K2 Catlyst Inline skates $59.97 (Retail $270)

[dakels]

I was looking for replacement wheels for my trick and hockey skates and realized I could use a recreational skate too (Laces on harder skates are a b!tch) and came across this deal. They are phasing these out but they are a very good inline skate for recreational skaters (non trick/hockey). Many places are clearing old stock out so sizes are really limited. Amazon had the best price and size range 10-13 (US). Unfortunately my size is about 9-9.5 and you want inline skates to fit you perfectly.

For $59.97 these are a really hot deal. The wheels and bearings alone cost that much (which I was considering stripping for parts).

Amazon
Skates.com has the same price but lesser size selection. If it's your size see who has less shipping and tax costs and RETURN policy incase they dont fit right.

Good skates should be a bit snug and they will break in after 10-20 hours loosen up a little and mold to your foot better (all depends on form and lining).

 

[mamisano]

Thanks, picked up a pair

 

[dakels]

BTW I ended up getting Salomon Deemax 3's. These are awsome for what I want them for. I already have aggressive skates and mission hockey skates but I needed something I could use for getting around which was easy to get in and out of. The Hockey skates are all hockey laces and take forever to get in and out of, also no brake. Agressive have tiny wheels, not useful for cruising at all, I walk faster I have already invested alot of money in good skates ($250 and $300) and wanted something inexpensive for getting around but could still hold up to some jumping around but large wheels for speed.

The Deemax 3's are perfect! Fast wheels and semi aggressive boot and frame that can take some punishment. I remember trying FSK's a while ago and wanted them but they were over $300 in the store and again, I have 2 pair already. These Deemax 3's are pretty much the same skate (slightly different wheel frame) and they are an older model on closeout. Again if you can get your size, these are a great deal for someone who wants a fast skate but wants to mix in a little bit of agressive skating. I like salomons too because I have a wide foot and salomons make the widest average boot (K2's are narrow as are rollerblade).

$145 ($279-299 retail) + a really nice skate bag (only $8 shipping UPS many other places are $15-$20 shipping, -no tax outside of CA). Also I wanted to stay with a really reputable dealer and inlinewarehouse is one of th ebest online skate dealers, if not the best in most people's opinion.
http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=SD3

btw for $ reference
http://www.skates.com/Salomon_Deemax_3_p/781262.htm

btw grats on the K2's mamisano, those are really nice skates (I tried a friend's). Very good fitness skates and that price is silly.

 

[jamesbond007]

Hm, I'm going to go to my local sports outfitter store today and try on some K2 brand skates to see what size will fit me the best. I'm assuming 2001 = 2001 model? Or is that a series?

Thanks,
~Travis

 

[dakels]

yes 2001 is the model year also the last or only year for the Catalyst model. If they have Catalyst skates that would be great to try them on. I doubt they have them unless they have alot of old stock. If they do they might sell them cheap. Try any expensive K2 fitness model like Exo or Kinetic if you can't find the Catalyst for sizing.

Age does not matter for inline skates though that much until you go back 6+ years when they were in their infancy of design.

You are generally much better off buying a high end clearance model 2-4 years old for <$100 (originally $200+) then a new model at $100.
Always make sure they feel very comfortable to you especially width and arch as they aren't going to change much with breaking in. Also pay attention to the ABEC rating on the bearings. Higher 5+ ABEC (5, 7, 9 or swiss/micro/ceramic[ceramic only for VERY serious speed skaters] in that order) ratings on the bearings often indicate a better made skate. Manufacturers put cheaper ABEC 1-3 or worse bearings in cheaper models no matter what their MSRP is. The skates should be snug and generally the more expensive lines mold better to you feet over time. Some like higher end Solomons have heat molding where a heat gun is used to mold the boot lining to your foot better. As such you do not want other people using your expensive skates since the lining will mold to the foot that's in it the most.

I have had many pairs of skates so I am comfortable with buying them online (also tried on in a store just in case). Even if you are an experienced skater you really should try on a pair in a store of the exact model and brand skate, at least the brand since brand sizes vary ALOT. My Mission hockey skates are a 8 while my K2's are a 9.5 both US Men's (my normal sneaker size is 8.5-9 mens again depending on brand). The Salomons I ordered are 8.5. Do not use skates that are half a size too large or too small, you will blister more and be less stable.

 

[CybrGuy]

I purchased the Catalyst skates 2 months ago through them. A few things I noticed were:

1. The boots take a few days of use to become comfortable
2. At first if they feel like they don't fit you can heat mold some of the interior
3. when you first try them on be sure to lace down well before you judge the fit.
4. tighten laces the most at the 2nd to top crossover rather than simply pulling on the top.
5. These skates are a really good buy

Later.

Steven