Finding the right pair of skates doesn’t have to break the bank, especially when you are just starting out. In fact, there are some brilliant options out there for skaters who want solid performance, comfort, and versatility while keeping it on the cheaper side.
At Loco Skates, we’ve rounded up our top five inline skates under £160, plus a couple of honourable mentions for those happy to stretch the budget just a little further.
What Are Freestyle Skates?
Before we get into the list, let’s clear up what we mean by freestyle skates.
Traditionally, “freestyle” refers to a category within competitive slalom skating where skaters could choose to do their own moves within a timeframe, similar to swimming or skiing. However, we use freestyle to mean a general purpose all-rounder skate. Strong, stable, and ready for whatever you throw at it - from city cruising to park sessions.
So, whether you’re skating multi-terrain or just want a reliable everyday setup, these are the best budget-friendly choices out there.
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FR Skates FRX 80 – Retailing at £160
Coming in at the top end of the budget, the reason for being the top choice is simple – the FRX 80 is one of our best-selling skate and for a good reason. So much spec for the actual price tag.
This skate delivers premium performance without stepping outside the budget range. The FRX feels smooth, stable and substantial under your feet. The liner is thick and comfortable, the mid-strap gives a secure fit, and the overall build quality makes it feel like a much more expensive skate.
It’s also rockerable, meaning you can adjust the wheel positions for a more agile or stable setup, depending on how you like to ride. The FRX 80 offers a really refined skating experience - it’s responsive, shock-absorbing and built to handle everything from casual city sessions to more technical freestyle skating. If you’re looking for one skate that can do it all, this one is hard to beat.
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Powerslide Zoom 80 – Retailing at £150
So close at coming number one, the Powerslide Zoom 80 is a minimalist’s dream. It’s simple, clean and feels fantastic to skate in. One of its most interesting design features is the riveted frame. Most skates use removable frames, but the Zoom’s frame is permanently attached to the boot. That might sound like a drawback, but it actually means the boot can sit lower to the ground, creating a tighter, more controlled ride that’s just much easier to manoeuvre.
It’s this low, compact feel that makes the Zoom 80 so easy to skate. The build quality is solid, nothing rattles, and the whole setup feels cohesive and balanced. There’s also a three-wheel version available if you prefer a freeride style, but for a classic 4x80mm setup, this is one of the best budget options around.
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Rollerblade RB80 – Retailing at £150
The Rollerblade RB80, formerly known as the Rollerblade Cruiser, is one of the most reliable budget skates out there. It has a smooth, low-profile design with matte aluminium frames and a low mounting point that keeps your centre of gravity close to the ground. The result is a skate that feels responsive, light on your feet and easy to control.
We love how clean the overall finish is - it looks premium, and it skates that way too. The RB80 also comes with a brake in the box, which not all freestyle skates do. Available in men’s and women’s versions (though the ergonomics are identical), it’s a versatile and well-balanced skate that feels great straight out of the box.
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Flying Eagle X3 Shrike – Retailing at £120
Sharing similarities with our 5th choice but with a little more spec for only a slightly higher price, the Flying Eagle X3 Shrike comes at a great value. It’s very similar in design to its cheaper counterpart, but comes with an aluminium frame for a snappier, more responsive feel, a mid-strap for better foot hold, and a thicker liner for extra comfort.
At £120, it still sits firmly in the budget category but feels like a serious upgrade. Flying Eagle have also done something refreshing with the colourways - we especially like the Pearl version, which stands out nicely in a world dominated by black skates.
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Flying Eagle X1 Shrike – Retailing at £99
The Flying Eagle X1 Shrike is an amazing entry point into skating. At just £99, it’s hard to believe how much value you’re getting. The clean, simple design looks great, but what really stands out is the performance.
Unlike most other skates on this list, the X1 comes with a plastic frame. But plastic is not necessarily worse – it is just different. While aluminium frames are typically faster and more responsive, the plastic construction gives you a smoother, more shock-absorbing ride - ideal for beginners or anyone skating over uneven ground.
It also features a high-low wheel setup, meaning the back wheels are a little larger than those in the front, keeping you closer to the ground providing more balance. The wheels are kept proportional to the frames regardless of the shell or frame size.
The frame design even allows you to experiment with different rockering positions, giving you the chance to fine-tune how your skates turn and feel.
As we are sourcing these skates directly from the manufacturer without a middleman, we are able to offer the best price for this brand. For under £100, it’s easily one of the best value skates you can buy.
Honourable Mentions
If you can stretch your budget slightly beyond £160, there are a couple of skates worth mentioning that are still incredible value for the price tag. The Echo Freestyle Skate, at £180, offers a super-low ride height and a premium neoprene liner that hugs your foot. It’s one of the smoothest, most comfortable rides in this price range and feels like a mid-tier skate at a lower cost.
At the higher end, the Rollerblade Twister XT sits around £280-£300, but it’s arguably the best value performance skate on the market. It comes with Rollerblade’s Hydrogen wheels, which are widely regarded as some of the best stock wheels you can get, and one of the most comfortable liners available. The boxy, shock-absorbing shell gives you great stability and control. For a mid-level price, it delivers a truly premium ride.
Where to find us
If you’d like to try any of these out, visit us at our shop just south of London, or shop online. We stock one of the biggest selections of skates in the UK and we’re always happy to help you find the perfect pair.