K2's Goes After Freeskate Market With New Soul Series

K2 Takes Aim at Freestyle Market With New Soul Series

Salomon Has Ruled the Market With Its FSK Skates; K2 Hopes to Make a Comeback With Resurrected Soul Slide

By Robert "Just Styling Along" Burnson

One of the most popular inline skates in Europe in the mid-1990s was K2's Soul Slide. It had a short frame, and was thus highly maneuverable. And it was styling.

It was a favorite with freestyle, or freeride, skaters, who used their skates for dancing, performing tricks, going to Friday Night Skates, and generally tootling around town.

But then K2 discontinued the Soul Slide and skated away from the freestyle market.

Salomon Dances In

That was fine with French skate maker Salomon. It danced right in and dominated the market with its FSK line of freestyle skates, including its current models: the Crossmax and Deermax.

Which brings us to today ... except for one thing: K2 has decided to reenter the freestyle market.

The Soul Resurrection

It has announced the resurrection of the Soul Slide (completely redesigned, of course) as part of a new line of skates for 2005: the Soul Series.

The new skates bear at least a passing resemblance to Salomon's FSKs. One thing identical is the length of the frame: 247 mm, except for those for FSK's smaller than size 8.5 (US), which have a 237 mm frame.

One thing that is different about the new skates is the price: the Soul Series is considerably cheaper. While the high-end 2004 Crossmax 3 retailed for $349 (US), the top-of-the-line Soul Slide will go for $199.

Another difference is that the Soul Series will not have a hi-lo wheels alignment. The Salomon Crossmax 3 has two 76 mm wheels in front and two 80 mm wheels in back. The Soul Slide will be 80 mm all the way down the line.

Why No Hi-Lo

K2 marketing manager Mike Powell said K2 decided to go with a straight-80 design because customers prefer it. "We've worked with hi-lo before," he said. "It does keep you more forward on your skate. But it wasn't something people were asking for. It's a nice marketing story. But at the end of the day, people like the smooth roll of four 80s."

The target market for the Soul Series is young to middle-aged males who want a hot looking skate, Powell said. "We wanted something that looked cool, first and foremost. And we wanted it to be the most maneuverable skate out there. ... It's for the person who wants to dance in their skates, who wants to skate cones, who wants to cruise around the city or where ever. ... It will do anything."

The women's specific model may be introduced later, depending on interest, Powell said.

The Soul Brothers

Soul Slide has a eye-catching black and white design. Kinda reminds me of an Apaloosa (that's a horse) or an Oreo cookie (I love 'em!). Its brothers, the Soul 7 and Soul 5, are more subdued and have styling similar to Timberland hiking boots.

The Soul Slide and Soul 7 (also $199) will come with 80 mm wheels; the Soul 5 ($179), with 78 mm wheels.

The main difference between the Soul Slide and Soul 7 is their styling and the traditional power strap that will come on the Soul Slide.

K2 has designed a cushioned mid-soul for the new skates. The mid-soul will be found between the base and the frame. It will be crisscrossed with channels that will carry air from toe to heel vents to keep the bottom of the foot cool.

"You are going to be able to be in these skates all day long," Powell said. "These skates kind of takes us back to the time when we all lived in our skates."

The skates will all come with Twincam ABEC-7 bearings. They will be available in stores in mid-February, Powell said.

So will the Soul Series give the FSK's a run for their money? Powell is optimistic. He notes that original Soul Slide still has a cult following. "We get emails daily asking about it."

Discuss:

Talk About this Article ... Would you give up your FSKs for a Soul Slide?

Photos of the new K2 Soul Series

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