For the longest time, inline skating was a men’s and boys’ thing, not a women’s and girls’ thing. But this is 2023, and rollerblading is pretty much a women’s and girls’ outdoor pursuit as it is a men’s and boys’ pastime.
Also Read: Best Rollerblades
Whether you’re an absolute beginner, an intermediate-level inline skater, or a seasoned slalom skater, you need good women’s, unisex, or even men’s rollerblades for your play level. This buying guide will help you learn how to choose the best women’s rollerblades for the money, so stick with me.
*Affiliate Links Disclosure: This website participates in the Amazon Associates program.
9 Best Inline Skates for Women
What are the best inline skates for women? It’s hard to say which option surpasses every other option in every respect. But we in the skate community have tested a bunch of women-specific rollerblades, and we know which ones work.
Also Read: How to Carry Rollerblades
Women’s Best 3 Rollerblades Comparison Table
No time? The top-3 women’s comparison table below presents all the salient features and little must-know things quickly and clearly.
- Sizing tip: Runs small, size up
- Boot style: A soft boot for recreational use
- Wheels: 82A, 800mm, good quality
- Bearings: Good, Twincam ILQ-9 Classic
- Frames: Integrated plastic frame, NOT replaceable
- Brake? Yes
- For who?: For beginner women and those looking to re-learn rollerblading after years of no skating
- Price: Budget option
- Sizing tip: Sizing: True to size; buy your exact size
- Boot style: Hard boot for urban-style and freestyle skating
- Wheels: 85A 110mm, good quality
- Bearings: Good, Twincam ILQ-9 Classic
- Frames:3WD extended aluminum, replaceable
- Brake? No, bought separately if needed
- For who? Everyone: Beginner women and men, intermediate-level skaters, and pros
- Price: Not a budget option.
- Sizing: Sizing: True to size; buy 1.5 sizes smaller than your usual size since these are men’s skaters. If you’re size 8, order size 6.5.
- Boot style: hard boot, amazing support
- Wheels: 85A, 90mm, Rollerblade Supreme wheels
- Bearings: Good, Twincam ILQ-7
- Frames: 280mm laterally adjustable aluminum frames, upgradeable
- Brake: No break
- For who? For men of all skate levels and women who are OK wearing men’s boots
- Price: Not a budget pick
1. Rollerblade Twister 110 Unisex Urban Skates:[Editor’s Pick]
Sizing: Buy the Rollerblade Twister 110 Urban skates in your regular shoe size. They’re available in half sizes. If you’re size 10.5, get them in size 10.5.
None of the women’s inline skates on my list are hard boots. And hard boots are a great option for everyone regardless of skating ability.
One BIG reason to choose hard boots is that they’re insanely durable and supportive. Besides that, they’re designed to optimize power transfer. Once you upgrade from a soft boot-style recreational skate to a hard boot, there’s no going back.
These skates are fast because the wheels are 110mm tall, which can be intimidating for new skaters. One reason I love big rollerblade wheels is that you won’t notice cracks. You’ll roll right over them each time.
Also, super-sized wheels give me a nice and carvy feeling; they make it feel like I’m skiing. You’ll love big rollerblade wheels once you get used to them being high off the ground. These wheels are 85A, which explains why I didn’t absorb every road shock. They did.
The bearings are Rollerblade Twincam ILQ-9, which roll smoother than butter. If you’ve never skated Twincam bearings, you don’t know what kind of zippy awesomeness they are. BTW, ILQ-9 Twincam bearings are fully serviceable. You can open remove the shields, clean and lubricate the bearings, and seal them up again.
Breaking in these skates needed a bit of work and perseverance. But after a week of outdoor daily outdoor fun, they felt pretty solid. I didn’t want to take them off; I wanted to skate… forever.
They don’t come with a brake though. If you’re new to inline skating, definitely buy the separately and add it to the right skate.
Finally, they have high-quality and strong extruded aluminum 3WD frames. These are fully upgradeable, which is great. You can run bigger wheels or even a different frame/wheel setup.
Pros
- Made of high-quality materials
- Serviceable, skate-specific bearings, ILQ-9
- Great power transfer
- 3WD aluminum frames: upgradeable
- Biog soft wheels that devour cracks and absorb impacts great
- Long-lasting urban-style skates
Cons
- Expensive, but worth the money
- No heel brake, beginners may have to buy it separately
2. Rollerblade Maxxum Edge 90: Great Forward Flex
Sizing: Men’s skates that fit true to size; order them 1.5-2 sizes smaller than your usual shoe size. If you’re a size 8 U.S. women’s, order 6.5 men’s, which is the same as 230mm foot length.
