K2 Raider Review: Inline Skates for Kids

In our K2 Raider review, we look at one of the most popular kids’ adjustable inline skates that expand with a child’s feet as they grow.

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Rolling into Adventure: A Review of K2 Raider Kids Inline Skates

The K2 Raider is a popular inline skate for kids that can be adjusted as they grow. It has different versions with some added features. While they’re technically designed for boys, the fit is suitable for both boys and girls, allowing both genders to enjoy them. If you’re interested, K2 also offers a version specifically for girls called the Marlee, that comes in colors and patterns designed with girls in mind. In our review of the K2 Raider, we’ll examine the standard model and delve into the enhanced features of the K2 Raider Beam, K2 Raider Pro, and K2 Raider BOA. To discover more skates designed for kids, check out our 10 Best Inline Skates for Kids article.

Variations	Price
K2 Raider	$84.95
K2 Raider Beam	$72.97
K2 Raider Pro	$64.97
K2 Raider BOA	$139.95

K2 Raider

The K2 Raider inline skates are designed with strong construction, durability, and comfort in mind, making them an excellent choice for kids who want to learn how to skate in their neighborhood or at a roller rink. They’re ideal for kids with growing feet, allowing them to use the skates for more than one season since they adjust to five sizes. As your child’s feet grow, they can effortlessly adjust the boots and ankle straps to ensure the perfect fit.

To change the boot size, press the gray button and move the front part of the boot backward or forward. The most significant advantage of adjustable skates is that they solve the issue of not being sure which size will be right for your child when you order online. It’s worth mentioning that children with wider feet also find them comfortable and not too restrictive. Regardless of their size position, they are sturdy, easy to take on and off, and don’t have any pinch points to cause your child pain.

Beneath the boot, you’ll find a composite frame attached to the base, which soaks up vibrations from the road. This design keeps kids more stable by bringing them closer to the ground. The cuff lined with thick padding offers exceptional ankle support, making it easier for kids to gain confidence and proficiency in skating. Furthermore, they come with smooth rolling 4x70mm wheels with Abec 3 bearings inside them. The brake can be taken off, which means that as kids become skilled at skating, they can take it off and practice slowing down and stopping without it.

In terms of quality, the K2 Raider youth skates match up to adult K2 skates, and I appreciate that they maintain high-quality standards even for kids’ skates. The K2 Raider will become their favorite choice when playing outdoors with friends and siblings. You might even need to remind them not to skate indoors because they’ll enjoy the skates.

Suppose your child is more interested in extreme tricks, like skating ramps or doing jumps and grinds. In that case, they will need an “aggressive” specific skate like the USD Transformer or the Razors Genesys Junior.

K2 Raider Review Specifications
Best Use	Recreational Inline Skating
Base/Cuff Material	Polypropylene
Frame Material	Polypropylene
Boot Material	Synthetic leather/mesh/EVA foam
Wheels	70mm 80A (Max Wheel Size 76mm)
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)

View on Inline Warehouse

View on Amazon

K2 Raider Beam

The K2 Raider Beam is an upgraded version of the K2 Raider Inline Skates for Kids that light up in the front. These bright LED lights on the tongue and toes make nighttime skating even more fun for kids. You can activate these lights by pressing a button on the tongue. They come with three distinct patterns: a steady glow, rapid flashing, and slow blinking. Just picture the excitement of gliding around with lights right on your feet! These skates have all the great things that both kids and parents like about the K2 Raider, like being able to adjust the size, a stable cuff for support, a frame that soaks up bumps, and 72mm 80A wheels. And the best part is, they’re really affordable!

US Sizes	Y11 – 2 \| 1 – 5 \| 4 – 8
EU Sizes	29 – 34 \| 32 – 37 \| 35 – 40
Price	$72.97 (Inline Warehouse), $84.95 (Amazon)

View on Inline Warehouse

View on Amazon

K2 Raider Pro

The K2 Raider Pro takes everything great about the beloved K2 Raider softboot skate for kids and adds the K2 Speed Lacing System to ensure a perfect fit. To make them comfortable, you simply tighten the laces, then roll them up and store them in the pouch on the tongue. Like all skates in the Raider line, these can be adjusted in size, allowing your kids to 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	$64.97 (Inline Warehouse), $99.95 (Amazon)

View on Inline Warehouse

View on Amazon

K2 Raider BOA

The K2 Raider BOA doesn’t use regular laces like the base Raider model but instead uses the BOA Turn-Dial Speed Lacing system. BOA lacing makes putting them on and removing them a breeze, ensuring a consistently snug and hassle-free fit every time. The additional ankle strap offers added support and combined with the cozy K2 Original SoftBoot blend and the ultra-fast Boa® locking system, these skates guarantee your child’s feet stay comfortable and snug. With the availability of five different sizes, these skates can adapt as your children grow, ensuring they can experience the utmost enjoyment while skating around. The K2 Raider Boa® can offer enjoyment for more than just a single season of excitement with this in mind!