The 10 Best Rollerblades for Men in 2023
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Blade with confidence with a pair of high-quality, comfortable rollerblades.
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Rollerblading is a fun and efficient way to get around or work out, and it’s making a comeback. For many, affection for bipedal wheeling dates back to childhood birthday parties. But rollerblades, also known as inline skates, have advanced significantly in their comfort and design quality over the years. The wide range of options geared for different uses, surfaces, and skill levels is a major perk for newbies or those reapproaching the sport as an adult.
We spoke with Skatefresh's Barry Heath to get tips on what to look for when shopping for men’s rollerblades. The London-based skate instructor weighed in on wheel size, frame materials, how rollerblades should fit, and other key considerations.
We included these factors as well as price, safety, and construction quality into our recommendations for the best men’s rollerblades. The K2 Trio LT 100 Inline Skate earned our best overall pick for its versatile uses, secure fit, and performance-oriented features. Read on for our other top recommendations for beginners, commuting, advanced skaters, and more.
Best Overall: K2 Skate Trio LT 100 Men's
Why We Love It
This intermediate skate boasts comfort, quality construction, and an ideal performance-to-price ratio.
What to Consider
Novice skaters would benefit from rollerblades with a sturdier, more supportive boot.
Sleek, maneuverable, and flexible — there’s a lot to like about the K2 Skate Trio LT 100 Inline Skates. From casual cruising to more strenuous workouts, these versatile skates deliver all-around performance and functionality. Equipped with three 100-millimeter wheels and a mesh and synthetic boot, these blades are designed to enhance speed and range of motion while skating. Flexible cuffs and an anatomically shaped foam liner with ventilation provide ample comfort and a snug fit. The aluminum frames are an upgrade from many entry-level skates, improving handling and power transfer while shedding weight to reduce fatigue. This higher-level skate still maintains some handy beginner features, namely a heel brake and lacing system with a lace-locking tab. The skate is further secured via a cuff buckle and 45-degree power strap.
Price at time of publish: $200
The Details: Size 5-13 | 3 Wheels | 100 millimeter wheel size | Aluminum, polypropylene | Lace-up
Best Budget: Rollerblade Men's Advantage Pro XT
Buy at Dicks-sporting-goods.pxf.io
Why We Love It
It’s a comfortable, supportive, and user-friendly skate.
What to Consider
These recreational skates aren’t the best fit for dancing, speed skating, or tricks.
The Rollerblade Advantage Pro XT is a budget-friendly recreational skate that still affords comfort and durability. It’s equipped with a padded liner and supportive shell to keep feet securely in place while picking up speed. The skate’s cuff buckle, 45-degree strap, and laces promote extra stability and support. Bearings on this skate are designed for decent speed capabilities with an ABEC 7 rating. The 80-millimeter wheels have a 78A durometer rating, enhancing grip and speed while giving the option to ride indoors without slipping on the hardwood.
Price at time of publish: $100
The Details: Size 7-13 | 4 wheels | 80 millimeter wheel size | Monocoque, rubber | Cuff buckle and laces
Best for Beginners: Rollerblade Men's Zetrablade Inline Skates
Why We Love It
These entry-level skates offer excellent support and stability for newbie skaters.
What to Consider
The plastic frame isn’t the most durable for more advanced skating.
Whether you’re trying the sport for the first time or returning from a long hiatus, a pair of user-friendly rollerblades can help hone your skills. The Rollerblade Zetrablade Inline Skates provide ideal beginner features, including a lower frame profile to improve balance, a high cuff for support, and a heel brake for precise stopping. Barry Heath, level 1 instructor at Skatefresh, advises that beginners opt for rollerblades with a heel brake. “It’s arguably the easiest way to slow down and control your speed when learned correctly,” Heath says. The blades’ 80-millimeter wheels are also geared for novice skaters, as the lower height helps with coordination and balance. The closure system consists of a cuff buckle, 45-degree hook and loop closure strap, and laces for top-notch stability. As skaters get more experienced, they can upgrade these blades with higher-performance wheels to continue their growth.
Price at time of publish: $220
The Details: Size 6-13 | 4 wheels | 80 millimeter wheel size | Monocoque, polyurethane | Lace-up
Related: The Best Women’s Rollerblades, According to Certified Inline Skating Instructors
Best for Speed: Atom Luigino Strut Inline Skates
Why We Love It
These skates provide comfort, stability, and confidence for race-ready performance.
What to Consider
The boots require heat molding to get the right fit.
