So the Air Trekkers Pro Cuffs Finally Arrived

So I'm wrapping up a long day at work and just as I'm shutting off my computer, our front desk lady wheels a package up to my desk. I look down, and there it is. The big red box. On it in big bold letters...JUMP HIGHER...RUN FASTER...RUN UP TO 9 FEET IN ONE STEP...JUMP UP TO 6 FEET HIGH...Air Trekkers

The box kind of reminded me of the box designs that the G1 Transformers came in when I was a kid. I loved the design. It was busy and I really wanted to break it open right there in the office, but I knew I had to wait til I got home. Besides, I didn't have a helmet or any pads yet.

I rushed home, kicked in the door and tore into the box like a kid on Christmas day. Okay, so that's 95% true. I did refrain from the tearing into the box long enough to take a few photos so you could see what to expect if you're in the market for these things.















Packaging
Packaging was adequate. Each stilt was wrapped nicely in bubble wrap, and was quite a chore to get all of the plastic wrapping off of each stilt. Better safe than sorry I guess.

















First Impressions and build quality
They seemed to be very high quality. They are comprised of aluminum and carbon fiber with plastic cover. The buckles where your shoe slide into are similar to roller blades that I've had in the past. You crank the little latch release on the top to tighten it down over your foot; similar to a car jack, but with a little plastic tab.
















Dangit - I have to adjust them!
I'm 6'2, and they did not arrive setup for my height so I had to loosen the little bolts on the side to adjust the aluminum braces up a little higher so it would rest just under my knee (what the manual calls for). At first, I tried to even out the two aluminum poles/brackets by eye, and then I realized I could just level them by looking at the bottom part of the aluminum brace that was poking out of the clamp. It was much easier that way. So I adjusted it once...tightened it...tried them on...and it was still too low. Adjusted it once more...just a little higher...tightened it...and voila. Ready to go now.

Trying them on for the first time (in the house)
Okay, so I couldn't wait. I had to try them on even if for just a few minutes before bedtime. It was dark out, so I couldn't really play with them just yet. I watched a few YouTube videos, read the manual and figured I had the idea down in my head. Well, I was wrong. Standing up on these for the first time was remarkably awkward. So awkward in fact, that I just leaned against the wall, took a few steps, plopped over on the couch and took them off. I'd had enough for one night. I believe all the adjusting wore me out. Maybe to the point of taking the excitement / fun out of it for the day. Oh well...try again tomorrow. Pretty disappointing first day with them though. Try again tomorrow!