Top Skate Brands: Glide with Style and Precision!

Skating enthusiasts know that the right pair of skates can make all the difference in performance and enjoyment, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro. With a multitude of options available in the market, choosing the best brands can ensure comfort, durability, and top-notch technology for an enhanced skating experience. From sleek designs to innovative features, various brands cater to the unique needs of ice skaters and rollerbladers alike. Below, we've compiled a list of the best skate brands that stand out for their quality and reputation.

Illustration of skates

Best brands of skates in 2025

Bauer

Bauer is the undisputed leader in the hockey equipment market, particularly in skates, with roughly 90% of NHL players wearing at least one piece of Bauer equipment and 68.61% specifically using Bauer skates. As of recent data, Bauer dominates the skate market, with models like the Vapor HyperLite 2 being used by 36.67% of NHL players. The company's market control is further emphasized by its 49% share of the global hockey gear market. Bauer's success is also reflected in its financial performance, with revenues increasing by 29% to US$142 million in a recent quarter. This dominance is a result of innovative products and strong market strategies. For more details on their prevalence in the NHL, visit Bauer's NHL skate usage statistics.

CCM

CCM is a leading brand in the ice hockey skates market, known for its high-quality and performance-oriented products. In the NHL, CCM skates are used by approximately 21.53% of players, with popular models like the JetSpeed FT6 Pro and Tacks XF Pro. The brand's innovative designs, such as lightweight materials and enhanced blade technologies, drive demand among professional and serious amateur players. CCM's market presence is significant, particularly in regions like North America and Europe, where ice hockey is highly popular. The brand's commitment to technological advancements and player comfort contributes to its strong market position.

Rollerblade

Rollerblade, a pioneering brand in the inline skate industry, has seen a significant surge in sales, with an increase of more than 300% since the beginning of March 2020, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth was highlighted by the brand's largest shipping month in 20 years in the U.S. market in May 2020. Rollerblade's dominance is further underscored by its market position, where inline skates, often referred to as "rollerblades," capture over 60% of the global roller skates market. The brand's popularity is attributed to its innovative designs and the rising trend of urban mobility and fitness activities. Rollerblade's website traffic also experienced a substantial increase, up more than 450% in April and May 2020 compared to the previous year.

Powerslide

Powerslide, founded in 1994, is a leading brand in the inline skating industry, renowned for its high-quality products and innovative technologies. The company has developed groundbreaking products such as the R2 inline speed skate, which won the first world championship, and introduced the X-Slot Mounting System and Triskates with up to 125mm wheels. Powerslide also launched MATTER wheels in 2003 and the Flex Shell technology to enhance comfort and performance. The brand supports over 100 skaters and ambassadors worldwide and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019 by refocusing on inline and roller skating. With a strong commitment to innovation, Powerslide continues to set industry standards.

Mission

Mission Hockey, founded in 1995 by three former employees of a large hockey company, is renowned for its innovative and high-performance skates. Initially focusing on roller hockey, Mission launched the Proto line and quickly gained a reputation for quality, becoming the market leader in roller hockey equipment, particularly in pants and girdles. The brand expanded to ice hockey and merged with Itech in 2004, but after Bauer Hockey's acquisition in 2008, the Mission brand was phased out of ice hockey equipment by 2009. However, Bauer continues to produce inline skates under the Mission brand. Mission's commitment to listening to players and challenging conventional wisdom has made it a trusted name in the skating community. For more details on the history of Mission, you can visit their detailed historical overview.

K2

K2 is a renowned brand in the skating industry, particularly celebrated for its innovative Softboot technology introduced in 1993, which revolutionized inline skating by providing comfort and precision without the need for a hardshell boot. This technology has remained a standard in the industry, with many companies following K2's lead. K2 is part of K2 Sports, a company that operates under several labels and subsidiaries, including K2 Skates, and is known for its high-quality winter sports equipment. The global inline skate market, in which K2 is a key player, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.80% from 2024 to 2031, reaching a market size of USD 7607.12 million by 2031. K2's products are highly regarded for their comfort, performance, and innovative features like the Boa Speedlacing system.

Riedell

Riedell Skates, founded in 1945 by Paul and Sophie Riedell, is a renowned manufacturer of high-quality ice and roller skates, known for their exceptional fit, comfort, and performance. With over 75 years of experience, Riedell has built a reputation for supplying top-notch skates to skaters of all ages and abilities. The company is a member of both the ice and roller skating Halls of Fame and continues to innovate, offering a diverse range of skates from affordable recreational options to custom-built boots for elite skaters. Riedell's commitment to quality and craftsmanship has earned them an annual revenue of $22.1 million and a dedicated team of 31 skilled craftsmen and women in Red Wing, Minnesota. Their enduring dedication to superior skate design and functionality has cemented Riedell as a leading brand in the skating industry. For more information, visit their official website.

Bont

Bont is a leading manufacturer in the skating industry, renowned for pioneering major boot advancements, including the use of fiberglass in 1974, Kevlar in 1986, and Carbon Fiber in 1989. The company is the world's largest manufacturer of inline skates and is credited with inventing heat moldable boots and adjustable blade and frame systems. Bont Skates generates revenue between $10 million to $15 million annually and attracts around 79,100 visits to its top domains over the last three months. The brand is expected to benefit from the growing skating shoes market, which is projected to grow by $836.24 million from 2021 to 2026 at a CAGR of 3.14%. Bont's innovative products and strong market presence position it as a key player in the global in-line roller skates market, which is forecasted to reach $5.87 billion by 2028. For more information about their innovative products, visit the Bont website.

Jackson Ultima

Jackson Ultima is a global leader in figure skate boots, blades, and complete skates, founded by 1962 World Figure Skating Champion Don Jackson. The company, now part of Sport Maska Inc. (SMI), the owner of the CCM Hockey Brand, combines decades of expertise from both figure skating and hockey to enhance performance. Jackson Ultima skates are designed with advanced materials and innovative features, such as the Heat Moldable Fit System, to provide a custom fit and superior support. The brand offers a range of products, including the Finesse, Fusion, and Ascend Series, catering to both recreational and competitive skaters. With a strong presence in the market, Jackson Ultima is recognized as one of the top companies in the figure skates market, which is projected to reach USD 72.49 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 3.7%. Discover more about their cutting-edge products on their official website.

Roces

Roces, established in 1952, is a world leader in the design and production of inline and ice skates, renowned for combining dynamic performance and refined comfort. With many years of experience, Roces ensures safety, dependability, and performance using the best materials and components. The brand has recently been acquired by VeNeSport for around 3.3 million euros, saving it from serious difficulties. Roces is a key player in the global inline skates market, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2024 to 2030. As a major brand, Roces contributes significantly to the market's expected growth from US$ 539.3 million in 2024 to US$ 695.8 million by 2030. For more information about Roces' storied history, visit their official site.