Heelys are those shoes that switch to skates when the wearer shifts their weight. Since rolling out in the end of 2000, Heelys, Inc. has sold over 12 million pairs in kid and adult sizes. You can even get replacement wheels and “plugs” to convert them to regular sneakers. There are also a bunch of knockoffs around, some that use a button, like Pop-Wheels, which my mom would not let me get in 1979.
You may have seen signs banning Heelys at stores and malls for safety reasons, although I still see kids wearing them from time to time, doing a quick glide to the checkout or down the elementary school hall.
The makers of Heelys advise skaters to wear protective gear at all times. Still, Heelys seem to me like an accident waiting to happen. I’m also wary of how long they would hold up with their wheels being popped in and out all the time. They do sell replacement wheels, but that’s just one more thing to replace.
Are you a Heely fan? If you are, this season Heelys has come out with patterned collectible replacement wheels ($14.95) in styles that include skull and crossbones, and multi-color checks.
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