If you’re OK with the color in the picture (Sapphire and orange), these are great for women who want a highly supportive boot. They’re tank-tough outdoor skates for sidewalk surfing and seeing your city with.
The V-cut cuff makes for amazing forward flex. These guys cause you to get into the correct skating stance from the get-go. It’s hard to fall hard onto your backside if you’re always in the correct stance.
90mm 85A wheels: No more worrying about small cracks. And when my hub skates fast enough, he flies right over manholes like they don’t even exist.
They’re crazy fast, too, partly because they’re Rollerblade’s Supreme wheels. Compared to the Hydrogens, they have a more pointy profile and slide better. But Hydrogens at the same durometer rating feel somewhat smoother for some reason.
If you buy these skates used, there’s a decent chance the wheels will still be in good condition. Throw in Twincam ILQ-7 bearings, and you’re off to a zippy ride. BTW, these bearings are serviceable, which means they can last really long.
Frames: They allow for lateral adjustments, which helps if you have a tendency to roll your ankles inward. Also, these frames are aluminum and upgradeable, but you can’t run wheels larger than 90mm. Finally, the boot’s heel shock absorbers smooth out obstacles nicely. *These are 280mm frames. They’re longer than most and feel more stable than most at speed. If you a taller, bigger girl, these are the skates for you.
Pros
- High-quality and lasting urban skates
- Great Supreme wheels that slide beautifully
- Good-quality, serviceable bearings
- Longer than standard frames: great for taller, bigger wheels
- Great forward flex and support
- Amazing push power/power transfer
Cons
- Might feel too stiff to new riders
- No heel break
- Bearings not serviceable
- Not cheap
3. K2 Alexis 80 Pro Women’s Inline Skates: A Decent Soft Boot
Last update on 2025-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sizing: Fits true to size. Note: these skates are in UK sizing, so be sure to convert to your size in your country’s foot sizing standard.
K2 makes good skates, and these guys don’t disappoint. They’re cute, good skates for women beginners and intermediate skaters. They’re soft boots, so don’t expect great support even with the much-praised Stability Plus Skate Cuff, especially when doing crossovers. The cuff hurt my feet a little at first, but once I broke them, the discomfort vanished.
Initially, these soft boots may feel somewhat stiff and tight, but don’t size up because you won’t like how loose they’ll be after a few skates.
The frames are lightweight, but that’s because they’re not made from metal but from plastic. They’re supportive, up to a point where you shouldn’t use them if you’re anything like 200+lbs.
Also, these frames are manufactured in the same mold as the boot, which means you can’t replace them. And you can’t run any wheels bigger than 80mm. That’s definitely a bummer if you’re looking to buy women’s rollerblades that you can upgrade as your blading evolves.
Wheels and bearings: I spun the ABEC 5 bearings and I was happy with the roll I got. The 80mm.80A wheels are definitely stock, so don’t expect them to last, but they overcome outdoor debris and tiny cracks like a boss. Get 80mm Hydrogen wheels down the road if you can.
I recommend these are for recreational use only. They’re not for jumps or tricks because, well, they’re not hard boots. And I bet they won’t outlast the Maxxum Edge or the Rollerblade Twister.
They vent acceptably perhaps due to K2’s Vortech Ventilation system, but you’ll sweat if you skate too hard. The break works, but I did experience a little wobbling when I applied them.
Get your stopping technique right and just remove the break. Learn how to stop on rollerblades here. And just in case you don’t know to inline skate, here’s how to ride rollerblades for beginners.
Pros
- Comfy soft boots for beginner women
- Low-profile, lightweight, tough plastic frames
- Good bearings and OK wheels
- Comes with a break on the right skate for safety
Cons
- Not the cheapest beginner soft boots
- Not very supportive when doing crossovers
4. Rollerblade Zetrablade Women’s Fitness Inline Skates (for Beginners&Intermediate Skaters)
Last update on 2025-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Rollerblade Zetrablades is a cute women’s choice. They’re pretty comfortable once they soften up. The Training Performance Liner partly accounts for why they pamper the feet so nicely.
This liner breathes OK and absorbs moisture reasonably well. When blading through cool weather, it kept my feet warm and comfy. And it didn’t let the heat bake me on warmer days.
