Trending Inline Skates of 2021-2022

Feeling the slow fossilization of pandemic lockdown mania? The pandemic stays but the passion for skating continues to grow. More and more skaters are moving around Singapore thanks to all the PCNs (park connector networks) and the beautiful city skyline (peep Marina Bay!) to get all those Insta-worthy shots. But with all the different types of skates on the market, it’s all the more important to know what you are looking for and we’ve got you covered with this review of the top skates to know what are the best skates for you.

Before we get started with the breakdown of the skates, check out our post on what to look out for before getting your skates.

 

Recreational Inline Skates

A beginner friendly skate that features soft cushioned lightweight boot.

 

1. ROLLERBLADE Zetrablade

Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆
Durability:4/10
Comfort: 6/10
Price: $

 

Looking for a wallet-friendly pair of skates that gets you zooming around in no time? The Zetrablade is a great match for skaters who are looking to enter the scene. This plush cushioned pair ensures comfort and ease with every glide and stride. 

Zetrablade can be one of the most reasonably priced skates out for the community especially for skaters who are keen on starting out with nothing too serious. The skates come with soft foamed cushions for maximum comfort and hard plastic cuff and frame sufficient to sustain long distances in parks. With Rollerblade’s trademark SG5 bearing, its smooth skating experience is one simply worth its price point!

 

2. ROLLERBLADE Macroblade

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Durability: 5.5/10
Comfort: 6.5/10
Price: $

 

Being the most consistent model on the market for many years, the Macroblade proves to be one of the most stable counterparts for recreational skating. Macroblade 80 Skates can accept up to 84mm wheels making it great for casual skating with the capability and features to perform as a cross-trainer. The Macroblade’s best selling point is its durable composite aluminium frame which secures stable strides and improves power transfer so every glide becomes an effortless feat! Seamless boot construction ensures comfort and capability with a stable cuff that provides stability, but allows for good range of motion without a loss of support. A terrific low cost, high quality option for all skill levels that provides performance and response over composite frames that are found on similar recreational models. 

 

 

3. K2 Kinetic Series

Overall Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Durability: 5/10
Comfort: 4/10
Price: $139

 

The Kinetic 80 is the perfect skate for the beginner or casual skater! The Traditional Lacing and Original SoftBoot® design provide a comfortable and familiar fit and feel for those getting acclimated to the sport. To give the SoftBoot® the necessary support we added the Stability Plus Cuff, which also allows for great power transfer from your body to the skate. This fantastic entry-level design is finished with the composite F.B.I. Frame that establishes a low center of gravity while dampening road vibration for a smooth rolling ride.

 

 

4. K2 FIT/Alexis BOA® series

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Durability: 6/10
Comfort: 7/10
Price: $329

 

The K2 FIT and Alexis BOA® series is designed to meet all the needs and comfort of the fitness enthusiast. introducing the BOA® Fit System which provides skaters a custom, precision fit and the ability to make on-the-fly adjustments. Fitted with K2’s trademark Original Softboot®, DC Aluminium Frame and Stability Plus Cuff, ILQ-7 bearings and 90mm wheels round out the design the ensure a smooth, fast ride. For the ultimate fitness skating experience, dial-in to the FIT/Alexis BOA® and get rolling!

Urban Inline Skates

The perfect skates for cruising cityscapes.

 

1. ROLLERBLADE Twister XT

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Durability: 7/10
Comfort: 7.5/10
Price: $$$

 

The Rollerblade Twister XT is an extremely versatile skate. With a complete re-design of the molded shell that Twister skates have been so popular in the past, the Twister XT series features a blend of high-end performance with price-conscious components to create a skate that makes your feet and your wallet happy. Fitted with a 243mm frame, Twincam ILQ-7 Plus and Supreme 80mm wheels the Twister XT provides superior control and speed. The form-fitting High-Performance First Fit V-Cut Liner sits inside the vented molded shell to provide comfort, durability and response. The improved shell design features an Anti-Torsion Box that enhances the rigidity and response of the skate while the deep V-Cut cuff allows for greater range of motion.

