Introduction
Roller skating never really went away, but over the last few years it has come roaring back. Roller discos are selling out, skate parks are busier than ever and social media is full of people gliding along seafronts in retro quads. If you have been tempted to join in, the first big question is which skates to buy, and the Rio Roller Mayhem II comes up again and again.
The Mayhem II is a low cut, trainer style quad skate from Rio Roller, a British brand that has built its reputation on affordable, good looking skates for recreational riders. It is aimed squarely at beginners, returning skaters and anyone who wants a comfortable all rounder for park laps, promenades and the occasional roller disco.
What makes it stand out from the crowd is the combination of a casual, sneaker inspired look with a slightly more grown up spec than many entry level skates. You get aluminium trucks rather than plastic ones, ABEC 7 bearings, cushioned insoles and a vegan friendly boot, all at a price that will not scare off someone who is not yet sure whether skating will stick.
We put a black pair through its paces over two weeks of park sessions, seafront cruising and living room wobbles to find out whether the Mayhem II really is as beginner friendly as it looks.
Quick Verdict
Overall rating: 4.2 out of 5
Best for: Beginners, returning skaters and casual outdoor cruising
Short summary: The Rio Roller Mayhem II is a comfortable, stylish and confidence inspiring quad skate that gets the basics right. It feels more supportive than most budget skates, rolls smoothly on decent surfaces and looks great on and off the wheels. Serious park skaters will outgrow it, but for most people it is all the skate they need.
Main pros
- Comfortable, cushioned boot that needs very little breaking in
- Aluminium trucks and ABEC 7 bearings at an entry level price
- Trainer style design looks good and feels familiar
- Vegan friendly materials
- Replaceable toe stop and widely available spare parts
Main cons
- Lower cut boot offers less ankle support than high top skates
- Stock wheels are a compromise for very rough outdoor surfaces
- Not built for aggressive park or ramp skating
Quick buying recommendation: If you are new to skating or getting back into it after a long break, the Mayhem II is an easy recommendation. If you already know you want to hit ramps and bowls, look at a stiffer, more park focused skate instead.
Where to buy: Buy direct from Skates.co.uk | Check the latest price on Amazon
Product Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Rio Roller Mayhem II Quad Roller Skates |
| Brand | Rio Roller |
| Product Type | Recreational quad roller skates |
| Key Features | Low cut trainer style boot, aluminium trucks, ABEC 7 bearings, PU toe stop, cushioned insole |
| Main Purpose | Recreational outdoor and indoor skating |
| Price Range | Around £90 (check Skates.co.uk for current pricing) |
| Materials | PVC leather style vegan friendly boot, high impact nylon plate, aluminium trucks, PU wheels |
| Best For | Beginners, returning skaters, casual cruising and roller discos |
| Available Colours/Variants | Black (reviewed), with other colourways available depending on retailer |
Design & Build Quality
First impressions
Straight out of the box, the Mayhem II looks more like a pair of chunky trainers bolted onto a plate than a traditional roller boot. That is very much the point. The low cut silhouette is clean and modern, and in all black it looks smart enough that you do not feel like you are wearing fancy dress when you skate to the shops.
The packaging is simple but protective, with the skates arriving fully assembled. There is no setup needed beyond lacing them up the way you like, which is reassuring for beginners who do not want to start their skating journey with a toolkit.
Boot and materials
The boot is made from a PVC leather style material, which makes it vegan friendly and easy to wipe clean after a dusty session. It is described as semi soft, and that is a fair description. There is enough structure around the heel to keep your foot planted, but the rest of the boot flexes in a way that feels much more like a casual shoe than a rigid skate.
Inside, the padding is generous. The tongue is well cushioned, the collar is soft and the insole has extra cushioning that you notice the first time you stand up in them. For people who have tried cheap skates in the past and ended up with sore feet, this is a big deal.
Plate, trucks and wheels
Underneath, the Mayhem II uses a high impact nylon plate paired with aluminium trucks. Nylon plates are common at this price, and while they do not have the stiffness of an aluminium plate, they are light and forgiving. The aluminium trucks are a genuine upgrade over the plastic ones you find on many toy skates and make the skate feel more stable when turning.
