Roces Inline Skates

If we were to name three most important brands in history of skating, the only company that can steal the top spot on podium from Italian brand Roces is Rollerblade. In fact, these two companies have been cooperating for over a decade – Roces were making Rollerblade skates long before they have released their own line of products in to inline skating market.

Roces is a company with rich traditions: founded in Italy in year 1952, it has been making ski boots (and other ski gear), trekking shoes and ice skates for decades. Their adventure with inline skating has started in year 1980, when owner Vasco Cavasin has met Rollerblade’s Scott Olson on a trade show floor. Two men have struck a deal even though there was literal ocean between their companies, and Roces were quick to make the very first plastic shell boot design for their partners. This shell is called “PRO” and remains in use to this day! The companies have parted ways in the first half of 90’s and Roces have released their own line of inline skates in year 1994. This was quite a surprise for the industry, as very few knew who was making skates for Rollerblade – for the majority of people, Italians have appeared from nowhere, bringing a polished, strong line-up of products to the market.

Roces were not slowing down. They have invented and introduced the very first adjustable skates for children. The most important aggressive skate in history, named M12, has hit the market in 1996. Over the years Roces has been working with many talented skaters, but the single most important collaboration was with Jon Julio, who has been a brand manager for Valo, a Roces branch of aggressive skates, for 15 years.

Nowadays, the focus of the company are fitness skates, for both adults and children. They still do make great aggressive skates though, and even offer something for urban skating enthusiasts.