7 Best Roller Derby Skates 2022 | For Freshies & Pros

Are you a freshie looking for your first pair of skates? Or an experienced roller derby player looking for an upgrade?

In this guide, we’ve reviewed the 7 best roller skates for roller derby in 2022.

No time to spare? Compare our top picks with this handy table:

Contents

• Best Roller Derby Skates
• Roller Derby Skate Buyer’s Guide
• Conclusion

Best Roller Derby Skates

Time to begin our reviews.

Read on, and we’ll look at 7 of the best roller derby skates you can buy in 2022.

1. Bont Quadstar Roller Derby Skates
2. Riedell R3 Roller Derby Skates
3. Jackson Phreakskate Devaskator
4. Stomp Factor-5 Roller Derby Skates
5. Riedell Dart Ombré Roller Derby Skates
6. VNLA Stealth Jam Roller Derby Skates
7. Chaya Kismet Barbiepatin Outdoor Roller Derby Skates

1. Bont Quadstar Roller Derby Skates

These are one of the few reasonably-priced roller skates designed specifically for roller derby.

They have pretty much everything you need as a roller derby freshie, at a pretty reasonable price.

Crucially, they come with a fiberglass-reinforced plate, making for a lightweight but incredibly durable shoe. The toe stop is also nice and strong, and the FX1 wheels offer great grip indoors, meaning you can take turns at higher speeds without falling over.

Another great thing about the Quadstars is how you break them in. Rather than having to play in pain for hours while they mold to the shape of your foot, you can actually do it yourself with a hairdryer – meaning you can skate almost pain-free from the very beginning.

Overall, these are lightweight, agile, reasonably-priced roller derby skates. For fresh meat, they’re a fantastic option.

2. Riedell R3 Roller Derby Skate

If you’re after something even more comfortable, the Riedell R3 is definitely worth considering.

Essentially, these are similar to the Quadskate we just looked at, albeit a bit more expensive. The R3s are just above beginner-level roller derby skates, so you might want to get better wheels as you begin to take the sport more seriously.

However, there are benefits to the R3’s easy-going design. It feels great to wear, breaks in easily, and the lace + Velcro system makes it possible to get the perfect level of tightness in the fit. Plus, the boot is quite breathable.

As this skate comes with a nylon plate, it’s best for jammers and pivots as opposed to blockers.

Despite this, it’s still a very durable skate for those who weigh less than 200lbs. Just remember that you may want to do some light upgrades in the future, once you get a year or two of experience under your belt.

3. Jackson Phreakskate Devaskator

This isn’t a cheap roller derby skate. But it’s another really nice option designed specifically for roller derby.

For starters, there’s decent padding in the boot, making for a very comfortable skate that doesn’t take too long to break in. But at the same time, the Annihilator is still incredibly lightweight, and doesn’t get too hot. There’s fantastic ventilation on the top part of the boot, allowing heat to rise away from your foot.

The toe-stop is nice and large, perfect for roller derby – no need to swap it out for something bigger. These roller derby skates also come with a Zytel plate, which is a lightweight material like nylon, but much tougher – it’s used for reinforcement in certain types of handguns.

But the best thing about these roller derby skates is the wheels. They come with Morphs by Reckless 88/91A as standard, which are nice and grippy, and almost never stop spinning. However, they’re a bit fast for beginner skates.

4. Stomp Factor-5 Roller Derby Skate

If you’re looking for something a little more basic, the Factor-5s from Stomp are a great pick.

Essentially, this is a well-rounded entry level derby skate that works well for beginners. They come with ABEC-5 bearings, meaning they’re not too fast, nor too slow. However, you might want to switch the wheels before using these skates for derby – the included 58mm wheels are a little on the hard side.

The Factor-5 comes in four really nice colors, and the upper material is nice and comfortable. What’s more, the included toe stop has plenty of stopping power, making it perfect for roller derby.

With regards to durability, these roller derby skates rate OK. As an entry level option, they hold up pretty well. However, if you’re playing competitive roller derby on a regular basis, you will definitely want to invest in something tougher.

One more important thing to note about this skate is its sizing. The Factor-5 fit a bit small, so you may want to order a size up.

5. Riedell Dart Ombré Roller Derby Skate

Riedell really know how to make a great all-around roller derby skate, and this option is no exception.

Like the R3, the Dart is a low-profile skate designed with comfort in mind. It has a decent amount of padding, but not too much, meaning it breaks in easily – the boot is nice and soft.

However, this is still a tough skate. The Dart comes with a die-cast aluminum plate, which is very strong, especially considering what this skate costs. Also, the boot is well-made, and won’t split easily.