Wheels and bearings: They’re 80mm 82A entry-level stock wheels mounted onto strong, composite frames, which is manufacturer speak for plastic frames.
The wheels won’t last forever, but they spin nicely thanks to the SG5 bearings. Unlike ILQs, these bearings aren’t serviceable. So, replace them once they start acting up.
You won’t zap around lightning-fast, which isn’t a bad thing if you’re new to blading. The brake seems to have been positioned perfectly. I guess that’s why stopping on these Zetrablades didn’t feel awkward. Nor did I experience any wobbling when coming to a stop as some reviewers said.
These boots run somewhat small. If your foot measurement sits between sizes, order the next full size up since these skates aren’t available in half sizes.
To get the sizing correct, measure your boot properly with a ruler standing on a blank piece of white paper (in mm). Then, use the size chart here to determine the correct size.
Well, my feet did get a tad sore after skating for a while. But that’s how most brand-new skates feel when worn for the first time.
Durability: Unlike the Advantage Pro XT below and Rollerblade Zetrablade W and even Zetrablade Elite, this skate has a protective plastic toe cap. When spinning on these skates, these toe caps come in handy.
Pros
- Tons of positive reviews
- Cute and attractively priced
- Low-seating lightweight frames for stability
- Moderately fast wheels and a break for safety
- A hard plastic toe cap for longevity
Cons
- Cheaper options can be had
- Feels stiff when worn for the first time
Overall, it’s a solid buy for starting female skaters and those coming back to the sport after being away from it for a bunch of years.
5. Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT (Best for Complete Beginners)
Last update on 2025-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sizing: Order true to size. If between sizes, get the next full size.
It’s easy to confuse this skate Rollerblade Zetrablade. Maybe that has to do with the fact that Bladerunner is a sister company of Rollerblade.
The liner inside held my foot snugly and provided decent lateral support when new. But it soon stretched and became roomier, so don’t size up unless you’re between sizes.
It vents OK thanks to the narrow openings around the toes, but all skates get smelly if you sweat. Wear these recreational ladies’ inline skates and go out bonding with your kids or pooch.
Frames: They’re composite and seat pretty low. And the wheels are 80mm Bladerunner wheels, and this means stable rides. The boots are lightweight and won’t tire you out, but I doubt they will hold you up if you’re a plus-size girl.
Wear knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist pads because these skates use boast ABEC 7 bearings. And because broken wrists and elbows suck big. Learn more about the ABEC rating here.
Even though these skates have ABEC 7 ball bearings, they don’t roll as fast as the Rollerblade Zetrablades. I believe that’s down to the wheels being softer (at 78A) than those of Zetrablades’ 82A wheels. Being a tad more makes them a friendly choice for female beginners.
I recommend replacing these stock wheels after a while with superior ones such as the Hydrogens.
There’s a break, too, but I suggest that you get rid of it once you learn to stop smoothly. So, practice your T-stops, plow stops, and hockey stops. Or you’ll trip over the brake pad when learning crossovers and backward glides. It’s happened to me, so I know.
Overall, the Bladerunner Advantage Pro is a decent pick for absolute beginners. And the price point won’t make you wince.
How to Size the Women’s Advantage Pro XT: Fits true to size
| Foot Length in cm | corresponding US Women’s Size |
| 22 | 5 |
| 23 | 6 |
| 24 | 7 |
| 25 | 8 |
| 26 | 9 |
| 27 | 10 |
Pros
- Low center of gravity, lightweight plastic frames
- Fairly fast 80mm wheels with ABEC 7 bearings
- They’re OMG so cute
- has a break for speed control
- Encouraging price point
Cons
- Stock wheels that won’t last long
- Boot support could be better, but it’s not bad for a rec skate
6. Roller Derby V-Tech 500 Button (Budget Adjustable Rollerblades)
Last update on 2025-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Size range: 6-9
The Roller Derby V-Tech 500 Buttons are made by Roller Derby, and this brand isn’t known for excellent skates, but these are usable.
They’re ideal for beginning skaters looking to have fun and stay fit without spending too much money. Ride them on smooth sidewalks, pavements, floors, rinks, and other similar surfaces.
They look somewhat cheap, but I wasn’t expecting grade-A quality at that price tag. The plastic shell looks like it could crack if I ran into something hard, but that didn’t happen. I don’t skate them anymore because I own better-quality rollerblades.
