If you’ve never tried roller hockey then you’re missing out on one of the most fun, versatile and affordable sports around. But before you can start playing you need to make sure you have the right equipment, and the most important piece of kit is your skates. Roller hockey skates are a bit different from their inline cousins and require a bit more research to find the right fit. Roller hockey skates usually have a thicker boot and are designed to be worn with hockey socks, so they have more cushioning and support than inline skates.
To help you find the best roller hockey skates for you, we’ve researched and tested dozens of products and selected our favorite skates for a variety of budgets and needs.
Read on to find the best roller hockey skates for your needs.
Our Editor’s Best Roller Hockey Skates Reviews
- One of the top features found in the TronX Adjustable is the injected comp weave quarter package. This technology offers moderate stiffness with enough flexibility for the recreational to intermediate player. With this flexibility, you can work on your stride while also being comfortable in your skate.
- Digitized sizing on the side of the boot with a twist lever to change the size. This is the most technical and easiest to use adjustable skate to date.
- The unique boot one-piece construction provides some of the best ankle support at this price, while the thick internal foams make for a comfy feel right out of the box.
- On the bottom of the skate, TronX used a Hi-Lo aluminum 6000 CNC frame chassis with copper rivets for a higher level of performance. This provides a unique skating angle, with bigger wheels in the back and smaller wheels in the front. With this popular frame design, you get the best performance benefits of both sized wheels.
- The TronX Adjustable features a Hi-Lo setup and Outdoor TronX 82A wheels to complement the benefits of the chassis, providing a solid balance of speed and control with every stride. The bearings included on the skates are high end pre-lubed ABEC-9 speed carbon bearings. Please refer to the sizing chart to determine your size.
- Outgrow no more! Adjusts up to 4 sizes (from sizes 13J-3) at the twist of a lever.
- Padded boot liner for comfort and added support.
- Lace Up Closure allows for a customized fit by locking the foot in place.
- Kemistry Niton wheels made from quality polyurethane for extra grip; Equipped with 2 bearings in each wheel for smooth rotation.
- Aluminum Powertrack XT3 Hi-Low frame design for peak performance. (Back wheels are larger than front wheels); Optional brake included.
- One of the top features found in the Stryker 3.0 is the injected comp weave quarter package. This technology offers moderate stiffness with enough flexibility for the recreational to intermediate player. With this flexibility, you can work on your stride while also being comfortable in your skate.
- Another solid technology offered is the molded comfort EVA footbed. This feature, complemented by the Stryker's microfiber liner, helps to maximize comfort inside the boot, an important feature for those players who skate infrequently but want to get the most out of their skates when they do. Anaform padding is also included in the Cele III, offering an increased level of protection around the ankles. This material provides an extra layer of comfort, working well with the microfiber liner.
- On the bottom of the skate, TronX used a Hi-Lo aluminum 6000 CNC frame chassis with copper rivets for a higher level of performance. With this popular frame design, you get the best performance benefits of both sized wheels. The Stryker 3.0 features Hi-Lo Outdoor TronX Evolution 82A wheels to complement the benefits of the chassis, providing a solid balance of speed and control with every stride. The bearings included are high end pre-lubed ABEC-9 speed carbon bearings.
- Skate sizes 1-2 come with a 64/64/68/68mm wheel Hi-Lo setup, sizes 3-5 come with a 68/68/72/72mm setup, sizes 6-7 come with a 72/72/76/76mm setup, and sizes 8-12 come with a 76/76/80/80mm setup.
- The Stryker 3.0 skates are much lighter than the competition weighing 1,140 grams (based on skate size 9).
- One of the top features found in the Cele III is the injected comp weave quarter package. This technology offers moderate stiffness with enough flexibility for the recreational to intermediate player. With this flexibility, you can work on your stride while also being comfortable in your skate.