Mastering your technique is key for reaching top speeds, as is finding the right skates. With its three-wheel design and compatibility with 125-millimeter wheels, the Atom Luigino Strut 3 Wheel is geared for swift and nimble performance. The skate’s carbon fiber boot is heat-moldable to achieve a custom fit, which can be done via Aquatech heat molding system or carefully in the oven. A nano buckle and waxed laces help keep feet locked into place while training or racing at high speeds. Despite the snug fit, these skates integrate comfort with high-density sole padding, ankle padding, and pre-shaped latex foam around the Achilles tendon. For more control, skaters can opt for the four-wheel model.
Price at time of publish: $390
The Details: Size 5-14 | 80-125 millimeter wheel size (depends on frame choice) | Aluminum, polyurethane | Buckle
Best for City: FR Skates FR1 80 2022
Why We Love It
Strong support and a shorter frame make for easier maneuvering between pedestrians and traffic.
What to Consider
Brakes aren’t included with these skates.
The FR Skates FR1 80 are well-suited for free-skating on varied urban terrain thanks to the shock-absorbing hard-shell boot, lightweight frame, and 80-millimeter wheels with an 84A hardness rating. The integrated mounting blocks can be adjusted to seven positions for more personalized skating styles. The baseplate also provides solid energy transfer for making the most of your effort while zipping around the city. Long days of skating are made possible with a padded liner and high-cut multi-positional cuff delivering lasting feet and ankle support. Note that the thick liner takes some breaking in when testing out different sizes.
Price at time of publish: $370
The Details: Size 5-13.5 | 4 wheels | 80 millimeter wheel size | Aluminum, plastic, memory foam | Cuff buckle and laces
Best Performance: Razors SL Graphite Skates
Why We Love It
These highly customizable skates deliver enhanced performance and control for executing tricks and stunts.
What to Consider
There’s only one color choice.
The Razors SL Graphite Skates are our top pick for taking your tricks at the skatepark to the next level. These skates feature a baseless design, reducing the distance between the foot and sole plate to provide greater contact and responsiveness on grinds. The Ground Control 57-millimeter 92A wheels have ideal hardness for the street or skatepark while delivering a lower center of gravity. A padded liner and heel pads help with shock absorption when landing tricks. The skates are equipped with a high tongue, four-point lacing system, and cuff buckle for excellent support and fit. Much of the SL Graphite can be replaced, including the cuffs, soul frame, and backslide plate, making for easy customization and repair. The skates are available in sizes 6-13, with several half size options—7.5, 9.5, and 10.5—granting more options for an exact fit.
Price at time of publish: $259
The Details: Size 6-13 | 4 wheels | 57 millimeter wheel size | Reinforced plastic | Cuff buckle and laces
Best for Large Feet: Rollerblade RB XL
Why We Love It
Made exclusively in large sizes, these skates make rollerblading more accessible for big footers.
What to Consider
There isn't a three-wheel option for these skates.
Having large feet can make it challenging to find footwear and rollerblades that fit. But the Rollerblade RB XL is specifically designed for bigger feet, with only sizes 14-17.5 on offer. These blades are also designed with an extruded aluminum frame, enhancing durability and power transfer. The 90-millimeter 84A wheels deliver extra speed and hardness that’s suitable for indoor and outdoor skating. A padded liner and a reinforced high cuff provide comfort and lateral support for hours of inline skating. The skates are equipped with a cuff buckle, strap, and laces to secure a snug fit.
Price at time of publish: $299
The Details: Size 14-17.5 | 4 wheels | 90 millimeter wheel size | Aluminum, plastic | Lace-up
Related: The Best Pickleball Gear of 2023
Best Step-in Skates: Powerslide Doop 100 Skates
Why We Love It
These highly adjustable skates strap to your shoes for an easy on and off.
What to Consider
The tall three-wheel design is better suited for intermediate to experienced skaters.
Traveling light and efficiently is ideal for commuting. The Powerslide Doop 100 Skates can conveniently be secured to your shoes with three adjustable straps, saving time and the need to carry an extra set of footwear when you’re on the go. The skates come in two sizes—one accommodating men’s size 5-10 and another for sizes 10-13.5. Buckles along the cuff, forefoot, and toe help achieve a snug fit to your size and chosen shoes. The frame uses a three-point mounting system to increase power transfer, control, and stability with this step-in design. These commuter-friendly skates also feature glow-in-the-dark, 100-millimeter wheels and rechargeable front LED lights to increase visibility on the road.
Price at time of publish: $404
The Details: Size 5-13.5 | 3 wheels | 100 millimeter wheel size | Aluminum, plastic, nylin, Lycra | Adjustable buckles
Best for Hockey: Bauer Vapor 2XR Inline Skates
Why We Love It
It delivers top-notch performance at a value compared to other high-end hockey skates.
