Sophia Martinez 
The first time I saw someone roller dance, I stopped mid-stride at the rink. They were carving the floor in time with the music, weaving between slower skaters like the wheels were an extension of their feet. I grabbed my phone and a YouTube rabbit hole opened up. Three months and four pairs of demo … Read more
I learned the grapevine about three months into my skating journey, and looking back, I picked the wrong skates for it. My cheap rentals had zero ankle support, and every crossover felt like I was one wobble away from a tumble. The right pair of beginner roller skates can shave weeks off your learning curve, … Read more
Jam skating is all about rhythm, flow, and pushing your body to move in ways that look effortless on the rink floor. I have spent years lacing up different pairs of skates trying to find the sweet spot between ankle support and that buttery break-in feel that only suede delivers. After testing dozens of options … Read more
Finding the best wheels for jam and dance skating changed my whole experience on the rink. After years of slipping on the wrong hardness and tripping over bulky wheels, I learned that jam and rhythm skating demand something specific: a narrow profile, firm durometer, and lightweight construction that responds to quick footwork. In , the … Read more
Choosing the best artistic skate boots for kids is one of the most important decisions a parent makes when their child starts figure skating or artistic roller skating. After our team spent six weeks testing 10 popular youth models across rinks, sidewalks, and home practice, we found that the right boot makes a real difference … Read more
Finding roller skates that actually fit wide feet is exhausting. I learned this the hard way after years of jamming in skates that squeezed my toes until they went numb, then untied my laces mid-session to wiggle my feet back to life. VNLA (Vanilla Skate Co.) built its reputation for a reason. Their boots run … Read more
If you spend any time around artistic roller rinks, you will hear one name whispered with reverence: Edea. For solo dance performers, the right boot can make the difference between a clean edge and a wobbly one. After testing five Edea Flamenco boots for solo dance over the past season, I want to share which … Read more
I still remember the first time I tried to learn a shuffle on my old recreational skates. The wheels were too soft, the plate had zero responsiveness, and I ended up gripping the rink wall more than I actually rolled. Finding the best rhythm skate setup for slides and shuffles changed everything for me. After … Read more
When I first switched from toe stops to dance plugs, my entire skating style changed overnight. The bulk was gone, my footwork opened up, and spins felt effortless for the first time. If you are into artistic roller skating or jam skating, removing your toe stops and replacing them with plugs is one of the … Read more
When I first laced up a pair of Moxi Beach Bunny skates three summers ago, I expected the worst from a $149 boot. What I got instead was a smooth, confident outdoor ride that handled rough pavement, park asphalt, and the occasional boardwalk crack without a hiccup. After spending 60+ hours testing four Beach Bunny … Read more