The 9 Best Men's Speed Skates
Updated by · How we research
Whether for rink racing or road distance, nine men's inline and quad speed skates compared by boot, wheel size, bearings and fit. The Epic Engage 125 leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Most inline speed skates come with no brake, so learn to stop before you take one onto hills or busy paths. These low, close-fitting roller skates are built to cover ground fast, for fitness skaters, marathoners and rink racers alike. Inline models run three big wheels on a long frame, while quad models pair a low-cut boot with four small, hard wheels.
Editor's Notes
October 18, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
At the top now sits the Epic Engage 125, which puts a real distance setup within reach of most budgets. Most of the older list was gone. The VNLA Carbon, Crazy Skates Zoom, Atom Luigino Challenge and Roller Derby Viper are no longer available, and the Bont Vaypor is now a made-to-order boot, so it moved to our special honors. We also dropped the VNLA Tuxedo, which is a jam and trick skate rather than a speed skate.
The Riedell Dart, Epic Engage 125 and Chicago Bullet stay, and the Pacer GTX 500 takes over from the older Mach-5 listing. New are the Bont LowCut Quadstar, Bont Semi Race, Roller Derby Elite Alpha, Rollerblade Macroblade 110 3WD and Roller Derby STR Seven. We kept both inline and quad skates, since readers searching for speed skates mean both.
We stopped at nine. Most other speed skates are either full race setups sold through specialty shops or unbranded copies with little track record. Independent tests are rare here, and only one model on this list has a published review, so makers' boot, wheel and bearing specs, owner reports on fit and sizing, and recall checks fill the gap.
December 18, 2020:
During this update we brought back the VNLA Carbon as they just beat out the VNLA X1 in the performance department due to their better bearings. We also added the Bont Vaypor, which, while perhaps out of the price range for the average use, are arguably one of the best pairs on the market. A testament to their quality and exclusivity is that each one is made to order, so you won't find them just sitting on the shelf at your neighborhood store. We also removed the Labeda Voodoo U7, as they were discontinued by the manufacturer.
October 16, 2019:
Speed skating isn't just fun, but it's a great source of exercise as well. For many, it also offers a sense of nostalgia, especially those that grew up in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Of course, depending on which era you grew up in, you may lean more towards the traditional, side-by-side quad-style skates or inline rollerblades, so we have made sure to include a few options of each.
During this round of updates, we removed or replaced three models. The Epic Evolution, due to it only being available in a very limited number of sizes, and the Sure-Grip Rebel Avenger, because their longevity is questionable. Also, the Riedell R3 Patriot was replaced with the Riddel Dart simply because they both have similar specs, but the Dart has a lower price that offers more bang for your buck.
In addition to the Dart, we also added the Atom Luigino Challenge and Labeda Voodoo U7, both of which come from well-respected brands and have race-quality components, like the lightweight Striker Mark II frame in the former, and ABEC-9 bearings in the latter. The Atom Luigino Challenge can also be heat molded to your foot shape, making for a custom fit.
October 22, 2018:
Replaced VLNA Carbon with the Tuxedo for its upgraded trucks and sturdy backspin wheels. Also replaced Epic Super Nitro with Epic Evolution due to the model's upgraded bearings and plates. Added Sure-Grip Rebel Avenger for their lightweight construction and superior response.
Special Honors
Bont Vaypor The Vaypor is Bont's top inline racing boot, now in its seventh generation. It's built to order from hand-laid carbon fiber over a heat-moldable base and sold as a boot only, so you add your own frame, wheels and bearings. A fully custom version is molded to your feet through a Bont agent. It costs several times as much as a fitness skate and suits committed racers. bont.com
Quad Or Inline, And How Big A Wheel
If you've never skated inline, a 3 x 110 fitness frame is a gentler step than 125s.
Inline speed skates put three or four tall wheels on a long frame under a low boot, and they're the faster choice over distance. Quad speed skates use a short plate, four small wheels and a toe stop, and they're steadier at low speed and in tight rink turns (Riedell). Inline wheels are taller and narrower than quad wheels, which is part of why they hold speed.