These skates have a 3-buckle closure system that holds the boots together. And putting them on and off was easy. Breathability wasn’t great and your feet won’t stay cool, dry, and comfortable during long rides.
A button located below the heel makes adjusting to a bigger size a breeze. And you can increase or decrease room from size 6 through 9, which makes a good choice for older girls with growing feet. As long as you’re within this size range, you won’t face sizing issues and the skates will fit snugly.
Ankle support: It’s nothing exceptional, but it’s enough support for ankles that haven’t skated before.
Comfort: the Roller Derby V-Tech Button isn’t the comfiest women’s inline skate right out of the box.
- The tongue felt plasticky and did cause some discomfort before I started wearing thicker socks.
- The insoles weren’t of amazing quality. They slipped and bunched up a lot, so I got better ones.
In the end, I had functional skates, not great ones.
The wheels are pretty small at 76 mm, but they’re not plastic and are a good size for older kids. Have them use them on smooth surfaces devoid of pebbles and cracks.
The Bevo Gold-7 Race-rated bearings roll without hindrance, but they’re not fast. These aren’t high-performance women’s skates.
The braking system (plastic brake) needed some getting-used-to, and it proved useless on even the smallest of hills. Remove it soonest possible.
Frames: Plastic, integrated, and not detachable.
Pros
- Less sizing worries when buying online
- Made by a reputable American company with a long history (since 1936)
- Adjustable to bigger sizes for fast-growing feet
- Great price
- Has a brake
- Small wheels for limited speed, safe for kids
Cons
- The liner isn’t the finest quality
- Frame not replaceable
- They seem somewhat cheap
- The braking system could be better
Overall, these are OK budget skates albeit ones that could use some improvement.
7. Roller Derby AERIO Q-60 Women’s Inline Skates (Best Value Pick)
Last update on 2025-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Size: They run big. Size down if you have narrow feet and live on a size cusp. Size up if you have wide feet.
IMO, the Aerios look nicer and are comfier than the V-Tech 500 Buttons. The wheels are bigger at 80mm, and the Aerios aren’t size-adjustable. The closure system includes a cam-lever buckle, 45-degree powerstraps, and laces, and they work well. Plus the frames are metal.
Ankle Support and Comfort: Cuff support is good enough for beginner-level blading, but it takes quite a bit of ankle strength to push on these boots.
If you’re over 35 and haven’t skated for ages, you’ll soon realize just how much effort you must use to enjoy these blades. The padding is quite thin, and I suggest that you throw in a pair of good insoles to increase comfort.
Breathability: Even though the toe is vented, you’ll still sweat if you skate hard. I recommend these blades for people who won’t skate more than 2 hours at a time.
Wheels and Bearings: I didn’t find the Elite Speed wheels’ hardness rating anywhere, but they skated like 80As. The bearings are the same as on the V-Techs, and the roll is of similar quality.
They aren’t crazy fast, which wouldn’t be a deal breaker for any entry-level skater that prioritizes stability, balance, comfort, and safety over skate performance.
Frames: The Tri-Coil frame is aluminum, which is nice. But I didn’t particularly like how they performed when I skated over rougher terrain. I took some road vibes, but not too much that I wanted to return the skate. And to be fair, the power transfer was decent.
Roller Derby AERIO Q-60 Fitness Skate for Women Size Chart
| Foot Length in cm | corresponding US Women’s Size |
| 22 | 5 |
| 23 | 6 |
| 24 | 7 |
| 25 | 8 |
| 26 | 9 |
| 27 | 10 |
How to Size the Roller Derby AERIO Q-60 Women’s Inline Skates
Having too much room decreases your ability to transfer power to your wheels, so size these skates properly. Measure your feet in centimeters. Then, look at the size chart (U.S. women) above and select the number/size that corresponds to your foot measurement.
For example, if your foot measures 22cm, order size 5 U.S. women. And if you measure 22.50 cm, order size 6. There are no half sizes.
