Boot Types

Characteristics

• Soft boots are basically an over-glorified sock with skate hardware haphazardly slapped onto it
• They usually have plastic hardware
• They are difficult, if not impossible to customise as the only replaceable parts on some soft boot skates are the wheels
• It is difficult to find replacement parts for them as most of them are built to be 'disposable'.

Support

1/5

Comfort

It starts out at a 4/5 at first, but eventually becomes a 1/5 as the skate gets older

Pricing

5/5. They are literally the cheapest skates on the market.

Examples

• Oxelo Fit 100 / Oxelo Fit 500
• Rollerblade Zetrablade / Rollerblade Macroblade
• Powerslide Phuzion series
• K2 F.I.T / K2 Alexis
• K2 V02

Characteristics

• Hard boots consist of a hard, plastic outer shell, a sponge or foam liner, and a metal frame
• They usually have metallic hardware and are hence more durable
• Customisation options are widely available across the market as the frames, wheels and liners can all be easily swapped out
• They usually use standard screw and wheel sizes, so the parts are easily replaceable

Support

3/5

Comfort

3-4/5. It depends on the liner, but the liner can be easily replaced as mentioned above.

Pricing

3.5/5. The prices vary from the cheapest hard boot skates from brands like Oxelo and Flying Eagle to the more premium skates from brands like Rollerblade and Powerslide. There is a hard boot for every price point. However, the more premium options typically offer greater comfort.

Examples

• Oxelo MF 500 / Oxelo MF 900
• Flying Eagle F series (F1 - F7)
• Powerslide Next series
• Rollerblade Twister series
• Seba E3 / Seba E3 Premium

Characteristics

• Leather and carbon skates are the most premium options available on the market. They consist of a foam liner stuffed between a breathable fabric interior and a stiff leather exterior.
• They have metallic hardware with either a plastic or carbon fibre base
• Skates with carbon fibre bases are lighter and more responsive but are also more expensive
• Like hard boot skates, parts are also standard and easily replaceable

Support

5/5

Comfort

4.5/5. Most leather and carbon skates are heat-moldable, which means they will mould to the shape of your feet after multiple uses. Hence, they will fit your feet like a glove. However, they might be uncomfortable initially as the boot itself is usually very stiff.

Pricing

1/5. They are literally the most expensive option available on the market. Leather skates are around $450, while carbon skates can come in at around $700 - $900.

Examples

• FR Spin
• FR Igor
• Seba Trix series
• Seba High Light series
• Ernsports ES One