Rolling on fitness inline skates is both an enjoyable and effective way to work out and relax. They’re more breathable, comfortable, and snug on your feet than the others, making them far easier to ride trouble-free.  That’s why people of all ages prefer fitness inline skates to get themselves rolling for the first time, including kids and the elderly.

And keeping that in mind, Rollerblade has brought two impressive lines of fitness skates, namely Zetrablade and Macroblade, to offer beginners and intermediate riders the experience they crave. While the first is fantastic for weight adjustment and control, the other is great for increasing speed while staying in shape.

Here’s our quick, comprehensive rundown of Zetrablade vs Macroblade, which will hopefully clarify their difference further and make it easier to decide which one suits you best.

Overview of Specifications

Properties	Zetrablade	Macroblade 80
Type	Fitness/Recreation inline skates	Fitness/Recreation inline skates
Targeted users	Beginners/Intermediates	Beginners/Intermediates
Available Sizes	6-13 (24.0-31.0) full-size only	6-13.5 (24.0-31.5)
Wheel Size	80 Millimeters	80 Millimeters (wheels up to 84 millimeters can be used as replacements)
Wheel Durometer	82A	82A
Bearing	Rollerblade SG5 (equivalent to ABEC-5)	Rollerblade SG5 (equivalent to ABEC-5)
Cuff	High	High
Frame Material	Monocoque Composite	Twinblade Aluminum
Closure Type	45º Strap, Cuff Buckle, Speed-Laces	45º Strap, Cuff Buckle, Laces
Boot/Shell	Semi-Soft Plastic	Semi-Soft Plastic
Upper Liner	Fairly-Breathable Engineered Mesh	Extra-Breathable Engineered Mesh
Brake	Available	Available
Fit	Universal	Universal
Price	Check	Check

Zetrablade vs Macroblade

Frames

The most notable difference between the two fitness skates lies within their frames. While the Zetrablade has a flexible monocoque composite frame, the Macroblade’s is robust twin-blade aluminum-made. And each build serves a specific purpose.

Because monocoque composite is more malleable, it offers more flexibility than rugged aluminum or hard plastic. It can bend significantly well according to the rider’s weight, promoting an equal distribution and more consistent control.

Twinblade aluminum, on the other hand, isn’t as malleable as the composite, and therefore, can’t aid the rider’s weight adjustment as its counterpart. However, it’s considerably sturdier and more durable than monocoque composite frames. Besides, despite its ability to withstand higher pressures, it’s much lighter than regular aluminum. Due to these characteristics, it’s a good option for fast cruising.

Therefore, the Zetrablade suits you more if you’re concerned about your weight and the troubles it adds to your control. But the Macroblade is for those seeking to improve their speed by playing it rough.

Wheel Size

Zetrablade and Macroblade are both designed to offer you the most enjoyable short distance riding experience across fitness skating, cruising around the city, and similar recreational rides. That’s why both come with 80 mm wheels, which are fairly shorter, hence easier to maneuver, allowing for quicker turns and stops.

However, Macroblade has a slight advantage over Zetrablade with regards to flexibility. While the former allows you to replace the wheels with any size between 80 mm and 84 mm for an added speed, the latter makes you stick to the original size.

Wheel Durometer

Wheel durometer is measured by A-numbers that indicate their relative hardness. The hardest is 100A, and the softest is 0A. In addition to shock absorption and grip, the durometer affects wear and speed. Since fitness skating demands more grip and more extended wear, the wheels must be between 80A and 88A.

From that point of view, neither Macroblade nor Zetrablade disappoints. Each offers 82A hardness, which is soft enough to enhance your grip and not too hard to affect your control. With the models also providing tweaking options, you can make them fit your needs by replacing them accordingly from Rollerblade.

Bearings

Rollerblade’s Zetrablade and Macroblade line of inline skates use the company’s very own SG-rated bearings, unlike most bearings, which follow the ABEC precision standard. However, this system uses the same ABEC number scale, with the higher number indicating greater bearing precision.

Both skates lines are on par from this perspective as well. They use a similar SG-5-rated bearing in their wheels, allowing for lesser friction with controlled, consistent rolls. Also, they employ Rollerblade’s proprietary build for better wear.

