soft Boot Inline Skates for Beginners
Most entry-level and budget-friendly inline skates are soft boots. This is because they are cheaper to manufacture than hard boot skates, which require a mold. Soft boot skates are lightweight, flexible, and have an integrated, comfortable liner that makes them feel like regular shoes. The downside of soft boot skates is they don’t have as much ankle support as hard boot skates. This means people with weaker ankles may have issues with their skates flexing unnaturally from side to side. This could cause them discomfort and make skating less enjoyable. If you have weak ankles, consider one of the hard boots skates on our list instead.
K2 Kinetic 80
Best For: Recreational | Price: $99.95
If you’re new to inline skating or want to relive the fun of your youth without breaking the bank, the K2 Kinetic 80 is an excellent option. It’s the only beginner skate we recommend for under $100. Designed with SoftBoot technology and a Stability Plus Cuff, it provides a comfortable fit and helps new skaters get started easily. The skates have 80mm 80A wheels, ABEC 5 bearings, and a removable brake for safety. For $20 more, the K2 Kinetic Pro has speed lacing for fast and easy adjustments.
Rollerblade Zetrablade
Best For: Recreational | Price: $129.00
Rollerblade is the most recognizable brand name in inline skating. It was started in 1980 by avid hockey player Scott Olson in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has been part of the ski brand Tecnica Group since 1991. Rollerblade offers an extensive range of skates for different disciplines and skill levels. For beginners, the Rollerblade Zetrablade, priced at $129, offers comfort, durability, and superb quality at an affordable price. Myles Cotter-Sparrow, a SkateIA Certified Instructor, recommends the Zetrablade for its comfort, “With its high cuff, the comfortable soft boot shell offers plenty of padding and ankle support.”
The Zetrablade is one of Rollerblade’s first models, with an almost 37-year history, and it comes recommended by Jan Welch, the owner of Dream Urethane. Jan told us, “The Rollerblade Zetrablade was the first pair of skates I owned when I was a beginner in 1989, and they were pretty good back then. Thirty-plus years of technology have refined the Zetrablade into an excellent entry-level skate.” The Zetrablade features a frame integrated into the boot, which means you stand closer to the ground, giving beginners a lower center of gravity and better balance. You’ll find 80mm 80A wheels, ABEC 5 bearings, and a removable brake attached to the frame. Myles suggests, “It can feel overwhelming with so many choices out there, but a simple tip is to look at wheel size. For beginners or those returning to the sport, an 80mm wheel is perfect.”
| Related: Find the Best Inline Skates for Men |
Powerslide Phuzion Radon 90
Best For: Recreational | Price: $139.97 – $189.95
Founded in Germany in 1994 by legendary speed skater Matthias Knoll and his friend Stefan Göhl, Powerslide has become one of the leading skate manufacturers in the world, making high-end skates for all skating disciplines and skill levels. For beginners wanting to learn the basics before enjoying skating on bike paths or through the neighborhood, the Powerslide Phuzion Radon 90 is an ideal skate for casual skating or fitness use, available in models for both men and women.
They feature the Trinity mounting system, which means you can upgrade to dozens of different frame styles for various kinds of skating. The frames on the Phuzion Radon hold 90mm 83A wheels with wicked ABEC 7 bearings inside them. These larger 90mm wheels are faster, offer more stability at high speeds compared to 80mm wheels, and are ideal for those who plan on skating longer distances.
Powerslide Phuzion Argon 80
Best For: Recreational | Price: $174.97 – $184.97
The Powerslide Phuzion Argon 80 was the first pair of skates I bought for my partner, and she found them incredibly comfortable and responsive straight out of the box. A cozy MyFit liner is integrated into the soft boot design, providing a snug fit. Like the Phuzion Radon above, the Argon uses a Trinity mounting system, this time with an 80mm frame. They come with 80mm 83A wheels with ABEC 7 bearings. The 80mm wheels, although slower than the 90mm wheels on the Radon, do offer the ability to turn quicker, especially in avoiding potential hazards.
Rollerblade Macroblade 80 ABT
Best For: Recreational | Price: $199.00
The Rollerblade Macroblade 80 ABT is designed for beginners who are concerned about controlling their speed and being able to stop. They feature Active Brake Technology (ABT), ideal for skaters still learning and not entirely comfortable on their skates. ABT brakes allow you to brake without lifting the front wheel, which helps build confidence, making stopping and controlling your speed smoother and more stable than other skates on the market. They come with an integrated frame with 80mm 82A wheels and SG5 bearings. Once you become confident in skating you can upgrade to 84mm wheels for more speed as you progress.
