Best Heelys Alternative for Kids: Why Kick Speed Is Easier for Beginners
Most parents start this search with one brand in mind and one worry underneath it: will my child actually be able to ride these, or will they end up in a cupboard after a week? That worry is the right one. The thing that decides whether a wheeled shoe gets worn is not the logo on the side — it is whether the shoe fits properly and whether the first few attempts feel manageable.
This guide compares Kick Speed heel wheel shoes with Heelys on the points that actually change the outcome: sizing, how many wheels the shoe rolls on, how the wheels come in and out, and what the whole thing costs. Every Heelys detail below was checked on heelys.com, and every Kick Speed detail on the product pages linked in the table.
The short answer
Kick Speed is easier for most beginners than Heelys for three concrete reasons. Kick Speed makes half sizes and Heelys does not — their own size guide says so in plain words. Every Kick Speed heel wheel model ships with a detachable wheel under the front of the foot, which Heelys does not offer on any model, so a nervous child can learn with the contact spread along the whole foot and take the front wheel out later. And two models release the heel wheel with a button instead of a plug tool, which removes the most annoying part of owning a wheeled shoe.
Where Heelys still wins, and it is worth saying plainly: they are cheaper, they come in bigger sizes, and they hold licences like Hello Kitty, Minecraft and Reebok that Kick Speed cannot match. Heelys kids styles start around $60 with sale pairs lower again, while Kick Speed heel wheel shoes start at $69.99. Their size chart also runs to 33 cm, against roughly 27.4 cm at the top of the Kick Speed range. If you need a large adult size, a particular character shoe, or the lowest price on the page, buy Heelys. The case for Kick Speed is that the extra money buys a fit and a wheel setup that get a beginner rolling sooner.
Why half sizes matter more than anything else on this page
Heelys state it on their own size guide, word for word: "Sorry, we don't do half sizes." Their advice if you fall between sizes is to size up.
For a wheeled shoe that advice is a problem. A normal sneaker that is half a size too big is slightly loose. A heel wheel shoe that is half a size too big lets the heel lift inside the shoe at exactly the moment the child shifts weight backwards onto the wheel. The foot moves, the shoe does not, and the rider loses the feedback they need to balance. That is the single most common reason a beginner gives up.
Kick Speed runs half sizes across the heel wheel line, from US 0.5 on the Cloud LOW up to US 10 on several models. If your child measures between two whole sizes, there is an actual size to land on rather than a compromise.
Heelys also does not offer exchanges — their FAQ says so directly. So a size that is not quite right has to go back as a return rather than be swapped. That raises the cost of guessing.
One wheel or two, and why the front wheel changes the first week
A single heel wheel is a small contact patch a long way behind the ankle. The rider has to lift their toes, shift weight back, and hold a line on one point per foot. Plenty of kids get it in an afternoon. Plenty of others spend that afternoon on their backside and decide the shoes are not for them.
Adding a front wheel spreads the contact along the foot. The shoe rolls more like a skate and less like a balancing act, stopping is more predictable, and the rider can build the habit of gliding before they have to master the heel-only position.
Heelys have a partial answer to this. Their X2 range puts two wheels in each shoe, and their FAQ describes it as a good option for beginners and younger riders. But look at the sole: both X2 wheels sit under the heel, one behind the other. That lengthens the contact patch at the back of the shoe, which does help. It does not put anything under the front of the foot — the forefoot stays plain tread.
That is the real difference, and it is about where the wheel sits rather than how many there are. All ten Kick Speed heel wheel models take a detachable wheel under the forefoot, which spreads the contact along the length of the foot instead of concentrating it at the heel. Fit both wheels for the first month, pull the front pair out when they are confident, and the same shoe grows with them.
How the wheel comes out: by hand or by button
Eight of the ten Kick Speed heel wheel models use a manual system. The wheel unit slots into a mount in the sole and lifts back out by hand. There is no mechanism sealed inside the midsole, which means there is nothing in there to jam or wear out, and a worn wheel unit can simply be swapped.