Boots and Liners

You may already know that soft boots are typically more comfortable and better ventilated, while a hard boot provides more stability and control. However, both Zetrablade and Macroblade come with semi-soft shells to keep your feet within the happy medium in that sense.

But it’s undoubtedly an all-win for you, considering their engineered mesh liners. They both come with Rollerblade’s Energy-maximizers, reinforced by 3D-anatomical stretch padding that impact shocks immediately to deliver the strength your feet need.

Nevertheless, in terms of breathability and added comfort, the Macroblade just edges its counterpart by some margin. It comes with more open and superior ventilation holes than the Zetrablade, letting in more airflow inside. As a result, your feet are significantly more comfortable and steady when you wear them.

Closure System

Like most modern-day models, these lines of Rollerblade inline skates’ closure system consists of both buckles and laces. While the buckle provides strong ankle support, the 45° lace and strap system anchors your heels in place for a secure fit that minimizes heel lift. The Macroblade has the upper hand here as well, having a sturdier urethane strap than the Zetrablade’s plastic.

But the Zetrablade wins against the Macroblade for the first time in our comparison, thanks to its speed laces as opposed to the latter’s regular laces. The fast and convenient speed laces allow you to put the skates on and take them off far quicker. In addition to keeping your shoe snug on your foot, they enable you to set the exact tightness you want every time.

Price

The Macroblade is the pricier inline skate between the two. For a costlier frame, sturdier buckle, and more comfortable liners, that doesn’t surprise much. The product line includes several models for men and women, and their price range varies within 150$-160$ accordingly. Zetrablade offers a similar selection that you can purchase for around 120 bucks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight can the Zetrablade withstand safely?

Up to 220 lbs.

Are the wheels durable on concrete?

Yes, the PU wheels have a design suitable for gliding on both concrete and asphalt.

Can you adjust the inner wheels by putting a rocker in them?

Yes, it’s possible to put smaller wheels anywhere (center two for anti-rocker, front, and rear for rocker). However, you should understand that if the rear is too small, the (removable) brake may drag.

Are the brakes replaceable?

Yes. But you must find the exact match from Rollerblade for a particular model since the frame doesn’t support anything else.

So, Which One Should You Pick?

The apparent similarities between Macroblade vs Zetrablade, coupled with their seemingly different purposes, don’t quite lend themselves to a conclusion about who wins. It doesn’t matter where that leads, though, since you always know what you’re seeking. And hopefully, our above comparative take on the two beginner inline skate lines has given you the insight you’ve been after. So, consider your necessities, choose wisely, and get yourself rolling right away!

Read More:

• Best Off Road Skates for you
• Need speed skates?
• Starting aggressive skating?

If you are already familiar with inline skates, you know how fun it is to skate around your neighborhood, be that as a daily commute or showing some cool tricks in the skating park. But do you know you can do the same on a dirt trail? Yes! You can skate in rugged terrain even with extremely uneven surfaces. All you need is an off-road skate and fortunately, this article is all about the best Off Road Skates.

Earlier, riding on a rocky surface wasn’t possible with traditional inline skate due to low traction and incapable small wheels. Soon enough skate manufacturing companies came up with skate designs that are proficient at riding on rough surfaces. Now, we get all sorts of off-road skates carefully curated for newbies and professionals. Let’s do a deep dive on the ins and outs of off road skating and what you need to get started.

What Are Off-Road Skates?

In short, off road skates are a particular type of inline skate that rides well in rough terrain and gravel surface. They usually have larger wheels (125-200mm) with inflatable tires to provide strong grip in almost any type of surface condition whether it’s wet or dry. 

Unlike other inline skate types like indoor, racing, recreational, off road rollerblades or skates have different sets of features. All of these make your off-road riding experience more pleasant and safe. Such features are durable frames, taller cuffs, thick padding, multiple mounting points, grooved tires, etc.

We’ve reviewed these 5 skates here:

When To Use Off-Road Skates?

