The first roller skates: the best models

Tempish Stream

The Czech brand Tempish produces various equipment for sports and outdoor activities. The Stream roller skate model for children and teenagers is available in three versions, the smallest of which is equipped with three wheels, the other two with four. The shoe adapts to the foot, each version covers three sizes.

The package includes soft (82A) wheels of small diameter (64), designed for unhurried and comfortable riding. Although they are more susceptible to wear, the child is likely to have enough of them before growing out of the shoe, since the rider's weight is small.

ABEC 5 medium-class bearings in normal use (if not riding on dirt or puddles) provide a comfortable ride throughout the life of the skates.

Tempish Stream's shoe is hard, so the selection of the foot should be done with special care, especially for children, who, sometimes, find it difficult to clearly explain to their parents what exactly is "wrong".

A hard boot initially feels not so comfortable: a plastic case, limited ventilation. But the rigid design provides not only good fixation and lateral support of the leg (this facilitates the stage of initial skating training), but also a better transfer of effort, which is important for young athletes.

The frame is made of plastic, but this is more a plus than a minus: the child, due to its low weight, cannot create a pressure critical for strength on the supporting structure, and the use of artificial materials both facilitates and reduces the cost of the structure. And it also transmits less vibration from the wheels to the foot, increasing comfort when driving on uneven surfaces.

Tempish Stream – a good option for the first roller skates for a child. If the shoe fits him, then there will be a minimum of discomfort from a hard boot, but the benefit is tangible, since the right stance is the key to future success.

Tempish F21 Duo

Tempish F21 Duo skates are the only member of our Top 5 that allows you to skate both "in summer" and "in winter". Although today the seasons are a convention, since there are indoor roller skating rinks, the ability to remove the wheels and install blades for ice skating allows you to save on buying a second pair of skates .

The procedure is simple, even mom can handle it: you need to unscrew three screws with a key, change the frame and screw the screws again. Of course, you have to pay for versatility, but the fee is small: it is necessary to check before each ride whether the fastening has weakened. For a real winter, probably, the shoe will be a little cold, but for indoor skating rinks it will fit perfectly.

Soft (82A) wheels of small (64, 70 and 74 mm) diameter are installed on the roller frame, so the child will feel confident both at the training stage and during the subsequent skating. Such wheels provide good grip on the surface, especially when cornering , and do not allow you to accelerate to a dangerous speed.

ABEC 5 bearings belong to the middle class of accuracy, with careful operation they should work for more than one season.

The ice blade with a mount for installation instead of a roller frame is made of carbon stainless steel.

Depending on the size of the leg (from 29 to 40), you can choose one of three versions of the Tempish F21 Duo. The shoes are adjustable in four sizes, so the set will serve for several years.

The shoe is soft, nylon, reinforced with a "skeleton" consisting of those parts. The material, which the manufacturer calls the abbreviation TPU, retains its properties at temperatures up to -20 °C.

There are a lot of mesh elements in the design of the shoe, in the mode of roller skates, this improves the ventilation of the foot, but when skating on ice, it is necessary to take care of additional thermal insulation in the form of thermal socks.

Thrifty parents will appreciate the versatility of the Tempish F21 Duo. This is an perfect option for children who like to ride both on asphalt and on ice.

SK Matrix

A variety of vehicles for active recreation and sports are produced under the trademark "Sports Collection" – from roller skates to sleds. The Matrix line offers many options for sizes and colours, so regardless of gender and age, you can choose the right model.

Against the background of other participants of our Top 5, SK Matrix stands out by the lack of lacing. As you know, this component of the shoe is responsible for fitting the width of the foot and partially the height of the lift. In fact, the absence of lacing slightly speeds up and simplifies the process of dressing / removing skates, but such a model needs a particularly careful fitting. If the foot does not meet the standards of the manufacturer's shoe, the shoe can either be poorly fixed from the lift to the toe, or press, which is bad anyway.