Two models — the Cloud LOW and the Pro-X LOW — use a button. Press once and the heel wheel drops out of the sole; press again and it retracts and locks away. No tool, no loose plugs, no kneeling down in a car park. If your child will be switching between walking and rolling several times a day, this is the version to buy.
Neither system is better in the abstract. The button is faster in daily use; the manual system has fewer parts. What matters is that you know which one you are getting, and the table below tells you.
Kick Speed heel wheel shoes compared to Heelys
| Kick Speed heel wheel line | Heelys | |
|---|---|---|
| Half sizes | Yes, throughout the range | No — "we don't do half sizes" |
| Wheel under the forefoot | Detachable, on all 10 models | None — the X2 range adds a second heel wheel, not a forefoot wheel |
| Wheel release | Button on 2 models, manual on 8 | Manual, with plug removal tool |
| Size range | About 17.6 cm to 27.4 cm | 17 cm to 33 cm |
| Kids price | $69.99 to $99.99 | From about $60, sale pairs lower |
| Low and mid tops | Both — 7 low, 3 mid | Almost all low tops |
| Licensed characters | No | Yes — Hello Kitty, Minecraft, Reebok |
| US shipping | Free | Free only on qualifying orders and promotions |
| Returns | 90 days, any reason | 30 days, free |
| Exchanges | Handled through support | Not offered |
Two notes on that table. Sizes are given in centimetres on purpose, because the US numbers printed on the two brands do not line up — Kick Speed's own guidance is to ignore your usual US, EU or UK size and go by foot length. And prices and stock move, so confirm on the product page before you order.
What the extra money actually buys
Kick Speed heel wheel shoes cost more than most Heelys. There is no way around that, so it is worth being specific about what the difference pays for.
It pays for a size that fits. Half sizes are not a luxury on a shoe you balance on, and they are the difference between a pair your child rides and a pair that slides at the heel until they lose interest.
It pays for a wheel under the forefoot on every model, which is something Heelys do not offer at all — their X2 range doubles up under the heel instead. The shoe your child picked for the colour is also the shoe they can learn on.
And on two models it pays for a button instead of a plug tool. If you have ever knelt in a school car park levering a wheel out of a shoe, you already know what that is worth.
What it does not buy is a licensed character, a size above about 27.4 cm, or the cheapest price on this page. If those matter most, Heelys is the better purchase and you should not let anyone talk you out of it.
Every Kick Speed heel wheel model, side by side
Ten models, sorted by price. Every one takes a detachable front wheel.
| Model | Price | US sizes | Colours | LED | Wheel release | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photon Glow LOW | $69.99 | 1 – 5.5 | 3 | Yes | Manual | Low |
| Spectra Glow MID | $79.99 | 1 – 10 | 6 | Yes | Manual | Mid |
| City LOW | $79.99 | 1 – 8.5 | 3 | No | Manual | Low |
| Nebula LOW | $79.99 | 1 – 8.5 | 2 | No | Manual | Low |
| Kick Air LOW | $89.99 | 1 – 10 | 3 | Yes | Manual | Low |
| Pro-X LOW | $89.99 | 1.5 – 10 | 2 | Yes | Button | Low |
| Plasma Flow LOW | $89.99 | 1 – 8.5 | 3 | Yes | Manual | Low |
| Drift MID | $89.99 | 1 – 10 | 3 | Yes | Manual | Mid |
| Cloud LOW | $94.99 | 0.5 – 9.5 | 3 | No | Button | Low |
| Air Pegasus MID | $99.99 | 1 – 8.5 | 3 | Yes | Manual | Mid |
Browse the full heel wheel collection, or filter by LED models, models without LEDs, low tops and mid tops.