Normally it’s a good idea to use off-road skates on dirt roads where there will be a lot of loose rocks, gravel, and uneven surfaces. It could be an off-road trail, cross-country road, or even a downhill mountain road. Here your typical indoor skate with polyurethane (PU) wheels will have a hard time overcoming these obstacles.

Skatin on a paved surface is one thing but doing the same on a rocky road is a whole different story. Just think about the solid wheels on those street skates, they don’t even have grooves to make a good grip on the surface. but the bigger wheel on the off-road rollerblade ensures maximum contact point and solid grip with the uneven surface.

Read: Considerations before choosing the quad roller skates

Are Off Road Skating Dangerous?

Naturally, Off-road skating falls into the extreme sports category and there are possible dangers associated with it. But as you train your mind and body, the danger factor slowly drops down significantly. Plus there are various safety gears like helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, skate poles that further mitigate the risk of injury.

As for beginners, it’s not ideal to jump on a cross-country trail right after getting a new off-road skate. Even if you have experience with other types of skate prior to this, try familiarizing yourself with the bigger wheels and what it actually feels like to roll on a dirt surface. It would be much better if you could ride with a friend who has the experience and tell you what to expect along the way.

Read: Are derby skates good for outside?

Advantages Of Off-Road Rollerblades

Whether you are using off-road rollerblades for reaching point A to B, joyriding with friends, or an escape after a long week, it sure has tons of advantages. Even though you usually use this type of rollerblade off road, you can still use them on-road as well. Performance wouldn’t be the same but it’s not completely useless.

Here are a few advantages you would enjoy if you have off road roller skates

• Extreme cushioning and a padded shoe that provides comfort
• Sturdy and durable construction that lasts longer
• Bigger wheels that give an amazing speed
• The grooved tire provides freedom to ride anywhere
• Inflatable tire works as a shock absorber on rough roads
• Greater Aerobic exercise value

Difference Between Indoor, Outdoor, And Offroad Skates

At first, there were only indoor skates with small wheels. People would ride them on wooden or cemented floors. After people realize it would be more fun to ride on the roads and going places, then comes the outdoor skate. And finally to overcome the dirt trail the off-road skates have evolved.

Indoor Skate: Some indoor skates have two sets of 60-100mm small wheels made out of polyurethane or PU materials. A lot of color schemes and designs are available in this segment as most of them are for kids and teenagers. They also come with various braking systems.

Outdoor skate: Requires slightly advanced maneuvering control as these are performance beasts for racing and showing tricks. The 100-125mm inline wheels are what make these skates accelerate fast and manage stability. Out of the box, the skate comes with safety features like rugged shoes and cuffs and a sturdy frame to withstand the rough handling.

Off-road skate: These are the most durable skates of them all. With the 125 to up to 200mm of wheels, off road inline skates can be very big and heavy. Of course, you would be riding it on a ragged surface so you need a wide bite on the ground. All the best off road inline skates have amazing speed with these instead of initial acceleration.

Off-Road Inline Skates Vs Roller Skates

Roller skate and off-road skates are the two most popular means of personal transportation and in some cases an enjoyable sports gear. Although they function in a similar manner, they do have fundamental differences that make them suitable for certain types of surfaces.

Off-road inline skates: One quick way to spot an off-road inline skate is to look at the wheel configuration. The wheels on these are always in line and big with traction lining. There could be three, four even two wheels like the Nordic off-road skates. Being large and tall the skate lacks stability at the start but when you get up to speed, it’s much easier to control.

Roller Skate: These are more of a beginner skate with smaller wheels with more stability. The wheels on these are thick and parallel to each other. You will see the cuffs are short along with the ground clearance. For this reason, roller skates are fast and the polyurethane wheels have significant control over smooth surfaces.

Review of the 5 best off road skates

All Terrain Rollerblades Buying guide

Buying a good off-road skate is much easier than other skate types available in the market. You only need to factor in the number of wheels, wheel size, and frame material. Manufacturers fiddle with these configurations to provide the most benefits associated with a particular setup.

Comfort

The overall comfort of an off-road skate is quite important as you ride through the toughest terrains. In most cases, you will have ample padding around the shoe with taller cuffs. Try to get the skate with memory foam as they are the best in class for extreme comfort.