Overall, the Rollerderby AERIO Q-60 is a decent value pick for beginner-level skaters. Last update on 2025-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Sizing: Fits true to size. For kids with wide feet, size up. Also, size up if your daughter is between sizes. The Papaison inline skates are the one option in these women’s rollerblade reviews that have light-up wheels. These beautiful wheels spice up your daughter’s ride as you ride with them in the evenings. Glowing wheels also increase safety for post-dusk rides. You can’t switch off the lights though, which is why most adults and teens would shun this skate. Also, they can be adjusted to 4 different sizes. Your daughter definitely won’t outgrow them in 2 months. And while they’re low-cost, these skates come with integrated aluminum alloy frames, but you can’t switch them out. That’d have been a bummer for us if the skates were expensive. This skate looks nice, the knitted boot fits comfortably, and the padding is decent. The toes are vented, which helps a little with ventilation. For adults I never recommend sub-$50 rollerblades, but for kids I sure do. Most kids just need a nice-looking, well-fitting skate for zipping around the neighborhood on. Kids aren’t adult-heavy and won’t break these skates even if the frames and boots are all plastic. Children just want something cute and functional to show off to their buddies as they socialize. And the Papaisons perfectly fit the bill. Wheels and bearings: 82A, 70mm and aren’t great, which didn’t surprise me. But the young rider who tested this for us (a 6-year-old girl) liked them, and they didn’t wear down as fast as we’d thought. Be ready to replace the stock wheels after a few months if the youngster will be skating all the time. They can be used outdoors on very smooth surfaces, but preferably indoors. The bearings are ABEC 7, and they spin OK. Sizing the Papaison: They’re sold in three adjustable size ranges: Small (for young kids), Medium, and Large. Medium and large sizes are for teens/older kids and grownup women. Measure your kiddo’s feet in inches and calculate the proper size range for them using the sizing chart shown below. Our tester measured at 7.6″, and that placed them in the 11C to 1 size range. Overall: This is an OK low-cost inline skate for young girls who think blading is cool. Put on your favorite skates and go out for an evening stroll with your lovely daughter. Last update on 2025-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising APIPros
Cons
8. Papaison Adjustable Kids Inline Skates (Best For Girls)
For Who
Skate Size
7.0″-7.78″
Small Kids (US kids)
11C-1, Small
8.0″-8.8″
Older kids
Medium, 1-4
Below is the entire size chart for the Papaison skates
Pros
Cons
9. Epic Skates 125mm Engage Performance Skate (Best for Speed)
Sizing: With these boots, most people get the best fit when they size up. Definitely size up if between two full sizes.
One look at Epic Triskates, and I could instantly tell that I was looking at a solid, highly supportive boot, a boot built to break speed records.
I’m pretty much a lower-intermediate skater, and these skates intimidated me hugely when a BFF let me test them out. I shot to the moon! Had I not learned how to fall safely, I’d have broken something, and I’m pretty sure it’d not have been these boots haha.
If you’re a beginner, stay away from 125mm wheels. Because they’re gigantic and roll insanely fast. Especially if they’re paired with ABEC-7 rated speed bearings as these are.
Balancing on these skates can be tough for new skaters. But I’ve seen people learn on big wheels and become quite adept at skating in no time. So if you’re a courageous soul why not?
These 86A PU wheels are good quality and don’t wear down crazy fast. Since they’re super-sized, they have tons of urethane, which makes them durable. And due to them being very tall, pebbles, cracks, dirt, and twigs won’t trip you up.
Support and Comfort: The super solid exterior offers tons of ankle support so you can stay upright every time you’re enjoying bomber days outdoors. It has forward flex, but not loads — not as much as I’ve seen on some urban style hard boots.
The cuff supported my ankles great, and the thick and removable aluminum frames felt strong and sturdy. What’s more, you can switch these frames out for other wheel configurations if you like.
My BFF said they felt (the boot) stiff initially and weren’t comfy right out of the box. But things did get better after they broke them in. Being stiff isn’t unusual for boots built for speed rather than comfort.
I suggest that you wear decent socks when riding these. And if you have comfortable liners from different boots, consider exchanging them for the ones that come with these boots. My friend used her powerslide liners, and the boots felt way comfier.
Be sure to tighten every nut on the axles before using these skates. And if you hear of any strange sounds, stop and tighten the nuts. Or consider using a thread locker such as Locktite on the axles to keep things nice and tight.
Pros
- Supportive and replaceable aluminum frames
- Boots look nice
- Reasonably priced triskates
- Super-fast long-distance skates (125mm wheels)
- A good choice for experienced skaters looking for great performance
Cons
- Not beginner-friendly; the wheels are too tall and there’s no break
- The liner could be comfier
- Axle nuts may need tightening from time to time
You can buy any break for 125mm skates and add it if you like. Overall: these are decent speed-oriented skates that you can use for daily commutes. And I assure you that you’ll get compliments all the time.
