We spent weeks skating to find the rollerblades that offer the best fit, stability, and durability.

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Travel + Leisure

Raise your hand if the coolest place to spend your weekends in middle school was the roller rink (you can’t see, but my hand is raised right now). While the rink was the beginning of my rollerblading journey, I grew up in a small town filled with paved trails along the river and through parks, so my friends and I would strap on our skates and spend afternoons breezing around, making pit stops for ice cream and laying in the grass.

I now own several pairs of skates, and my favorite pair earned a spot below for being the most stylish option (hint: think The Barbie Movie). The Travel + Leisure team also tested 11 other pairs of rollerblades to find the most stable, comfortable, and durable options, including four wheel and triskate pairs. We spent weeks skating on paved paths, uneven trails, and through neighborhoods. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced skater, we’re confident there’s a pair on this list for you.

Top Picks

Best Overall: K2 Inline Skates at Amazon $400 Jump to Review Best Style: Impala Skate Impala Lightspeed at Amazon $130 Jump to Review Best for Beginners: SALE Papaison Adjustable Inline Skates at Amazon $76 $48 Jump to Review Best for Kids: SALE 2PM SPORTS Inline Skates at Amazon $70 $53 Jump to Review Best Stability: Epic Skates 125mm Engage 3-Wheel Inline Speed Skates at Amazon Jump to Review Best For Off-road Use: Powerslide Off Road Skates at Skatepro.com Jump to Review Most Comfortable: Roces 1992 at Inlinewarehouse.com Jump to Review Most Durable: The New Everything Company TNEC 58 at Theneweverythingcompany.com Jump to Review Best Adjustability: Roller Derby V-Tech 500 at Amazon $60 Jump to Review

Best Overall

K2 Inline Skates

Credit: K2 $400 at Amazon View on K2skates.com View on Inlinewarehouse.com Why We Love It

• With an exceptionally comfortable, supportive boot liner and frame, we could skate for hours without any discomfort.

What to Consider

• There’s only one color option available. 

Fit, comfort, and stability are arguably the most important factors to weigh when choosing a pair of rollerblades, and this pair from K2 excelled during our tests. The unisex sizing and reference chart makes it easy to get the right size on the first try, and the adjustable features throughout the boot offer a further customizable fit. We found that the two ankle straps and laces offer a secure fit, locking in the top of the foot and heel comfortably. We loved the comfort of the boot liner, which isn’t a surprise since it’s made with heat-moldable Intuition liners and a shock-absorbing heel wedge for additional comfort and stability. If you tend to lean into the front of the boot, you’ll also appreciate the padded tongue that goes up quite a bit higher than the aluminum frame. This made it easier to fall into balance and rhythm while skating on the paved Lake Shore Drive path in Chicago. 

Although three wheels can be a bit less stable than four, we found the support in the ankle and heel offered more than enough security and speed to spend up to an hour skating without any issues. We opted to use the detachable ankle brake since it was easy to install and helpful for maintaining speed control, whether on smooth or bumpy surfaces. The skates are responsive and we love the maneuverability of the rollerblades when going around obstacles. Best of all, the skates hardly showed any signs of wear after repeated use, which leads us to believe they will last for plenty of skate sessions down the road.

The Details: Size 5-13 men’s and 6-15 women’s | 6061 Extruded CNC-machined aluminum frame | 110-millimeter wheels | 3 wheels

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Best Style

Impala Skate Impala Lightspeed

Credit: Impala Skate $130 at Amazon $150 $117 at Zappos View on Impalarollerskates.com Why We Love It

• The eye-catching color options are ideal for those looking for a pair of skates that bring you back to the ‘80s.

What to Consider

• Some of the lighter colors will show scuffing easier. 

Ever since I saw Margot Robbie wear these skates in The Barbie Movie, I knew I wanted a pair. I opted for the “sprinkle” color with a cream base and blue, pink, and yellow accents, and I love how stylish they are. Aside from the aesthetic ‘80’s vibe, these are super functional rollerblades. I wore them on paved trails by the beach and through parks in Oregon, and they were extremely smooth and stable. The plastic frame is thick and sturdy with an adjustable point on the shin and laces down the upper. I’m a former ski racer, so I lean into my shins quite a bit while skating, and these offer the perfect amount of support without feeling too restrictive. 