- Another solid technology offered is the molded comfort EVA footbed. This feature, complemented by the Cele’s microfiber liner, helps to maximize comfort inside the boot, an important feature for those players who skate infrequently but want to get the most out of their skates when they do. Anaform padding is also included in the Cele III, offering an increased level of protection around the ankles. This material provides an extra layer of comfort, working well with the microfiber liner.
- On the bottom of the skate, Alkali used a Hi-Lo aluminum 6000 CNC frame chassis with copper rivets for a higher level of performance. With this popular frame design, you get the best performance benefits of both sized wheels. The Cele III features Hi-Lo Outdoor Alkali Loki 82A wheels to complement the benefits of the chassis, providing a solid balance of speed and control with every stride. The bearings included are high end pre-lubed ABEC-9 speed carbon bearings.
- Skate sizes 1-2 come with a 64/64/68/68mm wheel Hi-Lo setup, sizes 3-5 come with a 68/68/72/72mm setup, sizes 6 and 7 come with a 72/72/76/76mm setup, and sizes 8-12 come with a 76/76/80/80mm setup.
- The Cele III skates are much lighter than the competition weighing 1,140 grams (based on skate size 9).
- Digitized sizing on the side of the boot with a twist lever to change the size. This is the most technical and easiest to use adjustable skate to date.
- One of the top features found in the Cele Adjustable is the injected comp weave quarter package. This technology offers moderate stiffness with enough flexibility for the recreational to intermediate player. With this flexibility, you can work on your stride while also being comfortable in your skate.
- The unique boot one-piece construction provides some of the best ankle support at this price, while the thick internal foams make for a comfy feel right out of the box.
- On the bottom of the skate, Alkali used a Hi-Lo aluminum 6000 CNC frame chassis with copper rivets for a higher level of performance. This provides a unique skating angle, with bigger wheels in the back and smaller wheels in the front.
- The Cele Adjustable features a Hi-Lo setup and Outdoor Alkali Loki 82A wheels to complement the benefits of the chassis, providing a solid balance of speed and control with every stride. The bearings included on the skates are high end pre-lubed ABEC-9 speed carbon bearings.
- BOOT Heat Moldable, Composite Reinforced boot
- SUPPORT Reinforced Ankle Support and Deluxe Comfort Padding
- FRAME Powertrack XT 2
- BEARINGS Bevo Silver-5 Race Rated Chrome
- WHEELS New! Kemistry Niton All-Purpose. Sizes 1-4 have 72mm wheels
- The Revel 5 Skates are ideal for the intermediate level player that is looking for plenty of performance and stability without spending a fortune. Featuring an improved boot construction that better fits around the foot and will last for many years.
- Equipped with Revel Pax 74A indoor wheels ideal for indoor surfaces such as sport court, wood, and smooth concrete. They are also equipped with high speed ABEC 7 608 bearings that that provide a smooth, quick glide.
- Aggressive Hi-Lo set up for maximum speed and comfort with 2 76MM wheels in the front and 2 80MM wheels in the back.
- Movement Two-Piece Alkali Rize Aluminum Chassis - provides quicker turning radius, better balance, and increased power transfer.
- CX Tech provides enhanced comfort and performance through its compression molding process. Heat moldable for a custom fit and reduced break-in time.
- BOOT Composite Reinforced
- FRAME Powertrack XT 3
- BEARINGS Silver-5 Speed Rated
- WHEELS Kemistry Niton Wheels Size 5-6: 76mm Size 7-12: 80mm
- ALL SKATING LEVELS - These are built for all types of skaters who are looking for a high-performance comfortable and durable skate.
- PREMIUM COMFORT - Molded comfort footbed and microfiber liner for premium comfort and TronX-tech ankle padding for increased protection.
- HI-LO SPEED SETUP - (2) 76mm wheels in front and (2) 80mm wheels in back with a Hi-Lo aluminum 6000 CNC frame chassis for overall control with copper rivets.
