Gizmodo Australia » skates

Mercury In-Line Skates Let You Glide On a Shock-Absorbed Cushion Of Air

Sean Fallon — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:20:00 +0000

Designed for ~~Ronald McDonald~~ optimum comfort, these Mercury in-line skates feature a shock system to minimise vibration, a removable calf plate and an air cushioned interior for an optimum fit.

The result would be less wear-and-tear on the joints, better ankle support and a ride so smooth that it is almost like true ice skating. I haven’t attempted in-line skating since the mid 90’s, but I would be willing to strap into some of these if they ever went into production (with a different colour scheme of course). [Pouyan Mokhtarani via Tuvie via DVICE]

One Kid’s Journey On a Weed-Whacker Broom Skate Thing

Jason Chen — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:20:00 +0000

We couldn’t find any clue what the hell this kid is doing, so come up with your own conclusions (and caption). Looks like his dad rigged up a weed whacker to some sort of…something, and he’s going tearing down the streets of London living out his wildest Harry Potter adventures. The one without Hermione, that is. [One Man's Blog - Thanks Roger!]

Orbit Wheel Skates are Like Roller Blades, Just Less Fun

Adam Frucci — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:45:00 +0000

These Orbitwheel skates aren’t quite rollerblades, they aren’t quite skateboards and they aren’t quite a trip to the emergency room, but they’re pretty close to all three. They’re essentially wheels that you slip your feet through the middle of, letting you scoot around sideways until you go over a curb or a rut and end up on the ground. They’re available now for a kind-of-ludicrous price of US$145 if you’re so inclined. [New Davincis]

Super Inline 720 Skates Let SK8Rz Go Sideways and Spin

Charlie White — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:37:00 +0000

Before hell freezes over, let’s try a bit of in-line skating, but these skates offer more than that. Strap on a pair of Kian Khuan’s 720 inline skates, and a whole new dimension is laid out before us, because these super inline skates not only go forward and backward like any others, but can also spin 360 degrees in place and even roll sideways. Try that with a pair of ice skates. Since these 720s aren’t for sale yet, we may have to wait for the spring thaw before we bang up our knees and elbows with them. Forget kneepads, make that Master Chief’s suit of armour. [Yanko Design]

RipStick Two-wheel Articulated Skate Board Feels Like Snowboarding

Seamus Byrne — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:22:42 +0000

Here’s the new RipStik Caster Board. Or like my brother the ER traumatologist likes to call it: “BUSINESS!” For $200 you will be able to carve that asphalt using this skateboard with a central flexible articulation system and just two wheels. All the technical details for the too-cool-for-school boys and girls right after the jump.

According to their web page, it behaves like a snowboard and magically “accelerates and turns without pushing.”

By the way, the video has no sound because I wanted you to save from the extremely annoying QVC-style voiceover. [RipStik Caster Board]

Bring Out The Bruised Kid in You with Roller Lights

Seamus Byrne — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 08:34:19 +0000

These Roller Lights are the equivalent of strap-on wheelies for the disco generation – provided you don’t weigh more than 176 lb. , the two-wheeled toys attach to your shoes and flash away with their three color lights.

Tempting as it would be to announce the birth of the Gizmodo Roller Lights team, I don’t think it will happen*. But since these things are reminiscent of Heelys, those strange trainers-with-casters that make ver yoof of today look like they’re gliding along (as well as making them forget how to walk), and, at around $25, cost a third of the price, they are an alternative. Plus, you can borrow them when he’s at school and you’re late for work.

*If anyone is interested, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Giz tee-shirts, yellow banana hammocks, plus the all important protective gear – I can see us now on America’s Got Talent.

[GoBaz via UberReview]