Skating is not just a hobby for me but I feel alive when I skate. It’s an exhilarating feeling but you can only feel this way if you are wearing the right skates. Some people don’t like skating solely because they are not wearing quality shoes. So, we will discuss two skate brands that will help you in making the best choice.
What is the difference between Chaya Melrose Skates and Impala Skates? The main differences between them are related to their availability, price range, variety of collection, and the quality of the skates.
So let’s dive in to see which skates are the perfect fit for you and can make the skating experience fun!
What Are Chaya Melrose Skates?
Chaya Melrose Skates started manufacturing in 2017 with a variety of roller skates and ice skates. They cater to all kinds of audiences. You’ll find skates that are perfect for kids, adults, beginners, and experienced performers.
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Their different range gives a glimpse into the inclusive ideas of the company. They haven’t restricted themselves to only pastel collections as they deal in a wide variety of colors. From primary to pastel to even glitter shades, you can find the skates of your dreams with Chaya Melrose Skates.
What Are Impala Skates?
Impala Skates came out in the same year as Chaya Melrose Skates and these took the internet by storm. They became pretty popular during the pandemic and people would order them online and skate at their house.
This popularity was due to their affordable, quirky, and pastel shades which are trendy among skaters. Every other brand by that time was only making bright-colored skates but these pastel beauties are an amalgamation of the new trend and the retro look.
This is what exactly people love the most, a nostalgic ride to the past while keeping them up to date with the trends.
Why Should You Buy Chaya Melrose Skates or Impala?
These are some of the best skating brands in the market. Their quality, design, performance, and consciousness towards using better products are unmatched. Spending money on skates is a big deal and I am here to convince you to buy the best skates in the market.
Read on to know more!
- Excellent Designs
Both Chaya Melrose Skates and Impala Skates offer excellent designs for you to choose from. They come in a variety of colors, shoe types, and designs, and all of them are pretty and adorable.
- Vegan
Every day I see new companies being sued for testing their products on animals or using their skins or fur for their product. This abuse of animals is sensitizing a lot of people as well.
I am glad that both companies have taken a step against these practices by producing vegan products. This is a sound strategy for being inclusive and targeting a wider audience.
- Overall Performance
At the end of the day, it is the overall performance of the skates that matter the most. I always look for skates that are durable, comfortable, and have good quality, and both brands have surpassed expectations.
Both Chaya Melrose Skates and Impala Skates offer a smooth riding experience to the skaters. That’s why people are going for these two brands more than the others.
Chaya Melrose Skates vs Impala Differences
Now, let’s take a look at the differences between Chaya Melrose and Impala skates.
- Availability
Chaya Melrose skates are such a hit in the market that they are not available in a lot of stores. Their site does not have the facility to order directly from them, rather they redirect you to another site where the product is available.
I found that the majority of their products were not available in the US because they were out of stock but they were available in Germany and France. Additionally, they also have a section where you can buy the skates in stores.
On the other hand, you can find all the Impala skates on their website, which is pretty easy and convenient.
- Price Range
There is a significant difference between both brands of skates. Impala skates are well within the budget of everyone. Its roller skates range from $99 to $120 and the inline skates cost around $150.
Whereas, Chaya Melrose skates start from $150 and go up to $550. This makes a huge impact on the accessibility power for the customers. If they want to follow their passion and try the Chaya Skates, then it will make a big hole in their pockets.
- Variety of Collection
Both the brands offer you different collections to choose your skates from. Chaya Melrose Skates are famous for their roller and ice skates whereas Impala Skates are famous for roller and inline skates.
Chaya Melrose skates offer you different shoe sizes as well and you can choose from sneakers or regular length skates. However, Impala skates offer only regular shoe length. Although you can choose from different designs and styles, you don’t have any choice in the shoe length.
Chaya Melrose Skates vs. Impala Pros
Now, we have a list of pros and cons for your perusal so that you can make the best choice.
Pros of Chaya Melrose Skates
- Back Hook
Unlike all the other skates, Chaya Melrose skates have a unique feature of a back hook which helps in easy lifting of the skates. Instead of holding the skates by the bearing or the boot, you can easily pick them up by the back hook.
I have seen people carrying their skates by the wheels too because holding them by the bearing or boot was difficult. Additionally, skates are never lightweight, so their heaviness can wear your hands.
The back hook is a unique addition to the skates and they don’t feel heavy to lift.
- Heavy Padding
Good padding is necessary for the skates to make your legs and feet comfortable. People rave about Chaya Melrose Skates due to their padding. Most of my friends have shifted from Impala to Chaya Melrose because of its padding.