Frame material

The frame is what joins your skate shoe and the wheels. There are steel frames and aluminum frames. Generally, Steel frames are strong but heavy in weight which can affect control. On the other hand, aircraft-grade aluminum is also lightweight and fairly strong.

Wheel diameter

Off-road skate thrives on big wheels. The 125mm and the 150mm wheels are the most common wheel size in the off-road skate segment. Normally bigger wheels translate to speed where smaller wheels contribute to maneuverability and stability.    

The number of wheels

Like the wheel diameter, the higher number of wheels adds more stability to the skate. This is very helpful for beginner riders but you should also know that it also sums up weights. In that case, Most experts prefer 3 wheel configurations for greater speed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often do you have to inflate off-road skates?

Once a week is a pretty ideal routine to inflate your off-road skate tires. If you use your skate frequently, you may need an early refill.

What PSI should I maintain for off-road skate tires?

The standard PSI rating for off-road skating is around 100psi on all the wheels. Some experts maintain a custom PSI rating for each wheel as a personal preference.

When to change off-road skate tires?

Most off-road skate tire quality is top-notch and takes time to wear off the traction. That said, keep an eye on the traction marks, if they fade out completely you need a new set of tires.

Final Words…

Hope this article about the best Off-Road Skates provided you with a comprehensive idea of what you should look for and what to expect in a particular conformation. Now make that decision and seize your freedom.

Read More:

• Top Quality Inline Speed Skates
• Top Quality Aggressive Skates
• Rollerblades vs Aggressive Skates
• What Are The 3 Types Of Speed Skating Events?

When it comes to Roller Derby skates, the words that come up every time for describing the top-selling skate manufacturers are classic, enduring, versatile, and trustworthy. And since its release, the Aerio Q60 has not been an exception.

The Q60 is among the most sought out inline skates by many skate-addict newbies because of its balance, maneuverability, and price. And if you too are contemplating your options for cheerful, comfy rollings, then it’s doubtlessly among the finest to suffice your cravings.

To give you a deeper insight, our Roller Derby Aerio Q60 review goes over the skate’s key features, so you can weigh your options according to your rolling demands.

Key Features of the Roller Derby Aerio Q60 Women’s Inline Skates

Both men and women can choose among different sizes of the Roller Derby Aerio Q60 inline skates. However, apart from their respective design variants, there’s hardly any difference in between. Here, we’ll look into the features of the women’s model, which is just as competent as the men’s.

Features	Benefits	Pain Points Solved
Dual-Motor System	Provides powerful and efficient performance	Struggling to climb hills
40.4-inch Wide Platform	Offers a spacious and comfortable standing space	Cramped and uncomfortable ride
10-inch Pneumatic Tires	Ensures a smooth and stable ride on all terrain	Unstable and bumpy ride
Wireless Remote Control	Conveniently controls speed and direction	Difficulties in controlling the cart
Foldable Design	Easily folds down for compact storage and transport	Takes up too much storage space
Multiple Speed Settings	Allows for customizable speed options	Unable to adjust speed to preference
Adjustable Handle	Adjusts to different heights for comfortable use	Discomfort due to poor handle height
Battery Charge Indicator	Monitors battery level for easy maintenance	Uncertainty of battery life
One-Year Warranty	Provides assurance and peace of mind	Concerns about product durability

Roller Derby Aerio Q60 Review

Unique Material

The Roller Derby Aerio Q60 comes with 243mm tri-coil aluminum frames to nicely harmonize with its 80 mm wheels. In association with 78A-grade wheel hardness, the Bevo Gold-7 race-rated bearings aim to provide blazing swiftness and convenient maneuvers on various surfaces.

While the aluminum frame assures you of style and durability, the wheels ensure smoother, easygoing rollouts. Besides, a sturdy, articulated plastic shell surrounds the boots to guarantee further ankle support, safety, and full-motion range.

Read: How to choose the roller Derby skates?

Stout, Enduring Build

The Aerio Q60’s solid build comprises a firm shell closure for impeccable foot support and stress-free skating. Its structure also boasts an additional cushion on its rearmost and under the dedicated footbed. This feature excellently works as an impact-proof shock absorber to help reduce problematic vibrations while navigating.

