This guide is going to help you choose the best roller hockey skates to play your best on the street or on the court. After lots of deliberation and research, my choice for the best overall pair is the Alkali RPD Lite Senior Adult Inline Roller Hockey Skate.
I have long been a hockey fan, and sometimes playing some street hockey with friends can be even better than on the ice. While playing in your shoes is fine, having roller hockey skates can take the experience to new heights and be a ton of fun.
The Alkali RPD Lite is a light and comfortable skate that also shines in terms of its durability. They keep your feet cool, and both the wheels and bearings can provide outstanding speed both indoors and outdoors.
This skate is my favorite choice, but it isn’t the only option. There are options for younger players, those who value comfort over everything, and even a skate specifically made for goalies.
Having roller hockey skates can elevate your street hockey experience and make it much more enjoyable, authentic and fun. Read on to learn a little more about some of the best roller hockey skates on the market today.
Best Roller Hockey Skates: Top Choices
Here are my recommendations for the best roller hockey skates, and a bit about why each of them can be a great choice.
1. Alkali RPD Lite Senior Adult Inline Roller Hockey Skates
- Best for: Those who want a good overall pair of roller skates.
- Support: Stiff construction, pads to secure ankles, and proper foot fit and support.
- Comfort: Ventilated tongue to keep feet cool and comfortable, as well as nylon material.
- Wheels: The skate features 80mm inline skate wheels that provide great speed.
This skate offers a little bit of something for everyone, which is why I have it as my best overall selection in the category. First and foremost, these skates feature a very lightweight construction to reduce how heavy they will feel on your feet compared to other skates.
Despite their lightweight build, these skates are also quite durable and feature added stiffness and pads to secure your ankles and feet, while keeping everything right where it needs to be. You can even heat mold them to get the perfect fit for even support and better comfort.
Speaking of comfort, the skate contains a lot of nylon material, and the fully-ventilated tongue does a great job at helping keep your feet cool and comfortable. The ride will also be comfortable due to the quality wheels that are well-suited for both indoor and outdoor use.
A downside of this skate is that it is generally for beginner or intermediate skaters. They are quality, but if you are an expert and are looking for the best of the best, you might not be as happy with them as most people will be.
==> You can also get it on PureHockey.com or at Walmart.
2. Code 9.one Sr Hockey Skate
- Best for: Players who value comfort and support over everything else.
- Support: A composite reinforced boot for ankle support, and the boot is heat moldable.
- Comfort: Deluxe comfort padding throughout the skate, and soft materials.
- Wheels: Wheels made of urethane, and are either 76mm or 80mm in size.
If you are looking for an incredibly comfortable roller hockey skate, be sure to give this one a chance. The skate has nylon through the sole, and soft padding throughout the skate to make sure everything from your feet to your ankles are comfortable.
The included ankle support is wonderful for stabilizing your foot, and keeping it in the most comfortable position possible. Make sure to bake the skate to get the perfect fit for your exact foot shape and position.
In addition to comfort, this skate has a lot more going for it as well. It features a composite-reinforced boot, and ankle support that is also reinforced. The skates also look great, and feature quality wheels that come in two different sizes (76mm or 80mm).
One drawback that you may encounter with this skate, however, is that the skates are quite heavy. They are certainly usable, but the padding and comfort features means the skate isn’t as lightweight as many others might be.
==> You can also get it on HockeyMonkey.com (USA) or HockeyWorld.com.
3. Alkali Lite Junior Kids Adjustable Inline Roller Hockey Skates
- Best for: Younger players looking for a great roller skate.
- Support: Adjustable sizing so you can always get the right amount of support.
- Comfort: Comfortable pads support the feet and ankles, while also allowing for flexibility.
- Wheels: The skate features multi-purpose 68mm wheels, to be used on any surface.
This skate is a wonderful choice for those younger players looking to get into roller or street hockey, or simply looking to replace their old skates. One of the major benefits of this skate is that it’s adjustable.
Instead of having to buy multiple pairs as your child grows, this pair of skates will be able to last longer. Rotating the dial will extend the toe cap, to allow the skate to grow with their feet. This skate fits size 2-5, and features multiple different footbeds to ensure you always get the right fit.
In addition to being able to get the perfect size, these skates also have comfort padding and a flexible tendon guard to ensure they stay flexible, and can always move with you without holding you back at all.
The included wheels are sized right for children (68mm), and ensure that these skates can be used on any surface comfortably and effectively. They aren’t as durable as some other options, but with them not needing to last years and years, they are certainly suitable for most children.
==> You can also get it at Walmart.
4. Tour Hockey Code 9 SR Inline Hockey Skate
- Best for: Players who are price conscious and on a budget.
- Support: The skate features reinforced ankle support, without being too heavy.
- Comfort: Deluxe EVA comfort padding throughout the skate.
- Wheels: Tour force speed Formula control wheels that measure in at 80mm.
If a player is on a budget, this is one of the best options they have. But despite their relatively low price compared to similar skates, they offer a ton of great features. They provide great support for the foot/ankle and comfortable padding, all without being too heavy or bulky.