The PU wheels are 82A, which is a sensible middle ground. Smaller sizes run on 58mm wheels and larger sizes on 62mm, which helps keep the skate proportionate to the foot. ABEC 7 bearings come fitted and spin freely out of the box.
Durability and quality control
Over our testing period, the stitching held up well, the toe stop stayed tight and there were no rattles or loose hardware. The boot did pick up a few scuffs around the toe, which is normal for any skate that is used for learning, but nothing that affected performance. The overall finish felt consistent, with no glue marks or uneven seams on our pair.
Features & Performance
Ease of use
For a beginner, the most important thing a skate can do is feel predictable. The Mayhem II does that well. The cushioned boot makes it easy to stand comfortably, and the moderate wheel hardness gives a good mix of grip and roll, so you do not feel like the skates are trying to run away from you.
Lacing is straightforward, and because the boot is low cut you can get them on and off quickly. That makes a surprising difference when you are taking them on and off at the park or switching back into shoes at the end of a session.
Stability and support
The heel support is solid, and the aluminium trucks give a confident, planted feel when you are rolling forwards or carving gentle turns. The lower cut does mean there is less support around the ankle than you get from a traditional high top boot. Most adults will be fine, but very nervous beginners or anyone with weak ankles might prefer something higher.
Speed and roll
On smooth tarmac, promenades and indoor rinks, the Mayhem II rolls freely and holds speed well. The ABEC 7 bearings did not need any attention during testing. On rougher paths, the 82A wheels do transmit more vibration, and you will feel cracks and gravel more than you would on softer outdoor wheels. It is manageable, but if most of your skating will be on rough surfaces, a softer wheel upgrade is worth considering later.
Stopping
The PU toe stop is grippy and easy to replace thanks to its bolt fitting. Beginners will rely on it heavily at first, and it does the job well. As you improve, you can adjust the height to suit your stopping style.
Comfort over longer sessions
Comfort is where the Mayhem II really shines. We managed sessions of an hour or more without the hot spots or pinching that often come with budget skates. The cushioned insole and padded collar make a real difference, and there was very little break in period needed.
Real-World Experience
We used the Mayhem II over two weeks, with a mixture of weekend park sessions, evening laps around a quiet car park and a couple of trips to an indoor rink. Two of us shared skating duties: one complete beginner and one returning skater who had not been on quads since their teens.
For the beginner, the first session was mostly spent holding onto railings and practising standing up, but the skates felt reassuringly steady. By the third session, they were rolling confidently in a straight line and starting to practise basic turns. The comfort of the boot meant they were happy to stay out longer, which made a noticeable difference to how quickly they progressed.
The returning skater enjoyed how familiar the trainer style boot felt. They were quickly back to crossovers and gentle backwards skating, and appreciated that the aluminium trucks did not feel cheap or flexy when pushing harder into turns.
A few frustrations did crop up. On a seafront path with patchy tarmac, the wheels felt a bit buzzy and the beginner found it harder to relax. We also found that the stock laces were quite long, so we ended up wrapping them around the ankle to keep them tidy.
The pleasant surprise was how much the skates got worn off the wheels. The look meant they ended up being photographed far more than we expected, and they did not look out of place at all when we stopped for a coffee mid skate.
Over time, the skates settled in nicely. The padding moulded slightly to our feet, and they felt even more comfortable by the end of the fortnight than they did on day one.
Pros & Cons Table
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very comfortable boot with minimal break in | Low cut design gives less ankle support |
| Aluminium trucks feel stable and solid | 82A wheels can feel harsh on rough paths |
| ABEC 7 bearings roll smoothly out of the box | Not suitable for aggressive park or ramp skating |
| Stylish trainer inspired look | Nylon plate not as stiff as aluminium |
| Vegan friendly materials | Laces are on the long side |
| Replaceable toe stop and easy maintenance | Popular colours and sizes can sell out before Christmas |
Who Should Buy This?
The Rio Roller Mayhem II is ideal for adults and teenagers who are new to roller skating or coming back to it after a long break. It suits people who want to cruise around parks, promenades and rinks, enjoy roller discos and build confidence without investing in a high end setup.