It also uses a twister-molded compacting 80mm frame that translates into a sturdy, comfortable liner with extra stiffness. And the 78A rated wheels permit further robustness for power slides.

Elegant Design and Feel

Aerio Q60 helps get the twister cuff up, thanks to its elegant design with a molded plastic shell. It provides massive steadiness for keeping up the foot and ankle support during your rides. More so, it has an exchangeable lateral slider that allows you to enjoy the added durability of your ankle curving throughout your rides.

Across the boot top, the Aerio has the standard lacing position, which is also pretty fancy. The topmost of the lace has a sturdy velcro buckle that won’t wear or tear throughout your extreme trick modes, unlike plastic ratchet buckles. The final outline of safety measures is ensured by a 45-degree memory locking buckle above the tongue.

The 78A 80mm wide-profile wheels align with one another, leaving very narrow spaces in-between. This togetherness of the sturdy wheels can ensure untold miles of steady rolling.

Read: Are derby skates good for outside?

Superior Comfort

Nothing comes closer to a sound ventilation system when seeking the peaceful comfiness around your feet during the rolls, and the Aerio Q60 can promise you just that. It has a specialized mesh liner on its inner side that cleverly pushes the air through the skate. Hence, it can meticulously keep the boots’ internal environment dry and cool by letting out the hot air.

Besides, you can expect to enjoy an added coziness because of the footbed liner and the outstandingly breathable twister molded shell. And because of its lightweight and quick foot movement support, you can assure yourself of a higher comfort level for a stellar performance on each ride.

Size and Fitting

The Aerio Q60 comes in several different sizes to fit numerous foot shapes and types. So, it’s unlikely for you to get bothered while finding one for yourself. At the beak, the skates are slightly tight and stiff. However, it shouldn’t scare you off, for you can indeed loosen it up after a week’s ride. And since it lets you regulate the cuff buckle, you can conveniently go into any deep-skating motion while going forward just by adjusting the attached strap.

Trick Moves

Because of the comfort and support it provides, the skates enables you to try out and grasp a range of trick move and techniques with ease. Besides slides, jumps, stair walks, speed boosts, quick direction alternations, twists, turns, and similar urban free-skating uses, you can use it to perform slaloms as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do the Roller Derby Aerio q 60 women’s inline skates offer any stopper?

Yes. It comes attached to the boot’s heel, and it doesn’t require assembling. But you can detach it easily when not using it.

2. How many sizes can I choose from?

You can choose from six different sizes.

3. Does it come with a dual brake?

No. Only the right boot has one heel brake.

4. Do the Roller Derby elite series Q60 include any men’s model?

Yes, it does. The Roller Derby Aerio q-60 men’s inline skates come in eight different sizes.

5. Is this Roller Derby inline skate good for trails?

Indeed it is. You can roll for much longer urban skating sessions without restraining impacts because of its top-notch shock absorption feature.

Roller Derby Aerio Q-60 vs. Q-80

The Q60 is indeed an excellent choice for beginner to intermediate-level skaters for all the comfort and balance it provides. But if you’re looking to up your skating game further, Roller Derby’s Aerio Q80 can be a much better option.

A significant improvement over the Q60 is the Q80’s precision Bevo ABEC-9 bearings that offer enhanced support during more demanding trick moves.

Besides, it comes with broader wheel profiles aligned within well-measured gaps, so you can hold onto your momentum more comfortably while rolling throughout rougher, uneven surfaces. And unlike the Q60’s 78A, the Q80’s wheel hardness measures at 85A, ensuring exceptional durability to last beyond your umpteenth try.

Final Say…

Our Roller Derby Aerio Q60 review shows precisely how significantly this inline skate can help you cruise through your local pathways to rough park streets. While it makes a perfect beginner-friendly pick because of its suitability for indoor and outdoor use, the solid build and design can be of massive help to intermediate riders for honing their skills.

An all-around entertainment wheely or a pair of fitness buddies, either way you term it, the do-it-all Roller Derby Aerio Q60 is undoubtedly an excellent skate for joyful gliding.