What to Consider
For frequent, high-level play, it may be worth upgrading to the 2XR Pro for its lighter frame and responsiveness.
The Bauer Vapor 2XR Inline Skates are a great choice for competitive or recreational indoor floor hockey. Like Bauer’s top-of-the-line 2XR Pro, these skates feature Labeda Addiction wheels, providing excellent grip and speed on tile surfaces and sport court materials used in indoor rinks. The skates are fitted with a hi-lo aluminum chassis holding two 80-millimeter rear wheels and two 76-millimeter front wheels to support greater power and maneuverability. The heat-moldable boots are equipped with a lock-fit liner and footbed to secure the foot while wicking away sweat. The boots offer considerable protection, from foam ankle pads to the 48-ounce felt tongue with an injected metatarsal guard.
Price at time of publish: $750
The Details: Size 6-12 (half-size increments) | 4 wheels | 76 millimeters, 80 millimeters wheel size | Aluminum, felt | Lace-up
Best for Advanced Skaters: Powerslide Swell Nite 125 Rollerblades
Why We Love It
These lightweight blades are designed for excellent handling and stability at top speeds.
What to Consider
They’re not available in sizes larger than a men’s 12.5.
For experienced skaters, we recommend the Powerslide Swell Nite 125 Roller Blades for their high-level performance and quality features. The three-wheel skates have hard 125-millimeter wheels and freespin ABEC-9 bearings for fast and smooth riding. The rigid magnesium frame increases power transfer on strides while shedding some weight compared to aluminum varieties. The streamlined boot is made from lightweight and durable fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Even during hard workouts, the skates stay comfortable, with a form-fitting seamless liner and integrated air vents built into the semi-soft boot. The skates also feature the reputed three-point Trinity mounting system, which reduces the distance between the boot and wheels to enhance balance and control.
Price at time of publish: $395
The Details: Size 6-12.5 | 3 wheels | 125 millimeter wheel size | Magnesium, plastic | Cuff buckles, Velcro straps, and laces
Tips for Buying Rollerblades
Get the right size and number of wheels for your experience level
Wheel size affects a skate’s speed and maneuverability. Larger wheels help reach higher speeds, making them a key feature on racing skates. On the other hand, smaller wheels enhance acceleration and agility, which is why they’re used in aggressive and slalom skates.
Heath notes that wheel size also impacts stability. “Big wheels mean you’re higher off the ground, making it harder to control the skates,” he says. Therefore, beginners should look for wheels below 100 millimeters, while wheels in the range of 110-125 millimeters are better suited to advanced skaters.
The number of wheels is important to consider, too. Whether a skate has three or four wheels determines the frame length, which influences how the skates move and perform. According to Heath, three-wheel skates have risen in popularity because “people wanted to have bigger wheels to go faster, but they didn’t want massive frame lengths reducing maneuverability.”
Know the pros and cons of different frame materials
Frames are typically made from plastic, aluminum, or carbon. There are differences in durability, power transfer, and cost between each.
Plastic frames are the heaviest and offer the least efficiency. However, they’re the most economical, making them common for beginner and recreational skates. Meanwhile, aluminum frames deliver greater durability and power transfer. This lighter, higher-performing material usually comes at an added cost. Finally, carbon frames offer the highest level of efficiency and strength, but at a premium price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop on rollerblades?
There are a few options for stopping safely on rollerblades. The T-stop is a popular method, which involves dragging behind one skate that’s turned perpendicular to the lead skate with the toes pointing out. Most of your weight should be on the lead skate, while the side of the back skate’s wheels create friction to help you stop.
Alternatively, rollerblades can be equipped with a heel brake for easier stopping. To use the heel brake, bend your knees slightly and push the skate with the brake forward while lowering the heel and pointing the toe. As you get your balance in the lowered position, press the heel until it contacts the ground, eventually bringing you to a stop. “I suggest that people keep the heel brake on until they are confident with multiple stopping techniques,” Heath says.
Is rollerblading good exercise?
Rollerblading is a fun way to get a cardio workout in while spending time outside. Besides building leg strength, it can activate your core muscles. Skating involves lower-impact movements, reducing pressure on the joints compared to other types of cardio exercise.
How should rollerblades fit?
Heath advises that “rollerblades should fit snugly on your foot, but not so tight that they are uncomfortable.” When buying new rollerblades, it can take some time to get worn in. “Allowing enough time to break in the liner will make a huge difference,” Heath explains.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Kevin Brouillard is a contributing writer at T+L, specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. He spoke to Barry Heath, who teaches adults and children how to rollerblade at Skatefresh in London, and researched dozens of rollerblade options to curate this list.
Related: The 11 Best Bikes for Every Type of Rider in 2023
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