Kick Speed vs Heelys: Which Roller Skate Shoes Are Better for Kids?
Looking for the best Heelys alternative for kids? Kick Speed Heel Wheel Roller Shoes give kids the same heel-wheel glide that made Heelys famous, but with one big advantage: every model takes a detachable front wheel, so a beginner can learn on four wheels and pull the front pair out once their balance improves. Add built-in LED lights for visibility in low light, and it is easy to see why so many parents pick Kick Speed over classic Heelys.
What Are Kick Speed Heel Wheel Roller Shoes?
Kick Speed Heel Wheel Roller Shoes put a wheel in the heel for a smooth Heelys-style glide, and let you take it back out so the shoe walks like a normal sneaker. Two models, the Cloud LOW and the Pro-X LOW, do this with a button on the heel: press once and the wheel drops out, press again and it retracts. On the other eight the wheel unit lifts out by hand. On every model in the range you can also attach front wheels manually, turning the shoe into a four-wheel roller setup that is easier for beginners to balance on.
That extra front wheel is the main reason parents pick Kick Speed as a Heelys alternative: it makes the first rides far less wobbly for younger or cautious kids, while the LED models add a cool glow that keeps them visible in low light.
Curious how the heel wheel system compares to pop-out models? See exactly how shoes with wheels work.
Kick Speed Heel Wheel Shoes vs Heelys: The Key Differences
Both Heelys and Kick Speed heel wheel shoes use a wheel in the heel, but the setups differ:
| Feature | Kick Speed Heel Wheel Shoes | Heelys |
|---|---|---|
| Rear wheel | Button release on the Cloud LOW and Pro-X LOW, lifts out by hand on the other eight | Removed by hand and replaced with a plug |
| Wheel under the forefoot | Detachable, on all ten models | Not available — the X2 range adds a second wheel under the heel, not under the front of the foot |
| Half sizes | Yes, across the range | No, full sizes only |
| Four-wheel setup | Possible on every model, so the design your child picks is also the one they can learn on | Not available |
| Switching to walking mode | Press the button on two models, lift the wheels out on the rest | Take the wheel out and store it, then fit the plug |
| Fun factor | Two ways to ride plus LED lights | One glide style, plus licensed designs Kick Speed does not have |
| Best for | Kids and beginners learning to glide | Riders who want a specific character shoe or a large adult size |
A lot of parents arrive here after searching for Heelys with a button release. If that is you, we explain the mechanism in full in do Heelys have retractable wheels.
Why Parents Switch from Heelys to Kick Speed
Most parents who move their kids from Heelys to Kick Speed do it for three reasons: more fun, more stability, and a better fit.
More fun
A single heel wheel only lets a child glide one way. Kick Speed heel wheel shoes run on the rear wheel for that classic Heelys glide, or convert into a full four-wheel roller setup once the front wheels are attached. That is two ways to ride in one pair, plus LED soles that light up every roll, so kids stay excited to wear and practice in them.
More stability
Balancing on a single heel wheel is wobbly, and that is exactly where many beginners give up. Adding the front wheels turns the shoe into a planted four-wheel ride, so younger and cautious kids can roll with confidence instead of tipping backward. Heelys' X2 models do add a second wheel, but it sits behind the first, still under the heel — nothing goes under the front of the foot. On Kick Speed the forefoot wheel comes as standard on all ten models, so you are not choosing between the shoe your child likes and the setup they need.
A better fit
Heelys state on their own size guide that they do not make half sizes and suggest sizing up if you fall between two. On a shoe you balance on, that half size matters: a heel that lifts inside the shoe takes away the feedback a beginner needs. Kick Speed runs half sizes throughout the heel wheel range, so a foot that measures between two whole sizes has somewhere to land.
Start with the front wheels attached, then take them off for the single-heel-wheel glide once balance improves. It is a built-in way to learn at your child's own pace.
Top Heel Wheel Models for Kids
Here are the most popular Kick Speed heel wheel roller shoes, the best Heelys alternatives for kids in every style.
