If you’re new to skating or just starting to explore skate customisation, liners might seem like a small detail, but they can make a massive difference to how your skates feel and perform.
A good liner gives you the support, comfort, and control you need. A bad one? It can leave you with blisters, foot pain, or a skate that just doesn’t feel quite right.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about skate liners - what they do, why they matter, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
What is a Skate Liner?
A skate liner is the soft, padded boot/sock that sits inside your skate shell. Most skates, about 80% (especially aggressive and urban styles) come with removable liners, which means you can swap them out for different ones.
Your liner affects:
- Fit and sizing
- Foot and ankle support
- Comfort
- Energy transfer and control
The Anatomy of a Skate Liner
Not all skate liners are created equal, and the details matter. Beyond just the shape and thickness, certain features and components of a liner can dramatically impact how your skates feel. Here's a breakdown of the key elements:
Shock absorbers
Some high-end liners include shock absorbers built into the heel area. These are often made of rubber or dense foam and are designed to reduce impact from jumps or hard landings, protect your heels and joints during aggressive skating and improve comfort on rough terrain.
So, if you do any big tricks, a liner with a shock absorber can be a game-changer.
Laces
Many premium liners have their own lacing system, separate from your skate shell. Liner laces let you dial in a snug, custom fit, lock your heel in place to prevent slippage and adjust internal tightness without affecting shell lacing.
Liner laces are especially useful if you have narrow feet or want more control during intense skating.
Tongues
Liner tongues aren’t just there to look puffy. They play a critical role in distributing pressure and adding support. A dense or rigid tongue can help reduce lace bite and increase forward support, and many brands use tongues with a dense foam or added layers of protection for skaters who need maximum protection when performing trick-based skating disciplines like Aggressive or Wizard.
If you often feel pressure from your top-buckle or mid-strap, a cushioned or rigid tongue is your friend.
Padding and Foam quality
This is the core of the liner, what makes it soft, supportive, or long-lasting. For example, memory foam moulds to your foot and ankle shape for a personalised fit, while dense performance foam stays responsive and springy even after years of use.
Cheap padding can feel good for a week and then compress into nothing, so pay special attention to foam thickness around the ankle, heel, and toe box. That’s where comfort or pain usually starts.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Skate Liner
Fit & Mouldability
Arguably the most important factor - how well your liner fits your foot and your shell. A good liner should feel snug but not tight, supportive but not restrictive.
There are two main types of fit adjustment:
Heat-mouldable liners: These liners, like MyFit or Intuition, are designed to be softened by heating them up and then worn as they cool, moulding to the shape of your foot. It’s a great way to eliminate pressure points and improve comfort, especially if you have slightly unusual foot shapes or sensitive spots.
Non-mouldable liners: These rely purely on foam compression and natural break-in over time. While they still conform to your foot, the fit isn't as precise. These are great if you’re happy with the out-of-the-box feel or if you prefer simplicity.
Even with heat-mouldable liners, you don't actually need to artificially heat them up when you first buy them —they tend to still mould naturally over time with your body heat and pressure. If you want some extra peace of mind that they are as precise as they can be then you can still follow the manufacturers instructions on how to heat-mould them (like using a low-heat oven for MyFit liners)
Support and control
The amount of ankle and foot support you get depends heavily on the liner’s structure and foam density.
Thick liners with soft foam have reinforced ankle padding for more luxurious comfort.
Thinner liners with a denser foam are great for skate disciplines which require a lot of control over your skates (Wizard-style skating is a perfect example of this). Aggressive (trick) skaters often like this style of liner too, but final preference generally comes down to the individual user. A good quality version of this (Like Intuition Liners) can also be as comfortable as a thicker style liner, but comes at a premium price.
If you're just skating recreationally you can usually go for a liner which is mid to thick in volume.
Comfort
Some liners mould to your foot over time, while others feel good out of the box but break down faster. Memory foam liners adapt to your foot shape for long-lasting comfort and high-end liners like the Intuition Liner combine comfort with performance - they are lightweight, supportive, and built to last.
If you often get pressure points or hot spots, consider liners that mould or have extra pliability in the toe area (like a neoprene toe-panel).