I was skating in 90-degree weather, and I liked that the cushioned lining was still pretty breathable. I could turn with ease and go over bumpy asphalt, and I was able to maintain my balance. It comes with a removable brake, which I used with and without the skates since it was simple to remove. Since the frame is a cream color, I did notice some scuff marks that I likely wouldn’t have noticed if I had chosen a darker color. Additionally, I wish they came with dust bags, but I put them in a shoe bag to travel with and they didn’t take up much room in the car.  

The Details: Size 5-14 | Plastic frame | 70-millimeter wheels | 4 wheels

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Best for Beginners

Papaison Adjustable Inline Skates

Credit: Amazon $76 $48 at Amazon View on Walmart Why We Love It

• The functionality, stability, and accessible price point make these a great option for beginner skaters. 

What to Consider

• Some of the materials feel lower in quality. 

I love to rollerblade, so when my fiancé decided to give it a try, we opted for these entry-level skates for him. They turned out to be perfect for getting started since they’re easy to put on, adjustable, and offer solid stability, flexibility, and maneuverability. And the wheels light up, so there’s lots of reasons to love these skates. They come with a brake attached to one of the skates—an essential feature for beginners needing to get their footing and speed regulation while skating for the first few times. 

There is a buckle strap on the shins and a Velcro strap on the top of the foot, which helped my fiancé get a secure fit (he got the extra-large size and thought it fit well from the start). We mostly skated in warm weather so the mesh upper material was greatly appreciated for breathability. The skates come with targeted cushioning socks and two dust bags, which were thoughtful touches. The material feels a little flimsier than other skates we’ve tried, but they held up perfectly during testing, so we’ll report back if that changes over time. Overall, it’s hard to beat the wallet-friendly price, especially if you’re just starting out.

The Details: Size S-XL | Aluminium alloy frame | 6.2 pounds | 76-millimeter wheels | 4 wheels

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Best for Kids

2PM SPORTS Inline Skates

Credit: Amazon $70 $53 at Amazon View on Walmart Why We Love It

• Secure, stable, and durable, these are a great option for children looking to skate recreationally.

What to Consider

• They aren’t the most breathable, and the sizing can be tricky to get right.

Rollerblading can be a family affair, which is why we love this pair for your little ones. The skates come in child sizes small to extra-large, with the latter geared toward adults, so you can order matching pairs for your entire crew. We got the youth (4-7) size and found that it was a little large, but the adjustable shin strap, Velcro ankle strap, and laces helped tighten up the fit for stability. We had a young intermediate rollerblader and ice skater try these out, and we found that the boots had a “snug yet supportive fit without causing any pressure points or blisters.” She added that the cushioning on the footbed helped absorb uneven surfaces and bumps, which made skating on a paved path around a lake a comfortable and stable experience. 

With four wheels and a brake, we had no issues controlling speed or going around most obstacles (it was a little harder to make tight turns, but not impossible). The aluminum frame felt sturdy and secure throughout each skate, and no buckles became loose or cracked during testing. Our only minor notes are that the liner isn’t very breathable on hot days, and the skates can be a little heavy to carry for a child, but other than that, it’s hard to beat the fair price for such durable and comfortable skates for your kiddos.

The Details: Size S-XL | Polyurethane and aluminum frame | 7.4 pounds | 80-millimeter wheels | 4 wheels

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Best Stability

Epic Skates 125mm Engage 3-Wheel Inline Speed Skates

Credit: Amazon View on Amazon $152 $137 at Walmart $200 at Dicks Sporting Goods Why We Love It

• The sturdy frame and tall wheels make it easy and fun to speed up and skate for long periods while remaining in control.

What to Consider

• It doesn’t have any brakes. 

While beginners typically opt for smaller, four wheeled rollerblades, larger wheels are ideal for stability since they typically go over rough terrain better. These 125-millimeter, three-wheeled rollerblades thoroughly impressed us with a secure and sturdy design. You can’t have speed without steadiness, which is exactly what the aircraft-grade aluminum frame excels in. The cushioning boot lining makes for a comfortable and soft fit that helps absorb the bumpiness from uneven pavement and protect the shins. 

For extra support in the ankle and top of the foot, there are two buckle straps and laces to tighten or loosen as needed. We particularly loved the oversized wheels that provide a stable base when standing and in motion. We had no issues gaining speed and maneuvering around corners and obstacles, but we do wish there was a brake included since it can be harder for beginner or intermediate skaters to stop without one.