Kick Air LOW LED – Pastel Pink
A pastel pink heel wheel shoe with a bright LED sole and detachable heel and front wheels. A favorite for girls who want style and an easy glide. From $89.99. Shop Kick Air LOW LED
Pro-X LOW LED – Black & White
Sporty black and white with a blue glow, and one of the two models with the one-touch button release. Front-wheel compatible for extra stability, and a strong pick for boys who want a cool, fast look. From $89.99. Shop Pro-X LOW LED
Photon Glow LOW for Kids LED – Silver
A gentle starting point for younger kids, with detachable front and rear wheels and a soft LED glow. From $69.99. Shop Photon Glow LOW
Spectra Glow MID LED – Silver
A mid-top with extra ankle support and plenty of shine, great for kids who want more stability up top. From $79.99. Shop Spectra Glow MID
Benefits of Kick Speed Heel Wheel Shoes
- Button pop-out rear wheel on two models: On the Cloud LOW and Pro-X LOW, press the heel button to pop the wheel out for gliding, or retract it to walk. The other eight models lift out by hand.
- Manual front wheels on every model: Attach front wheels for a more stable four-wheel ride, ideal for beginners.
- Two ways to ride: Single-wheel Heelys-style glide or full four-wheel roller mode in one pair.
- Half sizes: Something Heelys do not offer, and it matters on a shoe you balance on.
- LED lights: Improve visibility in low light and make skating fun.
- Replaceable wheels: Keep rolling with authentic spare wheels.
Prefer a Fuller Skate Ride?
If your child wants more than a heel-wheel glide, Kick Speed also makes roller skate shoes with pop-out wheels that deploy a full set of wheels for a skate-like ride. They cost considerably more, so they suit a child who already skates rather than a first pair. For a true Heelys alternative, heel wheel shoes are the closest match.
How to Choose the Right Heel Wheel Shoes
Sizing & Fit
Measure your child's foot and compare it to the official Size Guide rather than guessing from another brand. US sizing is not identical between brands, so go by foot length in centimetres. A snug, secure fit helps with balance and control. For age-specific picks, see our guide to the best roller skate shoes for 10-12 year olds.
Safety First
For an easier start, keep the front wheels attached so your child rides on four wheels while learning. Ride on smooth, flat, dry surfaces, wear a helmet and wrist guards, and practice balancing and stopping before longer glides. Read our full shoes with wheels safety guide before the first ride.
If you want to know what the injury research actually says before buying, we went through the published data in are Heelys dangerous, including which injuries are most common and why wrist guards matter more than most parents realise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Heelys alternative for kids?
Kick Speed heel wheel roller shoes are one of the best Heelys alternatives for kids. They offer the same heel-wheel glide, a detachable front wheel on every model for more stability, half sizes, and LED versions for visibility and style. For a full model-by-model breakdown with prices and sizes, read our guide to the best Heelys alternative for kids.
What makes Kick Speed different from Heelys?
Three things. Kick Speed makes half sizes and Heelys does not, which matters on a shoe you balance on. Every Kick Speed heel wheel model takes a detachable wheel under the forefoot; Heelys' X2 range has two wheels per shoe, but both sit under the heel, so nothing goes under the front of the foot. And two Kick Speed models release the heel wheel with a button rather than a plug tool. Heelys, in return, are usually cheaper and come in larger adult sizes.
Are Kick Speed heel wheel shoes easier than Heelys for beginners?
For most beginners, yes. With the front wheels attached, the weight is spread across four wheels instead of one, which is easier for younger or cautious riders to control, and every model in the range can be set up that way. You can remove the front wheels later for the classic single-wheel glide.
How do the wheels work on Kick Speed heel wheel shoes?
On the Cloud LOW and Pro-X LOW, a button on the heel pops the rear wheel out for gliding and retracts it for walking. On the other eight models the wheel unit slots into the sole and lifts out by hand. On every model you can also attach front wheels manually to create a four-wheel setup.
Do Kick Speed heel wheel shoes have LED lights?
Many models do. The Kick Air LOW LED, Pro-X LOW LED, Photon Glow LOW, and Spectra Glow MID all feature bright, rechargeable LED soles.
What sizes are available?
Kick Speed offers sizes for kids, teens, and adults, including half sizes. See the Size Guide for conversion charts in EU, US, and cm, and measure in centimetres rather than converting from another brand.