 

2. Flying Eagle Raven F4

Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆
Durability: 6/10
Comfort: 7/10
Price: $$

 

The Flying Eagle F4 Raven Skates are designed and created to out-spec some of the biggest names in freestyle skates. Flying Eagle inline skates are best known for the extremely competitive prices. The quality of the product is that of its competitors making hardboot high-end pro-level inline skates. On the boot, you will find a 3 point closure system from lace, 45-degree mid-strap and top strap. The lace section makes a big difference and can be adjusted to your foot shape easier due to the dual-density plastic. The neoprene liner allows the inner liner to wrap around your individual toe shape for a perfect combination of padding and support. Combine this with the aluminium frame, 76mm wheels and super fast ABEC 7 bearings and you have a very accessible skate which is fast, comfortable, supportive and manoeuvrable. Perfect for the bayfront, urban and city skating. 

 

 

 

3. ROLLERBLADE Cruiser

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Durability: 6.5/10
Comfort: 7/10
Price: $$

 

The Rollerblade Cruiser is a model that can be used anywhere which provides the perfect level of performance for the skater who wants a better skate that does it all. Ensuring durability and lateral support from the full composite structure is unmatched and more responsive for skaters to increase their control. The molded shell is also the most versatile because of the combination of support and frame modularity. Fitted with 243mm extruded aluminium frames, with the freedom of customisation in switching the frames out for, say, 3WD frames, can easily be aligned or changed to accommodate various skating preferences.The additional shock absorber in the heel adds vibration dampening to smooth out the ride while skating or maneuvering and jumping obstacles. The urban profile 80mm wheels add their own stability by creating a slightly wider contact surface to benefit the skater with turning and control. SG7 bearings enable a fast, smooth roll to enable a brisk pace when needed.  Fastened with the locking cuff buckle, micro adjustable 45° buckle and laces help keep the skates securely fastened to add a higher level of support and fit which cradles the feet with much added comfort. This secure closure system truly locks the feet to ensure the skates feel like an extension of the feet with elevated performance.

4. FR 1 80

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Durability: 8/10
Comfort: 8.5/10
Price: $$$

 

The FR1 80 is the legendary freeride skate which will bring you anywhere and everywhere with perfect comfort and precision. These skates have been re-imagined and upgraded to offer you the best stability and solidity possible. Fitted with highly versatile and stable Street Invader II 80/84A wheels, smooth riding TwinCam MW9 Titalium Freeride bearings, 4D extruded aluminium frames, metal cuff buckles and ratchet power straps, these skates encompass top specifications for top performance. From urban skating to hitting the slalom cones, this all-in-one pair to improve your skating or to perform your best FReeride moves, the FR1 has all the required specs of a high quality skate.

Freestyle Skates

Whether you're hitting the slalom cones or riding the winding roads in town, freestyle skates have you covered top to toe.

1. Flying Eagle Falcon F6S

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Durability: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10
Price: $$

 

A very popular Flying Eagle model, the Falcon F6S comes fitted with new improved liners and a stealthy dark green molded plastic shells. The boot itself is strong and supportive yet flexible at all the right points. The EGO frame is indestructible and offers great support on jumps and stair rides thanks to its wide and solid aluminium base, it also includes rockerable axles that allow you to rocker the first and last wheels in a matter of seconds. It is extremely durable and versatile and is built to last. The Falcon F6S will satisfy even a very demanding and aggressive skater and combines features that are great for Freeskate and Slalom at the same time.

 

2. FR Spin

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Durability: 9/10
Comfort: 8.5/10
Price: $$$$

 

The FR SPIN targets elite-level skaters performing freestyle slalom tricks, but it can also serve as a superior urban skate. Wherever you choose to skate them, carbon shells and rockerable frames make them light, low metal cuffs enable responsiveness, and overall design prides them with utmost sensationality. FR SPIN is designed to perform freestyle tricks and skate around the city. Fitted with fast Twincam MW9 Titalium Freeride bearings and the exceptional FR Downtown Wheels, this is a supreme model equipped with integrated liners designed to fit snug for optimal response. The FR SPIN skate is a high quality product, ensuring high control and high comfort, made accessible at an affordable price.

