Heelychat, the forum for heelys, the shoes with wheels - View topic

Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3

im a product design student and ive been researching heelys and the brand for a few days and id like to redesign the shoe to be either: safer, or more ergonomic to prevent early damage to ankle tissue and tendonitis. if anyone has any ideas how i can accomplish this, please let me know. if there are any existing problems with the shoes that youd like to see addressed, please let me know. thanks!

The shoes have been out for 7 years if any problem hasn't gotten fixed im pretty sure a student isn't going to fix it.

Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3

sure, then why has it been proven that the shoes cause tendonitis and weak ankle tissue in kids? for adults it may be different, but for a growing child their muscles are still developing. the company may not address this issue because kids are their target market and kids wont care about weak muscles when they are older. parents also may not see the long term risks involved with these shoes when they buy them. just because the shoes have been out for 7 years doesn't mean there arn't problems. cars have been out for 90 years, and yet they still have problems.

Team Heelys - Midwest Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 8388607

damage ankle tissue and cause tendonitis . . . is this another one of those crappy studies about how heelys can injure you?

look guy we've allready had talks about that and the developing child sh!t. Heelys dont beleive me i'll look for the link thats proves it doesn't.

Team Heelys - Midwest Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 8388607

oh yeah, welcome to Heelychat! Very Happy

We've seen arrogance before, but this really takes the cake.

You've been researching it for a few days and you think you can redesign the whole product?

You make the statement that "it has been proven", but what you don't have is actual, y'know, proof. Link to research published by real doctors?

I'm still just awed by the pure hubris here.

Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3

youre right slicer, im an idiot and dont know anything

Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Pinckney, MI

Guys I think you all need to chill out. All he wanted was help for his project you don't need to jump all over him and accuse him of hating Heelys hes just got work to do.

In lines of your question I think two big problems that I can think of are wheel wells always getting jamed with rocks and such, and then also for those who use heelys on half pipes, mini ramps, ect, it's rather hard because you cant have your foot hit possibly because the wheels are too small. I hope that helps.

Team Heelys - Northeast Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 1803

Hello anurandesign,

Welcome to the board. Sorry if you've been met with rather staunch opposition. You seem like a reasonable person. I know the people on this board didn't mean any offense. We are all just rather fond of our Heelys.

On the point of medical impact of Heelys - I don't know that there is any reliable study out there. Heelys has been out for 7 years. Its popularity didn't take off until 5 years ago. Mega Wheels have only been out for 3. Even a basic clinical trial should last 10 years. I'm fairly sure that from the standpoint of scientific method, a thorough study could not have been possible.

That being said, I understand the concerns of people. What I feel is that kids should do some jogging and running as well as Heeling. Heeling is my primary form of locomotion. But even I run at least 3 miles a day (I own two very lively dogs).

Like any sport, good flexibility with a stretching regiment should be standard. But there in lies the point. As with any sport, there are positives and negatives. We should all (Heelers included) strive to understand what is both good and bad. And those on the outside should not single out Heelys moreover any other activity.

In my estimation, Heelys is one of the most healthy and wholesome activities. They’re fun enough so kids get tons of movement and exercise. It’s not nearly as dangerous as it looks. Personal responsibility is still required. But that's true of all things.

Seth, I don't agree with your comment. Students often find enhancements that have eluded others. I am certain that you've made a few good suggestions before. Wink

And you're a student. I don't under-estimate the young and curious, you shouldn't either.

anurandesign, you'll find that this board is filled with people who are happy to help. But please pose your questions from a more balanced viewpoint. If you come with a pre-conceived notion that this activity is unhealthy, then you'll end up offending people (even if you didn't mean to) ... and then .. well .. you'll end up getting what you'll end up getting. And that'll be exactly what you deserved.

Best wishes,
Merlyn_DHZ

<------ didnt read merlyn's post because it looked too long.

ok w.e. merlyn said goes

Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Pinckney, MI

I just thought of something really sweet today that you can incorporate into your design. If you don't know there are some designs with grind plates on the bottom of the shoe in the middle. I was thinking that two more grind plates would go good on either side of the wheel on the back where it doesn't hit when you walk. That would give more options for different grinds. If my explanation wasn't good enough let me know and I'll try and post a pic that looks like what I am thinking.

Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 158 Location: hudson

i agree with pat, hes just a guy trying to do his job., so why are we accusing him fo hating heelys? if he hates them so m,uxch then why would he be trying to improove them,?ok my suggestion is, welli have two suggestions, one try heelys for ur self maybe thatll help you if u know how it is to heely so u can figre out some problems that we might of forgotten about from heelying for so long and getting used to these problems accuring, two, is i think you should put more space between the wheel and the shoe so that rocks dont get stuck as often wich would prevent falling as much, merlyns right, u are going to find alot of people going against ur idea if u ask us for help in that way, try and tell them how u dont hate the shoes, but ur just trying to imroove it and seth, eas up on him god1 its not like hes the devil?

Korn, you better watch out- the English language will get you for that.