Finding the right pair of inline skates can be overwhelming with so many options on the market. That is why our team at Loco Skates has put together a list of our top inline skates, breaking down exactly what each one is best for and why.
Whether you are just starting out, looking for a high-performance setup, or simply want to learn more about skates, this article will help you narrow down your choices. We have considered factors like comfort, performance, durability, and price to make your decision easier.
Plus, we have put together a handy video ranking these skates from 1 to 5, so you can see our justifications in action. Check it out below and find the perfect skate for your needs!
Best budget inline skate for beginners and all-round use
The Powerslide Zoom is an impressive budget-friendly inline skate that delivers way more than its price suggests. With a solid, comfortable boot and a riveted-on frame, this skate offers excellent stability and energy transfer, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced skaters alike. One of its standout features is the unexpectedly comfortable liner, which Powerslide originally designed as a budget option but turned out to be one of the best in its class.
The 80mm wheels and short wheelbase provide a smooth yet manoeuvrable ride, perfect for city skating and quick bursts of speed. While the frame isn't replaceable, it’s incredibly sturdy and secure (we rarely see any returns for this skate), offering a responsive ride without the worry of loose bolts. If you're looking for an affordable, reliable, and all-around fun skate, the Powerslide Zoom is a great choice.
Best boot for wizard-style skating
The Wizard Base Boot is the ultimate foundation for wizard-style skating, designed specifically to complement the unique frame setups and movements pioneered by Wizard. Built from years of real-world testing and refinement, this carbon fiber boot pairs seamlessly with the Wizard Intuition liner, providing a responsive yet comfortable fit.
The Wizard Base is sold as a boot-only setup, allowing skaters to customise their ride with their preferred Wizard Frames and wheels. Whether paired with the NR90, which can be great for beginners or a more advanced setup for technical ground moves, this boot delivers unmatched control and precision. The fit is praised for being one of the best in the industry, with skaters reporting incredible comfort and performance straight out of the box. If you’re serious about wizard-style skating and want the best possible boot, this is it. Check out our wizard-style buyers guide for more info.
Best skate for those looking for improved control
The FR Neo 1 is a premium hard boot skate that brings cutting-edge design and top-tier performance. One of its standout features is the low-riding frame mount, which enhances stability and control, giving skaters a more connected feel to the ground. The Intuition liner - renowned for its comfort and precision fit - comes standard, making this one of the most performance-driven skates in its class.
The skate also introduces a dual-density shell, incorporating softer plastic in key areas for improved comfort and flexibility, though its impact is subtle. With aircraft-quality aluminium frames and high-end wheels, the Neo 1 delivers a smooth, responsive ride built for demanding skaters.
Best inline skate for those looking for a reliable setup
The FR Skates FR1 80 Intuition is a hard-shell skate that delivers unmatched performance, comfort, and durability. Whether you're an experienced skater or just getting into urban and freestyle skating, the FR1 Intuition is an industry-standard model that never disappoints.
Built with the legendary Intuition liner, it offers a highly responsive, heat-mouldable fit that enhances both control and comfort. With its reinforced metal base plates and adjustable cuff, this skate provides the perfect balance of support and customization. If you're looking for a premium hard-shell skate with top-tier components, this one is hard to beat.
For those who want most of the performance of the FR1 Intuition at a more budget-friendly price, the FR Skates FRX 80 - our best-selling skate - is a great alternative.
Best lightweight skate for freestyle skating
The Powerslide HC Evo Sam Crofts Pro Skates are a high-performance freestyle skate with a legacy of innovation. This model brings back the 4x80mm wheel setup, a much-needed addition since many skaters have been modifying their boots to accommodate smaller wheels. The lightweight carbon fibre and Kevlar shell is heat moldable, offering a customized fit for precision control.
The Combat 80 TRINITY frame features spacers which are rockerable in as many as 6 positions, allowing skaters to fine-tune their setup for different styles and manoeuvres. A standout feature is the reflective accents on the cuff and back, enhancing visibility for night skating. With high-rebound Undercover 80mm wheels and WCD Abec 9 bearings, these skates deliver speed, agility, and smooth performance - perfect for skaters who demand both style and substance.
Best inline skate for street skating
The Them 80 Skates are the perfect choice for skaters looking for a smooth, effortless ride. Built with the same shell as the Them 909 aggressive skate, they offer a familiar and comfortable fit. The one-piece soul frame provides a solid, stable base, making them ideal for big-wheel cruising without any unnecessary bulk.