Right away they felt comfort that Impala skates could not provide them. Additionally, heavy padding ensures better grip, so your feet are warm and snug in the boots.
- Wheel Composition
The sole of the skates is always the wheels. If the wheels are not great then you will always have problems while riding. I have heard so many horror stories about the wheels which broke after a couple of days, that it’s unimaginable.
The wheels of Chaya Melrose skates are unique and distinct as they have a smaller contact surface and rounded edge. It means that you can easily maneuver in the skates. Moreover, the agility of the skates is high and you can easily perform tricks on these skates.
Professionals love these skates due to their many benefits and slowly the amateurs are also upgrading to Chaya Melrose skates for an overall better experience.
- Inclusive
Chaya Melrose skates brand is highly inclusive and has a wider target audience. They have a skate that has the Pride flag on it that symbolizes the support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Additionally, no animal harm is done to assess the quality or color of the products. These are vegan-friendly and have a separate collection for kids and Derby skaters. Their inclusivity attracts people towards their skates.
- Durable
Chaya Skates are known for their durability. My friends have had these skates for years and they have yet to encounter any problem with the skates. The lace quality has not withered and the bearings remain the same.
You only need to change the wheels and toe stopper because they go through enough wear and tear.
Pros of Impala Skates
- Toe Stopper
Impala skates have the perfect toe stopper that you can adjust easily according to your preference. Toe stoppers are important as they help you to stop, jump at a platform, and elevate your wheels to a flat surface.
The difference between the surface and toe stopper should only be of three fingers. Impala skates have less difference which makes them good stoppers. Additionally, you can loosen the stopper to cover up the difference.
Moreover, the inline skates have an optional break at the back that is helpful for beginners.
- Appearance
These skates are the best in town in terms of their appearance. They have holographic, cheetah, glossy, pastel, and candy prints. The color variety is exceptional and this is the main reason why people go for Impala skates.
The excellent designs and varieties offer the people something different from the market.
- Hybrid
What better product than the one you can use at rinks and on the roads! You can use Impala skates anywhere you want, plus you can roller skates and learn figure skating on them too.
Chaya Melrose Skates vs. Impala Cons
Now, let’s see some of the things that are lacking in the Chaya Melrose and Impala skates.
Cons of Chaya Melrose Skates
- No Adjustable Toe Stopper
Unfortunately, the Chaya Melrose Deluxe series does not have an adjustable toe stopper which creates a problem while stopping. Additionally, the difference between the stopper and surface is more than 3 fingers which means that you have to be very careful while performing tricks.
However, the Chaya Melrose Elite series has an adjustable toe stopper, so you can go for them if this point bothers you.
- Not Affordable
Certain series of Chaya Melrose brands are really expensive as they go up to $550. But those are exclusive, high-end designs. Otherwise, their main range starts from $150 which is also expensive as compared to Impala skates.
Cons of Impala Skates
- Quality Issues
A lot of people I know have upgraded from Impala to Chaya Melrose Skates solely for its quality issues. These are not comfortable right away and it takes almost a week to settle into the shoes. By this time, some people have also experienced shoe bites too.
The heel seems to tear away easily from the bearings, no size seems to fit them properly, and the laces are also of cheap quality. All these issues have caused customers to deviate from the brand.
- Weight Issues
Impala skates are heavy as compared to Chaya Melrose skates. Skates have also said that they don’t feel right when you hold them but Chaya Melrose skates feel like proper skates.
The heaviness of the skates sometimes weighs you down and it hampers your ability to perform tricks efficiently.
How to Make Your Decision?
Buying skates requires a huge investment. Let’s face it, spending $100 on a pair of skates is also a lot of money. I remember when I got my first skates and they caused me trouble in just over a month, I had a guilt trip while buying another pair. So, the first step is to research well and weigh all the pros and cons. Hopefully, now you know the various benefits and limitations of both Chaya Melrose and Impala skates.
Next, although budget matters the most, spending $50 to $100 more will not cause problems in the long run. Impala skates are fun and quirky but the comfort lies in Chaya Melrose skates.
I would advise you to try and then buy the skates. Look for a store and see which size suits you the best. Always look for comfort otherwise, the skates can mess with your feet big time.
Final Thoughts
Finally, we have reached the end of the article. By now, I am sure that you must have made a decision weighing the differences and the pros and cons. Both brands have great products and a variety of collections to choose from.
My only suggestion is to always look for comfort while buying skates. If you are comfortable with the skates then you should definitely buy them. But if you are not, then chances are you will never be comfortable in them.
Leave this idea behind that maybe once I start skating, they’ll feel fine, because they can mess up your feet. I hope this article helped you to reach a decision!