The Details: Size 6-13 | Aircraft-grade, CNC, gold-polished aluminum frame | 7 pounds | 125-millimeter wheels | 3 wheels

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Best For Off-road Use

Powerslide Off Road Skates

Credit: SkatePro View on Skatepro.com View on Solo-inline.com View on Powerslide.com Why We Love It

• The extra-tall, air-pumped wheels were superior going over rough surfaces.

What to Consider

• They are specifically designed for an advanced to expert level skater. 

Whether your skating session takes you on paved or gravel trails, these rollerblades are up to the challenge. We had someone who has been skating recreationally for 30 years test this pair and they loved the advanced features these skates offer. First, we have to call out the 5-inch, 125 millimeter wheels that are pumped up to 80 pounds per square inch (PSI), which made going over rough terrain easier than any other skate we’ve used. The adjustable glass-fiber reinforced plastic frame also kept our feet firmly in place thanks to the true-to-size fit and multiple points of adjustment. Just note that the sizes are European, so you’ll have to do some math to get the right size.

While the skates don’t come with a brake, we were able to maintain control and pivot as needed around corners thanks to the excellent responsiveness. After skating for 1.5 hours, our feet remained comfortable in the cushioned liners. And with regular use, the skates proved to be very durable.

The Details: Size 39-40 to 45-46 EU | Glass-fiber reinforced plastic frame | 4.33 pounds  for size 41/42 EU | 125-millimeter wheels | 3 wheels

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Most Comfortable

Roces 1992

Credit: Inline Warehouse View on Inlinewarehouse.com View on Roces.com Why We Love It

• With a memory foam liner and neoprene toe box, we were thoroughly impressed with the level of cushioning.

What to Consider

• The sizing can be confusing, and we recommend going up 1.5 sizes.

Made with a memory foam and neoprene liner, T+L associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker praised the Roces 1992 Skates for their exceptional comfort. Parker is a lifelong skater and previously used Roces skates, so she wasn’t surprised that these performed well. While we had some initial trouble converting the EU sizes to U.S. sizes (the brand also recommends going up one size, but we think 1.5 sizes would be best), we ended up getting the right fit. Roces is known for making the “memory buckle” a popular feature in inline skates, where you set the buckle retainer on the ankle strap to your desired tension and length. This means that you spend less time adjusting the boot every wear, since it remembers the setting—a feature Parker said is the best part of the skates. 

The frame of the boots is made with fiber glass and plastic, and we’d be remiss to mention that the liner is made with 100 percent recycled PU, so we loved the eco-friendly elements. The frame and wheel feel durable and long-lasting, and there was no damage after testing. With low-set 76 millimeter wheels, Parker was able to zig-zag and S-turn without any issues. If you’re looking for a comfortable and responsive skate, this is hands-down the best option.

The Details: Size 5-13 | Fiber glass and plastic frame | 76-millimeter wheels | 4 wheels

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Most Durable

The New Everything Company TNEC 58

Credit: The New Everything Company View on Theneweverythingcompany.com View on Inlinewarehouse.com View on Icewarehouse.com Why We Love It

• The glass-fiber reinforced plastic frame showed no signs of wear after multiple skating sessions. 

What to Consider

• As they’re marketed toward beginners, we think they should come with a brake. 

These aggressive inline skates are specially designed to do tricks on pavement, curbs, and rails, which means they have to be extra-durable for rigorous use. The ultra-low set 58 millimeter wheels are great for beginners, since they keep the center of gravity lower for stability. We used these for four hours while skating down the East River esplanade in New York City, which is a fully paved path. The glass-fiber reinforced plastic frame didn’t show any scratches after use, and they are exceptionally lightweight. 

When bumping into quite a few curbs and concrete structures, the impact felt absorbed by the shell and padding of the blades. We found the skates run true-to-size, and offer plenty of room in the neoprene-lined toe box. The liner offers plenty of cushioning in the shin, and we didn’t experience any discomfort after an afternoon of skating. In terms of maneuverability and stability, the shin strap and laces ensure a secure fit and we could get around corners and pivot as needed with ease. While we wish the skates came with a brake, there are more than enough positive features that make the skates a worthwhile investment. 

The Details: Size S-L | Glass-fiber reinforced plastic frame | 58-millimeter wheels | 3.67 pounds for size large | 4 wheels

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Best Adjustability

Roller Derby V-Tech 500

Credit: Amazon $60 $55 at Amazon $45 $38 at Walmart View on Rollerderby.com Why We Love It

• The frame can be adjusted into four sizes, and there are three cam-lever straps to get a secure fit. 

