All posts by akidd@fortifiedis.com

inline skates for kids, K2 Inline Skates, rollerblades for kids

K2 Raider Skates Review

K2 began over 50 years ago as America’s ski company as its root began in Vashon Island in Washington (a very little island on the Pudget Sound).  In 2003 the company was renamed K2 Sports.  K2 now markets snowboards, snowshoes, bikes, inline skates, and many other types of equipment and apparel.  K2 skates have been a leader in the design of inline skates and it shows with the quality and thought in the design of inline skates for children.

K2 Raider SkatesK2 Raider Skates review

Boots

The boot is the original K2 Soft Boot.  The soft boot conforms to the foot, is comfortable and quite frankly feels like a sock.  Some of the best inline skaters in the world have remarked that the soft boot revolutionized inline skate and was one of the biggest improvements made since the invention.  Another great thing about these boots is that they adjust up to five sizes which is a huge money saver for parents.  They use the boa closure system on these boots to maintain an snug tight fit.

Wheels and Bearings

The Boy’s Raider Skate comes with 70mm wheels and 80a/ABEC 3 bearings.  This is very appropriate and typical for a boys adjustable skate.

What are Others saying?

Other owners of these skates remark on the value and quality.  Parents say their children love the skates and can’t wait to go skating.  This means kids are getting more exercise as a result for their enthusiasm.  Parents love the adjustable length for the boots as it save parents more money in the long run.

Parents indicate the boots are heavy and sturdy and believe this is a result of their quality.

These inline roller skates are for sale on Amazon and are selling for around $65.00.  It’s a great deal for a child’s skate.

inline skates for kids, Rollerblade Skates, rollerblades for kids

Rollerblade’s Bladerunner Phaser Kids Skates Review

When you think of the word Rollerblade you think of inline skates.  And when you think of inline skates you think of Rollerblade.  Inline roller skates were originally perceived for ice skaters use in the off season.  This thought was transformed into a healthy lifestyle product that anyone can use; and everyone did.  Now inline skating is a form of exercise and outdoor fun.  The history of the Rollerblade company  began in 1980.  Two hockey playing  brothers found an old inline skate when looking through a sporting good store and thought it would make for an awesome off season hockey training tool.  The worked on the design of the skates and founded the company Rollerblade.  Rollerblade has since been the first to innovate many characteristics in the inline skating world like heel brakes, breathable liners, the buckle closure system and much more.  The Rollerblade company is very serious about what they do and it shows in the careful thought and design of their inline skates.

Rollerblade bladrunner phaserRollerblade’s Bladerunner Phaser Kids Skates Review

The Bladerunner line is the first price point brand for Rollerblade.  This essentially means that this is their lower priced starter skate for kids and it is at an affordable price.  So if you lose a boot you will not be able to find a replacement boot for these skates online or through the company website; you will just have to buy a new pair.  Just because they are an entry level skate, doesn’t mean they aren’t made with the quality you would expect.

Boot

The boot is black with red and gray trim.  The boot had an adjustable fit system that expands to 4 full sizes to keep up with your child’s growing feet.  Rollerblade doesn’t  want you to have to buy a new pair of skates every year just because your child is growing.  Very cool Rollerblade.  There are three different sizes of boot which include the following:

  • U.S. Kids Adjustable Sizes 1 – 4
  • U.S. 11 Junior Size to a Kids Size 1
  • U.S. Kids 5 – 8 Adjustable Sizes

Wheels and Bearings

These inline skates come with 72mm wheels and ABEC 3 Bearings which will give it a smooth ride without an overabundant amount of roll which is ideal for kids.

Brake

These skates come with a graduated brake on the right skate for controlled stops. No need for fancy skating or rolling into the grass to slow down.  Simply use the provided brake and come to a slow safe stop.

Who’s it good for?

This skate is specifically designed for kids learning how to skate on inline skates.  At less than $60 on Amazon it is an amazing deal especially when you take into consideration that the skates expand to different size so you don’t have to frequently buy skates.  Owners of these skates rave about how happy they are with them and I am sure you will be as well.  Finding the right roller skates for sale can be difficult especially when you are worried about find the right size.  You don’t have to worry about that with these skates.

Riedell Roller Skates, Roller Skate Review

Riedell R3 Quad Roller Skates Review

Riedell’s story begins over 60 years ago with Paul and Sophie Riedell.  The only goal was to produce skates of the finest quality for both ice skating and roller skating.  Paul is now a member of the ice and roller skating hall of fame.  Paul’s heart is both in the roller skating world and the ice skating world.  Because roller skating has evolved and because there is now a demand for specialized roller skates, Riedell has created a variety of high quality Radar Wheels, Power Dyne plates and Kwik bearings.  The company continues to stay in the family as Paul’s grandsons Bob, Dan, Scott and Paul Riegelam carrying on the quality and traditions that had made Riedell one of the biggest names in skating.  If you have read many of the reviews then you know that the one consistent trend when it comes to Riedell; they make great skates.