What’s more, the toe-stop is easily adjustable, so you can get it in the perfect position. The wheels and bearings (ABEC-5s) are well-balanced – providing just the right amount of grip and glide.

The only bad thing we can say about these roller derby skates is they run a little big.

6. VNLA Stealth Jam Roller Derby Skate

For freshies, sticking to your budget, and finding roller derby skates that allow for easy control, might be a little more important than getting something durable at this stage.

These roller derby skates are designed for jam skating, making them great for beginners. They’re meant to be ultra-grippy and super nimble on indoor surfaces. Plus, there’s virtually no break-in period, which is great.

You also get excellent stability with the Stealth Jam, helping you stay upright even on hard impacts. However, you might want to swap out the toe stop – it’s not incredibly big.

Another issue with this skate is the plate. It’s made of nylon, meaning this option isn’t really suitable for those over 200lbs.

7. Chaya Kismet Barbiepatin Park Roller Skate

The Chaya Kismet Barbiepatin is designed for use on outdoor roller skating rinks or in skate parks – it comes with hard Octo Paseo wheels as standard. When roller skating outdoors, they offer excellent agility, and come with curved edges, making the Kismet Barbiepatin incredibly maneuverable.

But if you want to use these roller derby skates indoors, you might want to switch to indoor or hybrid wheels.

What makes the Barbiepatins great for roller derby is their fit. Chaya have gone for a mid-cut design with this boot, without quite making it a high-top. As a result, it’s still an agile skate, but provides great support. Plus, it’s a good option for those with wide feet – the fit is quite forgiving.

As you’d expect given the price, this is a fairly durable skate. The glass fiber reinforced plate holds up well, no matter your skating style or role on the roller skating rink.

If you need roller derby skates with outdoor wheels, and want the best-possible ankle support, or just want great-looking roller derby skates, the Kismet Barbiepatin is definitely worth considering.

Roller Derby Skate Buyer’s Guide

Now we’ll discuss some key things to consider when picking the best roller skate for your roller derby needs.

What makes a good roller derby skate?

Choosing a good set of roller derby skates for roller derby is quite tricky.

Your skates have to be really tough, but also agile enough to allow you to stop, dodge, and turn on a dime. You also need to ensure that the roller derby skates have enough grip to keep you upright, but not too much that you can’t lift your foot and power forward when need be.

Good roller derby skates also provide great support, and must be nice and comfortable – otherwise you’re going to be dealing with blisters and constant pain as you play.

Unfortunately, because a good roller derby skate must be well-engineered, this does mean that quality roller derby skates are often quite expensive. We’ll discuss budgetary considerations a bit below.

To sum up, you need skates with:

• A durable plate.
• The right wheels.
• A lightweight (but comfortable) boot.
• A tough toe stop.

Finding the right wheels

The first thing to think about when comparing different wheels is where you’ll actually be roller skating.

• Indoor wheels are designed for smooth, slippery surfaces. They’re normally quite hard, which gives a better roll on gym-style floors and polished concrete.
• Hybrid roller skate wheels on the other hand are more balanced. They’re not too grippy but not too smooth, making them an ideal choice for both indoor and outdoor skating rinks.
• Outdoor wheels, as the name suggests, are designed to be used outside, when roller skating on surfaces such as concrete. As a softer, more malleable option, they roll really well on uneven surfaces, and won’t be troubled by dirt and debris on the track.

However, do note that most roller skate wheels won’t be explicitly labeled as “indoor”, “hybrid”, or “outdoor”. The harder the wheel, the more suitable it is for indoor use. Softer wheels on the other hand will provide more traction, which is great for staying upright on difficult outdoor surfaces. However, they will wear down faster.

Hardness ratings normally range from 78A up to 103A. The higher the number, the harder (and slipperier) the wheel is.

Finally, think about how narrow (or otherwise) you want the wheel to be. Anything under 40mm in width is considered narrow, and is best for those looking for added agility. The taller you are, the thicker the wheel you’ll need – you can get anything from around 30mm to 41mm in width.

Finding the right bearings

Each wheel on a roller skate has two bearings.

The main difference between different bearings is how well they spin.

You’ll see different roller derby skates with different ABEC ratings. Either ABEC 1, ABEC 3, ABEC 5, ABEC 7, or ABEC 9. Basically, the higher the rating, the longer (and easier) the wheel will spin.

For roller derby specifically, ABEC 5 and above is normally your best option. The easier the wheel spins, the easier it is to begin moving quickly.

Note: ABEC is also a quality rating, not just a measure of how much a bearing spins. Meaning, if a skate comes with bearings that don’t have an ABEC rating, you probably shouldn’t use them for roller derby.

