K2 Surge and Grid Inline Skates - Typical Hardboot Skates for Urban Riding.
K2 Surge and Grid are hardboot inline skates designed for freeskating. Skates built on a hard, durable, and stiff shell have gained immense popularity over the past few seasons due to their versatility. The hardboot ensures the right stiffness and foot protection, essential for jumps, slides, hockey, and dynamic urban skating. It also supports beginners by maintaining proper posture and preventing ankles and knees from bending inward during learning.
K2 skates, based on the softboot design, are renowned for their incredible comfort among both kids and adults. These models have become top choices for recreational and fitness skating. However, K2's softboot concept has not gained much recognition in the freeskate/urban skating community over the years.
K2 Surge and Grid - A Response to Competing Hardboot Models.
The new K2 Surge and Grid inline skates are a clear response to the highly popular mid-range and high-end hardboot models, such as:
In K2's hardboot inline skate collection for urban skating, you'll find the following models:
Initially, the manufacturer has planned three versions of each model.
New Hard Shell from K2 with Ventilation System.
The foundation of each K2 Grid and Surge model is a completely new, purpose-designed hard shell made from plastic. Combined with a cuff specifically designed for these models, the Surge and Grid provide full support for the foot and ankle joint, ensuring a stable position, stability, and safety both during learning and while performing complex tricks or fast, dynamic skating.
The manufacturer has also included a ventilation system based on Vortech air channels, which ensure proper airflow and cooling of the feet during skating.
Interestingly, unlike its competitors, K2 has opted out of using popular sliders - small, additional parts that protect the outer part of the boot - in favor of a sleek design and reduced overall weight of the skate.
K2 Surge - Inline Skates for Beginners and Intermediate Skaters.
The Surge skate lineup includes three models:
- Surge 80: Features a classic frame with 4x80mm wheels.
- Surge 84: Comes with a slightly longer, more stable frame with 4x84mm wheels.
- Surge 100: A three-wheel skate with 3x100mm wheels.
K2 Surge - Inline Skates for Beginners and Intermediate Skaters.
Each of the Surge models includes the following features:
- Shell: Made from polypropylene composite, which combines high durability with low weight. It is highly impact-resistant and flexible, effectively damping vibrations.
- Cuff: Made from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), which combines the properties of rubber and thermoplastics, providing excellent flexibility and resilience. This material is resistant to material fatigue, meaning it can be repeatedly compressed and stretched without losing its properties (important for buckling and unbuckling).
- Lacing and Buckles: Classic lacing system and strong, solid buckles with micro-adjustments on the cuff and instep (45-degree buckle).
- Liner: Specially designed K2 liner with a quick Speed Lacing system, ensuring comfortable skating.
- Frame: Made from 6061 aluminum alloy through an extrusion process, making it very strong, stiff (great for energy transfer), and lightweight.
- Hardware: Single, hollow steel axles.
- Bearings: Twincam ILQ 5 bearings (with ILQ 7 bearings in the Surge 100 model), which are fast and reliable.
- Wheels: 82A hardness, providing excellent grip and performance on uneven surfaces.
- Brake: Included.
The K2 Surge models are high-quality skates designed for beginners and intermediate skaters who are developing their skills in urban skating and freeskate. The careful selection of materials for the shell and cuff, combined with high-quality components, ensures that all K2 Surge models provide comfort and safety, making them ideal for those starting out and looking to improve their urban skating skills.
K2 Grid - For Advanced and Demanding Skaters.
The K2 Grid lineup also includes three models:
- Grid 80: Features a universal wheel setup with 4x80mm wheels.
- Grid 90: Comes with a longer frame with rockering and 4x90mm wheels.
- Grid 110: Equipped with three large 110mm wheels.
What Sets the Grid Models Apart from the Surge Models:
- Shell and Cuff: Made from nylon, which is less flexible than polypropylene composite and TPE. This makes the entire skate structure much stiffer and more durable.
- Metal Mounting Plates: Metal plates that attach the frame to the boot, reinforcing the entire boot structure and increasing energy transfer. They also allow the frame to be set in two different positions relative to the boot (front/back).
- Liner K2 x Intuition: Produced by Intuition, a top brand specializing in high-quality liners for skates. The thermoformable liner with a quick Speed Lacing system fits perfectly with the Grid skate construction, eliminating any unwanted movements inside the skate and ensuring a stable foot and ankle position, providing the highest level of comfort.
- Flex Lock System: By turning the screw located at the back of the cuff, we can lock or increase the flex of the skate, which adjusts the forward/backward movement range of the cuff.
- Shock Absorber: An additional insert under the heel that dampens vibrations during jumps.
- Frames: After the extrusion process, they undergo additional machining, which increases precision and quality.
- Single Aluminum Screws: Lighter and more corrosion-resistant than steel screws.
- Bearings: Super-fast and durable Twincam ILQ 9 bearings that can handle all bumps and jumps from great heights.
- Wheels: 85A hardness – faster and more wear-resistant.
The K2 Grid models are designed for the most demanding users. Stiff, excellent at energy transfer, and durable, they are equipped with the highest quality components to ensure the best experience during dynamic skating and performing tricks. These skates are ready to meet the needs of the most advanced urban skaters, right out of the box!
Sizing for K2 Surge and Grid Inline Skates
The K2 Surge and Grid skates are available in European sizes from 36.5 to 48, distributed across 9 different shell sizes - each shell size corresponds to a single skate size. Since the manufacturer did not use double sizing for these models, it is important to carefully examine the skate size chart and shell length to choose the perfect size for yourself.
| Size [EU] | 36,5 | 38 | 39,5 | 40,5 | 42 | 43,5 | 44,5 | 46 | 48 |
| Size [UK] | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Size [US] | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| Mondopoint [MM] | 230 | 240 | 250 | 260 | 270 | 280 | 290 | 300 | 310 |
| Inner length of shell [MM] | 250 | 255 | 265 | 270 | 280 | 290 | 295 | 300 | 310 |
Brake for Beginners.
Both the Surge and Grid models come with an included brake, which can be easily mounted or removed depending on your needs.
K2 Hardboot Inline Skates: Comfort, Quality, and Versatility.
No matter which model you choose - whether the more affordable Surge or the more advanced Grid - you will receive a high-quality product designed with user comfort, durability, and stability in mind. For less advanced skaters - the more flexible and forgiving Surge, while advanced skaters will find the stiff and durable Grid to be the perfect choice!
