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
Looking for the best quad roller skates for beginners in ? I get it. Your first pair of skates can make or break your whole skating journey, and the wrong fit will have you frustrated before you ever roll past your driveway. I spent six weeks testing six popular beginner quad skates on pavement, rinks, … Read more
When I first laced up a pair of Moxi Lolly roller skates, I knew within ten minutes why the skating community calls them the Queen of Quad Skates. The soft suede boot hugged my foot in a way no vinyl skate ever had, and the ankle flexibility let me find my balance without fighting stiff … Read more
I’ve watched dozens of new skaters lace up their first pair of quad skates over the last decade, and I keep seeing the same brand come up again and again: Impala. The Australian-born brand burst onto the scene with candy-colored designs, accessible price tags, and a friendly aesthetic that pulls beginners in. But here’s the … Read more
Roller derby demands speed, agility, and gear that can take a hit. When I first stepped onto a derby track, I realized how much the right skate changes everything from acceleration out of the jammer line to quick lateral cuts as a blocker. Chaya, a brand under the Powerslide umbrella, has built a reputation for … Read more
Finding the best Riedell roller derby skates for competition changed how I approach the track. After testing dozens of setups over the past three seasons, I learned that the wrong boot can quietly sabotage your speed, agility, and confidence during a jam. Riedell has built its reputation on durable, competition-grade skates used by flat track … Read more
Finding the best Antik derby skates for advanced skaters is no small task when you’ve already logged hundreds of hours on the track and you know exactly what your feet need. I’ve been skating competitively for the better part of a decade, and I can tell you that once you move past the beginner stage, … Read more