It is a great choice for anyone who values comfort and style, especially if you like the idea of skates that look more like trainers than traditional boots. Older children in the larger sizes will also get plenty out of it, and it is a skate parents can happily borrow too.
It is less suited to experienced skaters who want to tackle ramps and bowls, or anyone who needs maximum ankle support. Those riders should look at stiffer park skates or high top boots.
As a gift, it is excellent. It is the kind of present that encourages someone to get outside and try something new, and the price feels reasonable for what you get. Just make sure you check the sizing carefully.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Impala Quad Skates
Impala skates are a popular rival with a strong fashion focus and lots of eye catching colourways. They are similar in price and also beginner friendly, but they use a higher boot. If you want more ankle support and pastel colours, Impala is worth a look. If you prefer the low cut trainer feel, the Mayhem II feels more relaxed.
Moxi Beach Bunny
The Moxi Beach Bunny is a premium high top recreational skate with a strong cult following. It feels more polished and is excellent for outdoor cruising, but it costs noticeably more. The Mayhem II delivers much of the same fun at a friendlier price point.
Cheaper supermarket and toy skates
Budget skates from big box retailers are cheaper, but they typically use plastic trucks, basic bearings and minimal padding. They can be fine for very young children, but adults and teens will quickly notice the difference in stability and comfort. The Mayhem II is a clear step up.
Park focused skates
If you are serious about ramps, a park skate from brands like Chaya or Rio Roller’s own park range will give you a stiffer boot and tougher components. The trade off is comfort for casual cruising and a higher price.
Is It Worth The Money?
At around £90, the Mayhem II sits in the sweet spot between toy skates and premium recreational models. For that money, you get aluminium trucks, decent bearings, a comfortable vegan friendly boot and a design that genuinely looks good.
The quality matches the price, and in some areas, such as comfort and trucks, it feels better than you would expect. Long term value is strong too, as parts like toe stops, wheels and bearings are easy to replace, so you can upgrade over time rather than buying a whole new pair.
There are alternatives at the same price, but few combine comfort, style and solid basics quite as well. We would describe the Mayhem II as fairly priced to good value, particularly for beginners who want a skate that will see them through their first year and beyond.
Final Verdict
The Rio Roller Mayhem II is a thoroughly likeable quad skate. It is comfortable from the first session, stable enough to build confidence quickly and stylish enough to wear with pride. Aluminium trucks and smooth bearings lift it above the cheapest options, and the vegan friendly boot is a welcome touch.
It is not perfect. The low cut boot will not suit everyone, the wheels are a compromise on rough paths and it is not designed for park tricks. But for its intended audience of beginners, returners and casual cruisers, it gets almost everything right.
If you are looking for an affordable, comfortable and good looking pair of quad skates to start or restart your skating journey, the Mayhem II is easy to recommend.
Overall rating: 4.2 out of 5
Where to buy: Buy direct from Skates.co.uk | Check the latest price on Amazon
FAQs
Are the Rio Roller Mayhem II skates good for beginners?
Yes. The cushioned boot, stable aluminium trucks and moderate wheel hardness make them very beginner friendly. Most new skaters will feel comfortable within a few sessions.
Do Rio Roller Mayhem II skates come up true to size?
They are sized to match regular UK shoe sizes, but fit can vary between brands. We recommend checking the retailer’s size chart and measuring your foot before ordering, especially if you are between sizes.
Can you use the Mayhem II outdoors?
Yes. They work well on smooth tarmac, promenades and skate paths. On very rough surfaces, the 82A wheels can feel a little harsh, so many outdoor skaters upgrade to softer wheels later on.
Are the Mayhem II skates suitable for skate parks?
They are fine for gentle rolling around a park, but they are not designed for aggressive ramp or bowl skating. A stiffer park skate is better if that is your main goal.
How do I maintain my roller skates?
Wipe the boots down after use, keep bearings dry and away from puddles, and check that the toe stop and truck nuts are tight before each session. Replace the toe stop once it wears down.
Do Rio Roller Mayhem II skates make a good Christmas gift?
Absolutely. They are stylish, comfortable and reasonably priced, making them an excellent gift for teens and adults who want to try roller skating. Pair them with protective pads for a complete starter bundle.
