K2 Resurrects the Soul Slide

[Robert]

K2 is returning to the freestyle (or freeride) market with its new Soul Series of skates. But it's going to be a tough reentry. It will be going up against Salomon, which rules the freeride market with its FSK skates.

Here's the planet story: http://inlineplanet.com/Skates/k2SoulSeries.html

Can K2 get back in the game?

That, of course, depends on how many people buy the new skates. ... Would you? ...(And why did K2 leave the market in the first place, by the way? )

.-Robert
The Inline Planet

[Guest]

Hi Robert,
I've never used FSK skates. I either use speed or hockey skates. Are FSK's stictly for street use or do they have enough roll to use for longer distances? How long is an FSK truck? Do you use hockey style slides to stop or is there a brake?

Mike B

[Robert]

Hi, Mike.

The Soul Slide, like the FSKs, are all-around skates. (Check the link above) They have short frames so they are very maneuverable. That makes them suitable for cone skating, dancing, urban skating, and tricks, although not aggressive stunts.

Of course you're not going to win a race in them.

.-Robert

[Gerbil]

yeah the frame is quite short I have no problems getting up to a decent speed in my FSK's last weekend I added an extra 20 Miles on my FSK's but of course I can always get better speed in my 5*84 skates.

one of the main selling points of the FSK aside from the short frame is the durability of them they are virtually indestructable from skating related damage. from the picture I think it would be a hard judgement to say if these would take as much punishment.

Do you know if they are UFS ? for modding purposes.

[Robert]

Gerbil,

I don't know whether they are UFS. ... I'll check with Mike Powell and get back to you.

And I see your point about being able to get up to a decent speed on a shorter frame. I've got a pair of skates with 249 mm frames. Which is only 2 mm bigger than the FSKs and Souls. ... And they go pretty good, even if they are not speed skates.


.-Robert