6 Benefits of Inline Skating
here’s a list of 6 reasons you should be blading more or learn rollerblading if you haven’t already.
1. Inline skating is a fun-filled way to burn calories.
If you inline skate 10 miles an hour, you burn roughly 360 calories. What’s more, exercise converts body fat into muscle. Can you think of a better way to lose weight?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends inline skating as an intense anaerobic activity that burns fat pretty fast.
It’s as effective as jogging, jumping rope, and competitive sports such as soccer and basketball. But you need to be riding fast enough if you want to get these benefits.
2. Rollerblading is a low-impact exercise that won’t wreak havoc on your joints.
3. Inline skating increases your total core strength over time.
You’ve likely seen the kind of power I’m talking about here. That fluid kind of strength seen in pro skaters, the “it” that makes it seem like blading is a zero-effort activity.
4. Consistent inline skating results in a body that demonstrates better overall coordination, agility, and balance.
5. Inline delivers desirable muscle-strengthening benefits similar to those seen by people who spend hours doing anaerobic exercises.
As you stride and glide, every muscle in your body gets seriously advantageous workouts.
6. It boosts self-confidence.
As your body grows in strength and looks much better than it has in ages, your inner confidence will soar. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that attracts even more success.
How to Choose the Best Inline Skates for Women
The best inline skate for any woman or girl is one that matches their skill level, budget, and preference. Some boots are designed for comfy recreational skating, and these are usually soft boots.
Others are fitness-focused and prioritize performance over comfort. And some such as speed skates and slalom skates are designed for competitive skating. In this guide, you’ll know for sure what kind of boot would suit your interests and skill level best.
Beginner and Intermediate-level Inline Skates
These are soft-construction boots that feature relatively small wheels, ranging between 80mm and 90mm. The smaller the wheels, the slower and more stable the ride but the faster the acceleration. And the larger the wheels, the faster the ride but the slower the acceleration.
Pro skaters generally skate smaller-wheeled options. It’s even becoming normal these days for skaters to mount larger wheels onto aggressive skates which traditionally use smaller wheels.
Most beginner and intermediate-level skates come with brakes on the right skate. Having a brake may or may not be a good thing. As an absolute beginner that’s only interested in gliding forward, a heel brake could be a good idea.
But once you’re ready to learn crossovers and skating backward, the heel brake does get in the way. That’s why most people get rid of the brake as soon as they learn how to stop on inline skates.
Advanced-level Skates
Advanced skates include speed skates, aggressive skates, marathon/long-distance skates, and freestyle/slalom skates. With the exception of aggro skates, these skates come with large wheels, typically 90 mm-125 mm.
Imagine bombing a big hill with your beautiful hair blowing in the wind. There’s nothing as empowering and exhilarating as that.
For the most part, advanced skates lack the comfort and stability of beginner-level/recreation boots. With these skates, the center of gravity tends to be much higher, and they require a certain level of expertise to handle.
Closure Type
You rarely see women’s inline skates (and inline skates in general) that come with only one type of closure. The vast majority of them combine different kinds of closures typically traditional lacing, Velcro fasteners aka power straps, and a top buckle.
Others may have speed lacing or a BOA closure, but the price can be crazy high. And it’s not like BOA systems work like a miracle every time.
Where Will I Skate? Get Suitable Wheels
Smooth surfaces and high-quality pavement can be skated with hard or soft wheels. But when it comes to skating on rough outdoor terrain, you definitely need bigger, softer wheels.
Bumpy terrain requires big, soft wheels such as 100mm 78A wheels while you can comfortably use 90mm 90A wheels on smooth streets and sidewalks.
PU wheels are always better than plastic ones but don’t hesitate to buy a skate you like because the wheels aren’t great. In fact, many skates come with cheap stock wheels that don’t last long. But many decent inline skate wheels can be had on the cheap online.
Frame Length and Material
Most frames are 243mm in length. But generally, you should pick skates with frames that are about the same length as your feet. Longer frames don’t turn with ease. Also, longer frames are sluggish, and you’ll tire sooner.
Shorter frames make your moves more agile and turning gets easier, but they’re less stable compared to longer ones. Urban skates and slalom skates generally use shorter skates while speed skates and long-distance skates use longer ones.
If you divide your height (in mm) by 6.6, you can easily estimate a suitable frame length for your height. Read this article to see an example of how to do that.
