I purchased these skates almost 2 years ago when I started skating with the Whiskey Row-llers in Prescott, AZ. These were my first roller derby skates and I loved them. It did take a few weeks to break them in and get used to the feel of them but after that they were good. I purchased some Riddell skates about 6 months after getting this pair, and retired my Rocks. I was occasionally skating in them just because they were my first pair and they were Comfortable!!!! That is up until last week when someone decided to steal my Pabst blue ribbon derby bag and all of my gear!!!! I am heartbroken because my Rock skates were in my bag, as well as my Riddells, my pads, my helmet, all of my derby lucky socks that I would wear...UGGGHHH.. I do hope that whoever took my gear will at least do something with it rather than toss it in some dumpster..These skates were great starter skates...

I'm Angel O'Payne, from Rollergirls of Central Kentucky. I was a Quad Dance and Figure skater back in the 80s, but hadn't really skated since... I took my kids skating over Spring Break a couple of years ago, saw the Local Roller Derby Team (R.O.C.K.~ out of Lexington, Kentucky), fell in love, and realized I needed to buy some skates. I bought ROCK skates mostly because of the 10 % going to Breast Cancer research, a disease which my sister ANNHILATED! And also because I thought the hot pink flames on the black boot looked awesome (Yep, I was a style, not substance girl) Sadly, they are NOT meant to withstand the beating of skating 3/4 practices a week, and 1/2 open skates with my kids - The synthetic leather broke down around the grommets and I was a very unhappy girl! The warranty was in effect, however (Better have been - it only took me 3 months to destroy them!), so the manufacturer replaced them free of charge with an upgraded boot, the SureGrip XL-95.... First time I skated on them I HATED them, they were SO stiff and uncomfortable!! I was ready to return them and demand another pair of ROCK boots, KNOWING I would kill them! Buuuut, I started breaking them in, using a VERY thin layer of Vaseline on the exterior of the boot, and walking around the house in them - Plus I took a hammer to the heel and ankles and beat the CRAP out of them to soften them up!! Now I am pretty happy with the way they feel... I also upgraded my wheels from the standard-issue pink twisters to thin profile Atom Lowboys - I LOVE MY WHEELS!! Next changes I will be making: New plates/trucks (DA-45s), and softer cushions (Mine are like concrete) - Can't wait to get it all pulled together!!