I was skeptical after reading so many mixed reviews. Some said these were cheap, others said they were difficult to learn to use, and another said there was no way to jump like in the photos.
I reluctantly purchased these not knowing what to expect. They were a gift for my 12 1/2 year old son who insisted this is what he wanted for Christmas. Within literally the first time putting these on he was able to easily walk around the house, then outside. Within about 1/2hr of use he was easily running up and down the sidewalk. We took these to the park and after a few hours of use he was running, jumping and taking long leaps in these. I love the exercise he is getting from them.
Here is my quick rating (scale of 1-10).
Quality: 8
They feel pretty solid and built well. I was worried about the straps breaking or not tightening (after reading some reviews). This is not the case w/ ours. Perhaps the company upgraded the snaps and straps?
Ease of Use: 9
I guess this depends on your kid. My son is 12 1/2 and very active. He plays lacrosse and football and has been involved with organized sports since he was about 5 years old. He is good on a skateboard, scooter and bike. I am just trying to give some perspective, my son is pretty coordinated and active. I think many kids who play sports, are quick learners when it comes to physical activity would probably not have any trouble with these.
Ability to Jump 4 or 5 feet in the air or more:
The photos show people jumping 4+ feet in the air. I believe this is very possible. After about 2 days of use my son was able to clear 2.5' no problem. He can now clear 3' if he has a pretty good running start then jumps. I'll try to add a photo as I did get one of my son jumping pretty high.
Things to Note:
-A few of the hex bolts on ours needed some slight tightening, nothing major just a 1/4 turn on a few bolts to really lock some of the parts into place.
-It was a bit squeeky at the joints when he walked in these. I just applied some spray on lithium grease on the joints and problem solved. They are now quiet when he walks, runs and jumps.
-Concern I have is the ability to replace parts, especially the rubber pads that you walk on with these. They appear to be holding up quite well, yet I am guessing they'll need replacing at some point? I think I can fabricate something as they seem to hold on to the bottom via 4 hex bolts. Perhaps a piece of an old tire cut to the correct size may work.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 25 x 16 x 5.7 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 4.94 Kilograms |
| Brand Name | Skyrunner |
| Model Name | Kangaroo |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Polyurethane |
| Suggested Users | teen-boys |
| Manufacturer | skyrunner |
| Style | Modern |
| Outer Material | Rubber |
| Size | One Size Narrow Big Kid |
| Sport Type | Exercise & Fitness |