K2 Alexis 84 BOA
Best For: Recreational | Price: $219.00
The K2 Alexis 84 BOA is K2’s flagship recreational skates designed for women who are beginner or intermediate skaters. The Alexis and the K2 Fit, which is the men’s version, are the only skates on this list that come with the BOA Fit System and 84mm non-removable aluminum frames. BOA is an awesome quick lacing feature originally found on snowboard boots that allows you to tighten and loosen your skates with a dial. The 84mm 80A wheels with TwinCam ILQ7 bearings hit that sweet spot between 80 and 90mm, giving more speed than 80mm and quicker and more precise turns than 90mm. These skates are very comfortable and perfect for skating long distances, cross-training, or casual trail rides.
| Related: Best Pads for Inline Skating |
K2 FIT 84 BOA
Best For: Recreational | Price: $219.00
Like the K2 Alexis, the K2 Fit 84 BOA is K2’s flagship men’s recreational skate for beginner and intermediate skaters. They have all the same outstanding features as the Alexis, such as the BOA speed lacing system, which allows you to tighten and loosen your skates with a dial and 84mm frames. The aluminum frames are integrated into the shell and come with 84mm 80A wheels and TwinCam ILQ7 bearings. Like the Alexis, they are great skates for going long distances, cross-training, and casual skating.
Best Hard Boot Inline Skates for Beginners
Hard boot inline skates are made with molded plastic, making them much more rigid than soft boot skates. Inside the shell is a liner that can be removed, replaced, or upgraded. Their rigidity provides much better ankle support than soft boot skates, making them ideal for those with weaker ankles. I was part of a skater-owned brand called Nimh in the mid to late 2000s, which made hard boot aggressive skates, so I have quite a bit of inside knowledge of the manufacturing process. For hard boot skates, you have to make molds, which are very costly and, in turn, make them more expensive than soft boot skates.
Rollerblade RB80
Best For: Urban, Recreational | Price: $149.00
The Rollerblade RB80 is the first and most affordable hard boot skate for beginners on our list. The skates feature a molded plastic shell with a removable liner that has plenty of room in the toe box, making the RB80 ideal for skaters with wider feet. Although the liner is basic, it will provide plenty of comfort for exploring trails and skating through the city. The boot is compatible with 165 frame mounting, which means you have the option to upgrade to many different aftermarket 165 standard frames for various styles of skating. The included 80mm frames have a low center of gravity for better balance and come mounted with 80mm 82A wheels and SG7 bearings.
Flying Eagle X3 Shrike
Best For: Urban, Slalom, Recreational | Price: $149.95
Like the Rollerblade RB80, the Flying Eagle X3 Shrike is an affordable hard boot skate ideal for beginner and intermediate skaters using the 165 mounting system. What sets the X3 Shrike apart is that it’s designed not just for recreational and urban skating but has a rockerable frame that can be used for slalom skating. You can easily adjust the rocker by rotating the front and rear axles, which adjusts the wheel positions depending on how you want to skate. The frames come mounted with different wheel sizes with ABEC 7 bearings, depending on the size of the skates. Smaller skates come with 76mm 85A wheels and larger sizes with 80mm 85A wheels. Inside the ventilated plastic shell, you will find ultra-cushioned and breathable liners that are very comfortable. The liners are removable and can be replaced or upgraded if needed.
Micro MT Plus
Best For: Urban, Recreational | Price: $169.00
The Micro MT Plus is another budget-friendly hard boot perfect for skaters of all levels for recreational and urban skating. The ventilated plastic boot keeps your feet cool and dry and comes with a removable liner with a wide, comfortable fit. Like the hard boots we’ve covered, the MT Plus uses 165 frame mounting, opening up a world of upgradability to play around with different frames for different skating styles. Like the Flying Eagle skate above, the frames come in various lengths with different wheel sizes depending on the skate size. Skates in sizes 5-6 come with 76mm 85A wheels, while skates in sizes 7-13 come with 80mm 85A wheels. All wheels come with ABEC 5 bearings inside of them.
Powerslide Zoom Pro 80
Best For: Urban, Recreational | Price: $189.97
The Powerslide Zoom Pro 80 is a beginner-friendly urban skate perfect for learning the basics. It is an excellent skate for recreational skating on trails and exploring the city once you progress. Inside the plastic shell of the Zoom 80 is a comfortable MyFit Dual-fit liner. The Dual Fit liner accommodates two shoe sizes by using a soft layer of memory foam that provides extra cushioning and naturally molds to your foot. This is the first hard boot skate on this list using the Trinity mounting system. Trinity frames mount closer to the boot, giving you a lower center of gravity and more stability. The mounting is compatible with various aftermarket frame frames for different skating disciplines. The attached 80mm frames have 80mm 86A wheels with Wicked ABEC 7 bearings.
