Skate Previews

K2 Releases a Dozen 2006 Model Skates for the Holidays

Among the Early Releases: the New Hi-Lo Exo and Athena Models

By Robert "Just the Factoids" Burnson

You don't have to wait until next year to get your feet into a pair of 2006 K2s.

The company is releasing a full dozen of its 2006 skate models for the holiday shopping season.

Among the early arrivals are most of the company's fitness-recreational skates, including the entry-level Exo 2.1 and the high-end VO2 Max. (Not among the early arrivals is the new line of Jetta Joop designer skates for women. They won't appear until early next year.)

Most of the new models aren't dramatically different than this year's. So if you are a bargain hunter, buy now.

Merchants are cutting prices on current models to clear inventory. If you don't need all the latest bells and whistles, now's the time to pick up a bargain.

(It's easy to spot the 2006 models. They have names that end with "1". This year's models end with "0".)

One model that K2 is changing significantly is the Exo 6.0, a mid-level fitness-recreational skate.

This year's model came with four 80mm wheels. Next year's comes with a hi-lo frame with two 80mm wheels in front and two 84mm wheels in back.

And don't look for any Exo models for women next year. K2 has renamed them for the Greek goddess Athena.

K2 marketing manager Michael Powell said the new skates are beginning to arrive in stores and online.

Here is the full list of holiday skates:

• children's: Raider, Marlee (girl's pink) and Merlin VI
• aggressive: Fatty J and Fatty Pro
• rec-fitness: Exo 2.1, Exo 6.1, Athena 2.1 and Athena 6.1
• fitness: VO2 and VO2 Max (limited availability)

(Posted on Nov. 29, 2005)

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Copyright © 2005 by Robert Burnson