Soap Shoes – History, Info, and More

Soap Shoes

soap shoes: In 1997, Soap was the only shoe brand skater tweens everywhere desired.

However, the shoes that the Wall Street Journal claimed: “might cause significant injury” washed out before they had a chance to make an impression on the globe.

History

In essence, aggressive skating and rollerblading were the sources of soap shoes. Chris Morris, a Californian who spent more than sixteen years working at RollerBlade in Torrance, customized a straightforward shoe with a ground plate incorporated into the sole. The shoe was a typical Nike that was designed for sliding.

A sample had to be created so that the product could be finished. Therefore, Concept 21 (a freshly established design company) was contacted.

They subsequently created Artemis Innovations, which would go on to the market the brand for four years. Legal issues caused Mr. Morris to lose possession of the Soap license in 2001.

As business at the company declined, the surviving executives eventually decided to sell Soap.

In-Stride acquired soap, a business whose primary target market was wrestling equipment. After In-Stride filed for bankruptcy in the latter part of 2002, Soap was once more on the market.

Later that year, Heeling Sports Limited, the business that makes the Heelys shoes with a wheel in the sole, bought Soap after seeing how profitable the ground plate could be when used with their wheel.

Six new Soap shoes were introduced in numerous colorways at the beginning of 2003, and HSL was also creating hybrid footwear to be sold under the Heelys name.

HSL has come under fire for introducing too many new models at once and failing to provide stores with the required stock regularly enough. HSL is not presently manufacturing any Soap shoe models.

More Info:

• In contrast to, say, skateboarding, the sport never really took off on the mass market, but the “Soap” brand did have a professional team made up primarily of former inline skaters at the top level.
• Including Ryan Jaunzemis, Bryndon Smith, Danny Lynch, Paul Cifuentes, Eddie Ramirez, and Ben Kelly (Head of Research & Development and Soap Shoes’ wear-testing team).
• In the late 1990s and early 2000s, rival crews from the Americas and Europe posted online videos, which sparked a community of “Soapers” online.
• There are now only a few supporters left, including solidgrind.com, managed by former soap team captain Derek Brooks and the Melbourne soapers Facebook Page run by soap collector Greg Crellin.
• These crews and the online forums have subsequently collapsed.
• Early in 2006, when more people became interested in soaping, there seemed to be a renaissance. HSL responded by reissuing its Express model in a minimal number of units.
• Despite specific challenges brought on by Heelys’ use of grind plates in addition to their wheels, Soap Shoes slowly but steadily regained favor.
• That was before the recession began, which significantly impacted HSL.
• On August 8, 2007, Heelys stock, which formerly cost 38 dollars per share, saw a 50% decline in value, going from $21.99 to $11.42.
• Even though the price was falling then, the now-former CEO Michael Staffaroni anticipated tremendous growth.
• Despite HSL’s financial difficulties at the time, Soap Shoes could still host a very fruitful demo at Xtreme Wheels Skate Park.

A year later, HSL ended the Soap Shoes Express, and the company started the liquidation process for Soap Shoes, with Heelys representatives claiming to “simply toss out” any leftovers. Heelys stock dropped to $2.25 per share within five years, and it was traded to Sequential Brand Group for $63.2 million, along with the patents for the soap and other grind shoes.

Soap Shoe (make Your Own)

Materials

Shoes: I wore my previous pair of New Balances, but any shoe with a reasonably thick bottom layer (including your foot) will do.

• I utilized a UHMWPE cutting board as the slide’s material. Other dense, soft polymers might be used in their place, but this one is ideal (PVC, Teflon, etc.). About metal, I know very little.
• Welder glue was what I used. It was incredibly affordable and has held up wonderfully. Barge glue would work well for this.
• However, it can be pricey and challenging to locate. Shoe Goo, despite what it might seem like, isn’t good.

Tools: Xacto, sharpie, bench grinder, vise, and belt sander. Some of these can probably be replaced.

Design and Cut Your Plate

• You will create and form the plate used for grinding in this step. Draw a circle around the bottom of your shoe by setting it on the plate material.
• Next, choose the location on the sole where you want the plate to go. I decided to position it more back than in the middle, about where my arch is. The decision is yours.
• After that, carve out a square for your plate using the hacksaw. This action stinks. My advice is to put it as close to the corner as you can.
• After that, shape the plate with the saw to create a rough “blank” plate.
• Finalize the outline using the grinder at this point. Additionally, I would round off any edges that come into contact with the ground because they can be inconvenient.

Shape the Plate Surface.

• Although this process is relatively straightforward, it takes some time. The plate has to have a groove cut out of it. It is designed to fit on the rail, ledge, or another surface you are grinding on.
• It’s a little difficult to describe, so I created an image that I hope helps.
• I used the grinder to carve out an arc until the arc I had made was too wide for the grinder’s, er, curvature.
• I spent some time using the belt sander after that. I sanded the edge to make it simpler to grind with your shoe at an angle.

Cutting the Shoe

• The exciting part now is chopping up a pair of sneakers.
• Cut along the line at the front and rear of the plate using the hacksaw. Cut just deep enough to fit the entire plate while keeping it from slicing through the sole.
• Then, bend the front portion back, making it somewhat difficult for you to cut along the shoe’s length to the incision you made where the plate’s back would be.
• Make all of the chopped sections as even as you can by smoothing them out.
• I used a new pair of shoes for this step, as I’m currently wearing the ones I made.

Testing and Gluing

• Duct tape the plate into the portion of the shoe that has been cutting out to test the shoe.
• Then, hop on some edges while ensuring the plate is correctly positionung on your foot and not bending or cracking.
• You could even try grinding, but don’t be shocking if you stumble the first few times.
• After you’ve had fun, remove the tape, apply your preferred glue to the hole in your shoe, insert the plate, clamp it, and allow it to dry and solidify for at least one night. Your glue tube’s label should be read.

The Last Step.

• When your shoes are finishing, it’s time to wear them. Start by practicing jumping onto a low bar or ledge, then practice sliding a little while building up your confidence.
• You’ll be preparing to take them around town and look for places to grind shortly.
• I haven’t been expelling from a public location yet, but I have been disciplined at school for grinding on the stairs. Since they are merely shoes, I believe you will be okay.
• One word of caution: wait until you are excellent before visiting a skatepark; else, you will annoying the other kids, who will get upset and kick you out.
• While grinding with them, I’ve received some great looks, but most people find them excellent.
• Enjoy yourself, and don’t damage anything significant. (such as the spine)