What Size Roller Skates Should I Get?

Finding the right-sized roller skates can be more complicated than you might think. When buying skates, their sizes aren’t always a direct one-to-one transition from shoes. This is typically one of the most common reasons roller skates are returned. 

Riedell Skates has manufactured handcrafted skating boots for over 80 years. Our family-owned business thrives on meeting skaters where they’re at and guiding them to the right boot and equipment for their needs. 

This guide will cover roller skate sizing so you can measure once, order right, and get rolling without the guesswork. 

How Roller Skate Sizing Works

Your shoe size needs will differ from those for roller skates. That’s because roller skate sizing is based on foot length in inches or centimeters, which means roller skates are meant to fit your foot precisely. 

In fact, roller skate sizes will often run one size smaller than street shoes. For example, a men’s size 10 shoe may translate to a size 9 skate boot. This can vary by brand, so use that approach with some caution. 

Fit by Boot Style

There are two primary boot styles, and each one fits a little differently than the other. Typically, you choose the boot that best suits your skating style. 

High-top boots come up above the ankle for added structure and support. They tend to fit closer to the foot and are common in rink skating, rhythm, and artistic disciplines. They’re also a natural starting point for newer skaters, thanks to the added ankle support.

Low-cut boots sit below the ankle for more freedom of movement, making them popular with jam and rhythm skaters. Without the ankle collar, fit accuracy matters even more here.

Fit by Skating Style

How you plan to use your skate can be a determining factor in size as well. Different disciplines will call for different styles of boots, which will affect how the boots fit. 

Outdoor skates are built for a variety of surfaces. While you may not want them as snug as derby or jam-style skates, you still want a secure heel. Outdoor boots should be a comfortable fit, but never too loose. 

Rink & speed skates fit comfortably, snug for control at higher speeds. Sizing down is not uncommon for this category.  

Rhythm & dance skates are built for precision, so their fit is often intentionally close. You want the boot to respond to your movements, not lag behind them. Expect a snugger feel than recreational styles.

Derby skates are all about having a performance fit. The goal with a low cut derby skate is to get as close to the front of the boot without curling. Some contact with the toe box is okay, as long as your toes lay flat and there’s no pain. Minimizing that space keeps your foot from sliding forward on toe stops.  

Jam skates tend to be low-cut by design, which means ankle support comes entirely from fit rather than boot height. A well-fitted jam skate should feel almost like a glove. If there’s any looseness, you’ll feel it immediately when you’re on the floor.

How to Measure Your Foot at Home

Measuring your foot for roller skate sizing is relatively painless. What you need: a piece of paper, a pencil, a ruler or measuring tape, and a flat wall.

• Place the paper on a hard floor against the wall
• Stand on the paper with your heel touching the wall
• Trace your foot carefully
• Measure heel to longest toe in inches or centimeters

Consider measuring both feet. If one of your feet is slightly larger than the other, the larger measurement will determine your skate size. You’ll also want to wear the socks you intend to skate with. 

Use a Size Chart

Got your foot measured? Great! Now you can use that to match our roller skate sizing guide. We offer two separate downloadable PDF sizing guides — one for low-cut boots and one for high-top boots. 

When possible, we recommend visiting a local authorized dealer to determine the final size. 

Kids’ Sizing Considerations

If you’re a parent or a loved one of a child, you probably know how fast kids’ feet grow. There’s a temptation to size up to let them grow into their skates. While that’s understandable, loose skate boots can put them at risk of injury. We recommend sizing their roller skates to fit now, not later, to support their balance and development as a skater.

Make sure to bring in the child’s actual measurements when you intend to purchase their roller skates, not just their shoe size. If you intend to buy online, consider checking the shop’s size chart carefully. 

Signs Your Skates Don’t Fit Right

• Too big: Foot slides forward when stopping or going downhill, heel lifts inside the boot, blisters on the heel or pinky toe, general instability. Claw foot can also develop, leading to numbness and tingling. 
• Too small: Toes curl or press against the front, numbness or tingling during skating, pain across the top of the foot.
• The right fit: Heel sits firmly in the cup with minimal lift, toes come close to the front and may lightly touch without curling, and the boot feels comfortably snug throughout 

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