Do NOT buy these skates! CHICAGO Roller Skate Review 

Have you ever tried Chicago Roller Skates? Did you love or hate them? How long did they last?

Me after ordering those exacts skates and then seeing this video in my recommendations 👁👄👁

can we talk about her leg MUSCLES?!?! Goals.

I love how nice she was being, I seriously started watching the video so scared because these are my skates, and whenever I've talked to other skaters I've only gotten nasty comments, saying that my skates are shit and that I shouldn't be skating of that's what I was going to use, that my skates are the worst and that I shouldn't be out wearing them. And honestly, it broke my heart when I first heard this because I was so excited to start skating, these were a birthday gift that I had been asking my mom for years but we had been short on money for a long time and these were all we could afford. My trucks were actually metal and nowhere as shaky bendy or wobbly as hers, but the fact that they were Chicago immediately blacklisted me. I cried because of how embarrassed I was of my skates that I had received as a gift for my birthday. Eventually, I got over it and decided to go at it with my "shitty" skates, and in a week I was doing tricks that girls in Moxi's had been working on for months, I was so proud of myself. This all goes to say that there is a lot of elitism in the roller-skating community, skates are really expensive (yes, if you are short on money $120 after-tax, shipping and handling is expensive and if you do get that kind of money you are not going to go out and spend it on skates) and it has become a very toxic and scary place to be for some people who can't afford the newest Moxis or Impalas, don't shame people for the skates they have you don't know where they are in life, only give skate recommendations if they ask for them, if not, teach them how to be safe in the skates they already have. I see so many people in the comments of any video talking about Chicago's being disappointed after saying they literally just ordered these skates and I don't want them to feel the way I felt and think that they shouldn't even try because of this. Because I see so many other "reviewers" who only say "these are shit don't get them" and don't include all of the other stuff you talked about so thank you so much for this :,)

I loved it when you said “if this is all you have, go for it, skate your heart out”!

when the super intense music started playing I was fully convinced you were gonna completely wipe out or something super bad was gonna happen

Imagine having smooth roads, couldn't be me

I recently bought these exact skates, and they work great! they work just fine for a beginner like me or someone who isn't going to be doing advaced tricks or competitively. For a more advanced skater, you should probably buy a more advanced and expensive skate. That being said, I have had no issues with my skates so far and I've had them almost a month (I skate almost every day). These are my first pair of skates, and my first time skating. Lots of people in this comment section are worried, i just want to reassure you and say that these skates have been perfectly fine for me (a beginner skater looking for a cheaper option).

I was gonna be like “WHY IS NO ONE SOCIAL DISTANCING??” until I saw that this was posted two years ago...

*scary music comes on* *tummy starts to hurt*

Those wheels sounded soooo rough when you first hit the pavement, I literally cringed.

Chicago skates used to be amazing. My mom has an old pair that she’s used for years! They are great quality and have a stock aluminum plate. I don’t know what’s happened in the last 10 years...they probably sent all of their production to China.

Me: having these skates for hella years me to my skates: shhhhh she isn't talking to you

my Chicago skates staring at me across the room:👁👄👁

me: *gets chicago roller skates in the mail and searches up on youtube how to tie them* sees video on results with a picture of chicago roller skates: "do *NOT* buy these skates!* me: "oh sh*t" *dies*

Her: I don't know if they're good I'm going to try not to fall Also her: * skating at 739294 mph *

Walmart is huge on filming, because their bag-checkers stop, harass, pull, block, grab... so much illegal stop, search, and detain. Even a guy grabbed onto my basket and would not let me leave. A female checker actually grabbed my mothers arm and scratched her arm really badly.

that moment when you said “what’s up?” i was like woah get em girl 😤😤

Indy: **effortlessly skates through those things at the skate park** Me: It can't be that hard Also me: **can barely go in a straight line without falling**

I just bought these skates off Amazon. They look a little different than the ones in the video. I wanted to get a cost-friendly pair before investing in some good quality, higher price skates because I'm 31 and not sure how into skating I'll actually get. I'm super excited to have these as my starter pair and hope to fall in love with skating and invest in a higher quality skate.

you rolled up to the skate park and i was like INDY NOOOO then you were like "i'm not gonna skate in the bowl right now" and the sense of relief i felt... i can't even tell you lol. great video as always!

“What’s up?!?!” SUCH A MOOD

Her: "don't buy these skates" Me who has been using them for a month now and learning in them: 👁👄👁

that music was SO DRAMATIC, i was on the edge of my seat!!! appreciate this post, thank you!!