Rollerblade Lightning 80
Best For: Urban, Recreational | Price: $199.00
I had several versions of Rollerblade Lightning skates through the mid to late 90s, from the basic model to the Chris Edwards signature TRS skates. The Lightning were the skates I used to transition from recreational to aggressive skating back when people first started to do jumps and grinds. Rollerblade quit making the Lightnings years ago but reintroduced them in 2024 with the Rollerblade Lightning 80. For anyone who skated the Lightning back in the day, this new version looks completely different, and much better, from the 90s models.
Instead, it is a modern take that looks more like a light version of Rollerblade’s Flagship urban skate, the Rollerblade Twister XT. Although the stock liner is basic, it is very comfortable, and since it is removable, it can be replaced or upgraded. This Lightning is perfect for skaters of all levels, from beginners just starting to advanced skaters looking for a skate for urban skating. The boot is compatible with 165 and 185mm mounting systems, allowing for a wide range of after-market frame options. They come with an 80mm frame with 80mm 85A wheels and SG7 bearings. The Lightning comes in 90mm and 110mm versions if you want a skate with more speed.
FR FR3 80
Best For: Urban, Slalom, Recreational | Price: $220.00
FR is a well-respected skater-owned brand founded by Sebastien Laffargue and Gregoire Pinto in Paris in 2007. They are known for producing high-quality skates for urban, slalom, and aggressive skating. Their FR FR3 80 is a great introductory urban skate for beginners, recommended by Arnav “Sonic” Shah, the owner of Kinetic Expressions Skate. “The FR3 from FR Skates is a good option for beginners as they offer good support, comfort, and durability, as well as the option to upgrade components, making for an enjoyable skating experience,” he says, adding the boot is compatible with 165 and 195mm frame mounts, making the skates very customizable with after-market frame options.
A highlight of this skate is that it comes with a rockerable frame that can be easily adjusted to change your wheel position to switch between urban and slalom skating, giving you two skates in one. The attached frames include 80mm 85A wheels and TwinCam MW7 bearings. Sonic suggests “beginners should invest in a quality pair of skates that provide good support and comfort,” which is what you will find with the FR3. Inside its durable plastic shell is a comfortable memory foam liner that will mold to your foot’s shape. With FR’s wide range of models, Sonic says, “Expect to pay at least $200 for a solid pair of FR skates. Those with smaller or bigger budgets can opt for other similarly designed models from the FR series like the FRX and FR1, respectively.”
Powerslide Storm 80
Best For: Urban, Recreational | Price: $249.99
The Powerslide Storm are fantastic inline skates for beginners and intermediate skaters. They come with a 2-in-1 frame for multiple wheel sizes and configurations. The skates come with 4x80mm wheels, but the frames allow you to switch to a 3x110mm setup for more speed once you progress. The aluminum frame is mounted with 80mm 88A wheels and Wicked ABEC 9 bearings. The plastic shell and head-moldable MyFit FatBoy Dual Fit liner provide a wider fit, making them comfortable for those with broad feet. I’ve skated the FatBoy liners in multiple skates and can confirm they are cozy and molded to your foot without needing to head-mold them. The Storm is a new model for Powerslide introduced in 2024, similar to the Powerslide Imperial boot.
Our Experts
– Jan Welch, Editorial Directer Big Wheel Blading, Owner of Dream Urethane
– Arnav “Sonic” Shah, SkateIA Instructor and Owner of Kinetic Expressions Skate Shop
– Ricardo Lino, Owner of Lino Skate Shop and YouTube Creator
– Myles Cotter-Sparrow, SkateIA Instructor and Co-Founder of the Vermont Blade and Camp
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best inline skates for beginners?
The best inline skates for beginners are those made by trusted brands like Rollerblade, K2, Powerslide, FR, Micro, and Flying Eagle.
What inline skate brands should I avoid?
If you visit sites like Amazon, you will be overwhelmed with the many low-cost and low-quality skates from dozens of off-brands. Any brand not listed above should be avoided when looking for recreational, fitness, slalom, or urban skates. Be aware of websites like Alibaba that are known for selling counterfeit versions of popular models using subpar components well below a manufacturer’s MSP. If it looks too good to be true, then it usually is.