The package includes soft (82A) wheels of medium diameter (70-76 mm). For children and teenagers, the choice is excellent, but taking into account the presence of adult sizes (up to 42), it may be necessary to replace them with more rigid ones (if the weight of the rider exceeds 80 kg).

The frame is made of composite material, and it is removable, which makes it easy to replace it in case of damage.

The shoe is soft, sliding. To change its size, you need to press the button and shift the sock, and then release the lock button. The ventilation system consists of several holes buried with a metallized mesh, as well as channels in the sole. Soft materials with a membrane effect that do not interfere with air circulation. Rubberized foam with Memory Fit effect is used in the ankle area – it slowly changes shape and due to this provides soft but reliable support for the leg.

SK Matrix roller skates can be recommended to owners of "standard" legs in a hurry to live. But seriously, due to a balanced set of characteristics and an affordable price, this is a reasonable purchase for both children and adults riding exclusively for the pleasure of adults.

POWERSLIDE Hot Wheels Rodger Dodger 2015

Modern business has learned from nature symbiosis – mutually beneficial coexistence of different biological species – and actively uses big names from one area in others, sometimes very far from the original. POWERSLIDE company specializes in roller skates, spare parts for them and accessories for skating. In addition to the "usual" products, there are several licensed series in its extensive model range. The design of their decoration is inspired by the heroes of films, cartoons, comics and toys beloved by children and teenagers. Hot Wheels Rodger Dodger is dedicated to a series of Mattel cars resembling the 1973 Dodge Charger SE.

In addition to Hot Wheels Rodger Dodger, POWERSLIDE has many other models that use the symbols of Disney, Hasbro, and Warner Bros. characters. and Mattel, so there is plenty to choose from.

The wheels of medium stiffness (85A, this is the largest indicator among the participants of our Top 5 ) are focused on skating on a good surface, these skates are better suited for those who prefer rollerdromes or know where the sites with fine-grained asphalt are located. The replaceable frame is made of plastic.

Bearings of the ABEC 3 class, however, given the company's experience and its position in the skating equipment market, this will not be a problem, because the skates are designed for a fitness riding style.

The shoe is soft, and it looks really cool. Buckley elements in some sizes are made of translucent plastic. The design is sliding, each version is suitable for four leg sizes.

POWERSLIDE Hot Wheels Rodger Dodger in particular and the entire licensed series of this manufacturer is an excellent choice for fans of this or that hero, but if you do not know the difference between the original 1974 car and its re–release in 2001, you can safely choose another model of roller skates.

Botas Stratos 90 Price from 4 641 up to 4 990 ₴ →

Unlike other participants of our Top 5, Botas Stratos 90 are aimed at an adult audience, and quite serious skaters. This model is suitable for both men and women, because the designers used a win–win combination of colours - black / grey / red.

If you are not familiar with shoes for winter sports (first of all, ski boots and skates), then you can assume the Greek or Baltic origin of Botas. In fact, she is Czech and has been leading her success story since 1949.

The Stratos 90 has the largest wheels among the participants of this Top 5 – 90 mm. This allows you to develop an impressive speed, especially taking into account the use of bearings of the ABEC 9 class (the highest used in mass models). By the way, in the Stratos line there is a version with even larger wheels, 100 mm, without a heel brake, and it is predictably called Botas Stratos 100 Price from 4 641 up to 4 990 ₴. The supplied wheels are of medium rigidity (84A), they will last for about one season for a person with an average weight and sufficient spare time.

The non-removable frame is made of lightweight aluminium alloy. The metal provides sufficient strength, which is necessary, firstly, to withstand the weight of adults (shoes can be 45 sizes), and secondly, to work under significant loads – in Stratos 90 they ride more aggressively, since the model is focused on advanced roller skaters .

The boots are soft, the inserts are made of breathable nylon. The protection of the ankle joint deserves high praise. Three-component fastening (buckle, heel strap with Hook-and-loop, lacing) allows you to securely fix the foot.

Botas Stratos 90 can be recommended to those wishing to purchase reliable skates from a European manufacturer, if the design does not play a special role for the buyer.