Aluminum frames are typically stronger than plastic ones. Cheap women’s inline skates and cheap skates generally typically come with plastic frames. These ones are OK for a beginner skater, but you’re going to need to buy a better boot down the road since you can’t mount a different frame.
I love bolt-on frames such as 3WDs because you can run bigger better wheels in the future or even replace the frames with a different one.
For example, if your boots came with 4 x 100mm frames, you can switch them out for shorter, more agile 3 x 110mm frames.
Comfort and Skate Fit
Fit is the most important thing when choosing women’s and girls’ inline skates. OK boots that fit well without killing your feet would be many times better than high-quality ones that fit poorly and squeeze the hell out of your toes. So, prioritize the fit, and everything else will fall into place.
In some skates, the lining comes attached to the boot. In others, the lining is removable, which makes cleaning easier. The best liners offer great foot support, help with fitting, and have good moisture-wicking ability.
Some entry-level women’s rollerblades come with a built-in liner, and this is OK, but it makes cleaning that much harder.
How to Size Women’s Inline Skates
Some skates offer adjustable sizing while most don’t. Buying skates with adjustable sizing is like ordering 3 different sizes and picking the one that fits you best. I’ve included one option that lets you choose between sizes 6, 7, 8, and 9. With such boots, you won’t have sizing issues.
Inline skates fit the same as normal shoes. With most models, your regular shoe size will fit just fine. I suggest that you visit the manufacturer’s website and read their skate fit guide if they have one. Usually, the brand will provide important fit information such as whether the skate runs small, large, wide, or fits true to size. Where these crucial details aren’t available, read women’s inline skate reviews online for clues on how the model fits.
Sizing Varies from Brand to Brand
Size 10 in one brand may be smaller or bigger than the same size in another brand. And variations aren’t uncommon between different models of the same brand.
Measure your feet in centimeters and use the larger foot measurement (turns out one foot can be longer than the other) for reference when sizing skates.
Sizing seems to me to be the most problematic issue when shopping online. If you buy without knowing consulting the specific model’s size chart, you’ll likely end up with bigger or smaller skates. And returns can be a pain in the you know where.
Can Women Wear Men’s Inline Skates?
Yes, women can wear men’s inline skates. In fact, most of the skates sold online and elsewhere are men’s, and finding women-specific models can be difficult. But you can buy men’s skates as long as they fit you great and are a color you like.
Actually, there’s no difference between men’s and women’s inline skates in terms of design and function, especially in the European skate market. But in the U.S., women’s inline skates tend to be narrower and smaller than men’s. Plus they’re available in colors women and girls like, especially pink.
If you like the boot and the color and the price, grab it and go skate. In most cases, the manufacturer simply takes any boot and colors it pink, puts a brake on, and calls it a woman’s boot.
Is that Skate Worth the Money?
In my experience, the cheapest skates often are a waste of money. But I’m not saying $300 ones are always the best option for everyone. It’s just that when it comes to these products, you usually get what you pay for.
Sub-$50 women’s inline skates are often a bad idea. You want to spend at least $80, and if you can afford it, spend $100-$150. Again, fit, comfort, and safety are the most important considerations. If you can find a $70 option that fits well, doesn’t hurt your feet, and is safe to use, purchase it.
What Are Some Good Women’s Inline Skate Brands?
Powerslide, Rollerblade (many skaters are in love with inline skates made by Rollerblade), FR skates, K2 Skates, and Flying Eagle are good brands. But there’s no reason you can’t buy Impala skates or any other skates as long as they’re good quality and fit great.
Are Used Women’s Inline Skates Good?
Yes, used skates are OK as long as they’re not too beat up. I know someone who purchased secondhand women’s rollerblades from someone in a skate-focused FB group. And they were slightly used and very high-quality, and they got them at an insanely discounted price. If you look hard enough, you could bag really decent skates at a fraction of the original cost.
Best Inline Skates for Women: Verdict
The Rollerblade Zetrablade Women’s Skates are one of the best women’s soft-boot outdoor inline skates on the market. They’re comfortable and won’t hurt your feet. The 80mm 80A wheels are decently sized for beginners.
Also, the wheels are also soft enough and absorb road vibrations well. But if you want a hard boot, K2 Alexis 80 Pro doesn’t cut it. Get a freestyle/urban style hard-boot skate such as the Rollerblade Maxxum Edge or the Rollerblade Twister 110 Unisex skates.
Oh, and remember to wear proper inline skating gear before strapping any of these skates onto your feet. Falls happen, you know.