Tier 1What you need to start
Quad Skates
Four-wheeled skates with a leather or vegan-leather boot and a metal plate. The right starting point for almost everyone — easier balance than inlines, more versatile across styles.
- Impala Quad Skates — The cult favorite beginner skate. Soft boot, decent wheels, holds up for 1–2 years of regular skating.
- Moxi Beach Bunny — The most-recommended intermediate skate — better wheels and bearings, comfortable boot, lasts for years.
- Moxi Lolly — A genuine investment skate. Leather boot, top-tier hardware. Many skaters keep these for a decade.
Tier 1What you need to start
Protective Gear
Helmet, wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads. Non-negotiable for the first 3–6 months and recommended forever for outdoor skating.
- Triple 8 Pad Set — Classic skate pad set — knees, elbows, wrists. Well-reviewed entry-level protection.
- S1 Mini Logo Pad Set — Better impact foam, longer-lasting fit. Worth the upgrade for regular skaters.
- 187 Killer Pad Set — Pro-level pads used by derby and aggressive skaters. Most protective option.
Tier 1What you need to start
Helmet
CPSC- or ASTM-certified skate helmet. Standard bike helmets work but skate helmets have better coverage for backward falls.
- Triple 8 Sweatsaver Helmet — The standard beginner skate helmet — well-padded, certified, comfortable.
- S1 Lifer Helmet — Better foam (EPS), multi-impact certification, fits most head shapes well.
- Pro-Tec Classic Skate Helmet — Heritage skate helmet design with premium materials. Lifetime durability.
Tier 2Nice to have next
Wheels
Outdoor wheels are softer (78A–82A) for grip on rough surfaces; indoor wheels are harder (88A+) for speed on smooth floors. Many beginner skates ship with hybrid wheels you'll eventually replace.
- Sure-Grip Boardwalk Outdoor Wheels (78A) — Soft, grippy outdoor wheels for rough pavement. The most common outdoor upgrade.
- Moxi Gummy Wheels (78A) — Premium outdoor wheels with extraordinary grip and long wear life.
- Radar Energy 65 Wheels — Pro-level wheels balancing grip and speed. Used by competitive outdoor skaters.