Our K2 Marlee review takes a look at one of the most popular inline skates for kids that adjust to different sizes, to grow with your child.
We independently selected all products in the K2 Marlee Review article. We may earn a commission through affiliate programs if you click the links we provide.
Kid-Approved Joy: Exploring the Features of K2 Marlee Inline Skates
The K2 Marlee is a popular inline skate for kids that can be adjusted as they grow. It has different versions with some added features. Even though it’s designed for girls, it fits both boys and girls well. K2 also has a version specifically for boys called the K2 Raider. In our K2 Marlee review, we’ll take a closer look at the base model and discuss the upgraded features of the K2 Marlee Beam, K2 Marlee Pro, and K2 Marlee BOA. For more information about skates made for kids, explore our article on the 10 Best Inline Skates for Kids.
| Variations | Price |
|---|---|
| K2 Marlee | $84.95 – $89.95 |
| K2 Marlee Beam | $72.97 – $98.90 |
| K2 Marlee Pro | $109.95 |
| K2 Marlee BOA | $139.95 |
K2 Marlee
The K2 Marlee adjustable inline skates are a charming, high-quality, and affordable choice for kids who are new to skating. These are the base model in the Marlee range, but they encompass all the features required to ensure a fun skating experience. With their softboot design, classic lacing, micro-adjustment buckles, and sturdy cuff, these skates provide ample support to ensure a snug and pleasant fit around the calves.
These skates are user-friendly, so even kids as young as four can quickly put them on and remove them by themselves. When the weather is nice, your child will want to zip around the neighborhood in these skates all day and might not even want to take them off when they are done! The skate’s lining is comfy and well-ventilated, preventing them from getting too hot and ensuring your child won’t feel any pain or blisters, even after a full day of skating.
At the same time, the five-size adjustability expands and contracts with the push of a button allowing the skates to grow along with the wearer’s feet. Thanks to this adjustability, the Marlee skates can be easily shared among siblings and friends, allowing them to partake in the joy of skating, often prompting a desire to own a pair for themselves. It’s important to mention that a few individuals might initially find pressing the button for size adjustment a bit challenging. Still, most people encountering this issue can usually master it after a few attempts.
The build of the skates remains impressively sturdy, whether at their initial size or extended, promising years of fun for your child. Moreover, these skates can continue to bring enjoyment even after your child has outgrown them, as they can be passed down to siblings or friends. Their appeal is so strong that you might even consider getting a pair of skates for your skating adventures!
The composite frame is integrated into the base, reducing vibrations and enhancing children’s balance due to its lower proximity to the ground. For sizes 11-2, the skates are equipped with 4x72mm wheels, whereas sizes 1-5 and 4-8 feature 4x76mm wheels. These wheels are good quality, moderately soft, and have ABEC 3 bearings, providing a controlled pace that’s not too fast and offering a smooth ride that is perfect for learning. Whether on the driveway, street, or roller rink, these wheels provide an ideal foundation to build skating skills.
| K2 Marlee Review Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Best Use | Recreational Inline Skating |
| Base/Cuff Material | Polypropylene |
| Frame Material | Polypropylene |
| Boot Material | Synthetic leather/mesh/EVA foam |
| Wheels | 72mm 80A (size 11-2) / 76mm 80A (size 1-8) |
| Bearings | ABEC 3 |
| Brakes Included | Yes |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Frame Length | 232 mm |
| Weight | 4 lbs. 9.8 oz |
| US Sizes | Y11 – 2 | 1 – 5 | 4 – 8 |
| EU Sizes | 29 – 34 | 32 – 37 | 35 – 40 |
| Price | $84.95 (Inline Warehouse), $89.95 (Amazon) |
Related: The 10 Best Inline Skates for Kids
K2 Marlee Beam
The K2 Marlee Beam is another really cool version of the Marlee skate collection. These skates have all the great features and quality of the regular Marlee skates, but they come with an extra awesome feature: LED lights on the tongue and toes of the skates. Imagine how fun it would be to skate around with lights on your feet! You can turn these lights on using a button on the tongue, and they have three different patterns: steady, fast flashing, and slow flashing. Bright colors and LED lights mean more fun and more time to play outside for kids. Apart from the cool lights, the Marlee Beam inline skates are just like the regular Marlee skates, so they can be adjusted to five different sizes with a simple button press, making sizing and sharing super easy. Watch kids light up with excitement with the Marlee Beam skates!
| US Sizes | Y11 – 2 | 1 – 5 | 4 – 8 |
| EU Sizes | 29 – 34 | 32 – 37 | 35 – 40 |
| Price | $84.95 (Inline Warehouse), $89.95 (Amazon) |
Related: The 36 Best Inline Skates and Rollerblades
K2 Marlee Pro
The K2 Marlee Pro takes all the great things about the K2 Marlee softboot skate that kids and parents love and adds the K2 Speed Lacing System for a perfect fit. You pull the laces tight to make them comfy, then roll them up, and store them in the pouch on the tongue. Like all the skates in the Marlee line, they can adjust in size, so your kids can use them for more than one season or share them with others.
| US Sizes | Y11 – 2 | 1 – 5 | 4 – 8 |
| EU Sizes | 29 – 34 | 32 – 37 | 35 – 40 |
| Price | $109.95 (Inline Warehouse) |
Related: 5 Best Skate Helmets for Kids for Inline and Roller Skating
K2 Marlee BOA
The K2 Marlee BOA is similar to the regular Marlee skate, but it has a cool feature: no more regular laces or tricky knots. Instead, it uses the BOA Turn-Dial Speed Lacing system. This means you can easily put them on and take them off, and they’ll always fit just right without any fuss. The new extra ankle strap gives even more support. With the comfy K2 Original SoftBoot mix and the super quick and easy Boa® locking system, these skates make sure your child’s feet feel great and comfy. That way, they can have the most fun while riding around. Because of the five-size options, these skates can grow along with your kids. This means they can enjoy using the Marlee Boa® for more than just one season of fun!
| US Sizes | Y11 – 2 | 1 – 5 | 4 – 8 |
| EU Sizes | 29 – 34 | 32 – 37 | 35 – 40 |
| Price | $139.95 (Inline Warehouse), $139.95 (Amazon) |
Related: The Best Safety Pads for Kids