 

3. POWERSLIDE Hardcore Evo 90

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Durability: 9.5/10
Comfort: 8-9/10
Price: $$$$$

 

The Powerslide Hardcore Evo 90 is loved for its great performance and comfort right out of the box. The third generation is coming in a new look based on a mix of nylon mesh and PU-leather including a TPU panel for extra lateral support. The patented TRINITY mounting boosts your performance to another level thanks to the incredible power transfer and reactivity, the perfect control and balance as well as the outstanding vibration control. The 3-wheel rocker setup based on the Nexus frame, was especially designed for freestyle skating. Bigger wheels make sitting tricks like the 'Christie' easier. Furthermore they give your ankles more leverage, allowing you to lift your heel and toe higher. It's easier to balance on one wheel with more speed and now with the introduction of bigger wheels it makes speed maintenance and balance easier than ever. The Hardcore Evo offers rockering options a regular 4-wheels skate can't - rocker just one or two wheels on your skates. You can even rocker your left and right skates differently if you prefer! The skate is powered by Powerslide Spinner wheels and Wicked ABEC 9 free spin bearings. The Hardcore Evo Pro is featuring a built in 3mm higher heel raise to give you a little bit of extra forward lean. The heat moldable shell allows you to adjust the fit time and time again if needed. Over time the Hardcore Evo Pro is a lightweight allround carbon skate which doesn't just has made up its name in freestyle skating but also in other disciplines like freeride, downhill or simply fitness skating.

 

4. SEBA High Light 80

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Durability: 8/10
Comfort: 8.5/10
Price: $$$$

 

Seba High were the first skates designed for freestyle slalom from the ground up and for a good while, they were the skates to have if someone wanted to compete at high level. The integrated padding is anatomically shaped to lock the heel as good as possible and provide excellent responsiveness. The metal plates embedded in frame mounting points serve as a reinforcement of boot-frame connection, greatly increasing the solidity of a whole skate. They also offer 7 threaded holes for mounting screw, allowing for a wide range of frame positioning options as well as good compatibility with 165mm mounting standard frames. As High Light Carbon 80 are more of all-rounders than pure specialized slalom skates, they come with flat setup frame – four wheels on the same level. If you want to skate between cones, you probably want to go for old school style rockering achieved by replacing the outer wheels with 4mm smaller ones. All sizes of the skate come with 243mm long frame which can fit 80mm diameter wheels. The bearings used in High Light Carbon 80 are the world-famous Twincam ILQ9 Pro. As far as steel, 608 size bearings go, these are one of the best on the market. They make wheels rolling smoothly and will last for a long time.The legendary Seba High Light skates revisited and converted for ultimate performances. Carbon skates make a real difference in terms of weight, precision and support.

 

Here's a summary of the skates with the charts here:

RECREATIONAL SKATES COMPARISON TABLE

Name	RB Zetrablade 80	RB Macroblade 80	K2 Kinetic 80	K2 ALEXIS/FIT BOA
Bearings	SG 5	SG 5	ABEC 5	ILQ 5
Frame	Composite Plastic	Aluminium	Composite Plastic	Aluminium
Comfort	4.5/10	6.5/10	4/10	7/10
Price	$169	$209	$139	$329

URBAN SKATES COMPARISON TABLE

Name	RB Twister XT	Flying Eagle Raven F4	RB Cruiser 2022	FR FR 1 80
Bearings	ILQ 9	ABEC 7	SG 7	MW9
Frame	Extruded Aluminium	CNC Aluminium	Aluminium	V3 Magnesium
Comfort	8/10	6/10	7/10	8.5/10
Price	$329	$199	$229	$429

FREESTYLE SKATES COMPARISON TABLE

Name	Flying Eagle Falcon F6S	FR Spin	PS HC Evo 90	SEBA Highlight 80
Bearings	ABEC 7	MW9	ABEC 9	ILQ 9 Pro
Frame	EGO Extruded ALU	V3 4D Rockerable Magnesium	EGO Aircraft Aluminium	Deluxe Aluminium
Comfort	7/10	8.5/10	8-9 (after heat moulding) /10	8.5/10
Price	$249	$679	$899	$699