Riedell R3 Quad Roller Skates Review

Just over $100 the Riedell R3 Quad Roller Skates are not only a great deal but you get what you pay for (in a good way).  Many skaters use these skates for normal rink, to Jam and for Roller Derbies.  It’s a very useful and diverse roller skate.

Riedell R3 Roller SkatesBoots

The boot on the R3 is very similar the Riedell Dart boot with small design differences.  The boots come in both black and white.  The boots have fish eye lace holes and a Velcro strap at the top.  The sizes (per Riedell’s website) are 1-11 in white, and 1-14 in black.

Plates

These rollers skates are made light due to the trusted reinforced PowerDyne Thrust Nylon plates.  If you weren’t a fan of nylon plates you will be with theses skates.  There is a 15 degree kingpin angle in the plates.  These plates also allow for different stops to fit your needs.

Bearings

The Riedell R3’s come equipped with KwiK ABEC -5 bearings which is a middle of the road roll bearing.  The bearings are completely appropriate for these skates and are a complement to them.

Wheels

The skates are equipped with Radar Cayman 62mm x 43mm urethane wheels.  They are 95A wheels which are a bit hard and recommended for rink floors. You can always get a softer wheel for outdoor use if you choose.

My Thoughts on the Riedell R3 rollers skates

For the price and quality the Riedell R3’s are a fantastic deal and the previously mentioned price.  You know a skate is special when no one has anything bad to say about them.  These skates are light and comfortable.  R3 owners who report they have abused their skates and worn them out continue to buy these skates again as they leave a lasting impression on buyers.

—>Click here for more pictures and information on the Riedell R3 Roller Skates

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Riedell Dart Quad Roller Skates

Riedell Roller Skates, Roller Skate Review

Riedell Dart Roller Skates Review

1 Comment

Riedell’s story begins over 60 years ago with Paul and Sophie Riedell.  The only goal was to produce skates of the finest quality for both ice skating and roller skating.  Paul is now a member of the ice and roller skating hall of fame.  Paul’s heart is both in the roller skating world and the ice skating world.  Because roller skating has evolved and because there is now a demand for specialized roller skates, Riedell has created a variety of high quality Radar Wheels, PowerDyne plates and Kwik bearings.  The company continues to stay in the family as Paul’s grandsons Bob, Dan, Scott and Paul Riegelam carrying on the quality and traditions that had made Riedell one of the biggest names in skating.  If you have read many of the reviews then you know that the one consistent trend when it comes to Riedell; they make great skates.

Riedell Dart Roller SkatesRiedell Dart Roller Skates ReviewRiedell Dart Green Roller SkatesRiedell Dart blue Roller Skates

I am always a bit worried when writing about roller skates for sale with nylon plates.  One thing is for certain however, I barely ever write something negative when it comes to Riedell roller skates.  This review reflects that sediment.

Boots

The Riedell Dart boot is a low cut (shoe like) boot that comes in a variety of fun colors.  I have found that women tend to gravitate to these roller skates because they are very stylish and provide variety. The variety allows for more individuality when skating.  Many owners of this skate find the boot to be very comfortable even after several hours of skating.

Plates

The Riedell Dart comes with trusted PowerDyne Thrust Nylon plates.  These reinforced nylon plates make the skates lighter then the aluminium skates.  This is why many women gravitate towards skates with nylon trucks.  The plates have 15 degree kingpin angle.  These plates also allow for different stops like jam plugs, bolt in stops and adjustable stops.

Bearings

The Dart Quad roller skates come with ABEC -5 bearings which has a decent roll value. It’s not a bad bearing but rather a medium roll speed bearing.  This is a good bearing for beginners and intermediate skaters.

Wheels

The wheels provided on this skate package are the Dart 93A wheels which are likely produced by Riedell themselves.  These wheels are reported to be a bit slick at first but are perfect for rink skating.

My Thoughts

The overall value of these skates is tremendous.  At the time of this review I found that the price of these skates range from $100 to around $125.  The Darts are a quality roller skate with a variety of colors to choose from.  No one really has anything bad to say about these skates, including me.  Well worth the money as they will last you a long time.

