The Best Roller Skate Gear in 2022
Reviews of the Top Roller Skating Wheels, Bearings, Plates & Protective Gear
In this area of the website, I cover the very best roller skate gear for your roller skates including the best roller skate wheels, best roller skate bearings, toe stops, skate laces and more. We will also discuss the best roller skating protective gear including knee pads, wrist guards and elbow pads, as well as, skating helmets.
So, if you are looking for the best skate parts that you need to keep you rolling smoothly at the roller rink, you’ve come to the right spot.
Looking for Quads Skates, Rollerblades or Inline Skates Instead?
Then, check out my other articles on the best roller skates and best inline skates & rollerblades. These two articles above go over complete skate packages that have the boot, plate, wheels, bearings, toe stops, skate laces and everything else all together.
This page is more dedicated for skaters who are in need of replaceable parts, upgrades and accessories to their existing roller skates.
Our Top Picks in Roller Skate Gear
Okay, folks. Let’s get started!
Best Roller Skate Plates
Labeda Proline Skate Plates
The Labeda Proline skate plate has been around for over 40 years and is one of the best skate plates on the market today. Made right here in the USA, the quality is top of the line. If you buy this skate plate, you probably will never need to buy another plate again.
It is made from 7000 series aircraft aluminum making it lightweight. They have a special 5 degree angled kingpin to reduce the stress that is put upon the trucks and kingpins making it less prone to breaking.
They come in both 7mm and 8mm sizes. Great for all kinds of skating including recreational, speed, artistic, hockey and even derby. If you think plastic is the devil and you want the best that money can buy, this is your skate plate.
Best Roller Skate Wheels
Best Outdoor Skating Wheel – Atom Pulse
If you are roller skating outdoors extensively, then I recommend the Atom Pulse Outdoor wheel. What makes this wheel special is it’s superior roll on street surfaces. The wheel comes in at a 78A durometer, which is one of the softest wheels you will find and perfect for any pair of skates.
Soft wheels stick more to any surface – whether you are outdoors or indoors at a roller rink. Soft wheels will give your skates a smoother roll on asphalt and concrete. They are also better for beginners because they are more sturdy and give you better balance on your skates because they won’t slide.
The softer wheel will make your skates go slower whereas a harder wheel rolls faster. However, you will put less wear on your wheels if they are softer. This means they won’t get worn out as quickly and you won’t have to shop for new ones as soon. If you do most of your skating on city streets or parks, then you can have confidence that these are the wheels for you for a nice smooth outdoor skate.
Best Indoor Skating Wheel – RollerBones Elite
Next, we have my favorite skate wheels on the planet, the RollerBones Elite wheels. I love these wheels because they are the complete opposite of the Atom Pulse wheels above. These puppies are perfect if you like to slide a little on the roller rink floor.
These wheels have a hardness of 101A, so they are pretty hard. However, they do have a little more stick than some of the even harder wheels that I have tried. I think for an old artistic roller skater like me, they are perfect. I can easily do spins on them on a the wood floor at the roller rink. Yet, they have just enough grip to make them stable enough for jumps.
If you want all of the gory details, be sure to check out my review on the best indoor roller skate wheels.
Best Roller Skate Bearings
Best Indoor Bearings – Bones Super Reds
Next, let’s talk bearings. My favorite skate bearings are the Bones Super Reds. These bearings are great both inside and outdoors. They are pretty affordable and they roll well. Suitable for both the beginner and more advanced skaters, I find they do well at high speeds whether you’re at the rink or cruising down the boardwalk.
They typically come in packs of 8 bearings, but you can find the larger 16 packs on Amazon, too. I have many sets of wheels (well over a dozen now) and I have these bearings in most of my skates. Even though I have them labelled as an inside bearing, you can use them outdoors as well.
Best Outdoor Bearings – Bones Ceramic
If you are one of those skaters that wants only the best, then the Bones Ceramic skate bearings are for you. These lightweight bearings ship at about 3x the price of the Super Reds. However, they roll so smooth down the boardwalk.
What makes these roll so well are that the steel ball bearings are replaced instead with perfectly polished ceramic balls instead. With the balls being made of ceramic, they can better withstand rain and the other weather elements.
I have one pair of these bearings because they are so expensive and I keep them in wheels that I use for my outdoor skates. With outdoor wheels and ceramic bearings, you can really feel the difference when you are skating outside on bumpy asphalt or concrete. The smoother ride makes skating for longer more enjoyable and less stress on your feet and joints.
