The Next Pandemic Hobby To Sellout This Summer

Transportation appears to have entered a time warp this summer. Everywhere we turn, groups are rattling around the city on boneshakers like Victorian dandies at the turn of the century or traveling the country by RV like a 1950s-style family. And now we’ve got another set of wheels to add to this nostalgic list — eight of them, to be exact. Yes, we’re talking about roller skates. These wheeled booties (commonly associated with grainy images of 1970s SoCal) were recently catapulted back into the public consciousness by the hottest of all the social networks: TikTok. 

But, don’t call it a comeback. Seriously. Prior to the subculture’s moment in the social-media sun, a diverse and inclusive roller skating culture flourished on rinks and in skate parks for decades (exemplified by present-day skaters like Courtney Shove). Refinery29 even profiled the all-female Moxi Skate Team back in 2016 — which eventually gave rise to Moxi Roller Skates, a brand beloved for USA-made leather skates in endorphin-boosting colorways. However, lockdown life has given the industry a massive boost; Michelle Steilen, Moxi’s founder and CEO, told us that “the market size grew tenfold since the start of the pandemic.”

Hobbies are going viral with lightning speed these days, so it should come as no surprise that, at press time, roller skates are pretty hard to find. But we did some digging and can assert that there are still skates to be had — and we have eight available pairs to prove it lined up ahead. If you don’t see your size, place some pre-orders or sign up for restock alerts and get ready to retro-glide your way through summer.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

<h3><a href="https://rollerskatenation.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Roller Skate Nation" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Roller Skate Nation</a></h3> <br>This online skating emporium feels like the Zappos of all things eight-wheeled. <br><br>With a vast selection (covering skates, blades, and accessories), super-speedy shipping (that’s free on orders $99 and up), and a list of satisfied-customer testimonials (as long as the Dead Sea Scrolls), this one-stop-shop is a good place to start your roller-rink journey.<br><br><strong>Sure-Grip</strong> Rebel Sunlite Route Outdoor Roller Skates, $, available at <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=30283X879131&url=https%3A%2F%2Frollerskatenation.com%2Fsure-grip-rebel-sunlite-route-outdoor-roller-skates%2Fkit-rb_sn_krt%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Roller Skate Nation" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Roller Skate Nation</a><br><br><br>

Roller Skate Nation

This online skating emporium feels like the Zappos of all things eight-wheeled.

With a vast selection (covering skates, blades, and accessories), super-speedy shipping (that’s free on orders $99 and up), and a list of satisfied-customer testimonials (as long as the Dead Sea Scrolls), this one-stop-shop is a good place to start your roller-rink journey.

Sure-Grip Rebel Sunlite Route Outdoor Roller Skates, $, available at Roller Skate Nation

<h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=roller+skates+for+women&crid=2JXAP7ZW8NTDS&sprefix=roller+skates%2Caps%2C149&ref=nb_sb_ss_organic-diversity_3_13" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Amazon" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Amazon<br></a></h3>It should come as no surprise that you can buy roller skates on Amazon. <br><br>The behemoth e-commerce destination stocks popular skate brands like C Seven, Chicago Skates, Riedell, and Sure-Grip.<br><br><br><strong>Chicago Skates</strong> Classic Roller Skates, $, available at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Womens-Classic-Roller-Skates/dp/B000GVKJDQ/ref=sr_1_2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Amazon" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Amazon</a><br><br><strong>Sock</strong> Classic Quad Artistic Roller Skates, $, available at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Artistic-Roller-Leather-Outdoor/dp/B087QYLYG7/ref=asc_df_B087QYLYG7" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Amazon" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Amazon</a><br><br><br>

Amazon

It should come as no surprise that you can buy roller skates on Amazon.

The behemoth e-commerce destination stocks popular skate brands like C Seven, Chicago Skates, Riedell, and Sure-Grip.

Chicago Skates Classic Roller Skates, $, available at Amazon

Sock Classic Quad Artistic Roller Skates, $, available at Amazon

<h3><a href="http://urbanoutfitters.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Urban Outfitters" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Urban Outfitters</a></h3> <br>Always quick to re-animate a bygone trend for its Generation-Z customer base, the Polaroid-peddling, vinyl-hawking Svengalis at Urban Outfitters have added roller skates to their menu of nostalgic pursuits. <br><br>Where some of the more established industry retailers are struggling to maintain inventory in the wake of the skate wave, UO still boasts a healthy-ish size run of this C Seven style — so we’d make a beeline to that “Add to Cart” button if we were you.<br><br><strong>C7skates</strong> Premium Quad Roller Skate, $, available at <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=30283X879131&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.urbanoutfitters.com%2Fshop%2Fc7skates-premium-quad-roller-skate" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Urban Outfitters" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Urban Outfitters</a><br><br><br>

Urban Outfitters

Always quick to re-animate a bygone trend for its Generation-Z customer base, the Polaroid-peddling, vinyl-hawking Svengalis at Urban Outfitters have added roller skates to their menu of nostalgic pursuits.

Where some of the more established industry retailers are struggling to maintain inventory in the wake of the skate wave, UO still boasts a healthy-ish size run of this C Seven style — so we’d make a beeline to that “Add to Cart” button if we were you.