What to Consider

• We ran into some slight quality and performance issues, so we think these are best for occasional skaters.

Getting the right fit can be tricky with a pair of rollerblades, which is why we like that these skates have an adjustable frame with just the click of a button. There are four different size options you can choose from—a nice feature for kids with growing feet. In addition, there are three cam-lever straps to get a customized fit on each part of the foot, and the cushioned lining offers a comfortable fit. The 76-millimeter wheels offer a stable, low-level design to help with stability while skating. 

These come at an affordable price, which we think is fair for entry-level skaters, but the lower quality of the skates caused some slight performance issues. We had a harder time going over rough surfaces and maneuvering around obstacles due to the slightly wobbly wheels. The price accessibility has a slight trade-off in performance, but we still think these work well for those who skate every now and then. 

The Details: One size (large 6-9) | Polymer and polypropylene | 76-millimeter wheels | 7.5 pounds | 4 wheels

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Other Rollerblades We Liked

The three rollerblades below earned honorable mentions for having a variety of features we liked, but didn’t quite get a spot on our list above. 

Rollerblade Zetrablade Women’s Adult Fitness Inline Skate: Another entry-level option for skaters, these were stable and easy to control, but they run small in the toe box and ankle, which can cause some discomfort.

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Rollerblade Lightning 110 Unisex Adult Urban Inline Skate: These triskates were praised for the high-quality design and ability to gain speed quickly. However, we found them to be less responsive and stable than other similar styles. 

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Flying Eagle F6S Falcon Skates: Sturdy, comfortable, and responsive, we love skating in these for long periods. They don’t come with a brake and have a higher price point without enough standout features to make us immediately put them in our cart. 

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Our Testing Process

Whether beginner, intermediate, or advanced rollerbladers, we enlisted the help of the T+L team to find out which rollerblades are worth investing in. From paved paths to off-road trails, we strapped on our skates for multiple different sessions to see how they performed. Since sizing can be tricky with skates, we paid close attention to the fit and noted if the boots were roomy or tight. 

Once we had the skates on, we judged the level of comfort and support the lining and frame offered, along with the adjustable features like the buckle and Velcro straps and laces. Stability and maneuverability were gauged while skating at slow and fast speeds, and when making turns around tight corners or obstacles. And by the end of our multi-week test, we closely examined the skates to see how the frame, wheels, and straps held up. We will continue to use these skates for the next six months, and we’ll update this guide with additional testing notes. 

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Tips for Buying Rollerblades

Think about the frame design

In terms of materials, the most common for frames are aluminum and plastic. Aluminum makes skates stiffer and more responsive for speed or trick skating, and plastic is typically better for shock absorption (and a lower price), which is why it’s common for beginner skates to be made of it. Frames that sit lower to the ground, often made with four wheels, are usually the most stable, and frames that sit higher up from larger wheels can be more wobbly. Also, consider the straps, buckles, and laces, since the more options for adjustability can benefit the fit, stability, and overall comfort. 

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Consider the weight 

When looking at the specifications for rollerblades, you’ll often find the weight listed as a pair. Most rollerblades weigh 3-6 pounds per skate, but it can depend on factors like the boot material, boot size, and the number of wheels and material. I wouldn’t pick a boot heavier than 4 pounds per foot, since it can weigh down your feet and make it harder to travel with the skates.  

Look for smooth and stable wheels

The width, diameter, and durometer (hardness) of wheels can affect how smooth and stable wheels are. Durometers are often listed in the specifications with 78A as a soft rating and 98A as a harder rating. Softer wheels offer excellent shock absorption and grip and harder wheels are usually best for speed. I’m an intermediate skater, and I prefer rollerblades with an 80-85A wheel durometer since I find it to be the perfect in between soft and hard. Other factors like a longer wheel base and wide wheels can help with stability.  

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure associate editor Anna Popp grew up figure skating and ski racing, both of which required balance and coordination. She took up rollerblading in the off-season as a way to keep up her endurance and spend time with friends, and she has been skating for over 15 years now. She owns several pairs of rollerblades, including the Impala and Papaison ones on this list. She also pored over extensive testing notes to summarize the key findings of each skate to make your shopping experience a little easier. 

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