—>Click here for more pictures and information on the Riedell Dart Roller Skates

Chicago Roller Skates, Roller Skate Review

Chicago Bullet Quad Speed Skates Review

The Chicago Skate Company has been around for over 100 years.  The Chicago Skate Company was established by Elisha Clark Ware and run by sons Ralph, Walter and Robert.  They soon became one of the biggest manufacturers of roller skate through the 20th century.  The Chicago Skate Company specialized in roller rink and outdoor roller skates as well as the convertible ice/roller skates.  They were also known for their St. Pierre detachable skates, the “Flex-i-Flote” skate and the “Velvet Tread” wheel system.

The Chicago Bullet Quad Speed Skates Review

To begin this review you need to know that these skates are designed for children learning to skate or for children that are beginners.  Despite the “Speed” name in the skate, I would not count on these being the fast skates on the market.  Be sure to read more of my thoughts at the end of the review.

Chicago Bullet skatesBoot

The low cut boot is made from vinyl and fits more like a shoe.  This provides better movement for the skater.  It is ideal for social skating, learning how to roller skate and rink skating.  There have been complaints from those who own these skates.  Many have indicated the stitching on the boot has separated in a short amount of time.   Others have responded favorably with how comfortable they are and their quality for the price.  The boot also comes with a Velcro strap to told down the laces at the top.  There is a bit if a mixed bag in regards to the quality of these boots.  These boots may run small so be sure to check out the Chicago sizing chart before buying them on Amazon.

PlateChicago Sizing Chart

The plate provided on these skates are a lightweight nylon.  It has a reversed kingpin and double action metal trucks.  The nylon allows for the skate to be lighter which allows for less effort when skating.

Wheels

These skates come with either 58mm or 62mm urethane wheels though I am not sure as to the softness of the wheel.  Based on many owners of these skates, the wheels are not very good and may even break.

Bearings

The Bullet skates come with ABEC-1 bearings which is ideal for beginners.  The provided bearings allows for the skate not to roll as freely as some more expensive professional skates.

Toe Stop

The toe stop provided is a fixed.

My Thoughts

This is not a steal when it comes to pricing and quality.  You will be getting what you paid for on these skates.  The thoughts on these skates are mixed as many owners indicate they are a great buy with no problems while others complain the skates began to fall apart in a very short while.  The Chicago Bullet Speed skates run around the $40.00 range as I write this review.   I would recommend this be a starter skate for a child who is trying to figure out if they even like skating.

—> Click here for more information and pictures of these skates on Amazon

Riedell Roller Skates, Roller Skate Review

Riedell Citizen Outdoor Quad Roller Skates Review

Riedell’s story begins over 60 years ago with Paul and Sophie Riedell.  The only goal was to produce skates of the finest quality for both ice skating and roller skating.  Paul is now a member of the ice and roller skating hall of fame.  Paul’s heart is both in the roller skating world and the ice skating world.  Because roller skating has evolved and because there is now a demand for specialized roller skates, Riedell has created a variety of high quality Radar Wheels, Power Dyne plates and Kwik bearings.  The company continues to stay in the family as Paul’s grandsons Bob, Dan, Scott and Paul Riegelam carrying on the quality and traditions that had made Riedell one of the biggest names in skating.  I always  like to see family businesses continue to be a success after decades in business.

Riedell CitizenRiedell Citizen Outdoor Quad Roller Skates Review

The Riedell Citizen is an affordable outdoor roller skate for those who want the freedom to skate with a quality pair of skates and not break the bank to do it.   I think you will enjoy these light outdoor skates.  Be sure to read my suggestions at the bottom of the review.

Boots

Riedell’s lesser known boot, the Riedell 111 is a very classy boot.  The boot is very similar 120 boot that the Celebrity roller skates has.  It also has hooks on the top of the boot for easy lacing or unlacing of shoestrings.

Plate

The Citizen skates come with the PowerDyne Thrust Nylon plate.  The nylon plate is reinforced.  It has 15 degree kingpin angle which makes for better power transfer.  The trucks are metal.  These trucks accept adjustable stops, jam plugs or bolt on toe stops.

Wheels85A Radar Zen

The wheels that come with then Citizen outdoor skates are the Radar Zen, 62mm 85A Outdoor Wheels in the color blue.  These softer wheels make your skating experience much better and are very appropriate for theses skates.

Bearings

The ABEC -5 bearing is used for the Citizen skates which will provide you a moderate roll.  The bearing doesn’t make you go faster but allows for less work to be done on your part when skating outdoors.

Toe Stops

It comes with a black bolt on toe stop but the plate allows for all kinds of different toe stops should you desire something different.

