Don't know where you skate, but the streets of San Francisco are not quite bad enough to warrant such killer shocks. Because of its weight and high center of gravity, this is not a rig for beginners. The strong foundation underlies a formula that cruisers will relish, but it won't leave advanced skaters wanting for power. When charging down the open road, I found it responsive despite all that stability. With durable and breathable materials, stiff injected plastic where necessary, and a V-cut in the rear, the boot both flexes and supports.
Credit goes to a softish boot imbued with a stiffness that generates solid push-off.
Even without years of practice on a set of five-wheelers, a decent skater can slide into these and get moving in a hurry. Laces, a ratcheting buckle, and a Velcro strap hold your feet squarely in place as you get up to speed. Then it's all about going fast. Like most fives, these skates dispense with the brake, so skaters should have a good stop down before pushing off. The ratcheting buckle system that serves as chief ankle support and main closing mechanism requires a bit of elbow grease to work.