I bought barely worn vintage skates for 8 dollars at a thrift store. I've never skated before and i just got all my protective gear today.

Me: sees her saying these are bad Me:*hides the exact same roller blades*

The people who told you to stop was Loss Prevention. Shoplifters often pretend to be filming vlogs/TikToks/IG stories to case stores. I know this is two years old but I wanted to point that out

That makes so much more sense. I learned to skate on these but after 20 mins my feet would start to hurt, the skates would often get stuck on the small cracks on the road. Thanks for this video!

I’m a complete beginner and got these skates last Christmas. Since I’m so new I can’t tell a good skate from a bad one, and I just thought I was struggling so much because of my lack of skill. I realize some of my struggles are because I’m not experienced, but I think it’s mostly because of the quality of my skates. I hardly ever use them now because I live somewhere where there’s not a lot of smooth surfaces, and I struggle so much going over rough surfaces. Unfortunately I don’t have the money to buy better ones. I’m not sure what to do.

Me looking at the thumbnail: oh no please don’t let these be the Chicago roller skates I just bought with my only gift card Oh no it’s the Chicago Skates

Loved this video!! 💜

Excellent review! thank you

I tried to skate in target and some lady told me to stop 😔

I saw the title and was like: “.... aren’t those the roller skates I just got half an hour ago?” I’m just learning how to use them so idk how to feel

Great video!! Informative!

I’m so glad I returned those because I had the same experience. My Impala’s are on their way now. Then I plan to get a Moxi & a Moonlight Rollerskate👌🏾🤩

My first pair of skates were chicago skates, and it took me so long to learn how to skate. I finally saved up for moxies, and i’m improving so much quicker. I’m not saying you MUST buy moxis, but definitely try to buy a much better quality skate.

I'm doing artistic roller skating and I would never ever wear those skates. There is no stability, they don't seem hard enough and not comfortable at all. Those kind of skates should be banned from stores because you can hurt yourself so easily omg

I purchased these 8/2020 and they have been upgraded to a metal frame. There are helpful guides online that explain the difference between indoor/outdoor wheels. From the guide I knew to replace these wheels with outdoor wheels that have more grip and have round edges. It seems like they upgraded a few things with these shoes so I suggest trying the new model out for yourself and replace the wheels if your using it outdoors. Happy Skating!

You’er the one who taught me how to roller skate, i watched you when i was young. Happy to watch you again😊

Someone tried to advise me to get these instead of Moxis and to just buy new trucks and wheels but after all that they would be more expensive than Beach Bunnies?! I just went with Beach Bunnies.

The music is so... ominous. Anxiety attack pending. Side note: TikTok brought me here. I may or may not have bought skates because of you

Hey I stumbled on you page doing basic research on skates. I know this video is 4yrs old But....Looking to buy a pair of impala skates. Your review on Chicago skate and loved the commitment all the way to the end wearing the skates!!! You skate so gracefully. Blew my mind! Absolutely amazing!!! Thx for sharing.

I- so you’re telling me I just bought two pairs of these for $168 for nothing? 🚪🚶🏼

I love these reviews of roller skates from different brands. I'm sure it's really helpful when choosing your first pair of roller skates if you cannot afford Moxies at first. I also wanted to thank you for everything that you are doing. You were the reason I bought my first pair of roller skates. I'm still learning, sometimes I still lack the will power to keep going but everytime I watch you and other girls skate and have fun and just be free, I feel so inspired to keep going. You are amazing! Thank you for what you are doing. Keep inspiring the world to skate! Much love 💙💚💛

Hey so I grew up on Chicago skates and I just bought some for my daughter and I for her to learn. We got ours from target and they look nothing like these skates you reviewed. The box was different and matches the logo on their website. Our trucks are completely full cast metal and totally sturdy. With a metal arch plate and a full toe stop not with an open center hole. Also our wheels are legit polyurethane not plastic at all. From watching this I legit think Big 5 is selling knock offs. Super scary watching you on these hack jobs

this literally makes me feel so much better, i see videos of people in moxis going on with a couple struds on roads and keep going and stopping fast and i'm like is it me? is it the skates. Its a little me im not to good but now i know i need better wheels and brakes. THANK YOU.

Great review!!!

