With an estimated revenue in excess of $20 million, the Rollerblade brand is a market leader enabling many to enjoy skating across the globe.
If you are familiar with the brand, you may want to compare Zetrablade vs Macroblade which are two of the most popular skates in the Rollerblade range.
Microblade and Zetrablade are both designed for beginner and intermediate skaters, making them best-sellers in the Rollerblade product line.
Zetrablade inline skates are great for providing control and weight adjustment while Macroblade inline skates are perfect for maximizing speed.
Zetrablade is suitable for recreational skating but if you want to skate for fitness or explore the world of skating, Macroblade is a good option.
If you are undecided about which is best suited for your skating needs between Zetrablade and Macroblade, continue reading to understand each line in-depth. It will certainly make your decision easier!
Macroblade 80 inline skate is designed specifically for men and other casual skaters who want to get a high-quality and improved skate for beginners. This skate provides you with the lateral support and comfort you need as it features a mesh upper, padded liner, and secure boot design. It also offers more durability, power transfer, and high performance.
Zetrablade W inline skate is specifically designed for women who are looking for a beginner-level recreational skate. This skate is affordable, stable, comfortable, and provides unbeatable support. The high-performance wheels provide moderate speed and better wear while the padded liner ensures you have a snug and secure fit.
Birth of Macroblade and Zetrablade
Both Macroblade and Zetrablade are born from the same company, the Rollerblade Brand. Rollerblade was founded in 1982 and is a popular brand when it comes to inline skating.
They manufacture a wide range of skates for various reasons such as aggressive skating, recreational skating, street skating, and many more.
Even though the name of the sport is inline skating, most people refer to it as rollerblading.
This shows how the brand Rollerblade has surpassed the name of the sport meaning, which is enough to convince anyone that the brand is popular and good.
Rollerblade makes inline skates for skaters who like to perform several tricks or do speed skating. These skates are put through tough conditions to be tested so that you can depend on them in any situation.
Macroblade vs Zetrablade
Both Macroblade and Zetrablade are great inline skates with amazing features and eye-catching designs. However, there are slight differences between them, and you have to understand these differences so that you can know which is better for you.
The following is a comparison between Macroblade and Zetrablade:
Frames
The most noticeable difference between Zetrablade and Macroblade is their frames. Macroblade comes with a twin-blade aluminum frame while Zetrablade features a flexible monocoque composite frame and each one of them is used for a specific purpose.
The malleability of monocoque composite frames provides more flexibility than hard plastic or rugged aluminum.
They can significantly bend depending on the weight of the skater allowing for more consistent and equal distribution of control.
On the other hand, a twin-blade aluminum frame is not as malleable as the composite frame, meaning it cannot help with the adjustment of the skater’s weight.
However, the twin-blade aluminum frame is more durable and considerably stable compared to the composite frame.
Additionally, it is much lighter than regular aluminum despite its ability to withstand higher pressure. Therefore, if you are into fast skating, inline skates with a twin-blade aluminum frame are a good option for you.
If you are looking to improve your speed but still play rough, Macroblade is for you. But if you are worried about weight and the difficulties it can have on your control, Zetrablade is a more suitable option.
Wheel Size
Both Macroblade and Zetrablade are designed to provide you with the most exciting experience riding short distances such as cruising around the city, fitness skating, and other recreational rides.
That is why both skates feature 80mm wheels, which are shorter to allow you to make quick stops and turns as they are easier to maneuver.
However. When it comes to flexibility, Macroblade has a small advantage over Zetrablade.
While Macroblade enables you to change the wheels with any size between 80mm and 84mm for extra speed, Zetrablade makes you stick to the original size.
Wheel Durometer
The durometer of a wheel is measured by A-numbers which show determine their relative hardness. The softest is 0A and the hardest is 100A.
The durometer reading affects the speed and wear as well as the grip and shock absorption of a wheel.
For fitness skating, you need more extended wear and more grip, therefore, the wheels should range from 80A to 88A and neither Zetrablade nor Macroblade disappoints from this point of view.
Each inline skate provides 82A hardness which is not too hard to affect your control and soft enough to improve your grip.
Both Zetrablade and Macroblade offer you tweaking options; hence, you can replace them accordingly from Rollerblade to fit your needs.
Bearings
Both Macroblade and Zetrablade lines of inline skates do not follow the ABEC precision standard like other bearings but use Rollerblade’s SG-rated bearings.
However, the SG-rated system uses the same ABEC number scale where the higher number shows a higher bearing precision.
Both Zetrablade and Macroblade use the same SG-5 rated bearing in their wheels which allows for consistent, controlled rolls with less friction. Also, to ensure that you get better wear from both lines, they come with Rollerblade’s proprietary build.
Boots and Liners
Generally, hard boots offer better control and stability while soft boots have better ventilation and are more comfortable.
However, both Macroblade and Zetrablade feature semi-soft shells to help keep your feet within the happy medium of soft and hard boots.
Also, both lines come with engineered mesh liners, so it is a win-win for you if you choose either model.
They come with anatomical stretch padding that absorbs shock immediately to provide the strength that your feet need.
However, when it comes to added comfort and breathability, Macroblade has a slight advantage because it features more superior and open ventilation holes than Zetrablade, which allows more airflow inside the skate.
This makes your feet steadier and more comfortable when you put them on.
Closure System
The closure system for both Zetrablade and Macroblade comes with laces and buckles, like most modern-day models.
