Our Inline Warehouse staff has chosen the best cross-training inline skates for 2024
based on comfort, ease, and value. All inline skates are fitness skates. Here we focused on our picks of skates designed for serious workouts and/or cross-training.

Offered now in 6 different wheel configurations, there is a Macroblade for every skill level!

Men's: 4x80 | 4x84 | 4x84 Boa | 4x90 | 3x100 | 3x110
Women's: 4x80 | 4x84 | 4x84 Boa | 4x90 | 3x100 | 3x110

Comfort: 9/10

Soft boots allow for comfort right out of the box, with great ventilation. The concerning factor of a soft boot is that if too soft, the boots will flex at push-off and lose energy (performance) to the wheels. The Macroblades however, are proven winners across the entire line. They blend comfort with performance. A performance mesh helps to keep you cool and comfortable, and the wrap is firm enough to capture energy correctly.

The two big wheel models (3x100 and 3x110) have a slightly different look, with additional support to handle the stress created by a taller wheel setup.

Ease: 9/10

Now with 6 different options, there is literally a Macroblade for everyone. Carried over from last year are two options at 80mm. One has the ABT (automatic brake technology) brake that allows the skater to always keep all wheels on the ground, even when braking. The highlight for 2023 is two new 84mm options (none in 2022) with one being Rollerblade’s first ever with BOA Turn-Dial Speed Lacing. Also carried over were the Macroblade 90, Macrobade 100, and Macroblade 110.

All are ready to skate without need for adjustment. In fact, the Macroblade skates do not allow for adjustments. The frames (and liners) are fixed, so they cannot be adjusted or be removed. This may be considered a pro or a con depending on the skater, but it gives them a high score on simplicity from Inline Warehouse. The high amount of engineering and testing from Rollerblade has them skating perfectly for most.

Value: 9/10

Our cost, production costs, and suggested retail cost has gone up on all Macroblades for 2023. This is not unlike most other items. But…The market conditions at the time of this writing suggest that it may take a good portion of the year before that pricing is able to take its full effect in the market for the Macroblade specifically. Early in 2023 (Jan-March especially), pricing and value may be even better than last year. Once it does take hold, the Macroblade will still be a top value pick as others would have raised pricing as well. But if you have your eyes on a Macroblade, grabbing them sooner than later will save you quite a bit of cash.

Powerslide Swell Inline Skates

Offered in many different wheel configurations and frame lengths from 3x100 to 3x125.

Comfort: 8/10

The Swell skates come at different comfort levels but they mostly consider performance a little more. They have fixed liners made up of either recall MyFit memory foam, 3D Adapt padding, removable SPC, or AeroFit with Recall padding. They all have a firm, footwrap that is supposed to fit closely for good energy transfer, but they will require a break-in period. Most cross-training skates should have a break-in period in our opinion so that they are more reactive to movement. These skates are also evolving, so if you’ve tried on an old pair it likely isn’t the same as Powerslide’s newer technology and updates to their design.

Ease: 7/10

They’re really not made for beginners so the skates will not be the easiest but they will be appreciated by someone who is used to larger wheels and would like to feel a boost in their performance. One aspect that does make the Swell’s easier to ride is the Trinity Mounting. As they all have casted aluminum frames which bring you lower to the ground and focus around 3 major points of contact to your foot, they are a lot easier to control and balance in than others.

A large part of what lowers this score is the variety of options. When you have too many choices it can be hard to choose but we also have a Swell Skates Comparison Guide to get into the details with you. We also recommend reading each skates’ descriptions carefully before deciding which might be right for you.

Value: 9/10

Swell’s are made with quality components that meet the demands of a serious fitness skater. They have aluminum frames as we’ve mentioned with careful consideration to their lengths for different advantages. They have thoughtful and different padding to accommodate to different riders’ preferences. Some even have customizable cuffs for a better response. Powerslide did what they often do with skates, they made them well and they made them to last for skaters who love skating and want to enjoy their experience at a higher level.

Not sure how to find the right size? Or would you like to learn more about skates? Head over to our dedicated learning centers by using the buttons below!