Dance in Retro Style: Our Review of the Riedell Uptown Skates
As recreational skaters who love the nostalgia of rolling back in time, we’re always hunting for skates that blend modern performance with vintage vibes. Whether we’re jam skating under the disco ball or cruising along the boardwalk, we want quality skates that handle well but also reflect our retro style.
So when we discovered Riedell’s Uptown skates boasting old-school looks with new components, we couldn’t wait to take them for a spin. We laced up the Uptowns for many hours at the local spots to see if they could keep up with our groovy moves.
After countless sessions of dance skating in these retro rollers, we’re ready to share our thoughts in this detailed review. Keep reading for the full scoop on sizing, specs, pros, cons, usage, and overall performance of Riedell’s stylish Uptown skates.
Table of Contents
First Impression
Fresh out of the box, the Riedell Uptown skates instantly wow with their throwback style. The white leather boot looks straight from the disco era but feels supple and supportive.
Walking around in the Uptowns feels like taking a strut back through time. The vibe is retro roller rink through and through. The 57mm Radar wheels offer a pleasing balance of agility and speed for busting contemporary moves.
And the nylon plate keeps the weight reasonable for quick spins and transitions. Trying them on, everything about the Uptowns combines nostalgic style with quality components. Our first impressions reveal their mastery of blending modern perks with far-out flair.
Taking Them for a Spin
Eager to see how the Riedell Uptown skates old-school vibe translated in motion, we laced them up and rolled out onto the hardwood eager to get funky. Gliding seamlessly during those first few laps, the leather boot moved fluidly with our feet once broken in.
The 57mm wheels struck an ideal balance between momentum and maneuverability. Carving and turning felt smooth yet snappy with the forgiving nylon plates beneath us. Tracking backward and landing transitions inspired confidence thanks to the stability.
The Uptowns enabled us to explore the rink with funky freedom thanks to their hybrid of cushioned comfort and responsive agility. Their soulful performance lets us find the groove every session.
Pros: Why We Dig Them
After countless hours jiving in the Uptowns, here are the far-out pros that won us over:
- Eye-catching retro style – Gorgeous white leather looks straight from the 70s
- Broken-in comfort – Leather molded perfectly to our feet over time
- Dance-ready wheels – 57mm size ideal for rhythmic transitions
- Smooth maneuverability – Nylon plates enable controlled agility
- Lightweight feel – Glide effortlessly around the hardwood
- Quality components – Upgraded performance from true vintage skates
- Affordable price – Classic style without the collector cost
For skaters craving a heavy dose of nostalgia with their spins and grooves, the Uptowns totally deliver. Their soulful vibes inspire finding your perfect flow.
Cons: A Few Bummers
While dynamite skates overall, we did encounter a few downsides with the Uptowns:
- Long break-in time – The stiff leather requires persistence
- Uncomfortable rubber tongue – Caused irritation until we put kids’ socks on them.
- Only black and white – More colors would expand the style options
But for rhythmic retro rollers at this affordable price point, we found none of the cons to be dealbreakers once you put some love into breaking them in.
Technical Specs
For those looking to get under the hood, here are the key specs on the Uptowns:
- Boot Material: Leather (120 model)
- Plate: PowerDyne Thrust nylon
- Wheels: Radar Riva 57mm/96A
- Bearings: ABEC-5
- Toe Stop: Jam Plug
- Closure: Lace-up
- Sizes: Junior 1-3.5, 4-16 for adults
- Colors: Black, white
The components blend modern performance with a classic silhouette to create an accessible, stylish skate.
Sizing Guidance
Based on our experience, here are some tips for finding your perfect fit:
- They run true to size length-wise
- The leather does stretch with break-in
- Trying on in-store allows you to gauge the fit
- Wear thick socks to fill out the boot
- Heat molding can help customize the fit
- Width-wise they fit narrowly in the toe box
Be ready to invest some time letting the leather mold to your feet, but the snug fit enables exceptional agility once broken in.
Ideal Use Cases
After extensive testing, we found the Uptowns excel in these groovy scenarios:
- Disco and rhythm skating – Embody the retro skate vibes Indoor rink skating – Wheels grip slick floors with control
- Dance fitness sessions – Agile and lightweight for moving to the beat
- Outdoor skating on smooth surfaces – Best saved for ideal conditions
While not for advanced competitive skating, the Uptowns enable rhythmic fun with their nostalgic style and capable components.
Final Verdict
After countless hours jiving and rolling in the Uptowns, we happily rate them 4 out of 5 stars as a rhythmic retro skate. For groovy skaters wanting to infuse sessions with soulful style, they hit all the right notes.
Their thoughtful combo of broken-in comfort, dance-ready wheels, and disco style provides impressive value. While the snug fit requires patience upfront, the Uptowns deliver fluid agility with far-out vibes once laced up.
So for funky skaters searching for a dynamite blend of modern performance and throwback flair, grab the Riedell Uptowns. Their soul and style will have you busting vintage moves with fresh new freedom!
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Available Colors: White, Black
Price: The price may differ from 189$ to 239$ depending on the store you choose.
Link to purchase from Riedell’s official website
Link to purchase from Walmart
Here you can find other reviews we have made for rhythm roller skates:
Click on the link to see the best Riedell skates we recommend for every skating category.