The buckle offers strong ankle support while the strap and 45-degree lace system hold your heels in place for a snug fit to reduce heel lift.
Macroblade has the advantage here because it has a sturdier urethane strap compared to the plastic that Zetrablade has.
However, Zetrablade comes with speed laces while Macroblade has regular laces. The convenient and fast-speed laces allow you to quickly put on and take off the skates.
Additionally, these laces allow you to set the exact tightness you need every time and keep your skate snug on your foot.
Price
Between the two, Macroblade is the expensive inline skate. This is because they come with more comfortable liners, a sturdier buckle, and a costlier frame.
The Macroblade line has various models for women and men with a price range from $150 to $160. Zetrablade has the same selection that you can buy for about $120.
Detailed Review of Rollerblade Macroblade Inline Skates
Rollerblade Macroblade inline skates are suitable for intermediate and beginner skaters who are looking for a sleek look and a smooth ride without breaking the bank.
The boot of these skates is well padded and comfortable. To keep your feet secure when rollerblading, the boot also comes with a three-step closure system of a power strap, buckles, and laces.
Macroblade comes with a range of different wheel heights to serve all skill levels, from beginner skates measuring 80mm to advanced skates measuring 110mm.
They come in half sizes ranging from size 5 to size 10.5. The lightweight aluminum frame provides more stability, additional power transfer, and a better feel when rollerblading especially on asphalt and rough roads.
The Macroblade 100 and 110 come with three large wheels while the Macroblade 80 and 90 have four wheels.
Macroblade 80 comes with 82A wheel hardness while Macroblade 110, 100, and 90 come with 85A wheel hardness making them a great hybrid inline skate for both outdoor and indoor skating.
If you are a beginner skater, the Macroblade 80 or 90 is a good option for you.
This is because they provide a lower center of gravity that new skaters need especially when getting started. The smaller wheels will provide you with more balance and stability.
The wheels are also softer which is ideal for those looking to inline skate indoors or beginners.
The Macroblade 90 or 100 are suitable for intermediate skaters because they come with larger wheels that provide extra speed.
If you are an experienced or expert skater, the Macroblade 100 or 110 are a good option for you because they provide superior speed.
However, intermediate and advanced skaters with enough experience can still choose shorter blades for improved maneuverability.
It is all up to you which skate you buy and Macroblade has all skates for every skating type and level.
Detailed Review of Rollerblade Zetrablade Inline Skates
Zetrablade inline skates are designed for beginner skaters who are looking for an affordable skate that provides comfort, support, and stability to make their learning easier.
The boot has a seamless toe box and a nicer mesh that makes this skate comfortable.
The Zetrablade Elite features a power strap, lace, and buckle closure system to provide a snug and secure fit.
This inline skate comes with 80mm diameter wheels with 82A hardness and a composite frame that enhances stability and maintains moderate speed while skating.
The men’s Zetrablade has black boots with gray highlights while the Zetrablade Elite has lime and black boot.
The women’s Zetrablade has a black boot with teal highlights while the Zetrablade Elite has a gray and black boot with similar teal trim.
The Elite boot for both men and women is slightly better because they have more padding and mesh.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Rollerblades
Skill level
When it comes to inline skating, you can either be a beginner, intermediate, or experienced skater. And different skill levels require different types of inline skates for smooth rollerblading.
For beginners, inline skates with smaller wheels, lower-grade bearings, and plastic frames are a good place to start.
As you advance in your skill, you can upgrade the components of your skate to match your performance and skills such as having larger wheels and hard boots.
Skating Style
Choosing the right inline skate for the style of skating you are involved in will ensure that you ride longer without replacing your equipment.
Aggressive skates have smaller wheels and give you more agility while speed skates are designed for longer distances, and they last longer and provide extra comfort.
Hockey and recreational skates are ideal for skating on smoother surfaces such as sidewalks.
Budget
Even the most budget-friendly inline skate can cost you up to $100, and you also need to buy knee pads, a helmet, elbow pads, gloves, and wrist guards, which can cost you an extra $100 to $200.
If you do not have enough money, you can rent out the skates at your local rink especially if you are learning the sport.
Also, go to your local second-hand sporting shop and see whether you can find cheaper protective gear which can save you some money.
Ensure that you wear proper protection when skating to avoid injuries.
Sizing & Fit
It is important that you prioritize getting the right size and fit over style when buying rollerblades.
Usually, rollerblades have the same size as running shoes, so if you wear size 7 sneakers, a size 7 rollerblade will fit you.
However, you should follow the sizing guideline provided by the manufacturer to get the right size.
Rollerblades that are too small will cause pressure points while those that are too big will cause blisters.
Generally, you should be able to fit a pencil between the back of the boot and your heel, but it should not have any room to wiggle.
There is no assurance that the inline skate will fit you perfectly the first time you purchase it, that is why you should try a few skates until you get the right fit.
Therefore, if you are buying skates for the first time, we recommend going to the store so that you can try the skate before buying than buying the skate online to avoid disappointments with sizing.
Which One is Better: Macroblade vs Zetrablade
The similarities between Zetrablade and Macroblade combined with their different uses do not conclude which line is better.
To choose which skate is the right one for you, you need to understand the aim of your skating, your budget, and your expertise level.
Hopefully, the comparison above has given you the insights you need to choose wisely and get started with your rolling. Do as much research as you can and you’ll no doubt secure a great value purchase.