Carrollton 3/2/2012 7:29:00 AM
News / Fashion

Heelys Announces 16 New Styles for Spring/Summer 2012

Introduction of motion-activated lights, a company first

U.S.-based Heelys, Inc. (NASDAQ: HLYS) is releasing 16 new styles this season including two with motion-activated lights, a first for the “wheel-in-the-heel” footwear designer.

“For the 2012 spring/summer season, we’re introducing two Heelys designs that feature motion-activated LEDs – Bolt for boys and Blossom for girls,” said Rick Groesch, Heelys Chief Commercial Officer.  “We’re excited about this addition, because now kids don’t have to choose between lights or wheels in their shoes – they can have both.”

The Bolt and Blossom designs are part of the Heelys HX2 product line. Each shoe in the HX2 product line has two removable wheels for better balance and control, making it an ideal choice for less experienced skaters.

“The Heelys HX2 products are perfect for younger children. Not only is it easier to maintain balance, but also the HX2 doesn’t require as much leg strength to lift up your toes to skate,” notes Groesch. “Once you’re used to skating, you can pop out the front wheel and the HX2 becomes a regular pair of Heelys, or you can even take out both wheels and turn them into a normal pair of shoes.”

Bolt is named for the lightning bolt pattern on the sides of the shoe. The motion-activated LEDs are hidden beneath the pattern, making the lightning bolt spark to life with every step. Bolt also features a zigzag Velcro closure system instead of laces to allow wearers to put them on and take them off easily. Bolt is available in two color choices in boy’s sizes 12C to 3 and has a MSRP of $54.99.

Blossom sports a flower design on the sides of the shoe that is illuminated by the motion-activated LEDs with each step. Like Bolt, Blossom features a zigzag Velcro closure system instead of laces, and it comes in three color choices. Blossom is available in girl’s sizes 12C to 3 and has a MSRP of $54.99.

In addition to Blossom and Bolt, Heelys is releasing 14 other designs this season, 11 of which are part of the company’s signature single-wheel product line – dual-purpose skate shoes that incorporate a single, removable wheel in the heel.

“My favorite addition this season is the Helix. The color combinations and materials we’re offering really pop,” Groesch states. “It’s done in the classic skate style and has our FATS low profile wheel to allow for some serious movement.”

The Helix comes in boy’s sizes 12C to adult 12 and girl’s sizes 12C to adult 9. Two color combinations are available for boys, four for girls. MSRP is $54.99.

To see Heelys’ full line of products, including all of the season’s new designs, visit http://shop.heelys.com.

Heelys, Inc. is a company founded on innovation. It designs, markets and distributes its action sports-oriented products to the youth market under the Heelys (R) brand. The company's primary product, Heelys wheeled footwear, is a patented dual-purpose skate shoe that incorporates a stealth, removable wheel in the heel. The company also offers Heelys HX2, which uses two wheels for better balance and control, making it ideal for younger users. Heelys' third offering, Nano, ramps up the Heelys experience by giving skaters a board that links into the patented Heelys shoe bracket. This allows them to skate farther, faster and longer than ever before. Connect with Heelys on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Heelys; YouTube, www.youtube.com/Heelysworldwide; or http://twitter.com/Heelysworldwide.
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Note to Editors: Photos are available upon request. Download the 2012 Spring/Summer look book: https://www.box.com/s/koe8lt2fny1dfybs6kj1.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of Heelys are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including in particular, statements regarding our guidance, outlook for future events, financial performance, customer demand, growth and profitability. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "subject to," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "can," the negatives thereof, variations thereon, similar expressions, or discussions of strategy. All forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and various assumptions, but they are inherently uncertain, and Heelys may not realize its expectations and the underlying assumptions may not prove correct. Heelys' actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those described in or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the fact that substantially all of Heelys' net sales are generated by one product, Heelys' intellectual property may not restrict competing products that infringe on its patents from being sold, continued changes in fashion trends and consumer preferences and general economic conditions, Heelys' dependence on independent manufacturers, Heelys may not be able to successfully introduce new product categories, and additional factors which are detailed in Heelys' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors contained in Heelys' Annual Report on Form 10-K. Investors, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this press release and Heelys undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Contact:
Jo Trizila
jo@TrizCom.com
Office: 972-247-1369
Cell: 214-232-0078