Rollerblade Lightning Skates 2024

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. The Lightning started it all in the late 80’s but now shocks us again with 5 new models. I got the chance to get my feet in them before their release, allowing me to review and share my thoughts with you.

First, it is tough to like skates that don’t look good. Thankfully, all the color combinations look fantastic. The 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, but more importantly are not narrow and immediately comfortable without the need for break-in time. There is a perfect amount of room in the toe box area in every direction. The wrap throughout is close, making them feel like an extension of your feet. But it is done without hot spots or pressure points. 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. If I were to say anything negative about the boot, it would be that it gave me a little too much confidence to think that I could do anything on wheels.

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

Often reserved for high-end urban setups, aluminum frame mounting blocks are built into the base of the boots. This was unexpected, but a nice surprise. This brings great synergy to the boots and frames and enhances response and feel.

The NEW memory buckle closure system is a HUGE plus. My hope is that Rollerblade brings this technology to more models soon, and I’m told they will.

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 makes them 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.

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 life, but naturally can and will wear out over time. Rollerblade has done a great job at making these same high-quality liners available for purchase on their own when needing them (found at Inline Warehouse). If doing so, it will prove that they felt and worked so well that you skated in a ton in them.

Included are footboard sizers to be used under the liner. This isn’t new technology for the Lightning, but it is worth mentioning as it simply and effectively works to allow each shell size to cover a full-size range (i.e., 9.0-9.5). When placed under the liner, it raises the foot for a snugger and more responsive fit.

All use strong extruded aluminum frames (made from a solid block of aluminum), as one would find on higher-priced urban models. The strength and responsiveness are appreciated regardless of wheel size and felt especially in combination with the built-in aluminum mounting blocks on the boots. They are easily laterally adjustable and removable should you want to try different wheel configurations.

The Lightning 110 and Lightning 90 Skates come with Hydrogen SE Wheels which are great. They packaged these with Rollerblade’s SG9 Bearings, unfortunately. I’m not a fan, so quickly ditched them for my Bones Bearings. It’s too bad they didn’t package with TwinCam Bearings.

The Lightning 80 Skates use an Urban Wheel with Rollerblade’s SG7 Bearings. I ditched these even faster, but the wheels have a nice full profile and are holding up well so far. Again, I would rather they packaged with some TwinCam Bearings and Hydrogen Wheels, but the price points on the Lightning Skates are all very reasonable. This might be where they made up some room to make that happen.

If you haven’t picked up what I’m putting down yet… I’m in love with the Lightning Skates. To give you an idea, I’m a good skater, but not a great skater. Without getting too specific, my feet are on the stranger side of average. But I’ve tried hundreds of skates over the years, and as I get older it is more and more important to have a fit and feel that works so that I can skate better and for longer. This is true for all of us, but it’s not always the case that I recommend a skate to others simply because I like how it feels. But once in a while Lightning strikes. 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.