Downsizing
Are your skates too roomy? A thinner liner can help you fit into a smaller shell for better control - a practice called downsizing.
Thin liners are great for squeezing into a tighter outer-boot, which is ideal for experienced skaters chasing a precise fit and more control.
However, 'squeezing into smaller boots can have it's drawbacks as you'll often sacrifice some level of comfort. If you’re a beginner, downsizing probably isn't necessary. Prioritise comfort and support over a smaller boot size.
Durability
A liner that feels plush on day one might not hold up over months of hard skating. Durability comes down mostly to three things; foam quality, stitching and seam strength and tongue density/rigidity (flimsy tongues collapse quickly).
Cheap liners can break down fast. Spending a bit more often pays off in comfort and longevity. Which leads us to...
Price
Liner prices range from around £50 up to £190+.
Budget options are often great for casual skaters or backups and usually have a lesser foam quality.
Mid-range liners offer more solid balance of comfort, support, and durability, while premium liners are designed for high performance, long-term use, and elite comfort.
Ask yourself: how often do I skate, and how important is fit, control and comfort to me?
The Most Popular Liners on the Market
Now that you know what to look for in a liner; you might want to explore some of the most popular options currently on the market. Here's a breakdown of the top skate liners that skaters are loving right now, from premium picks to solid budget-friendly alternatives.
Intuition Liners (Premium Choice)
Intuition Liners are widely regarded as the best skate liners money can buy. They’re lightweight, ultra-supportive, and durable enough to last years - skaters can keep the same pair for a decade, simply swapping them between skates.
- Flagship Model: Intuition V.2 Liner in Black
- Best For: Skaters who want top-tier performance and longevity
- Downsides: Price (~£190) and sometimes limited stock
Special Editions exist that are marketed for certain skates, but they actually fit well in a wide variety of shells:
MyFit Liners (Best Value)
If you’re looking for high quality without the premium price tag, MyFit Liners are a fantastic choice. All models are heat-mouldable, allowing you to customise the fit at home.
Here are their standout models:
- MyFit Lite Liners - Super low volume, budget-friendly option
- MyFit 2nd Skin V.2 - The most popular model. Great combo of low volume but good support
- MyFit Recall V.2 - Higher volume, plush feel
- MyFit Prime - Premium foam and construction designed to compete with Intuition, but at a lower cost
Echo Liners (Budget Alternative)
Echo Hygge Liners are a solid copy of the MyFit 2nd Skin, offering a similar feel and performance at a slightly lower price. Ideal for beginners or budget-conscious skaters who still want comfort and decent support. They have 'pressure point patches' too... a velcro patch which can be moved to alleviate pressure points on different parts of the liner.
Reign Liners (Mid-Volume Comfort)
Popular in the aggressive skating scene, Reign Liners are known for their cozy fit and premium feel:
- Reign V3 - Balanced mid-volume padding
- Reign Retro - Higher volume and an old-school feel. Not v-cut, so it gives a bit more upright ankle support for skaters who prefer a more traditional ride.
Rollerblade Nomad Liners (High-quality at Lower Price Tag)
Rollerblade Nomad Liners are low volume, high performance liners that have been designed rival Intuition - just at a lower price. They’re sleek, responsive, and super lightweight, making them a fantastic alternative for performance-focused riders.
Supreme Turbo Liners (For Quad Skates)
If you're skating quad skates, the Supreme Turbo Liners are worth a look. They’re basic but effective and made specifically for the popular Supreme Turbo boot. Perfect as a replacement if yours are worn out.
Final Tips Before You Buy
- Double-check that your skates have removable liners.
- Make sure your liner is compatible with your shell size and shape.
- Break-in time matters, so give your liners a few sessions before judging the final fit.
- Don’t overlook laces, tongues, or shock absorbers - some liners come with extras that improve fit and comfort.
To sum up...
Choosing the right skate liner isn’t just about gear, it’s about shaping how your skate feels every single time you put it on. Whether you’re a beginner looking for comfort or a seasoned skater hunting for performance, a little attention to your liners goes a long way.
Still unsure what to get? Come to the shop or drop us a message via hello@locoskates.com - we’re here to help you find the perfect setup.