On inlines, bigger wheels roll faster but raise your center of gravity. Three-wheel frames suit smaller feet and the largest wheels, and most race frames bolt to a 195-millimeter mount (Wikipedia). The 125-millimeter wheel is a marathon size; racing's governing body has allowed it only in marathon and masters categories since 2016. Rollerenligne suggests that a beginner start with a frame of about 12 inches or less and 90-millimeter wheels, then move to 100 millimeters for occasional racing and 110 for frequent racing (Rollerenligne). If you've never skated inline, a 3 x 110 fitness frame is a gentler step than 125s.
Fit, Boots And Heat Molding
A speed boot fits close, with little padding and a low cuff, so it transfers effort directly but gives less ankle support than a fitness boot. Friction blisters are common until the boot matches your foot (Wikipedia). That's why better boots are heat moldable: Bont's guide calls for an oven at about 85 degrees Celsius for 15 to 20 minutes, and warns that higher temperatures can void the warranty (Inline Warehouse).
Sizing differs by brand. Bont sizes by foot length in millimeters, not shoe size, and an independent review of the Bont Semi Race III advised ordering the exact size or a half size smaller (Rollerenligne). Budget quads vary more from pair to pair, and some makers say to size down on half sizes. Measure your foot at the end of the day, in the socks you'll skate in, and compare it with the maker's chart.
Wheels, Bearings And Staying Safe
Wheel hardness is rated on the A scale. Indoor wheels typically run about 88A to 97A, and outdoor wheels about 82A to 87A, since softer urethane grips and absorbs rough pavement (Wikipedia). Hard rink wheels feel fast on a smooth floor and harsh outside. Bearing ABEC ratings run from 1 to 11, but clean, lubricated bearings matter more than the number, because grit wears them quickly outdoors.
Most inline speed skates have no brake. Skaters slow down with a plow stop, a T-stop or a run-out onto grass, so practice stopping before you take on hills or traffic. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads, skating on smooth paved surfaces away from traffic, and avoiding water, sand, gravel and night skating (CPSC). Wrist guards are the most effective of those pads, with one estimate putting the drop in wrist injuries at about 87 percent (Stop Sports Injuries).
How we researched this
We compared 19 speed skate listings, including every model on our previous list we could still find, read makers' specifications and the one independent review we found, analyzed owner feedback, and checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls. Independent tests of these skates are rare.
Sources (9)
- Bont: Quadstar speed skate boot
- Rollerenligne: Testing the Bont Semi Race III
- CPSC: National Sporting Goods recall of speed skates (2002)
- Bont: Vaypor VII inline boot
- Wikipedia: Inline speed skating
- Riedell: Quad skates vs. inline skates
- Rollerenligne: How to choose your speed frames
- CPSC: In-line skating safety
- Stop Sports Injuries: Inline skating injury prevention
Frequently asked questions
What are speed skates?
Speed skates are roller skates built to go fast over distance. Inline models have a low boot on a long frame with three or four wheels of about 100 to 125 millimeters. Quad models have a low-cut boot, a short plate and small, hard wheels.
Should I get quad or inline speed skates?
Inline skates are faster over distance and on roads. Quads are steadier at low speed and suit rink skating and tight turns. Pick the one that matches where you'll skate most.
Are 125 mm wheels good for beginners?
Not usually. Wheels that big are fast but put you high off the ground, which feels unstable at first. Beginners do better with 90 to 110 millimeter wheels on a shorter frame.
Do inline speed skates have brakes?
Most don't. Skaters slow down with a plow stop, a T-stop or by rolling onto grass, so learn to stop before skating near hills or traffic.
How should speed skates fit?
Snug, with your heel locked and toes just touching the front. Brands size differently; Bont uses foot length in millimeters. Heat-moldable boots can be shaped to your foot.