C7skates Premium Quad Roller Skate, $, available at Urban Outfitters

<h3><a href="https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/f/roller-blades?pageNumber=0&filterFacets=3111%3ARoller%20Skates" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Dick’s Sporting Goods" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Dick’s Sporting Goods</a></h3> <br>Like any sports retailer worth its salt, Dick’s carried a healthy selection of roller skates in its online store. <br><br>While inventory is limited, we’d still encourage you to browse the wide range of brands and styles (you can sort the options by size to get a quick look at what your options are).<br><br><strong>Roces</strong> Chuck Classic Roller Skates, $, available at <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=30283X879131&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickssportinggoods.com%2Fp%2Froces-chuck-classic-roller-skates-18rocuchckclsscxxils%2F18rocuchckclsscxxils" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Dick's Sporting Goods" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Dick's Sporting Goods</a><br><br><br>

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Like any sports retailer worth its salt, Dick’s carried a healthy selection of roller skates in its online store.

While inventory is limited, we’d still encourage you to browse the wide range of brands and styles (you can sort the options by size to get a quick look at what your options are).

Roces Chuck Classic Roller Skates, $, available at Dick’s Sporting Goods

<h3><a href="https://www.walmart.com/browse/sports-outdoors/roller-skates/4125_1224931_7628560_8241867_7343776" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Walmart" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Walmart</a></h3> <br>In an unexpected twist, Walmart has a lesser-known but, like, <em>totally </em>entertaining <a href="https://www.walmart.com/cp/the-80s-shop/4407719" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:’80s Shop" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">’80s Shop</a> where you can shop neon makeup, portable turntables, and — you guessed it — candy-colored skates. <br><br>Sizes here are limited, but you’ll have fun browsing the rainbow-hued selection nonetheless. <br><br><strong>Crazy Skates</strong> Disco Glam Roller Skates, $, available at <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=30283X879131&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FDISCO-GLAM-ROLLER-SKATES-Glamorous-Glitter-Quad-Skates-Color-TEAL-GLITTER-Size-US-Mens-5-US-Ladies-6-EU-37%2F492645641" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Walmart" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Walmart</a><br><br><br>

Walmart

In an unexpected twist, Walmart has a lesser-known but, like, totally entertaining ’80s Shop where you can shop neon makeup, portable turntables, and — you guessed it — candy-colored skates.

Sizes here are limited, but you’ll have fun browsing the rainbow-hued selection nonetheless.

Crazy Skates Disco Glam Roller Skates, $, available at Walmart

<h3><a href="https://www.etsy.com/market/roller_skates" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Etsy" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Etsy</a></h3> <br>You wouldn’t expect to find brand-new sporting equipment at one of the internet’s biggest hubs for vintage, but that mindset is probably what led to some roller skates actually being in stock on the multi-seller platform. <br><br>(This sneaker-inspired pair is available in a healthy size run of 7 through 10.)<br><br><strong>MA Sports UK</strong> California Pro Storm Quad Rollerskates, $, available at <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=30283X879131&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Flisting%2F814877953%2Fcalifornia-pro-storm-quad-rollerskates%3F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Etsy" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Etsy</a><br><br><br>

Etsy

You wouldn’t expect to find brand-new sporting equipment at one of the internet’s biggest hubs for vintage, but that mindset is probably what led to some roller skates actually being in stock on the multi-seller platform.

(This sneaker-inspired pair is available in a healthy size run of 7 through 10.)

MA Sports UK California Pro Storm Quad Rollerskates, $, available at Etsy

<h3><a href="https://www.moxiskates.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Moxi Skates" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Moxi Skates</a></h3> <br>This female-founded, California-based company makes premium skates in some of the most eye-catching colors we’ve seen. <br><br>Inventory is in short supply at the moment, but you can still place an order for a pair of these USA-made leather skates to arrive in the fall.<br><br><br><strong>Moxi Skates</strong> Lolly Outdoor Complete, $, available at <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=30283X879131&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moxiskates.com%2Fcollections%2Foutdoor-lolly-completes%2Fproducts%2Flolly-roller-skates-poppy-red" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Moxi Skates" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Moxi Skates</a><br><br><br><br>

Moxi Skates

This female-founded, California-based company makes premium skates in some of the most eye-catching colors we’ve seen.

Inventory is in short supply at the moment, but you can still place an order for a pair of these USA-made leather skates to arrive in the fall.

Moxi Skates Lolly Outdoor Complete, $, available at Moxi Skates

<h3><a href="https://impalarollerskates.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Impala" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Impala</a></h3> <br>Get on the mailing list for this Aussie roller-skate brand <em>now</em>. Even though everything on their site is completely sold out, you’ll want to know when they start to re-stock their array of eye-catching, rainbow-hued quad skates. <br><br>(Size 6 ladies, you’re in luck: we found one lone pair on Zappos.)<br><br><strong>Impala</strong> Quad Skate, $, available at <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=30283X879131&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fp%2Fimpala-rollerskates-impala-quad-skate-big-kid-adult-pastel-fade%2Fproduct%2F9323885%2Fcolor%2F507724" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Zappos" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Zappos</a><br><br><br>

Impala

Get on the mailing list for this Aussie roller-skate brand now. Even though everything on their site is completely sold out, you’ll want to know when they start to re-stock their array of eye-catching, rainbow-hued quad skates.

(Size 6 ladies, you’re in luck: we found one lone pair on Zappos.)

Impala Quad Skate, $, available at Zappos

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