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They're fashion trainers and roller boots all in one
and they've already shipped a healthy 30,000 pairs in
the first three months of sale. What are they? Kick
Rollers!
Safe skating or reckless rollin', Kick Rollers have
already caused something of a stir in Asia and the USA,
where thousands of roller skate dancers have turned
in their usual hip swivelling roller axels for something
a little more fashionable and convenient. Launched in
the UK for the first time by suppliers SKS Enterprises,
Kick Rollers offer the wily young 'skancer' a pair of
retractable rollers within a rather nifty pair of fashion
trainers: big on heels, big on blasts.
So how are they different from existing products? Well
other shoe manufacturers have added wheels to their
trainers before - fair enough - but so far, they have
used only two wheels on each foot, and for the complex
routines and moves needed for roller dance, this has
often proved unstable. Alastair Gunn of SKS Enterprises
takes up the issue:
 “The
shoes are unique in that unlike similar products on
the market they feature a quad skate which makes them
perfect for complex dance moves,” says Alastair.
“They can also be changed from a trainer to a roller-boot,
almost instantly, by kicking the button at the back.”
So far so good then. As a natural extension to the in-line
skating and skateboarding crazes this Kick Roller thing
actually works. And what's more, they have the added
advantage that when you don’t want to skate you will
won't have to carry them around on your back. It also
cuts down on the chances of them being thieved by your
so-called mates. And in this day and age - those chances
must be considerable.
Available in sizes one to 10, and in a range of styles
and colours, the shoes are built from advanced, high
quality materials such as Microfibre, EVA
and flexible and breathable insoles.
These 'kick-in' roller skate shoes also use advanced
ABEC-5 bearings, which are used in all professional
roller blades and skates.
So how do use them? Simple. Push your foot down until
the wheels are fully retracted, then twist to the outside
to lock the wheels in place, then turn to the lock position.
Just kick and roll, so to speak.
So how did Crud cope with the shoes? Well hit and miss.
Whilst there's no doubting these wheels are smooth and
fast and about as compact as you're likely to get, as
fashion trainers they're comfortable but cumbersome.
This won't be a problem if you're not going far, but
the idea of walking to the bus-stop and two-miles to
your mates house before even getting to the arena may
be the best idea you're ever going to have. The wheels
also have a tendency to catch on uneven surfaces - and
though there's little chance of you popping-up by 4
inches unexpectedly and looking ridiculous in front
of your mates, it can be a little irritating after an
hour or so.
The other downside is that in a few years time when
4 inch heels go the same way as tank tops and flares,
their time is liable to be up and you're going to be
stuck with some pretty clunky looking loafers.
The bottom line though, is how they perform as rollers
- and for this they're pretty cool.
For more information go to:
www.kickrollers.com
Pimply Skateboard Bob for Crud Magazine© 2002
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