Why should I use brakes when inline skating?
Beginners still developing their skills should use brakes because they can prevent you from having a severe injury or accident. Brakes help new skates build confidence by keeping them in control of their speed.
Can I remove the brakes on my inline skates?
Many intermediate and advanced take their brakes off as they progress, and most high-end skates don’t even come with brakes. Once you’ve become more confident at skating and your skills progress, then there are several methods for stopping that you will need to learn before you should fully skate without your brakes, especially in hilly areas.
What are the best methods for braking on inline skates?
The plow stop is the most common braking method when not using an attached brake on your skates. It works well at low speeds and in not-too-hilly terrain. Once you start picking up speed, though, it will be less effective and may get you in trouble if it’s the only braking method you know. The best way to learn how to stop and slow down on skates is by watching tutorial videos on YouTube, like the one below by Ricardo Lino, for more advanced techniques like parallel slides.
What safety pads should I wear when inline skating?
New skaters should wear knee and elbow pads, wristguards, and a helmet to stay safe until they’ve learned the basics, including how to stop. I wear wristguards and a helmet whenever I urban or trail skate, and when at the skatepark, I add shinguards and knee and hip pads. Falling hurts, and I’ve injured myself many times over the years, where I’ve had to go to the ER. These days, I like to play it safely and enjoy skating without worrying about potentially hurting myself.
Where are the best places to practice learning to inline skate?
The best places to practice inline skating as a beginner are at the roller rink, on a basketball court, or in a smooth parking lot.
Should I take inline skating lessons?
Yes, taking lessons is a great idea! Certified skate instructors can teach you the basics of skating and how to fall correctly. To find instructors, check your local skating rink, post on a local Facebook skating page, or visit skateia.org for a list of certified instructors near you. Additionally, watching YouTube tutorials from expert instructors like Asha Kirkby can also help you learn both basic and advanced techniques. We also compiled a list of skating instructors and schools worldwide to help you search.
Do inline skates need any initial maintenance?
Skates should be ready to roll out of the box. However, you never know if someone along the assembly line forgot to tighten something, so you should check all your bolts and axles before your first skate. Your wheels should spin freely, so make sure not to over-tighten the axles. Just ensure you periodically tighten all your bolts after every 4-5 sessions. I’ve had a bolt fall off during a 30-mile skate before, and unfortunately, I didn’t bring a wrench with me and ended up having to walk about 7 miles back to my car.
What inline skate maintenance should I be doing?
You should occasionally clean dirt from your wheels and bearings to keep them in good shape. If your bearings get wet, you should take them out and dry them so they don’t rust. It’s a good idea to check and tighten all the bolts and screws as they can loosen from vibrations. You can take them apart, clean them, and re-lube them if you have serviceable bearings.
When should I replace my inline skate wheels?
If your wheels look worn out or damaged, they should be replaced. If you don’t rotate your wheels after every few sessions, they will start wearing unevenly to one side. By rotating your wheels, you can extend their life quite a bit.
Can I upgrade my inline skates?
Soft boot skates have limited customization and upgrade options as their liners and frames are integrated into the design. You can, however, upgrade wheels and bearings on them. Hard boot inline skates are fully customizable, allowing you to switch out the liners, frames, wheels, bearings, and sometimes even cuffs and buckles.
Why Trust Big Wheel Blading?
My name is Jan Welch, and I have been deeply involved in the inline skating industry for over 30 years. From 1995-1999 I ran Scum Magazine, an online aggressive inline skating magazine that won the “Best Sports Website” award at the 1999 SXSW Interactive Media Festival in Austin, Texas. Over the years, I have written for numerous magazines, including Scum (USA), Inline (Germany), Daily Bread (USA), Crazy Roller (France), and Be-Mag (Austria). From 1995-2008, I created 13 videos showcasing some of the world’s best aggressive skaters of the era, including videos for Daily Bread Magazine, Razors Skates, 4×4 Urethane, and Vicious Bearings.
From 2003-2008, I was part owner of Rat Tail Distribution, which owned the brands 4×4, Vicious, and Nimh, which meant I was involved behind the scenes in skate, wheel, and bearing manufacturing. During that time, I also worked closely with Ground Control frames during their formative years. In 2017, I created this website, Big Wheel Blading, to showcase all aspects of inline skating. In 2024, I launched Dream Urethane, which makes wheels, bearings, and softgoods. Through my work in the industry, I have come to know most of the people behind the brands and am very familiar with all the skates and accessories out there.