My Thoughts

The Citizen Outdoor Quad Rollers Skates are specifically designed for outdoor use.  The Nylon plate allow for the skates to be lighter.  With that being said I would recommend theses skates for the occasional outdoor skater or for a skater that weighs 160 pounds or less.  I would recommend that most outdoor skates use the aluminum plates and if nylon is used then lighter and smaller skaters use the skates.

–>Click Here for More Info on the Citizen Outdoor Skates on Amazon

Dominion Roller Skates, Roller Skate Review

Dominion Patriot Women’s Artistic Roller Skates Review

Dominion Skate Company is a lesser known skate company based out of Canada that has been manufacturing roller skate for 65 years.  Their main focus has been in the development and improvement of Derby and Jam Skates.   More recently the Dominion Skate Company has re-designed the inner layers of their skates and have added a power strap for an extremely tight fit.  They have also changed from using rubber cushions to silicone.  Dominion also indicates the custom build skates which can be found on their webpage.

Dominion Patriot Women’s Artistic Roller Skates Review

Dominion Patriot roller skatesBoots

The women’s Dominion Patriot Artistic roller skates features leather lined uppers.  Uppers refer to the inside of the boot from the ankle area to the top of the boot.  Dominion added reinforced padding for the comfort and support that you need.

Plates

The plates for the Dominion Patriot are nylon reinforced Marathon plates. Nylon plates are slightly lighter than traditional aluminum plates.

Wheels

These skates come with 57mm 98A Patriot Urethane wheels.  This wheel is a hard wheel and will flourish on the roller rink floor but while give the skater a bumpy ride if used outdoors.

Bearings

The bearings provided on this model are Magnum ABEC 5 bearings.  This is a middle of the road bearing in regards to roll and will be appropriate for the intermediate skill level skater.

This roller skate is sized for men. If you are order this for a woman, please order one size smaller than their shoe size.

Be sure to leave a comment below if you decide to pick these up from Amazon.

–>Click here to see more information about these roller skates on Amazon

Comparable

Roller skate comparable to these roller skates for sale on Amazon

Riedell Epic Artistic Roller Skates – These are a little fancier then the Patriots and a little more expensive.  These may be the skates you are looking for if you are looking for the best available

Riedell Wave Roller Skates – These are similar in price but these have a slower rolling bearing as they use the ABEC -1 bearing in these skates.

Riedell Roller Skates, Roller Skate Review

Riedell 220 Epic Artistic Roller Skates Review

1 Comment

Riedell’s story begins over 60 years ago with Paul and Sophie Riedell.  The only goal was to produce skates of the finest quality for both ice skating and roller skating.  Paul is now a member of the ice and roller skating hall of fame.  Paul’s heart is both in the roller skating world and the ice skating world.  Because roller skating has evolved and because there is now a demand for specialized roller skates, Riedell has created a variety of high quality Radar Wheels, Power Dyne plates and Kwik bearings.  The company continues to stay in the family as Paul’s grandsons Bob, Dan, Scott and Paul Riegelam carrying on the quality and traditions that had made Riedell one of the biggest names in skating.

Reidell Epic ArtisticRiedell 220 Epic Artistic Roller Skates Review

The Riedell  Epic Artistic Roller Skates give you a taste of the premium line of skates that Riedell makes.  Best used for Artistic and Rhythm skating (or at least it designed for those purposes).

The Riedell 220 Boot

The 220 Boot is designed for Artistic and Rhythm skating.  With that being said, anyone can enjoy this boot (not just the advanced skaters).  The boot is called the 220 Retro which is likely because of it’s traditional retro look.  This boot is anything but dated as it comes with lace holes and hooks for an enjoyable experience with putting on or removing the these roller skates.

The boot comes with a leather upper which means the area around the ankle is leather inside the boot.  There is a split leather lining  within the remainder of the boot which resembles a suede feeling but is not actually suede.  In addition there is ankle padding and reinforced quarters. Reinforced quarters refers to the area around the back of the foot near the heel.  The boot has a fleece tongue lining and is of course made in the United States.

Plate

The plate is the PowerDyne Triton Aluminum Plate.  This plate is a wide foot plate and has an anodized finish. The wide foot plate provides a stable more enjoyable feeling when skating.  These skate are a little on the heavy side but that is normal for aluminum plates.

Wheels

The Epic Artistic roller skates come with the Radar 57mm 101A Varsity Plus wheels.  These wheels are very hard and recommended for use in a roller rink only.  These narrow wheels have an aluminum hub for additional control and a great roll.

Bearings

This model comes with the ABEC-9 bearings which provides the best roll available.  It’s is only fitting to have the best bearings on these skates as the Epic Artistic skates are a high end roller skate.