Literally saw these at big 5 yesterday and ALMOSt bought them then looked at the toe stop and was like yeah no

from my figure skating experience, skates like those (~$50 from your local sporting shop) are fine for going in circles but don’t try any jumps or tricks!!!

i am sitting here with these ON MY FEET RN 😢😩

It was the mindset talk at around 4:00 for me......made me smile and hit the thumbs up

Damn this video could've saved my life but it wasn't out sooner... I regret skating on them... I'm a beginner and I was inspired by your videos so I went and bought those skates, after a week I finally felt confident and decided to go faster in them on the street, then I fell on my butt and sprained my knee, it's been 4 months and I still haven't fully recovered... There's a lot of things I can't do now... I'm not gonna get back on skates ever again...

Omg the music on this video made me feel like you were fall and eat crap at any minute! Lol glad to know you’re ok! ♥️ good review 🙌🏽

This was the first video I watched of you! So many memories!!!

Seing you, a great skater have trouble skating with these gives me so much hope. Im a decent skater and always used Chicago skates because i was always to broke for better ones. Just ordered my first decent skates after watching this video. Thanks so much!

Chicago skates were my first pair of skates. I remember having a really difficult time skating around my neighborhood and got really discouraged when I saw my mom skating with ease (she had quality skates from her youth as well as outdoor wheels). I really loved skating and wanted to do more, but knew I wouldn’t be able to get very far with the skates I had. I eventually saved up and bought myself some Sure Grip Boardwalk skates! They were so great for rink and outdoor skating, and my skills improved tremendously. Fast forward a few years and now I’m playing roller derby! I also went to my local skate shop today to upgrade my outdoor setup to some Bont Parkstars, and I plan on learning how to skate at the park!

Immediate subscribe! You seem so nice and I just got my first pair of skates this week after I had the same ideas as everyone else in quarantine and skates were sold out for months. I'm excited to peruse your channel!

Thank you for sharing

I got these on offerup for $15 and they work perfectly inside. I’ve been skating indoors for a few weeks but when I took them outside I could barely even push off. Since skates are sold out almost everywhere I decided to get boardwalk wheels and I’m gonna try to replace the toe stop but the boot isn’t too bad for $15!

*sees thumbnail* a-are t-those the ones i have ? 😟

I have the same skates and I’m planning on getting better ones, but I did learn how to transition on them recently, so I’m happy about that, just learning with what I got for now 🤗

You are so underrated! Btw I LOVE you you are my idol!

I got a pair of the holographic (I'm a sucker for pretty things!!) Impala rollerskates yesterday. Still too scared to skate as the last time (over 20 years ago, yikes!!) I tried rollerskating, I made a mess down the hallway dragging everything down with me. lol!!! BUT I am super pumped to try again with my Impala rollerskates as I've heard a lot of good reviews and they're great for beginners! Woohoo!! Now I just need to look for some rollerskating buddies in Melbourne, Australia! New sub!!

I just bought these so I can learn. There is so much to roller skating, Im so inspired to definitely invest in better skates ONCE i learn to skate on these.

Thank you I'm shopping for skates and now I know what brand to avoid!!

Reminds me of my very first pr decades ago from the Sears catalog...lol. I believe they were $26 or $36 which at the time was not cheap. I was so thrilled, one of my happiest Christmases. I bought red shiny skate covers too, used it every weekend at the rink. Sooo much fun. They lasted longer than the roller fad back then, in fact they were in pristine shape when I gave them away to a cousin. Fast forward to 2021 and add a zero at the end of $36 and that's how much I paid for my recent pr. Times they do a change.

These were my first pair of skates. Definitely not for gravel or streets my toe stops literally shaved away when i tried to stop. Great for the rink though.

I got these skates, and I was and still... am... a beginner. I realized the wheels for to hard and I was tripping over every crack and bump I ran into. So I soon decided to get different wheels that were meant for harder surfaces and rougher terrain which have worked better. I do wish to get better at roller skating and one day get a pair Moxi’s skates

I just love how she just gets into the topic straight away. No long intros!🛼✨

Great video! I’d love to see a review for tempish Nessie skates

That intense music in the background made me so anxious!😭😂

Omg where u live is the perfect place for skating omg I wish i had a load of skating mates

4:10 = Cringe moment, those wheels just sound sooo terrifying, the skates yea don't look half bad but good lord those wheels are stomach turning

I remember this sound it's reminds me of my first fisher price skates the adjustable ones. So I don't really know much about Chicago skate co but weren't they a quality brand back in the day? I'm was thinking about getting some of their wood wheels for a pair of 1920s skates I have. Great content thanks for sharing.

