Skate Boot Buying Guide

What Kind of Skater Are You?

Recreational & Outdoor Skating

If you're skating around the neighborhood, at the rink, or just learning the basics, comfort and support are usually the biggest priorities.

Brands to explore: Moxi, Impala, Crazy Skates, and Sure-Grip.

High-top boots are popular for recreational skating, but low-cut boots are also an option. You don't need a professional performance boot to enjoy skating.

Roller Derby

Derby skates are generally low-cut to allow ankle mobility for quick stops, lateral movement, and transitions. A secure heel and properly fitted toe box are especially important.

Brands to explore: Bont, Riedell, Antik, and select Sure-Grip and Crazy Skates models.

Entry-level derby boots tend to have more padding, while performance boots often offer a closer, more responsive fit.

Speed Skating

Speed boots are typically low-cut, lightweight, and designed for efficient power transfer.

Brands to explore: Bont and select Riedell models.

These boots are often more performance-focused and may feel firmer than recreational skates.

Rhythm, Dance & Artistic Skating

These styles often favor supportive boots with specific flexibility and fit characteristics.

Brands to explore: Riedell, Sure-Grip, and Moxi.

The ideal boot depends on whether you're doing casual rhythm skating, technical artistic skating, or another dance-focused discipline.

Let's Talk Foot Shape: Why Toe Boxes Matter

One of the most overlooked parts of buying skates is the shape of your foot.

Some people have narrow heels, some have wide forefeet, and others have toes that need extra room. A skate that fits your foot length can still be completely wrong for your foot shape.

A properly fitted boot should hold your heel securely without crushing your toes.

Bont

Known for: Anatomically shaped toe boxes and heat-moldable boot construction.

Bont boots generally have a more foot-shaped front than many traditional pointed skate boots, making them worth exploring if you need more room for your toes.

Models such as the Prostar and Quadstar are popular choices for roller derby and performance skating.

Bont also offers model-specific sizing and width options. Heat molding can help fine-tune the fit, but it doesn't replace choosing the correct size.

Consider Bont if: You prefer a more anatomical toe shape, want a performance-oriented boot, or need a fit that can be adjusted through heat molding.

Riedell

Known for: A wide range of skate boots, from beginner recreational models to advanced performance boots.

Riedell fit varies significantly by model.

The R3 has a padded, sneaker-like feel with a more tapered toe area. Higher-end models use different boot shapes, known as lasts, and may offer additional width options.

For example, the Solaris uses Riedell's ContourFit design, while other performance models use different lasts.

Consider Riedell if: You want a wide selection of skating-specific boots or need to explore different fit profiles and width options.

Antik

Known for: Derby-focused boots with a distinctive higher ankle design.

Antik boots are popular among roller derby skaters who want a combination of ankle coverage and mobility.

Models such as the AR2, Skyhawk, and Jet Carbon offer different materials, levels of structure, and performance characteristics.

Don't assume all Antik boots fit identically. Toe-box shape, width, and overall fit should be evaluated by model.

Consider Antik if: You're interested in roller derby and prefer more ankle coverage than a traditional low-cut speed boot.

Sure-Grip

Known for: Traditional recreational boots, rink skates, and accessible derby options.

Sure-Grip offers everything from classic high-top recreational boots to low-cut models such as the Rebel.

Fit varies across the collection, so don't assume a Sure-Grip recreational boot will fit like a Sure-Grip derby boot.

Consider Sure-Grip if: You're looking for a classic skating feel, a recreational setup, or an approachable entry into derby skating.

Moxi

Known for: Colorful high-top recreational skates with different levels of structure and flexibility.

The Beach Bunny has a structured vinyl boot that provides a firmer feel around the ankle. Other Moxi models, such as the Lolly, use different materials and offer a more flexible skating experience.

Moxi boots are popular for recreational, outdoor, and dance-oriented skating, depending on the model.

Consider Moxi if: You want a high-top recreational boot and enjoy outdoor cruising, rink skating, or learning dance footwork.

Impala

Known for: Affordable, colorful recreational skates.

Impala's classic quad skates have a structured high-top boot and are designed primarily for casual and beginner recreational skating.

They're a reasonable starting point for someone exploring skating without immediately investing in a specialized setup.

Consider Impala if: You're a beginner looking for an accessible recreational skate rather than a dedicated derby or speed boot.

Crazy Skates

Known for: Beginner-friendly recreational models and selected derby-oriented skates.

The Rocket and Rocket Jr. are padded, low-cut recreational options, while models such as the Zoom are aimed at different skating needs.

Crazy Skates offers approachable options for new skaters, including younger skaters.

Consider Crazy Skates if: You're learning to skate, shopping for a younger skater, or looking for an affordable complete setup.

High-Top vs. Low-Cut: Does It Matter?

High-top boots generally offer more ankle coverage and often more structure. They're common in recreational, artistic, and rhythm skating.

Low-cut boots allow greater ankle freedom and are commonly used for roller derby, speed, and jam skating.

But boot height isn't everything. A soft high-top boot may provide less structure than a firm low-cut boot.

The right choice depends on your skating style, comfort, and personal preference.

How to Find Your Skate Size

Rotten Tip: Grab a friend!

For the most accurate measurements, we recommend having someone help you. When you bend over to trace your own feet, you naturally tend to shift your weight, change your posture, or move your feet without realizing it. Even small changes can affect your measurements and ultimately your skate fit!

Measuring Your Feet

  1. Stand upright on a piece of paper with your weight evenly distributed between both feet.

  2. Wear the socks you plan to skate in.

  3. Have a friend trace each foot, keeping the pencil upright rather than angled underneath your foot.

  4. Measure from your heel to your longest toe and across the widest part of your forefoot.

  5. Measure both feet! It's normal for one foot to be slightly larger than the other.

  6. Use your measurements to find the appropriate size on the manufacturer's chart for your specific skate model.

Remember: Skate sizing isn't universal! Some brands use men's sizing, others use women's sizing, and some have their own sizing systems. A size 8 in one brand may fit completely differently from a size 8 in another.

Manufacturer Skate Sizing Guides

Before ordering, check the sizing chart for your specific brand and boot model.

Still Not Sure? That's Why We're Here.

At Rotten Hearts Skate Shop, we're skaters too. We know that finding the right pair can be confusing, especially when every brand fits differently.

We offer personalized fittings, help with sizing, and guidance on choosing a boot that works for your feet and your skating style. Come see us!