Skate Previews: K2's Holiday Skates

Athena 6.1 and Exo 6.1 Models

2006 K2 Athena 6.1 for women
(click photo to see Exo 6.1 for men)
(Go back to first skate)

K2 Rolls Out a Hi-Lo Fitness Skate

With the Athena 6.1 for women and the Exo 6.1 for men, K2 is trying something new: a recreational-fitness skate with a hi-lo wheel arrangement.

The skates have two 84mm wheels in back and two 80mm wheels in front.

The idea is to make it easier for skaters to settle into "a more forward skating position," says K2 marketing manager Michael Powell.

"It keeps your weight more on the balls of your feet," he said. "It keeps you from getting lazy."

Like all K2 recreational-fitness skates, the Athena 6.1 and Exo 6.1 models come with the company's patented soft-boot technology.

Other features include:

• a quick lacing system
• a hi-lo aluminum frame
• a high cuff (for better stability)
• ILQ-7 bearings

Street price is expected to be $149. The skates are already showing up in stores and online.

Click here to see more of the 2006 skate models.

(posted on Dec. 1, 2005)

...

Copyright © 2005 by Robert Burnson