–>Click here for more information and picture on Amazon for these skates!

Yet another quality roller skate made  by Reidell.  You may also be interested in a less expensive yet quality roller skate from Riedell, the Riedell Juice Rhythm Skates.

Riedell Roller Skates, Roller Skate Review

Riedell Juice Rhythm Skates Review

Riedell’s story begins over 60 years ago with Paul and Sophie Riedell.  The only goal was to produce skates of the finest quality for both ice skating and roller skating.  Paul is now a member of the ice and roller skating hall of fame.  Paul’s heart is both in the roller skating world and the ice skating world.  Because roller skating has evolved and because there is now a demand for specialized roller skates, Riedell has created a variety of high quality Radar Wheels, Power Dyne plates and Kwik bearings.  The company continues to stay in the family as Paul’s grandsons Bob, Dan, Scott and Paul Riegelam carrying on the quality and traditions that had made Riedell one of the biggest names in skating.

Riedell Juice Rhythm Riedell Juice Rhythm Skates Review

Rhythm skates are typically for skaters who want to own the roller rink floor.  They are designed for dancing , shuffle skating and sliding.  It’s those people that appear to skate effortlessly on the rink floor.  You know, those who look like professionals or the people that work at the roller rink.  Rhythm skates are designed for you to move with the beat of the music while having the proper ankle support you need with a high top boot.

Riedell Boot

The Riedell  Juice Rhythm skates come with the Riedell 120 black boot. The 120 Award boot comes with a Leather upper, Drilex lining, ankle padding (which is nice to have) and reinforced quarters. This is a common boot in the Riedell line up and is loved by many skaters. The boot is commonly used with the Artistic , Rhythm and Outdoor skates. The boot comes in a variety of sizes and widths for that perfect fit.

Plate

The plate on these skates were made for intermediate to advanced skaters which is perfect for the Rhythm skater.  The plate is the PowerDyne Triton Aluminum Plate.  This plate is a wide foot plate hich provides a more stable feel when skating and comes with a matte anodized finish.  In addition to the the previously mentioned features it also has a 15 degree kingpin angle for more power transfer.  It’s a very thoughtful design on the part of Reidell.

Wheels

The wheels are the Radar Varsity 62mm 98A which come in the color black. The 98A is a very hard wheel and I would highly recommend that you keep skating indoors unless you change them for something softer.

Bearings

The bearings are Reidell’s very own Kwick ABEC-9 bearing. The ABEC-9 bearing give this skate plenty of roll and makes the skating experience effortless.

Toe Stop

The Juice skates have the option of either a jam plug or fixed toe stop. The skates will come with the jam plug.

The Reidell Juice Rhytmn skates are ideal for a skater that knows his way around a skating rink or for the person that wants an enjoyable skating experience.  Please remember that these boots are made in men’s sizes so order accordingly.

–>Click Here For More Information on These Skates From Amazon

Be sure to share your experience with these skates in the comments below.

Riedell Roller Skates, Roller Skate Review

RW Wave Roller Skates Review

Riedell’s story begins over 60 years ago with Paul and Sophie Riedell.  The only goal was to produce skates of the finest quality for both ice skating and roller skating.  Paul is now a member of the ice and roller skating hall of fame.  Paul’s heart is both in the roller skating world and the ice skating world.  Because roller skating has evolved and because there is now a demand for specialized roller skates, Riedell has created a variety of high quality Radar Wheels, Power Dyne plates and Kwik bearings.  The company continues to stay in the family as Paul’s grandsons Bob, Dan, Scott and Paul Riegelam carrying on the quality and traditions that had made Riedell one of the biggest names in skating.

RW Wave Roller Skate pictureRW Wave Roller Skates Review

The RW Wave Roller Skates are one of the more affordable roller skates produced by Reidell.  These skates were designed for recreational use like the occasional roller rink session or outdoor skating.  This boot contains a soft lining that is padded and provides a wonderful fit for the skater.

These skates come with fully adjustable plates, high-rebound urethane wheels and full precision bearings.

Skaters rave about these skates and have the quality to exceed the amount they paid for these skates.  The RW Rave roller skates are great for beginners and the intermediate as well.  The boots feel very sturdy yet are of a material that allows you to break them in to the shape of your foot.

Reidell is a name that you can trust when it comes to purchasing roller skates or ice skates.  The well crafted skates are well under $100 dollars.  So if you are not sure how much skating you are going to do, then the price is just right as you don’t have to commit to much money.

Give them a shot and comment on how you liked them in the comments section.

—>Click Here for more pictures and information about the RW WAVE roller skates on Amazon