If you're thinking about learning to roller skate and standing there looking at a $70 pair of skates versus a $170 pair, you've probably wondered:"Do I really need expensive skates?"
"Will cheap roller skates be fine for beginners?"
"Are Impala skates worth the money?"

I get asked this all the time because when you're new, skates can all look pretty similar. Four wheels. Cute colours. Beginner labels.

But after teaching adults to skate for years, and testing both cheap skates and Impalas side by side, I’ve realised:

The biggest difference usually isn't how skates look. It’s how supported and confident you feel when skating.

And that can completely change how quickly beginners improve.

Key Takeaways

✔ Cheap skates may feel okay standing still but harder to learn in
✔ Support through the boot matters more than appearance
✔ Tight trucks and poor setup can make turning difficult
✔ Beginner confidence often improves with more supportive skates
✔ Sometimes beginners aren’t "bad at skating"… their skates are making learning harder

Quick Answer: Are Cheap Roller Skates Worth Buying?

Cheap roller skates can help you experience skating, but they may make learning harder if they lack support, adjustability or smooth movement.

If your goal is "I just want to try skating once or twice" then budget skates may be enough.

If your goal is "I actually want to learn confidently and improve" then a more supportive beginner skate often feels better long term.

What I Compared: Cheap Target Skates vs Impala Skates

For this comparison I tested:

Budget skate: Cyclops Rainbow Retro Skates from Target (~$79 AUD)
Mid-range skate: Impala Roller Skates (~$170 AUD)

On paper they seem similar. Both have four wheels, both look beginner friendly and both are marketed toward new skaters.

But skating in them felt very different.

What Makes Roller Skates Feel Easier To Learn In?

When testing skates, I’m paying attention to:

• boot support
• wheel movement
• bearings
• truck flexibility
• comfort
• turning ability
• stopping ability
• overall control

Because these are the things beginners notice immediately.

Not fancy specs.

Not colours.

Control and support.

Problem #1: Cheap Roller Skates Often Lack Support

As soon as I put the budget skates on I noticed:

• very thin laces
• minimal boot support
• pressure through the shin
• tongue slipping down
• foot movement inside the boot

I had to tighten them excessively just to feel secure and even then:

I still didn't feel supported.

That matters because beginner skills require balance, stopping, turning and weight shifting. When boots feel unstable, beginners often tense up… which makes skating harder.

Coaching observation:

Sometimes beginners assume:

"I'm terrible at skating."

When actually:

"My skates aren't helping me feel stable."

Those are different problems.

Problem #2: Tight Trucks Can Make Turning Feel Impossible

One thing I noticed immediately was how stiff the cheaper skates felt through the trucks.

Turning corners felt difficult.

Edges felt difficult.

Everything required more effort.

I even struggled adjusting them because standard skate tools didn't fit the bolts.

That’s frustrating because if turning feels hard, beginners often assume:

"I must be doing something wrong."

Sometimes it’s setup.

Not skill.

If turning still feels difficult, you might also like:

→ Why You Keep Losing Balance on Roller Skates (And How To Fix It)

Because balance often comes down to posture and support.

Problem #3: Stopping Felt Less Secure

I tested:

• plow stops
• toe stops

Both worked.

But the difference was:

I didn't feel in control.

Toe stops especially require balancing confidently on one foot. Without support, stopping quickly would make me hesitate.

And hesitation often becomes fear.

If stopping still feels scary, read:

→ How To Stop on Roller Skates for Beginners: 5 Easy Ways That Actually Work

What Felt Better About The Impala Skates?

Straight away I noticed:

✔ softer boot feel
✔ more support
✔ smoother rolling
✔ easier turning
✔ better control
✔ more confidence

The biggest difference wasn't speed.

It was:

I trusted the skates more.

And when beginners trust their skates, they often relax… which helps confidence grow.

Are Impala Skates Worth It For Beginners?

My answer:

If you genuinely want to learn roller skating, improve skills and feel more supported, I think Impalas are worth considering over very cheap beginner skates.

Not because they're perfect.

But because learning felt:

More stable.

More comfortable.

Less frustrating.

One thing I’d still change?

I’d swap to longer wax laces, because the standard ones still felt slippery.

Small change.

Big difference.

Why Cheap Skates Can Make Beginners Think They're Bad At Skating

This might be the biggest takeaway.

I think many beginners believe:

"I'm not improving."
"I have bad balance."
"Maybe skating isn't for me."

When sometimes:

Their skates are making learning harder than it needs to be.

That doesn't mean you need expensive equipment.

But supportive equipment matters.

Especially early on.

You might also like:

→ Why You’re Not Improving at Roller Skating (+ 5 Fixes)

Prefer Watching Instead?

I tested both skates side by side in this video:

→ Watch: Cheap Skates vs Impala — Which Ones Are Worth It?

Click Here To WATCH

FAQ: Cheap Roller Skates vs Impalas

Are cheap roller skates okay for beginners?

They can help beginners try skating, but poor support or setup may make learning harder.

Are Impalas good for adult beginners?

Many adult beginners enjoy Impalas because they offer more support and feel more stable than cheaper alternatives.

Do expensive skates automatically make you better?

No. Foundations and practice matter most. But supportive skates may help beginners feel more comfortable and confident.

Should beginners buy cheap skates first?

If you're unsure whether skating is for you, cheap skates may help you try it. If you're committed to learning, investing slightly more may feel worthwhile.

Still Unsure Which Skates To Buy?

If choosing skates is keeping you stuck, don’t overthink it too much.

The best pair is often one that:

✔ feels supportive
✔ suits your goals
✔ makes you excited to skate again

And if you're brand new and wondering what skills to practise once you get skates, I created a FREE Beginner Learn to Skate Series to help adults stop guessing and build confidence step by step.

→ Start the FREE Beginner Learn to Skate Series here

Because learning as an adult shouldn’t feel overwhelming.

It should feel exciting!