Review on K2 Sports Raider Inline Skate by Jon Smith

Foreword, growing up I skated aggressively, skates you can grind and go down and up and down bowls, half pipes and offkicker ramps. In the early 2000s, K2 was known for their aggressive skates (see above). Although they have almost completely abandoned aggressive skating, they still make quality skates for kids. I bought two pairs for my kids and my kids hardly ever take one off so... +1 for comfort. They are adjustable and last a while as K2 have been making skates for decades. One of the 1 star reviews above states that all the straps broke after the first use. Yes, these are beginner skates and if your child falls on them incorrectly the straps will break. As for my straps, they survived several months of falls and are still in good condition. If your kids are interested in ski jumping, flat grass or just technical tricks at high speeds, then these skates are not for them. Padded boots (as is) allow too much movement of the foot within the skate for superior stability. On the rare occasion your child goes to the skate park or is interested in tricks/jumps, buy them hard boots (K2 no longer sells hard boots except one boot). Conclusion: Great skateboarding training for children, adjustable in size with them. Comfortable, stable enough for a young student. They are for the recreational skater/student. The removable brake is a big plus for kids learning to brake/stop without a brake. My oldest (under 10 years old) no longer needs the brakes.