Thanks to their low-riding plastic frame, these skates feel intuitive and have great shock absorption out in the streets, offering a relaxed yet responsive skating experience. Plus, with individual shell sizing, you get a precise fit without the guesswork of shared-size boots. If you want a skate that’s reliable, comfortable, and great for easy riding on the street, the Them 80 is a fantastic option (it comes in black too, don't worry).
Best if you want a solid skate with good shock absorption
The Rollerblade Twister XT is a premium urban skate that offers a premium ride straight out of the box - no tweaks, adjustments or aftermarket parts needed. One of its standout features is the Hydrogen 80mm wheels, which are some of the best in the industry, offering exceptional speed, grip, and durability right from the start.
Fitting and comfort has also been refined in this latest version, with an improved liner and wider fitment that makes the skate more accommodating to different foot shapes. Unlike many skates that rely on shared shell sizes, the Twister XT uses individual boot moulds for each size, ensuring a precise and snug fit for optimal performance. With its top-tier components, this skate is perfect for skaters who want high performance with zero fuss.
Best for those looking for a unique style skate
The Iqon CL 15 is a sleek, stylish skate that delivers high-end performance at an impressive price point. However, it’s not just the modern look that makes it one of the favourites. Its Decode SE frame features a subtle 1mm rocker, giving it a wizard-style feel that enhances manoeuvrability while still maintaining stability.
Comfort is a priority with the MyFit 2nd Skin liner, which offers extra padding around the ankle to create the perfect fit. The CL 15 stands out as a well-balanced freeride skate with a premium look and performance at a great value.
Best Freeride skate for speed
The FR SL Freeride is a high-performance skate built for speed, agility, and top-tier comfort – perfect for those looking to shred. Its carbon fibre shell keeps it lightweight yet incredibly responsive, while the integrated Intuition liner provides a snug, self-moulding fit straight out of the box. The unique 90/80 high-low wheel setup offers the perfect balance between speed and manoeuvrability - tucking the larger 90mm wheels on the outside while maintaining a low ride height for control.
Combined with metal core wheels and TWINCAM MW9 bearings, this skate is built for precision and power, making it one of the fastest freeride skates available. At a slightly heftier price tag this is a more premium choice, but for those who want cutting-edge technology in a freeride skate, it's one of the best investments you can make.
Best inline skate for performance on a budget
If you are looking for a high-quality, versatile skate at an affordable price the Flying Eagle X7F Reaver is a great choice. Its durable plastic shell provides a sturdy yet comfortable fit, similar to the well-loved Rollerblade Twister, offering great support without feeling too bulky.
The soft liner hugs the foot perfectly, enhancing comfort while maintaining a snug fit. For those riding a smaller boot, the 85A urethane wheels offer balance between grip, speed, and control, while strong yet flexible buckles ensure a secure fit without restricting movement. At under £200, this skate delivers outstanding performance and durability, making it one of the best value skates on the market.
Best mid-budget skate
The K2 Grid 90 is an excellent choice for skaters looking for a high-performance, mid-range option with premium features. Its stiff nylon shell and cuff provide a responsive yet comfortable ride, while the integrated Vortech air channel ventilation system keeps your feet cool during intense sessions. This skate also comes with the heat-mouldable Intuition liner, which offers a snug fit for maximum comfort and control.
The 90mm wheel setup is particularly well-optimized, eliminating the excessive gap between the second wheel and the boot that can be an issue in smaller wheel versions. The Grid 90 is one of the best choices for those seeking a solid hard-boot skate with top-tier performance.
Best all-rounder inline skate under £300
The USD Aeon 80 is a standout hybrid skate that perfectly blends aggressive and freestyle skating. Its unibody construction, where the boot and frame are one piece, lowers the centre of gravity, providing a smooth and highly controlled ride. Skaters love how the 80mm wheels sit close to the boot, giving a responsive feel while maintaining the classic aggressive skate aesthetic.
The Aeon 80 is ideal for those who want their skates to do it all, with this, you can cruise around in a roller disco but also do a few tricks outside once you are done. With heat-mouldable MyFit 2nd Skin liners and premium Undercover Raw wheels, comfort and performance are top-tier. Being in the more affordable price range, it's one of the best value all-around skates for the price.