Rio Roller Flow Hockey Skates: Review

Hockey style quad skates have become increasingly popular in the UK - especially in London - where people are using these setups not to play hockey, but for freestyle skating. While inspired by hockey boots, these skates are used in a completely different context - part of a broader freestyle movement.

Ever since Bauer introduced their hockey skate conversion setup back in the early 2000s, these skates have been a trusted go-to for many skaters. Even though production of the skates is discontinued, skaters still find ways to recreate the same look and feel of this cult product.

There is however a new kid in the block, the Rio Roller Flow Hockey Skate, an off-the-shelf, hockey-style quad skate.

In this hands-on review, we dive into the features, fit, and overall performance of the Rio Roller Flow Hockey skates - and how they compare to the popular Bauer skates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGUfW4QvA_I

TL;DR – Rio Roller Flow Hockey Skates Review:

• Ready out of the box - unlike Bauer setups which need custom assembly

• Eco-friendly touches - pineapple leather upper and algae-based insoles

• Better value for money - £140 vs ~£195+ for a comparable Bauer setup

• Main differences between Bauer vs Rio - Flow has better insole, but less toe protection than Bauer

The Specs

Unlike some other hard boot roller skates, a big reason for the popularity of hockey style skates is the design: they don’t come with a liner, which means your foot is closer to the boot. This makes the skate feel more responsive, a major selling point for people who like the control and feel of skating in this way. 

The Rio Roller Flow comes with 60mm 82A wheels and Abec-7 bearings. The wheels are quite square in profile, and the bushings - although not rated on the packaging - were tested and found to be 94A, which is very hard. That hardness contributes to the responsiveness, eliminating the squishy, wobblier feel that softer bushings can produce.

The plate is made of glass-filled polypropylene, a strong and durable plastic also used in other high-end skates which is generally on par with the nylon type plates many similar skates use.

The skate also includes an adjustable toe stop and a jam plug in the box, which is a nice value add compared to Bauer customs, where these are often sold separately.

The boot features a rigid polypropylene shell, and an environmentally conscious material called pineapple leaf leather for the top part of the skate. The insoles, which have a thicker heel for more effective shock absorption are also partially made from algae, going for a more environmentally friendly angle there too.

The trucks are standard Rio Roller trucks, with a typical 10° kingpin angle, and overall, the skate mirrors the Bauer design closely, from the fit and shell rigidity to the detailing on the toe cap.

Feel and Performance

On the roll, the Rio Roller Flow delivers a smooth, flowing experience with tight turning thanks to the short wheelbase. For someone used to inline skates, they emulate a "wizard" style turning experience and feel nimble and responsive. 

Only downside coming with this was foot fatigue from the lack of liner, which could affect comfort during long sessions, though this may improve over time as the skates break in. The square-profile wheels give stability, which is ideal for beginners or those looking for a solid platform, though more rounded wheels may suit freestyle skating better. 

Fit-wise, the skates are true to size and come in shared shell sizes - just like Bauer skates.

Rio Roller Flow vs Bauer Quad Skates: What’s the Difference?

In terms of performance, the Rio Roller Flow and a comparable Bauer custom setup felt nearly identical when tested. The comfort and shape were the same, and the on-skate experience was very similar. 

However, the Rio Roller Flow costs £140 off the shelf, whereas a typical Bauer custom build with similar components would run about £195 - so the Flow offers substantial value. 

While providing a near identical rendition of Bauer’s design, Rio Roller is offering a functional and affordable alternative to something that’s otherwise difficult and expensive to piece together.

In here we compare some of the similarities and discrepancies among the two skates:

Overall, while there is not much difference between the look and feel of the two skates, the Rio Roller Flow wins when it comes to the insole, coming ready and usable straight out the box and therefore more beginner friendly, and value for money especially as they also come with a toe stopper and a jam plug. 

The Bauer skate however has better toe protection, great if you are confident in customising your skate or happy to get it customised by a professional and is a trusted higher end skate.

To Sum it Up

The Rio Roller Flow Hockey skates bring a fresh, ready-to-roll alternative to custom Bauer quad setups. Inspired by the classic hockey boot design, these skates offer a super responsive ride, eco-conscious materials, and impressive value for money. 

If you're looking for a hockey-style quad skate that’s beginner-friendly and budget-conscious, the Rio Roller Flow is a strong contender.

Don’t be a stranger! If you have any questions about this or any other roller skates, send us an email at hello@locoskates.com.