Rollerblade Lightning Skate Line

After decades in the business, Inline Warehouse still gets excited when a new skate comes out. So, when we learned Rollerblade was releasing an entirely new line, it got our wheels spinning. I got the chance to get my feet in them before their release, allowing me to review and share my thoughts with you.

Boots

Lightning boots are modeled after the RB shell, which is the widest and easiest hard shell from Rollerblade to get in and out of. They are not wide or sloppy, and they are immediately comfortable without the need for break-in time. There's a perfect amount of room in the toe box in every direction. They provide an amazing amount of control and support without additional empty space for the liner or feet to slop around to lose out on energy transfer.

These boots feature more cutouts for airflow than the Twister and Maxxum while still maintaining good rigidity. They have shock absorbers and replaceable sliders to solidify their look and feel as an urban skate. But the comfort and airflow give versatility for use as a fitness and cross-training skate, with my feet remaining cool even on a warmer day.

Closures

The new memory buckle closure system is a huge plus. The cuff buckle and 45-degree buckle are micro-adjustable, with additional connection points on the inside. It not only allows for a more precise fit but also makes it easy to get off and back on with the same fit as before. It practically eliminates the chance of wearing down teeth on the straps and having to replace the buckles and/or straps down the road.

Liners

Sublimated, removable liners look great and are well-padded to be comfortable and supportive. They have articulation and are reinforced in the logical spots to prolong their lives, but naturally they can and will wear out over time and need to be replaced. Also included are footbed sizers, which, when placed under the liner, raise the foot into a snugger and more responsive fit.

Frames, Wheels, & Bearings

All models have extruded aluminum frames, as one would find on higher-priced urban models. The strength and responsiveness are appreciated regardless of wheel size, and they felt especially good in combination with the built-in aluminum mounting blocks on the boots. The frames are laterally adjustable and removable, should you want to try a different frame and wheel configuration.

The Lightning 110 and 90 skates come with Hydrogen SE wheels, which are great. They packaged these with Rollerblade's SG9 bearings. The Lightning 80 skates use an urban wheel with Rollerblade's SG7 bearings. The wheels have a nice full profile and are holding up well so far. I would rather they be packaged with some TwinCam bearings and Hydrogen wheels, but the price points on the Lightning Skates are all very reasonable, and this might be where they made up some room to make that happen.

Conclusion

The fit of the Lightning is one that I confidently will be able to recommend to skaters of all levels (choosing a wheel size to account for skill and/or environment), genders, and foot types. It's not wide. It's not narrow. It's not loose. It's not tight. It's not ugly. It's not pretty. It's just darn good.

If you would like to read our complete review and see even more in-depth analysis of the new Lightning skates, be sure to check out the articles below!