Osprey Retro Quad Roller Skates for Adults – Women's Lace Up High Top Roller Boots - Multiple Designs

I loved the look of these and really wanted to like them, unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be. My feet are size 2.5 so really difficult to buy roller skates, as some brands in size 3 are really huge and some brands are really small in size 2, Osprey were one of the few brands I could find non childish looking size 2s. I found measuring the length of my feet and referring to brand size charts has helped find skates to fit.As a total beginner on roller skates I didn’t have specific expectations for a lower end priced skate I was buying to see if I would enjoy roller skating. At first I assumed problems I had at the outset would be due to my lack of skills. The first 2 times I used these skates I found it really hard to find balance as I tried to stop or turn and slammed down really hard on my backside & tailbone a lot, even when I was barely moving, a couple of times I fell over just trying to stand after stopping. A friend who was with me and a very experienced roller blader was surprised how often and how hard I kept falling over and was concerned it was the wheels causing this as she didn’t think it was particularly how I was trying to skate, balance or stand. She felt a few of the falls seemed pretty bad where I slammed straight down even though I wasn’t moving much at all. It felt like the skates came out from under me as I tried to slow or stop and any attempts to stay balanced as this happened didn’t work (usually made it worse). It was painful to sit down for about 3 weeks after these falls, and 2 months later I still get a twinge of pain rolling along my lower spine in yoga etc. Upon checking the wheels I found that they were spinning at very drastically different speeds, 3 wheels were much, much faster than the others and 2 were much slower. I tried loosening the tight wheels to match the others, but they felt like they were too loose on the axle, and as a beginner I didn’t think I would be safe on loose wheels. I then tried tightening the wheels to be more even, the faster wheels felt really stiff to tighten up to a similar roll to the others, I wasn’t able to get them that similar and found that I had tightened 2 of the wheels so much that the plastic on the axle had warped from being crushed as the wheel nut was tightened, also the axle washer became embedded in the plastic and the bearing covers were bent out of shape, these wheels were still noticeably looser than the others and when skating still felt like the wheels rolled out from under me a little, though more manageable than previously.As seen on various YouTube videos I had also tried to adjust the trucks. Unfortunately after very slightly loosening the trucks (less than a 1/4 as frequently suggested) I found the trucks kept loosening further as I skated, so the trucks can only be fully tight, or slightly loose & carry on undoing so they clack as you skate along. I guess they will probably eventually come off completely as you skate, the further loosening of the trucks makes it even harder to have any control of these skates.I started roller skating classes and hired their boots to try another brand of skate. Using these other skates I didn’t have any instances of slamming down to the ground or have any of these issues with the speed of the wheels or the feeling of them coming out from under me, by this stage I had only been out on the Ospreys twice & been on skates for about 2 hours in total, so still very much a total beginner. After a couple of lessons I ended up replacing the Osprey boots with the same ones I was hiring as they were significantly better (Rookie Bubblegum) and only £10 more expensive. My instructor saw how much I struggled with the Osprey skates when I brought them for a lesson, as I felt they still rolled more uncontrollably, but was able to skate fine on the Rookie skates when I switched back, she thought the bearings may have been the issue with the Osprey boots.Compared the other skates I have tried the fit of the Ospreys is a bit tight for my wide feet, but easily resolved by changing how the boot is laced up and there isn’t as much padding on the inside, but on hot days this may be an advantage. I really love the look and style of them, the teal glitter is gorgeous and everyone loves how they look, but I can’t skate on them.For the price point I thought they seemed reasonable quality, they didn’t look flimsy or cheaply made, but I found spending a little bit more got me a better (and safer feeling) roller skate. I have seen someone else roller skating quite well with these, so I may have had a dodgy build, or their skill level can compensate for the issues. I might be able to go back to these when I have improved my skating (carefully with the warped plastic), but for now I am sticking with the Rookie Bubblegums as I can actually skate in them, make progress and still sit down comfortably afterwards.

I really like them. they are really pretty

Cannot comment yet as not given to my grandaughter they look good and sturdy

These were perfect for my daughters birthday, great price. She has wide feet, ordered her normal size and has plenty of room in them.

My granddaughter is enjoying them around the house practicing balancing. Shes not safe for outside yet. 7yrs old.

The media could not be loaded.  Broke on the 3rd day very bad

Love them

These skates are much better than I realised they are a beautiful suede and very comfortable for first time skater. I've had many compliments and ive recommended them x