How to find a durable roller skate

The more seriously you take the sport, and the more you weigh, the more you have to think about the durability of your roller skate.

But what makes a durable roller derby skate?

First, look at the plate of the skate. This is the flat piece of metal that the trucks attach to on the bottom of the boot.

• Nylon plates are the cheap and easy option. However, they’re not the most durable choice. If you’re over 200lbs, it’s best to avoid these sorts of plates, but they can work well for beginners.
• Fiberglass or fiberglass-reinforced plates are a more flexible, more durable option. They’re not the toughest option out there, but they work well for skaters who weigh up to 300lbs.
• Aluminum plates generally make for the most durable roller derby boots, however it’s important that the material is good quality. Some manufacturers simply use low-grade aluminum to make their roller derby skates seem stronger. But if good-quality material is used, aluminum makes for an extremely durable skate, without making the shoe too heavy.

Next, think about the actual boot part of the skate – where you place your foot. Over time, it’s going to be subjected to a heck of a lot of stress, especially if you take the sport seriously.

The seams on the boot are the most important thing. Ensure that they’re extremely well put-together. You might need to check buyer reviews to ensure that the skate is built to last – look for what owners who have used the roller derby skates for a number of months have to say about their durability.

What type of skate should I get?

For roller derby, you really need low-profile speed skates as opposed to the tall, traditional-looking, “artistic” boots. You want a nice low-profile fit, to maximize your speed and agility.

You might be able to get away for high-top roller derby skates as a beginner, or for casual play. However, low-cut boots are by far the better choice – in terms of both speed and agility.

Also ensure that you buy quad skates, with wheels in a 2×2 formation, as opposed to inline skates in a 4×1 or 3×1 formation. If you get inline skates, it’s going to be much more difficult to stay upright – quad skates give you much more stability, despite being a little slower. Nearly all roller derby leagues require you to wear quad roller skates.

This poses a bit of a challenge, because most quad roller derby skates are designed for casual use, because they’re easier to use without falling over. You’ve got to find quad skates that aren’t just for show – something that’s tough enough to withstand the rigors of roller derby.

How much padding do I need?

Different roller derby skates will have different amounts of padding in the outer parts of the boot.

Essentially, the less padding, the better the fit. Although roller derby skates with no padding can be quite painful to break in, once you’ve worn them for a bit, they’ll form to the exact shape of your foot.

On the other hand, if a shoe has a decent amount of padding, it’ll be easier to break in, because the material will be softer. However, the final fit might not be quite as good.

What you go for is up to you – but for fresh meat, padded roller derby skates are the more comfortable option.

What roller derby brands are best?

When looking at different companies that sell roller skates, the first thing to know is you should avoid cheap Chinese brands. Also, avoid any roller derby skates designed for recreational use – it’s called roller derby for a reason, and these boots simply won’t withstand competitive-level play.

This includes most skates from the brand called “Roller Derby”. Despite the name, most roller derby skates from this company aren’t designed for the actual sport.

Here are some brands that make great roller derby skates:

• Riedell
• Bont
• Jackson
• Antik
• Mota
• Chaya

This isn’t the complete list. Just ensure that the brand has good credentials if you’re not buying from something on this list.

How roller derby skates should fit

Fitting a roller derby skate is similar to fitting a sneaker – you can use your regular shoe size.

However, you need to be careful about the difference between mens’ and womens’ sizes. Unisex roller derby skates might be quoted in mens’ sizes, which normally run a bit larger than womens’ sizes. But if a roller derby skate is meant for girls only, it should be available in only womens’ sizes.

To ensure a good fit, your toes should just about touch the end of the skate, and the rest of your shoe should fit nice and snug. Prior customers should also give some indication of how a roller derby skate fits if you check the online reviews.

Pro tip: before ordering your regular shoe size, check the manufacturer’s size guide to ensure that the roller derby skate will fit as expected.

How much should I spend on roller derby skates?

The answer is, it depends how seriously you plan to play roller derby.

If this is your first season, and you’re not sure if you’ll be playing competitive roller derby, it’s perfectly fine to go for a cheaper skate with the view to potentially upgrade in the future.

However, don’t cheap out – you still need to ensure that the skates are reasonably comfortable and agile. A budget of $100-$150 should get you a really nice beginner roller derby skate.

On the other hand, for serious skaters, performance is key. You’ll want proper, durable skates, that match your skating style – whether you normally play blocker, jammer, or pivot. Expect to pay $250 or more for a really good pair of roller skates.

Conclusion

You’ve reached the end of our buyer’s guide!

We hope you’ve found the best roller derby skates for your roller derby needs.

Still not sure what to get? Drop us a comment below and we’ll get right back to you.