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Heelys (formerly known as Heeling Sports Limited) is an American brand of roller shoe (marketed by Heelys, Inc.) and are the original skate shoes with wheels. These roller shoes usually have one or more removable wheels embedded in each sole, allowing the wearer to walk, run, and roll at any given moment just by shifting their weight to their heels. BBC International has managed the Heelys Brand since 2013 and became the full owner of Heelys now headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.

History

In 1999, the concept for Heelys emerged from Roger Adams' childhood passion for skating. During his time living in Huntington Beach, Adams observed the popularity of skateboards and rollerblades among children. Realizing the need for innovation in recreational footwear, he conceived the idea of incorporating a wheel into the sole of a shoe. Adams cut open a pair of sneakers, inserted a skateboard wheel, and Heelys were born. The removable wheels offer versatility, enabling users to enjoy the functionality of traditional footwear when skating is not desired.

Heelys rapidly gained popularity from 2000-2009. In recent years, Heelys has made a comeback in the market and has resurfaced its original brand with new styles and initiatives. The Heelys brand has released a variety of collaborations from Minecraft, Hello Kitty, Reebok, Pac-Man, PEEPS, Sponge-Bob, The Simpsons, and much more. The resurgence in popularity is fueled in part by the viral influence of social media platforms such as TikTok. Creators on these platforms have reignited interest in Heelys, showcasing their versatility and nostalgic appeal. Celebrities like Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Usher, Jojo Siwa, 24Kgoldn, and more have shown off their Heelys skills to their fans contributing to the revival of the brand. As individuals rediscover the joy of Heelys, the brand continues to captivate new audiences, reaffirming its status as a cultural phenomenon.

Safety and Protection

While Heelys offer a unique and exhilarating way to move, the safety of its wearers is the company’s priority. Just like any other skate sport, users need to prioritize safety measures and wear appropriate protective gear such as helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. These items can help mitigate the risk of injury in case of falls or collisions while skating.

Heelys Skate Team and Tricks

In 2003, recognizing the growing popularity of Heelys and the expanding interest in heelying as a sport, Heelys formed its Pro Skate Team of skilled skaters and athletes. The team aimed to push the boundaries of what could be achieved with Heelys footwear, while also inspiring others to embrace the sport. In recent years, Heelys has reinvigorated its Heelys Pro Team with the latest innovation, the Heelys Mega Pro shoe with Mega Wheel technology. The Heelys Pro Team serves as ambassadors for the brand, bringing together a new generation of talented skaters and athletes. This revival reflects Heelys' ongoing dedication to promoting the sport of heelying and fostering a community of passionate enthusiasts. Through their performances, demonstrations, and social media presence, team members inspire others to explore the possibilities of Heelys and embrace skating as a form of self-expression.

Advanced Heely users can perform tricks such as spins, flips, backward skating, and skating on one foot.

