Roces Fifth Element UFS Skate

These are the Roces UFS 5th Element. They retail for $300 US.

They’re based on the classic Roces 5th Element design, but updated for the UFS mounting standard. They come with Roces frames, 60mm wheels and ABEC 5 bearings.

What makes the 5th Element unique is the dual injection boot. Usually a hard shell boot is a single material, but with a second injection they made the lacing area more flexible. This means you can get a better fit when lacing up your skates without compromise.

I took them to my local skatepark to see how they feel.

Over the next few weeks, I skated them with different setups. I really loved the soul plate, but the sizing started being more of an issue.

The Roces 5th Element are a great skate if you can find the right size for your feet. I love the liners but the shell just didn’t fit properly. It’s way too big for the size it’s rated.

I also had some issues with the lacing eyelets popping out. Roces replaced the boots for me, but I popped the eyelets out again. I’ve been told this is fixed in the next production run.

I didn’t realize how heavy these skates were until I compared them to my USD VII. They’re the heaviest skate I own. This isn’t a huge deal, but it can make a difference if you’re looking for something light and responsive.

Ultimately I don’t recommend the Roces 5th element for most people. If you have a wide foot, they might be a great option. But because the sizing is confusing and they’re much heavier than other skates, I’d get something else.