The EVA padding for comfort is in all the right places, and the skate looks great with its black boot and subtle green coloring. The wheels are well-made and perform well for the price, and the skates are quite light and won’t hurt your skating ability or slow you down in the slightest.
While the performance and quality are okay, you aren’t likely to be wowed by these skates. They are certainly good for the price, but they will lag behind more expensive options.
==> You can also get it on HockeyWorld.com.
5. TronX E1.0 Senior Adult Inline Roller Hockey Skates
- Best for: Those who want a high-end pair of roller skates.
- Support: A molded footbed for a superb fit, and high-quality ankle support and padding.
- Comfort: A microfiber liner for comfort everywhere, a flexible fit, and a felt tongue.
- Wheels: 76mm and 80mm wheels with improved striding and durability.
For the player that wants to take things up a notch in terms of quality, this skate is one to look at. This skate is great for expert skaters, but also for novice and intermediate skaters, too. They have great protection for the ankle and the rest of the foot, and the comfort is incredible.
To achieve such high levels of comfort, they have a molded footbed and a microfiber liner, along with a felt tongue and a great fit that allows for optimal flexibility and movement in the foot. These skates also feature a polyvinyl chloride sole and an aluminum frame.
The wheel setup is different and many would say better than other skates, too. The front two wheels are 76mm and the back two are 80mm, which gives you great control and a nice burst of speed. These wheels are also incredibly durable, and also help improve your strides.
While the skates are well-made, their durability leaves something to be desired for some of the players that have used them.
6. Tour Hockey Code 72 Inline Goalie Skate
- Best for: Players who usually like to play goalie.
- Support: The skates feature a reinforced ankle stabilizer and lateral support system.
- Comfort: They can be baked so you can get the perfect fit, and feature dry wick lining.
- Wheels: Smaller 59mm wheels for precise movements in the crease.
If you play goalie, these skates are a wonderful choice to consider. While a goalie can technically wear any roller hockey skate, these were specifically designed to work with their playstyle and provide the best performance possible.
They have a low-profile frame that better helps you stay in your stance throughout the game, and the wheel size is much smaller at 59mm per wheel. These skates provide great grip and are extra responsive to make it easy to glide back and forth in the crease.
These skates have a wonderful lateral support system and stabilize your ankles to keep you supported in any position. The skates can be baked for the right fit, and feature an adjustable felt tongue for even further control over the fit.
Your feet will stay dry in these skates thanks to the dry wick lining, and the aluminum frame of the skate ensures the skates are strong. One drawback that I have seen in regards to these skates is that they can be difficult for those who may have feet that are on the flatter side.
==> You can also get it on HockeyMonkey.com (USA) or HockeyWorld.com.
Best Roller Hockey Skates: What to Look For
If you are looking for some of the best roller hockey skates, here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding which to purchase.
Comfort
When looking for roller hockey skates, one of the most important things to consider is comfort. You will likely be wearing these skates for long periods of time, and certainly don’t want your feet to hurt right in the middle of your game.
Not only are sore feet from the wrong skates uncomfortable, but they can also negatively impact your ability to play well. You may not be able to skate as well, and the pain and discomfort can often distract you from the task at hand.
Look for skates that use soft interior fabrics, and have padding throughout to make sure your foot always stays comfortable. Skates that help to keep your feet as cool as possible are also a good option to consider.
Support
The support that a skate provides is also something to think about. Skating for long periods of time, especially with a lot of pivoting, turning, stopping and other movements can be very hard on your feet.
If your skates have little to no support, your feet themselves are stuck doing all of the heavy lifting and this can be incredibly painful at times. This pain may not only appear in-game, either. Lingering feet pain is common and can make daily life challenging in some situations.
Skates should not only provide support for your feet, but also your ankles. Ankle injuries can be unfortunately common for players who aren’t lacing their skates up, or are wearing them incorrectly. Always look for skates that offer enough support in the areas that you need most.
Sizing and Fit
One of the most important parts of finding your perfect pair of roller skates is to get the sizing right. If you wear a size that is too big, you won’t have the same control that you would like. But skates that are too tight and small can be painful to play in.
As far as fit goes, you want to ensure the skate is snug, without being too tight or restrictive. Your toes should barely touch the toe cap, and you should have a little bit of room for your feet to move. Make sure the skate not only fits well while standing/trying them on, but also skating.
In general, your roller hockey skates will generally be about a size to a size and a half smaller than your shoes. So if you wear a size 11, you may want to begin with a 9.5 when looking for roller hockey skates.
Wheels and Bearings
Arguably the most important thing to look at and consider when choosing your roller hockey skates are the wheels and bearings. You want to choose skates with high-quality wheels that roll easily without getting stuck or slowing you down.
If your wheels are low-quality, they may deteriorate quickly, or become less effective as they get used more. You want to do your best to keep the wheels and bearings clean, and free from debris like dirt and dust.
Also, some wheels are specifically for indoor or outdoor use, so make sure you are only using skates where they are supposed to be used. Using indoor wheels outdoors may not provide you with the same control, and you may find the wheels are becoming damaged much quicker.
My Verdict
My selection of the best roller hockey skates is the Alkali RPD Lite. They are a comfortable and light pair of skates, perfect for use anywhere, and will last a while if treated nicely and cared for.
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