References

External links

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 {{short description|Brand of roller shoes}}
 [[File:Motionplusredblackgrey.jpg|thumb|A pair of Heelys]]
+'''Heelys''' (formerly known as Heeling Sports Limited) is an American brand of [[roller shoe]] (marketed by [[Heelys, Inc.]]) and are the original skate shoes with wheels. These roller shoes usually have one or more removable [[Wheel|wheels]] embedded in each [[Sole (shoe)|sole]], allowing the wearer to walk, run, and roll at any given moment just by shifting their weight to their heels. BBC International has managed the Heelys Brand since 2013 and became the full owner of Heelys now headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.
-'''Heelys''' (formerly known as Heeling Sports Limited) is an American brand of [[roller shoe]] (marketed by [[Heelys, Inc.]]) that have usually one or more removable [[wheel]]s embedded in each [[Sole (shoe)|sole]], similar to [[inline skates]], allowing the wearer to walk, run, or, by shifting their weight to their heels, roll. Braking can be achieved by lowering the back of the foot so that sole contacts the ground.<ref name="Vioreanu et al">{{Cite journal|last1=Vioreanu|first1=Mihai|last2=Sheehan|first2=Eoin|last3=Glynn|first3=Aaron|last4=Casidy|first4=Noelle|last5=Stephens|first5=Michael|last6=McCormack|first6=Damian|date=2007-06-01|title=Heelys and Street Gliders Injuries: A New Type of Pediatric Injury|url=http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/6/e1294|journal=Pediatrics|language=en|volume=119|issue=6|pages=e1294–e1298|doi=10.1542/peds.2006-2882|issn=0031-4005|pmid=17545360|s2cid=19730494}}</ref> Roger Adams patented Heelys in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://schoenenmetwieltjes.net/|title=Heelys shoes|last=Xan|first=Kiami|date=2 May 2012|access-date=8 March 2017|quote=Heelys in 1999 patented by Roger Adams and is to this day immensely popular today.|archive-date=9 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309061726/https://schoenenmetwieltjes.net/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The headquarters are located in [[Carrollton, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4354874 | title = Childhood passion grows into pop culture craze | first = Michael E. | last = Ross | publisher = [[NBC News]] | date = 2004-04-27 | access-date = 2008-12-01 }}</ref>
-==Injuries==
+== History ==
+In 1999, the concept for Heelys emerged from Roger Adams' childhood passion for skating. During his time living in Huntington Beach, Adams observed the popularity of skateboards and rollerblades among children. Realizing the need for innovation in recreational footwear, he conceived the idea of incorporating a wheel into the sole of a shoe. Adams cut open a pair of sneakers, inserted a skateboard wheel, and Heelys were born. The removable wheels offer versatility, enabling users to enjoy the functionality of traditional footwear when skating is not desired.
-The journal of the [[American Academy of Pediatrics]] published a study<ref name="Vioreanu et al" /> of injuries resulting from the use of Heelys (and Street Gliders, a similar product that is strapped onto regular shoes). The study counted only significant injuries that required assessment by an orthopedic surgeon, ignoring minor injuries that were treated solely in the emergency department. The 10-week study (conducted during summer school holiday), found:
+Heelys rapidly gained popularity from 2000-2009. In recent years, Heelys has made a comeback in the market and has resurfaced its original brand with new styles and initiatives. The Heelys brand has released a variety of collaborations from Minecraft, Hello Kitty, Reebok, Pac-Man, PEEPS, Sponge-Bob, The Simpsons, and much more. The resurgence in popularity is fueled in part by the viral influence of social media platforms such as TikTok. Creators on these platforms have reignited interest in Heelys, showcasing their versatility and nostalgic appeal. Celebrities like Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Usher, Jojo Siwa, 24Kgoldn, and more have shown off their Heelys skills to their fans contributing to the revival of the brand. As individuals rediscover the joy of Heelys, the brand continues to captivate new audiences, reaffirming its status as a cultural phenomenon.
-* An injury rate of approximately 51 injuries per 100,000 children (for injuries requiring orthopedic attention; the rate for less-serious injuries is unknown, but presumably much higher). For comparison, in 1997 in the United States, nonfatal dog bites required 151 emergency department visits per 100,000 people in the population (including adults).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.safetypolicy.org/hp2010/15-30.htm|title=IPW: Healthy People 2010 Injury Prevention Objectives|last=Lawrence|first=David|website=www.safetypolicy.org|access-date=2017-03-08}}</ref>
-* 34% of the injuries were suffered by children using Heelys (or Street Gliders) for the very first time. 70% had used the products five or fewer times.
-* The injuries comprised 8% of the workload for the pediatric orthopedic department.
-* 12% of the injured children were familiar with the instructions for use of the products.
+== Safety and Protection ==
-==Protective equipment==
+While Heelys offer a unique and exhilarating way to move, the safety of its wearers is the company’s priority. Just like any other skate sport, users need to prioritize safety measures and wear appropriate protective gear such as helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. These items can help mitigate the risk of injury in case of falls or collisions while skating.
-The manufacturer says, "We highly recommend [the use of protective gear] when the wheels are in the shoes."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shop.heelys.com/t/ShopFAQ|title=Heelys Shop. FAQs|website=shop.heelys.com|access-date=2017-03-08}}</ref> Most users do not wear protective gear because the shoes are worn for everyday use<ref name="Vioreanu et al" /> (unlike more specialized sporting equipment such as [[inline skates]]).
-==Tricks==
+== Heelys Skate Team and Tricks   ==
+In 2003, recognizing the growing popularity of Heelys and the expanding interest in heelying as a sport, Heelys formed its Pro Skate Team of skilled skaters and athletes. The team aimed to push the boundaries of what could be achieved with Heelys footwear, while also inspiring others to embrace the sport. In recent years, Heelys has reinvigorated its Heelys Pro Team with the latest innovation, the Heelys Mega Pro shoe with Mega Wheel technology. The Heelys Pro Team serves as ambassadors for the brand, bringing together a new generation of talented skaters and athletes. This revival reflects Heelys' ongoing dedication to promoting the sport of heelying and fostering a community of passionate enthusiasts. Through their performances, demonstrations, and social media presence, team members inspire others to explore the possibilities of Heelys and embrace skating as a form of self-expression.
-Advanced Heelys users can perform tricks such as spins, backwards skating and skating on one foot.
+* Advanced Heely users can perform tricks such as spins, flips, backward skating, and skating on one foot.
-There are four categories of tricks used in heeling: ground tricks, grinding tricks, stalling tricks and vert tricks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://heelys.com/tricktionary-categories.aspx |title=Tricktionary |access-date=May 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425120410/http://www.heelys.com/tricktionary-categories.aspx |archive-date=2009-04-25}}</ref>
-* Ground tricks — the main category of tricks used in heeling.
-* Grinds — these tricks can only be performed if the model has a nylon pad in the shoe, it involves jumping on a surface, landing on the nylon pad and sliding across the surface.
-* Stalls — generally involves jumping onto a raised object and pausing before jumping off and heeling once more. The only named stall is the "McFrick", which is executed by planting one foot, raising the other, and sticking up your middle finger.
-* Vert — any type of tricks performed on a [[vert ramp]].
-* Flips — usually performed on a trampoline or off a high surface that has a soft surface under. Jump up and tuck just as a normal flip (try landing on wheels after feet).
 ==See also==