- WHEELS AND BEARINGS - Outdoor speed 82A wheels for improved striding and durability and carbon ABEC-7 pre-lubed speed bearings.
- SIZING - Please review sizing chart image to determine your skate size. We suggest going 1.5 sizes lower than your US Men's shoe size to get your skate size. For example if you wear a size 10.5 US Men's shoe, you will choose the size 9 skate option.
- Designed and headquartered in the USA these wheels are ideal for outdoor surfaces such as asphalt and concrete. Built to last with street-level 85A hardness.
- High rebound technology providing more speed and force with each stride.
- Fits all standard HiLo senior inline roller hockey skates.
- Abrasion resistant endurance urethane for superior outdoor wear and great grip.
- Includes 4-76mm and 4-80mm outdoor 85A wheels. Standard hub wheel designed for the standard 608 bearing size.
Best Roller Hockey Skates Buying Guide
Before choosing the best roller hockey skates you should consider following options:
1. Blade: The blade is the most important part of a roller hockey skate. Quality blades are lightweight, have a low friction coefficient and have a hard outer edge for slapping and shooting the puck.
The hardness of the blade can be determined by the amount of flex that is allowed when you press down on the middle of the blade with your thumb. The lower the amount of flex, the harder the blade.
There are three main grades of steel used to make roller hockey skates: mono steel, single steel and dual steel.
Mono steel is the lowest grade of steel and is typically used in cheaper skates. It is soft and bends easily, so it has a low friction coefficient.
Single steel has a higher friction coefficient than mono steel but not as high as dual steel.
Dual steel is the highest grade of steel and is usually found in more expensive skates. It is the stiffest of the three, allowing for the highest friction coefficient.
2. Liner: The liner is the inner boot of the skate. It provides comfort and support for the foot, as well as giving a good fit.
There are three main types of liners used in roller hockey skates: plastic, leather and a combination of plastic and leather.
Plastic liners are typically used in cheaper skates and provide less support for the foot. Leather liners provide more support and are typically used in more expensive skates.
3. Upper: The upper is the outer boot that the foot goes into. Upper materials can vary from leather to nylon.
Cheaper skates will typically have a leather upper, while more expensive skates will have a nylon upper. Cheaper nylon uppers will typically have a leather toe cap to help protect the foot.
4. Fit: Roller hockey skates should be fitted to the player’s foot the same way ice hockey skates are fitted.
The ideal length is when the skate is resting flat on the floor with the player’s toe just touching the top of the toe cap.
The width of the skate should be narrow, with enough space for the player’s foot to move laterally without touching the walls of the boot.
The boot should be tightened with the laces so the foot fits snuggly without being too tight.
What else you should know about roller hockey skates
1) What are the main differences between roller hockey skates and traditional hockey skates?
Roller hockey skates have a shorter and narrower blade than traditional hockey skates, and the wheels are in line with the blade, rather than being set back. Roller hockey skates also have a higher ankle support to provide stability when making quick turns.
2) How do roller hockey skates provide better ankle support?
Roller hockey skates provide better ankle support by wrapping around the ankle and providing a snug fit. This prevents the ankle from moving around too much, which can lead to injury.
3) What are the benefits of having a lower center of gravity on roller hockey skates?
There are several benefits to having a lower center of gravity on roller hockey skates. One is that it increases stability and makes it easier to maintain balance. A lower center of gravity also makes it easier to make sharp turns and stops. Additionally, it makes it easier to generate power and speed when skating.
4) How do the wheels on roller hockey skates affect skating speed and maneuverability?
The wheels on roller hockey skates affect skating speed and maneuverability by providing a smooth surface for the skater to glide on. The wheels also allow the skater to make quick turns and stops.
5) What are some of the different brands of roller hockey skates available on the market?
There are many different brands of roller hockey skates available on the market. Some of the more popular brands include Bauer, CCM, Mission, and Rollerblade.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best roller hockey skates. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best roller hockey skates will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.