New York City Inline Skating Guide

Blades was the city's best source for inline skate gear from about c. 1990 until c. 2003. At its peak around 1998, the chain had at least eight stores in the city as well as few more elsewhere. But Blades faded away. In early 2016 they were down to just a single store that didn't even sell inline gear, and that last store closed in January 2020. For those wondering about Blades West, the West 72nd St. store that was a hub of inline activity for over 20 years, that was the second to last store and closed in January 2016.

The big chain sporting goods store has just one location within the city, in central Queens. The company website indicates they carry Rollerblade, Roces and Tour inlines, as well as a couple cheap brands, but store availability looks sketchy on the better models.

Specialists in quad roller and especially roller derby gear.

NYC's only inline skate specific store. Opened June 2020 and open only by appointment. Carries FR and Seba skate products.

Large, non-chain sporting goods store that for many years carried the best inline skate selection in the city — which in a way was damning (of everyone else) with faint praise.

Unfortunately, Paragon also seems to have almost given up on the inline skating market. In summer 2018, the skates were hidden away in the back room of the basement level, where formerly they were only relegated in fall and winter. Furthermore, the selection was limited to a mix of Rollerblades. K2 skates were no longer available, and although there is hockey gear available, rollerhockey skates were not to be found.

As of 2019, carried some low- and middle-priced Rollerblade models.

No longer exists. A small store that was located on Eighth Ave. in the mid 50s, Peck was a New York institution for 60 years (although as part of the Blades chain for the final decade) before closing in late 2003.

The current iteration of a skate shop at the Chelsea Piers sports complex. It's basically the pro shop at Sky Rink and is thoroughly ice-oriented. Probably of little interest unless you are looking for (roller) hockey gear.

Primarily an ice hockey and figure skating shop, but as of early 2019 they also carried Mission rollerhockey skates. Westside originally opened in 2004 selling ice gear and services. In 2006, they expanded into inline and opened a shop across from the Flatiron Building in Manhattan, but in March 2019 they moved to the City Ice Pavilion in Long Island City.

Family-owned store that's been around 80+ years. Advertises as being the largest hockey dealer in Westchester, which means plenty of ice and inline hockey gear, but also carries some recreational/fitness inline, aggressive inline, and ice figure skating gear.

See comments above regarding the location in the city.

Big hockey shop close to the Westchester-Putnam county line, including rollerhockey skates and gear.

See comments above regarding the location in the city.

Sports complex with a pro shop. Carries gear that would be of interest to rollerhockey and roller derby players.

Caters to (roller)hockey players but also advertises recreational inline gear.

One of the oldest area skate shops we know of. Last we heard they were carrying (roller)hockey skates and gear, and some lower-end Rollerblade skates.