Impala vs Rio Roller Skates: Which Should You Buy?

Impala vs Rio Roller Skates: Which Should You Buy?

These are the two most-asked-about beginner roller skate brands in Australia, and for good reason. Both are quality entry-level skates at accessible price points. But they're not the same skate, and the right choice depends on what you want from your skating.

Here's an honest, side-by-side breakdown from a shop that stocks and sells both.

Brand Background

Impala Skates launched in 2018 out of Melbourne, Australia. They came into the market at exactly the right time — during a huge resurgence of interest in quad skating driven by social media and a new generation of skaters who wanted gear that looked as good as it performs. Impala built their brand on bold colourways, inclusive sizing, and a strong sustainability focus. They're now one of the most recognised quad skate brands globally.

Rio Roller is a UK-based heritage brand with a much longer history in the market. They've been making quad skates for decades, and their Script, Signature, Lumina, Rose, and Mayhem lines represent a thoughtful progression from beginner to confident recreational skater. Less driven by aesthetics and more focused on consistent quality across a wide range.

The Skates: A Direct Comparison

Boot Construction

Both brands use a PVC (synthetic) high-boot design for their entry-level models. At similar price points, build quality is comparable. Impala boots tend to have slightly more cushioning in the liner; Rio Roller boots are generally firmer and break in faster. Neither is dramatically better — it comes down to personal preference and fit.

Plates

Both entry-level Impala and Rio Roller (Script) use nylon/plastic plates. This is standard at this price point and perfectly functional for recreational skating. If you want an aluminium plate, you're looking at Moxi, the Rio Roller Rose/Mayhem, or Chaya.

Wheels

Impala ships with 58mm 82A wheels. Rio Roller Script ships with similar durometer wheels. Both are mid-range compound wheels that work adequately indoors and out, though neither is what you'd choose if you were optimising for a specific surface. Wheel upgrades are worth considering once you've been skating for a few months.

Bearings

Both include ABEC 7 bearings at the entry level. Functionally equivalent. Upgrading to Bones Reds later is the same cost for both setups.

Sizing: Important Differences

Both brands use women's AU sizing as standard. Men should size down 1.5–2 sizes on both brands.

The key difference: Rio Roller tends to run slightly wider than Impala across the toe box. Skaters with wider feet often find Rio Roller more comfortable straight out of the box. Skaters with narrower feet sometimes prefer Impala's snugger fit.

If you're between sizes, Impala tends to run slightly larger — size down if you're on the cusp. Rio Roller tends to be more true-to-size.

Colourways

This is where Impala wins decisively. Their rotating range of limited edition colourways, collaborations, and standard designs is unmatched in the entry-level market. Holographic, Pastel Fade, Leopard, Marawa Gold, Cynthia Rowley collaborations — there's always something new and the colourways are genuinely beautiful.

Rio Roller also has a strong colourway game — their pastel and marble options are popular — but the sheer variety and frequency of Impala releases gives them the edge for skaters who care about aesthetics.

Range Progression

If you buy Impala and want to upgrade within the brand, there's limited pathway — Impala is primarily positioned as an entry-level brand. The natural upgrade from Impala is Moxi or Chuffed.

Rio Roller offers more internal progression: Script → Signature → Rose/Mayhem. Skaters who enjoy the Rio fit can step up within the brand. The Rose and Mayhem models with leather-effect boots and aluminium plates are genuinely solid intermediate skates.

Price

At the entry level, both brands are similarly priced. Rio Roller's range extends higher (Rose, Mayhem) giving you an upgrade path within the brand at a mid-range price point before you hit Moxi territory.

So: Which One Should You Buy?

Choose Impala if: You want bold, distinctive colourways. You're a Melbourne skater who wants to support an Australian-born brand. You have a narrower to standard foot width. You've seen a specific Impala colourway you love.

Choose Rio Roller if: You have wider feet. You want a slightly firmer boot that breaks in quickly. You like the idea of being able to upgrade within the Rio range as you progress. You want a heritage brand with a long track record.

Choose Moxi if: You're willing to invest a bit more and want a skate that will genuinely grow with your skating for years. The Rainbow Rider is the best recreational quad skate at its price point and the step up from entry-level is immediately noticeable.

Try Before You Buy

If you're in Melbourne, come into our store at 435A Bridge Rd, Richmond. We stock both Impala and Rio Roller and can fit you in person — the right fit makes a bigger difference than the brand.

Free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $90.