Indoor & Outdoor Skating Protective Gear
Best Skate Helmets – Triple Eight Certified Sweatsaver
My number one pick for the best helmet is the Triple Eight Certified Sweatsaver.
It offers a high impact-absorbing EPS foam and thick dual-density soft fabric liners. This Triple Eight skate helmet can be used for skating, rollerblading, roller derby, and skateboarding.
It has an adjustable strap that makes comfort a priority. The Triple Eight helmet also has an internal lining attached with hook and loop tape and can be removed to make washing it easy.
Knee Pads – Triple Eight KP22
If you’re into skating, you’ll know that falling comes with the territory. That’s why it is so important that you have a great pair of knee pads to protect yourself when those falls occur.
For heavy-duty and durable knee pads, look no further than the Triple Eight KP 22 series. These knee pads use EVA memory foam for maximum padding protection for your knees, which also ensures a high level of comfort!
Elbow Pads – Triple Eight EP55
Next, if you need a good pair of elbow pads, look no further than the Triple Eight EP55. These elbow pads come from one of the most reputable brands on the market.
These pads are made from a blend of nylon and polyester, making them durable and comfortable. They also use heavy-duty EVA memory foam to ensure maximum cushioning in the event of an accident.
Wrist Guards – Triple Eight Wristsaver
My top pick for wrist guards are the The Triple Eight Wristsaver. These wrist guards feature two splints rather than one, on both the front and back for maximum support. Both splints are high-density and impact-resistant, meaning no matter how hard you go down, your wrists and palms are protected.
Best Skate Pad Combo Pack – 187 Killer Pads
If you are looking to buy all of the pads above in one pack, then my favorite overall pad pack is from 187 Killer Pads. Triple Eight also make a pad pack, too, but the 187 Killer Pads are also really nice. The killer pads are popular in the roller derby world, so they can take regular wear and tear well. They are a little more bulky than the Triple Eight, but they provide excellent protection.
Butt Pad – Soared 3D Padded Shorts
If you are a beginner skater or maybe you play roller derby and just want to protect your tail bone, the Soared 3D Padded Shorts are a great choice. These shorts are marketed towards skiers, but they work just as well for skaters. With these on those falls won’t feel nearly as bad.
Best Skate Accessories
Best Toe Stops – Bionic Super Stoppers
My favorite toe stops are the Bionic Super Stoppers. These toe stops are perfect for regular use. When I was young, we used these toe stops in our artistic skates. They can really take a beating. They are even great for adult skaters who weigh more and will put extra weight on the stoppers. Toe stops aren’t sexy. They just need to do their job when you need them to without a lot of wear and tear.
Best Skate Laces – Spark Derby Laces
If you are tired of the cheap skate laces that come on most skate packages and you want to put something fancy in your boot, then check out Spark and Style Derby Laces. These laces are super fancy. They are thicker than the standard laces that come on skates. They are also slightly waxed and durable so that you don’t have to worry about them breaking when you pull on them.
Learn More Roller Skating from Our Newsletter!
If you are interested in more advanced skating, then be sure to sign up for the Roller Skate Dad newsletter. In my regular newsletter, I send out roller skating tips and tricks. For both beginners and experienced skaters, we cover things like the best speed skates, skate anatomy, how to skate, roller skating as a competitive sport and how to maintain and repair skates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best roller skates to buy?
If you are a beginner, check out our Best Roller Skates for Beginners page. Otherwise, check out our article on the best roller skates to buy for all types.
What is the most important part on a roller skate?
The wheels are the most important piece of a roller skate. Next come the boots. You want your boot to be comfortable and provide the right mix between stability and maneuverability. Next come your skate plate and bearings.
Do I really need skate pads when I am first learning how to skate?
Yes. Skate pads and a helmet are highly recommended when you are first learning how to roller skate. Wear the proper safety equipment at least until you get good at balance. Even with 30+ years of skating experience, I still wear pads and a helmet most of the time when I am skating outdoors. You just can’t be sure when a small pebble, rock or branch will take you down. Even the most experienced skater falls from time to time.
What is the most important aspect of a roller skate bearing?
The most important thing about your roller skate bearings is that they are clean. A bearing that is clean of debris and properly lubed is the most important thing to keep you rolling well.
