B
Bhodi Li
September 01, 2022
Sneaker Skates Done Right! Quality+Comfort+Style!
I haven't skated in 20 years, so I would consider myself an intermediate beginner... definitely not my first time on skates. I didn't want the stiff support of traditional boot skates and I wanted to feel a bit more free so I can try out some flow, jam, and dance skating, so I decided on these Roller Derby Glidr Elite sneaker skates to get back into it. I had also considered Sure Grip Rock and Reidell low top outdoor skates, and even VNLA Juniors. I liked the style and wheel type of these Glidr better, plus they look awesome, like chunky high top shoes, at less than half the price. I am SOOO glad I got these! They were exactly what I was hoping for. The skates were well packed and come in a nice box. Right when I put them on, they felt perfect! Very padded and just stiff enough for skates, but very comfortable like shoes. I wear a men's 10 in shoes and that's what I ordered. They fit just like all my other shoes, just perfect! Didn't have to size up or down. They felt nice right away with no break in required. I skated for almost an hour the first time putting them on, with no pain or issues. I am blown away by the quality of the build overall! The boot is super nice, and the soles are dedicated skate platforms that look like regular shoes. The wheels and bearings are SUPER nice quality. The wheels are super smooth and well made. The 83a compound actually felt perfect on the smooth floor and also on rough surfaces like at the park, so they are a true hybrid wheel. Also, the truck bushings actually flex and you can steer the trucks. The bearings are really precise and good quality control is there. They all spin freely and consistently, and they even put in the nice touch of installing full speed rings (spacers / washers) on both side of the wheels to protect the bearings and widen the stance. I wasn't sure how I was going to like the oversize diameter wheels (70mm), but they don't feel too tall, and they roll over everything!! So I love them. The plates are nice and solid, stiff, and evenly placed. Both skates roll the same way. Lastly but not least, the toe stops are super amazing!!. They are actually high quality soft rubber, not even urethane. Fully adjustable and they feel great. Removable for jam plugs. They stop on all surfaces, but are small enough to spin on to do turns, etc.I love these skates! Couldn't be happier for the price point too! Don't get these if you need hard ankle support like boots or inline skates. These might not be perfect for a beginner because they are flat heel sneakers, but I never once felt like I was going to fall backwards or break my ankle. However, my previous experience may be affecting this. I would definitely try other Roller Derby products after seeing how perfect these are :) I included photos showing the wheel spacers and bearings, and trucks etc.
✔ Verified Purchase
4
40hourARTweek Niki Key
April 16, 2021
Perfection for preteen beginner skater
AMAZING. 10/10. Delivery arrived 6 days before scheduled delivery. Box was perfectly in tact. Gift givers dream. Skates were opened with a gasp of an (almost) 11 old boy who loves them **so much** he isn’t embarrassed to skate with his mom at the middle school parking lot.They look awesome. Skate like a dream. Easy on with Velcro, high top sneaker style offers agility of low top skates but at least some ankle protection and stability offered.Wheels better for flatter surfaces so for serious outdoor terrain rec a wheel upgrade (at least for beginners)Buy theseNote: Made a few modifications. Upgraded the wheels for outdoor terrain and painted the mid part orange to match.
✔ Verified Purchase
Great Sketes
Love them, nice style, very comfortable. Glad I got them.
✔ Verified Purchase
F
Fabian Aguilar
July 02, 2021
Love the boot, hate the plate.
(Picture only shows the original boot, I had to swap out all other hardware)I wear a 10.5 men’s size shoe, bought the size 10 skate. Boot itself fits like a glove, the inner padding is amazing and it all feels overall very very comfortable. I love the boot. It also looks damn awesome.As a beginner skater, I was drawn to the look for sure and the friendly pricetag, but as a beginner skater, I really should have gone for a traditional boot-heel set up.The plate is taller than traditional plates so the boot glides higher above the floor than other skates: if you’re new to skating, the higher off the ground you are the less stable your center of gravity, the less secure you feel.Next thing I didn’t like about the plate was the wheelbase. That’s the distance between axles. For the size 10 the wheelbase is about 6.75” - for my size foot this would have been perfect *IF* this was a heeled boot. But as a flat sneaker, it’s way way easier to fall backwards on your tailbone. Like I did. 3 times. Within 5 minutes. Versus the cheap Pacer Aero derby skates I bought that have a 7.5” wheelbase closer to the ground that I’ve never felt unstable on.The stock wheels that the Glidr come with, labeled 70mm are actually a true 65mm diameter. But still, this is a tall wheel with a faster/farther roll than your smaller 60mm wheels which adds to the instability if you’re not experienced.So for me (my size, weight and experience) to be comfortable on this skate I had to put in another $260+ to make these something I’d actually use. I replaced the plates with a $210 Bont Athena plate which has a lower profile and a 7.25” wheelbase, and another $60 for shorter wheels.I like how they look so I don’t mind spending money on something I’m actually going to use, but in hindsight I’d have been better off shopping a $300 range skate to begin with which would have been cheaper than the learning curve on having to buy and try other skates and extra hardware upgrades.Or maybe a size 11 would have felt more stable, but the size 10 boot felt true to my foot with enough wiggle room in the toe box that a bigger size might feel too big. You’re mileage may vary.I’d recommend this as a “toy” skate to experienced skaters who want something fun and cheap.
✔ Verified Purchase
A
Amazon Customer
January 17, 2022
Fantastic!!!
These skates are awesome! I skated every weekend from the age of 10 till about 16. It's been over 40 years since I owned a pair of skates. I was nervous about buying these without trying them on first. But I took a chance and boy am I glad I did. They fit true to size. They are very well made. Super sturdy and fast. They make me feel like a kid again. Very pleased with my purchase.
✔ Verified Purchase
