Adult Roller Blades

November 30, 2022 11:33 AM

I want to buy adult roller blades for my 12 year old nephew. Adjustable if possible but that's not mandatory. Just good quality and not heinously expensive. Thanks!
posted by bookworm4125 to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (5 answers total)

Rollerblades are a great thing to buy gently used! Where is your nephew located? In Chicago we have Play It Again Sports, hopefully there's an equivalent where he is.
posted by slmorri at 11:36 AM on November 30, 2022

Do you want rollerblades with a heel brake?

Otherwise, brands that make hockey skates also make rollerblades and tend to be of higher quality than department store rollerblades.
posted by porpoise at 11:46 AM on November 30, 2022

They're pretty hard to buy in person these days. Used might be easier to find than new.

I bought three pairs online from Inline Warehouse at their suggestion and returned the two that did not fit me.
posted by meowzilla at 12:14 PM on November 30, 2022

There are hockey skates and there are recreational skates. The best brands for inline hockey skates are the same brands that make good ice hockey skates. In fact, you can buy ice hockey skates, remove the blades and put a chassis (the part that holds the wheels) on, and you'll have good inline hockey skates.

For recreational skates, Rollerblade the brand is still around and well-regarded. K2 is another brand that has a good reputation.

Keep in mind that you can skate recreationally with hockey skates, but you can't really play hockey with recreational skates.
posted by kevinbelt at 1:00 PM on November 30, 2022

I do not recommend buying any skates without a heel brake for a beginner.
posted by meowzilla at 8:06 PM on November 30, 2022 [1 favorite]