13 Best Roller Skates for Beginners

It’s hard to believe a year has passed since the world locked down for the first time due to Covid-19. During that time, various trends went viral as people tried to find ways to make it through quarantine with their sanity. One trend that picked up last year was roller skating! While some new skaters tried to figure out what the best roller skates for beginners were, others went out and bought the first pair they found. Unfortunately, the sudden surge in interest created stock problems for both new and old skaters.

Those stock issues have carried over into this year as well. Sadly, we are still in lockdown here in Ontario, and I figured it might be fun to get in on this roller skating addiction that everyone seems to have. While I have been rollerblading for years, quad skates are new territory for me. Since the stock was so scarce, there wasn’t a rush for me to purchase. Instead, I had the opportunity to research thoroughly, and figure out which pairs of skates are considered to be the best roller skates for beginners. To my surprise, there was a lot to learn!

I thought it would be helpful to compile all of the information that I’ve found in a blog post that new skaters could use as a resource! The most important thing to note when it comes to figuring out your skate size is that all skates fit differently and don’t always match your exact shoe size. To get the sizing just right, I highly recommend that you measure your feet, preferably with socks on. Thankfully, each brand provides a sizing chart on their product listings to help you figure out which size will work best. With that said, let’s dive into it!

13 best roller skates for beginners:

1. Rio Roller Signature

Price Range: $125 USD | $160-170 CAD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: 58mm 82A
Toe Stop: Adjustable
Additional Notes: You might notice that Rio Roller Script skates are available for a similar price and in a wider variety of colours, but I consider the Rio Roller Signature skates to be superior as they have an adjustable toe stop.

2. VNLA Parfait

Price Range: $140 USD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: 58mm 78A
Toe Stop: Adjustable

3. Moxi Beach Bunny

Price Range: $149-170 USD | $185-200 CAD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: 58mm 78A
Toe Stop: Adjustable
Additional Notes: Many people consider these to be the best roller skates for beginners on a budget. If you’re willing to spend a little more, I’d recommend going for a suede skate instead. Please keep in mind that these are a very narrow skate and have limited break in.

4. Chaya Melrose Elite

Price Range: $185-200 USD | $259 CAD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: 62mm 78A
Toe Stop: Adjustable

5. Moxi Panther

Price Range: $219 USD | $295 CAD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: 58mm 78A
Toe Stop: Adjustable

6. Sure-Grip Boardwalk

Price Range: $220 USD | $300 CAD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: 62mm 82A
Toe Stop: Adjustable

7. Jackson Vista

Price Range: $224 USD | $279 CAD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: 65mm 78A
Toe Stop: Adjustable

8. Luna Skates

Price Range: $240 USD | $320 CAD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: 62mm 80A
Toe Stop: Adjustable
Additional Notes: These were the first pair of skates that I purchased, and as a skater transitioning from blades to quads, I was incredibly pleased with the amount of padding and support that these skates provide!

9. Crazy Skates Evoke

Price Range: $277 USD | $379 CAD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: 65mm 78A
Toe Stop: Adjustable
Additional Notes: Not only are these skates super comfy, but they win extra points for both their skate design and packaging! The extra details put into the skates (have you SEEN that heel brooch!?) add a much appreciated, touch of glamour!

10. Bont Parkstar

Price Range: $299 USD | $370-400 CAD
Padding: No
Wheels: 65mm 78A
Toe Stop: Adjustable

11. Moonlight Roller Mirror Ball

Price Range: $315USD | $339 CAD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: 58mm 82A
Toe Stop: Adjustable

12. Moxi Lolly

Price Range: $349 USD | $389 CAD
Padding: No
Wheels: 65mm 78A
Toe Stop: Adjustable
Additional Notes: These skates lack padding and may not be suitable for anyone with weak ankles.

13. Moxi Jack

Price Range: $550+ USD | $700+ CAD
Padding: Yes
Wheels: Customizable
Toe Stop: Adjustable
Additional Notes: These skates are definitely a big investment, and I would only go this direction if you’re confident that you will love roller skating. The fact that they are customizable means you will save money in the long term as you won’t need to upgrade parts for quite some time!

As you can probably tell by now, roller skating can quickly become an expensive hobby! Aside from your initial pair of skates, you should be aware of a few other upfront costs. Protective gear is a necessity. You’ll need to purchase a helmet, pads and wrist guards. After spending your hard-earned money on a good pair of skates, I recommend you buy toe covers to protect the front of your boots.

Eventually, you might want to start switching out your laces, toe stops, wheels, bearings, trucks, and in some cases, the plate, in order to fully customize your skates to your liking! All of those costs add up. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to think about what your goals are before you purchase your roller skates. Are you doing this recreationally? Do you hope to work your way up to a skatepark? Are you interested in jam skating? Are you confident that you’ll stick with this hobby once you start, or is this a phase? Knowing the answers to some of these questions will help determine which skates to invest in as a beginner.

Need Recommendations on Where to Shop?

Some of my favourite shops for skates and parts are Retro Rollers & RollerGirl for those located in Canada. For shops located in the United States, Pigeon’s Roller Skate Shop, Moxi Skates, RollATL, and Roller Skate Nation are among my favourites. Occasionally, I will also purchase from SkatePro. They are located in Denmark but are super reliable and provide excellent customer service!

You’ll quickly learn that the skating community is welcoming, and people are always open to helping out a beginner in need! Don’t hesitate to reach out to others for advice! If you have any questions for me, please leave a comment down below, and I will do my best to help you! If you have any suggestions for skates that should be added to this list of “best roller skates for beginners,” share them in the comment section!