Sophia Martinez

I have spent the better part of two decades around competitive artistic skating rinks, and the one boot brand that comes up in every serious conversation is Risport. Hand-lasted in Montebelluna, Italy, Risport boots carry a reputation for clean leather work, consistent fit, and that quiet confidence skaters want when they are running a freestyle … Read more

When I first walked into an artistic roller skating competition, I counted the brands on every foot. Out of 30 competitors, 27 were wearing Edea. That moment changed how I thought about boot selection forever. Edea has become the gold standard for artistic roller skating, dominating competition floors from club level to international championships. The … Read more

I grew up on the ice. From age 6 to 18 I spent roughly 18 hours a week at the rink learning the same things every figure skater learns – loops, brackets, counters, waltz jumps, and scratch spins. When I moved to a city without a year-round rink, I thought my figure skating life was … Read more

Walking into a roller rink on a Friday night, the music pulsing through the speakers, the polished hardwood gleaming under black lights. There’s something special about rhythm skating that pulls you back week after week. Our team has spent over 80 hours testing skates at local rinks, comparing every detail from ankle support to wheel … Read more

VNLA Godfather Skates have earned a near-mythic reputation among jam skaters, and after testing eight variants side by side at our local rink, I understand why. The high-top boot, Italian-inspired leather, and stitched rubber outsole deliver the ankle support and flexibility advanced rhythm skating demands. If you have moved past beginner moves and want a … Read more

I’ve been testing roller derby gear for over a decade, and I can tell you this: the search for the best Bont derby skates for custom fit ends with one brand. Bont pioneered heat-moldable boot technology decades ago, and they’re still the gold standard for skaters whose feet don’t fit standard skate lasts. What makes … Read more

Blocking in roller derby is a contact sport within a contact sport. You are bracing, pushing, and absorbing hits on every jam, and your skates are doing more work than your jersey number suggests. After spending the last few months skating with our local league and rotating through different setups, I can tell you firsthand … Read more

When I first laced up a pair of Chaya Onyx skates at a regional derby tournament three years ago, I knew immediately why the brand had earned its reputation among pro players. The heel lock was different. The power transfer felt instant. After spending 90 days testing 12 of the best Chaya Onyx derby skates … Read more

Choosing the best Micro inline skates for young skaters feels overwhelming when you walk into a shop or scroll Amazon and see dozens of options. I have spent the last three months testing eight of the most popular kids inline skates with my own children (ages 6, 9, and 11) and several neighbor families to … Read more

When my kids were 5 and 8, finding the best inline skates for two kids of different ages nearly broke my brain. One pair was too clunky, the other too loose, and I spent $80 on skates my younger kid outgrew in five months. After testing 10 pairs side by side with my own children … Read more