My starter skates were Riedell Rogue 795s, they lasted me for about 9 months and then I got my first serious pair - Riedell 495 boots on Sure-Grip Avenger plates.

I used to roller blade and figure skate in high school. After I got diagnosed with epilepsy it was a long time before I could even think about getting back to it. Feel like medicine wise I'm at a good dose. I am so stoked to try roller skates! Girl, your channel is my new addiction!

Hi I’m amber in I’ve been wanting to rollerskate since I was six now I’m nine years old and this Christmas my mom got me some rollerskates at first I barely knew how to use it but then when I watch some of your videos I learned now ice skate and I love your channel I told all my friends about it

Im glad I watched this videooo! because I wanted to order these from Amazon!!

I wish I saw this before buying those skates but in the short “shoe” version. Now I understand why I’m having an impossible time on them... I’m going to try at least replace the wheels and see if that helps if not I’ll get new ones. Thanks for the tip though!

Me:just bought those exact skates Her: these are literally terrible Me:😮

I have a pair of men’s Chicago skates with the metal plate/trucks. I loosened the trucks and replaced the wheels to moxi gummy wheels and new bearings!! Since i haven’t had on other roller skates other than the Chicago’s i don’t have a problem with them! I’m just trying to skate on a budget and i can’t afford a moxi skate YET!! But definitely one day ❤️ love you Indy!!!!

Me who has these skates and I love them: 👁👄👁

I had these skates for a long time. My mom bought them for me when I was a preteen. After some time they sat in my closet for years until I started going to adult skates with my aunt. That's when I realized i needed better skates. I thought it was me until someone stopped me to help me out and explained I would need a better skate. I'm so grateful for that guidance because I did notice a huge difference after skating in a pair of rentals. I now own a pair of Impalas. Much better!!

I bought the Chicago skates for my 10 year old cousin and got her super nice outdoor wheels. She’s been using them a lot so I’ll probably upgrade her skates but I do think the Chicago’s are good for kids to get the feel for skating and see if they even enjoy it.

Wow that lil girl on the bowl... if I could be that fearless for ONE DAY!

My candy girls work like a dream, the soft wheels absorb so much and they’re great for skating on rougher terrain!

I skated for years when I was younger did all the twists, turns and spins. Bought these exact same skates a couple years ago with the idea of getting back into skating, put them on with the idea that it would be like riding a bike. NOPE! For the life of me I couldn't figure out what my issue was. Was I too old? Has my center of gravity changed? WTH?!? Now after watching this video the issue was the damn wheels and not having the grip that you need. I'm excited now to upgrade to better skates in the hopes that I can pick up where I left off in my younger years. :) Thanks for the video!!

Omg I was getting anxiety the whole video haha

This is great. I bought some cheap ones off amazon for about the same price and had a similar experience. Since they were my first pair, i thought it was just me!

Thank you for this video I was literally about to buy these when I saw this video

watching this right after I tried on my old Chicago skates because I want to actually learn. the ones u used in the video are known as the "classic roller rink" style, but I have a different version that is much much better. the wheels are not plastic and neither are the toe stops. now I don't know how they'll act now, I have only used them once in 2016, but I tried them on and nothing feels bad.

I use my mother’s old skates they have the best wheels at her time and the shoe is a speed skate shoe but my mother used them for figure skating

Those were my first pair of roller skates that I got back in June. They are the WORST. I could not make them work at all, i couldn't even replace the wheels because they had a unique size piece so nothing fit. I'm surprised you could get them to work, as a beginner it was impossible for me to even learn how to street skate with them. Moxi Beach Bunnies were entirely worth the $150 just to upgrade.

TYSM FOR THIS VID HONESTLY I HAD JUST GOTTEN THESE SKATES YESTERDAY AND I RETURNED TODAY AFTER SEEING THIS VID, now im getting c7 skates! theyre affordable and they seem to be good!

I am probably gonna get skates for my birthday soon. I'm so excited!

I love these review videos! Thanks Indy.

I bought me a pair of these and after watching most of your videos, I started using them. But then, I started thinking I wasn’t so good at roller skating because things weren’t going well. But now, watching this video, I completely understand why things weren’t going well. The skates are the problem. Thanks a lot!!

This is my first time watching this and the intro is so good

Really really glad that I watched this before buying a pair! Thanks!