Which pair for which child
The smallest feet
The Photon Glow LOW is the cheapest way in at $69.99 and is built around small sizes, starting at 17.6 cm of internal shoe length. The Cloud LOW is the only model that starts at US 0.5. Measure before you choose between them — at this end of the range half a size is a large proportion of the shoe.
A nervous beginner of any age
Fit both wheels and leave them in. The Cloud LOW is the strongest pick here: button release, no LEDs to distract, the widest size range in the line at US 0.5 to 9.5, and a plain enough look to pass as a normal school shoe.
A child who will switch between walking and rolling all day
Buy a button model. The Pro-X LOW gives you the button plus LEDs; the Cloud LOW gives you the button without them. Everything else means sitting down and pulling wheels out by hand.
Evening and winter riding
LEDs are worth having when it goes dark at four in the afternoon. The Spectra Glow MID has the widest choice in the range at six colourways and runs US 1 to 10, so it also suits older kids and teens. Charge them fully before the first ride and switch the lights off in storage.
An older child or a teenager
Size is the constraint. Four models reach the top of the range at US 10: Spectra Glow MID, Kick Air LOW, Pro-X LOW and Drift MID. In foot length that is roughly 27.4 cm. If the measurement comes out longer than that, Kick Speed has nothing for you and Heelys, whose chart runs to 33 cm, genuinely is the better answer.
If a heel wheel is not enough shoe
There is a second Kick Speed line that has nothing to do with Heelys and is worth knowing about before you buy. These are roller skate shoes with four pop-out wheels — a full skate chassis that retracts into the sole, not a heel wheel with an accessory. Some come with toe stops.
Be clear about the money, though. These start at $129.99 and go to $219.99, which is two to three times the price of a heel wheel shoe and of a pair of Heelys. They are the right buy for a child who already skates and wants something more capable, not for a first pair.
- Impact LOW with Toe Stops — $169.99, US 2.5 to 10, five colours. Toe stops make stopping deliberate rather than improvised.
- Pro-X LOW / NEW LED — $179.99, US 1.5 to 10. The widest size range in the pop-out line.
- Fly Wheels LOW — $199.99, US 2.5 to 10, four colours including gold.
- Kick Air MID / NEW LED — $219.99, US 2.5 to 10. Mid top, most ankle coverage in the range.
Getting the size right the first time
Measure, do not guess. Stand your child on paper against a wall, mark the longest toe, measure heel to mark in centimetres, and add about half a centimetre of growing room. Then match that number on the size guide.
This is not optional advice, and it is Kick Speed's own: the guidance on the product pages is to choose by foot length and disregard your usual US, EU or UK size, because those standards vary between brands. A child who is a US 2 in Heelys is not automatically a US 2 here. Converting from another sneaker is the most common way people end up with the wrong pair.
Measure in the afternoon — feet are slightly larger later in the day — and measure both feet, because most people have one longer than the other. Size to the bigger one.
If you are buying for a daughter, that gap has its own guide: Heelys for girls and the half-size problem works through the measuring in centimetres and which models close it.
The fit you want is snug through the heel and midfoot with room for the toes to lie flat. Heel lift is the thing to avoid. If the heel slides when your child walks, the shoe will feel unpredictable the moment they roll on it. This is where a half size earns its keep: if the measurement lands between two whole sizes, take the half size rather than sizing up and filling the gap with thick socks.
Safety, care and spare parts
A helmet is not optional, and wrist guards matter more than they look — hands go down first in almost every fall. Knee and elbow pads are worth it for the first few weeks. Learn on flat, dry, smooth ground. Sloped driveways and rough concrete make the first attempts harder than they need to be, and wet surfaces make the wheels unpredictable.
Wheels and bearings are consumable. Wipe grit off the wheel area after outdoor use and do not put the shoes away wet. If the roll starts to feel gritty, loud or uneven, the bearings need attention or the wheel unit needs replacing. Authentic spare wheels and a repair kit start at $9.99, which is a cheap way to keep a $70 to $95 pair rolling for another season.
