Review Roces 5th Element skates
Short Answer:
In this review of the Roces 5th Element, we’ll explore its history, features, and customization options. If you're an aggressive skater looking for insights, keep reading to learn what makes the Roces 5th Element a standout choice.
Today, we’re diving into the Roces 5th Element, an iconic aggressive skate designed for grinding. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or new to aggressive skating, this review will give you a comprehensive understanding of what the Roces 5th Element offers.
Review Roces 5th Element: A Look into Its History
Roces, an Italian brand with deep roots in inline skating, originally started by producing hiking boots and ice skates. Their early molds for ice skates eventually evolved into one of the first successful inline skates, used by the Rollerblade brand in the 1980s. This mold laid the foundation for the Roces M12, which remains in production today.
Aggressive skating began to gain traction in the 1990s, leading Roces to adapt their existing mold into one of the first aggressive skates around 1994-1996. The Roces 5th Element debuted in 1998 and was revolutionary, featuring a flat sole plate, a comfortable liner, and a unique blend of hard and soft plastics in the boot.
Roces continued to evolve this design, releasing the Khuti in 2000 with a more adjustable lacing area and the Roces Graal in 2002. However, as the market became more competitive, Roces saw a decline in sales.
In response, Roces collaborated with Jon Julio to create the Valo brand in 2003, which became a sub-brand under Roces. Valo skates, based on the M12 boot with an added skin, remained popular until the collaboration ended in 2018. Roces then relaunched their aggressive skate line, including a modern version of the 5th Element, which combined classic design elements with new features like the Valo sole plate.
Review Roces 5th Element: Editions and Models
The Roces 5th Element is available in several editions. The current lineup includes two team skates, available in black and white, and three pro skates designed by professional skaters Yuto Goto, Nils Jansons, and Ilya Sorygin. These pro skates feature unique color schemes and are produced in limited quantities, making them highly sought after.
Roces typically releases two to three new colorways of the 5th Element each year. Once they sell out, they’re gone, adding to the exclusivity of these skates.
Fit and Comfort
The Roces 5th Element is known for its wide and high fit, making it one of the most accommodating skates for skaters with larger or taller feet. It runs larger than other models, like the Roces M12, which is narrower and fits more snugly. The 5th Element uses dual sizing, meaning sizes like 43 and 44 share the same shell. This dual sizing is reflected on our website, where we bundle these sizes to provide a more accurate fit.
Inside the skate, there’s a raised heel, but no shock absorber. While this might cause discomfort during big jumps if you don’t land properly, it also improves energy transfer. For skaters looking for a more direct feel, the lack of a shock absorber can be a positive feature.
Review Roces 5th Element: Liner and Insole
The current 5th Element liner is thick and comfortable, with ample padding that molds to your foot over time. Compared to the original liner from 1998, the modern version offers significantly better comfort and fit.
The insole is another interesting aspect of the 5th Element. It’s thicker than most stock insoles and features a unique design that allows some movement inside the boot. This can make certain tricks, like royales, easier to perform. However, for those focused on high-performance skating, replacing the stock insole with a more stable option, like a Superfeet insole, is recommended.
Review Roces 5th Element: Buckle and Flex
One of the standout features of the 5th Element is its memory buckle, which is highly praised for its reliability and ease of use. Once adjusted, the buckle retains its setting, making it quick and easy to secure the skate every time.
The flex of the skate is well-balanced, offering a good blend of forward and sideways flexibility. This makes it ideal for aggressive skating, providing the right amount of support while allowing for fluid movement.
Review Roces 5th Element: Customization Options
The Roces 5th Element is a versatile skate that can be customized to suit your preferences. Popular upgrades include:
- Liner: Swap out the stock liner for an Intuition liner for enhanced performance and fit.
- Insole: Replace the insole with a Superfeet insole for better control.
- Laces: Upgrade to waxed laces for a more secure fit.
- Frame: While the stock frame is solid, consider upgrading to a Wish frame for improved performance in flat setups.
- Wheels: The stock wheels are great, but upgrading to metal core wheels can enhance speed and durability.
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Trinity Adapter: Adding a Trinity adapter allows for more direct energy transfer and compatibility with a wider range of frames, perfect for those who want to experiment with larger wheels.
Conclusion:
The Roces 5th Element stands out in the aggressive skating world, blending classic design with modern features. Whether you're a fan of the original or new to aggressive skating, the 5th Element offers a reliable, high-performance option for grinding and other aggressive skating activities.
We hope this review helps you make an informed decision about your next pair of skates. For more in-depth reviews and tips, subscribe to our YouTube channel or visit our website, Thisissoul.com.