Kick Speed ships free within the US, and you have 90 days to send an unworn pair back for any reason, with a 60-day free replacement warranty on top. Heelys give 30 days and no exchanges at all. Rates and current delivery times for every region are on the shipping policy page. If you are stuck between two sizes or two models, ask before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Do Heelys make half sizes?
No. Heelys state on their own size guide that they do not make half sizes and recommend sizing up if you fall between two sizes. Kick Speed makes half sizes across the heel wheel range, from US 0.5 to US 10 depending on the model.
Is Kick Speed actually easier to learn on than Heelys?
For most beginners, yes, for two reasons. You can get a size that fits properly rather than rounding up half a size, and every Kick Speed heel wheel model takes a detachable wheel under the forefoot, so a new rider can start with the contact spread along the whole foot and remove the front pair once they are confident. Heelys make two-wheel X2 models, but both of those wheels sit under the heel; they do not offer a shoe with a wheel under the front of the foot.
Which Kick Speed model is best for a complete beginner?
The Cloud LOW is the strongest all-round beginner pick. It has the widest size range in the heel wheel line at US 0.5 to 9.5, the heel wheel releases with a button rather than a tool, and it has no LEDs, so it looks like an ordinary shoe. Fit the front wheels for the first few weeks and take them out later.
What is the difference between the button and manual wheel systems?
On a button model you press once to drop the heel wheel out of the sole and press again to retract it, with no tool needed. On a manual model the wheel unit slots into a mount in the sole and lifts out by hand. The button is faster for children who switch between walking and rolling several times a day; the manual system has fewer parts inside the shoe. Two Kick Speed models use a button and eight use the manual system.
Can you take the wheels out and wear them as normal shoes?
Yes. On every Kick Speed heel wheel model the wheels come out and the sole sits flat, so the shoe can be worn as an ordinary trainer. That matters at school, where wheeled shoes are often only allowed if the wheels are removed.
Do the LED models need charging?
Yes. The LED models are rechargeable. Charge them fully before the first ride and switch the lights off when the shoes are stored, which keeps the battery ready for next time. If you would rather skip charging altogether, the City LOW, Nebula LOW and Cloud LOW have no lights.
How do I choose between low tops and mid tops?
Low tops are lighter and easier to wear all day, which is why seven of the ten heel wheel models are low tops. Mid tops sit higher around the ankle and are usually chosen when a rider wants more structure or prefers the look. Neither affects how the wheels work.
Are Kick Speed roller shoes only for kids?
No. Four heel wheel models run to the top of the range, roughly 27.4 cm of foot length, which covers teens and many adults. Beyond that the Kick Speed range runs out and Heelys, whose size chart reaches 33 cm, is the better option. Measure the foot in centimetres rather than converting US sizes, because the two brands do not use the same scale.
What if my child is between sizes or has wide feet?
Measure the foot in centimetres and match it on the size guide rather than converting from another sneaker brand. If the measurement falls between two whole sizes, take the half size. For wide feet, go by the length measurement and get in touch before ordering if you are unsure.
How much do Kick Speed heel wheel shoes cost compared to Heelys?
Kick Speed costs more. Heel wheel models run from $69.99 to $99.99, while Heelys kids styles start around $60 and drop lower on sale. The extra pays for half sizes, a detachable front wheel on every model, and a button release on two of them. The separate Kick Speed pop-out roller skate shoe line is a different proposition again at $129.99 to $219.99.
Where to go next
If you want the full checklist before you order, our guide to what to look for in heel wheel shoes covers nine things worth checking, Heelys for girls deals with the sizing problem parents hit first, and Kick Speed vs Heelys puts the two brands head to head. Parents weighing up whether to buy at all should read are Heelys worth it for kids and what the injury research actually says. If the shoes are heading to school, check the school rules guide first.
Ready to choose? Start with the heel wheel collection, check the size guide, and read the FAQs if anything is still unclear.
