Roller skating is unarguably the cool part of skating amongst the three types of skating. Only ice skating comes close. Aside from being a recreational activity, it is a recognized sport and a means of transportation (who cares if I miss the bus). As a religious roller skater who has worn different skating boots, I will review two popular roller-skating shoes and eventually decide on which boots are better (the answer might surprise you).
The two shoes under review are Moxi Beach Bunny and Moxi Lolly. Although they are both popular Moxi roller-skating shoes, there are several differences between them. Moxi Beach Bunny is made from animal-cruelty-free vegan vinyl materials, which are very stiff with aluminum plates and steel ball bearings. In contrast, the Moxi Lolly is made from a softer suede leather material (a genuine bovine cowhide) that allows for breaking and adjustment for a more comfortable feel.
These two boots are both Moxi products, but after reading reviews and testing them out personally, the Moxi Lolly stood out from the Moxi Beach bunny (apologies to the Moxi Beach Bunny supporters). The Moxi Lolly shoes provided a more comfortable feel, a better snug fit and overall gave me a better skating experience compared to the Moxi Beach Bunny (keep reading, let me explain better).
In roller-skating shoe review, comfort and durability come first, then other qualities like designs, aesthetics, and others follow. No other shoe fits this description perfectly, like the Moxi Lolly, although the Moxi Beach Bunny came close. Here are some of the significant differences between Moxi Beach Bunny and Moxi Lolly for further review and comparison.
What is Moxi Roller Skater?
Moxi Roller skaters are one of the oldest skate manufacturers in the United States and are popularly known for producing handmade roller-skating shoes from vegan and natural sources. Their popular Moxi Lolly shoes are known for their comfort and snug fit, and Moxi Beach Bunny, known as the first skating shoes from beginners, are some of their best-selling products.
The founder, Michelle Steilen, a.k.a Estro Jen, believes a good skating boot should be durable, comfortable, and support the feet for an overall skating experience. She founded the company in the year 2008 after realizing there are no or little pretty roller skates for women to wear, and each skate is handmade in the United States in Redwing. Her shoe signature, asides from its comfort and durability, are the bright colors that are fashionable and can be spotted from afar.
The difference between Moxi Beach Bunny and Moxi Lolly
Before I talk about the noteworthy differences, I will like to discuss the similarities first. Below is the list of close qualities you can get in both a Moxi beach bunny and a Moxi lolly skates.
Similarities of Moxi Beach Bunny and Moxi Lolly
Asides from being the shining stars amongst several Moxi skates’ products. There are other several similarities and they include;
- They have similar ABEC-5 ball bearings.
- 9-12 lace holes that allow long laces will give the skater a snug fit if appropriately tied.
- A well-padded tongue on top of the feet for extra protection against falls or injuries.
- Well curved and padded collars for heel protection, heel reposition, and for quickly slipping on and off.
- They both have a durometer rating of 75A; this means they are both soft quad wheels.
(NOTE: according to internationally recognized rating and durometer figure, lesser than 85A is classified as a soft wheel while 85A to 100A is classified as a hard wheel.) Soft wheels provide more grip and have a better shock absorption property, while harder wheels have better durability.
Despite this similarity, several differences differentiate Moxi Beachy Bunny from Moxi Lolly, and they include;
Skate Type:
The skates of Moxi Beach Bunny are made with high-impact die-cast aluminum plates with strong metal trucks for optimal support. The aluminum plates on the Moxi Beach Bunny can also be adjusted to suit the feet.
The skates of Moxi Lolly are made from a high-impact PowerDyne Thrust nylon plate; this plate comprises strong metal trucks that can support any form of weight.
Wheels Type:
Moxi Beach Bunny wheels are 58mm x 33mm, 78A in size, and perfect for skating because of their great cushion.
Moxi Lolly wheels or (Moxi Gummy-Poppy) are a classic outdoor 65mm x 40mm, 78A has a width change that moves from 40mm to 35mm for improved agility.
Stopper Type:
The Moxi Beachy Bunny was designed with safety in mind and hence had a replaceable, adjustable, and long-lasting toe stopper which serves as a shock absorber and provides easy braking control during movement.
The Moxi Lolly has an Offset PowerDyne adjustable and stabilizing toe stopper for easy control during movement.
Moxi Beach Bunny vs Lolly
Materials:
The upper part material and the soles are made with a drum-dyed polyvinyl material and lined with a custom-made Moxi Dri-lex lining.
The sole and wheels are made from polyvinyl chloride materials.
Materials:
The upper material is made with a dyed, soft struck-through suede material. It is slightly thicker to allow for more support and can also be broken in case of any adjustment. The bovine cowhide has been processed and designed to improve color vibrancy.
Weight:
The average weight of a pair of Moxi Beach Bunny skating shoes ranges from 8 to 10 pounds.
Weight:
The average weight for a pair of Moxi Lolly shoes ranges from 8 to 9 pounds.
Sizes:
The manufacturers have Moxi Beach Bunny boots from sizes 4 to size 10. Although, this size might differ from your country’s standard measurement.
Sizes:
According to measurements, the size of these shoes is around 17 x 14 x 8 inches.
The manufacturers have Moxi Lolly boots from sizes 4 to size 10. Although, this size might differ from your country’s standard measurement.
Vegan:
All Moxi Beach Bunny materials are animal-cruelty free, hence making them vegan. The upper part, soles, and wheels are purely made from polyvinyl chloride.
Moxi Lolly is made from leather, which is animal hide. Hence it is not vegan.
Price:
The price of these shoes depends on the area or buyer. The Moxiskates websites sell them for 170 to $180. Retailers or auctioneers sell them for almost double the price, which can be around $300 to $400.
Price:
The price of a Moxi Lolly is more expensive than the price of a Moxi Beach Bunny. The average price on the manufacturer’s artificial website ranges from $350-$400, and retailers can sell it for almost double the price.
How is Moxi Beach Bunny different?
There are several features a Moxi Beach Bunny has that cannot be found in the Moxi Lolly, and here are the features:
Vegan:
Moxi Beach Bunny is the right product for Skating lovers who would love to support vegan and natural products that are void of anything animal-related. All materials involved in its production are purely from processed chemicals which as polyvinyl chloride.
Stiffness:
Because its source is from plastic or PVC, Moxi Beach Bunny is very hard to break into. Several other skaters and I have experienced pain in our heels and feet because the materials do not give that comfortable feel during usage.
Ball bearings:
The ball bearings which are 58mm x 33m, are more miniature and screams beginner. Asides from what the size of the balls represents, they do not provide enough agility and are only great for gaining traction.
Unadjustable PVC material:
As stated earlier, Moxi Beach Bunny is purely made from Polyvinyl Chloride materials. Due to this, the materials cannot be broken for adjustment. Broken is a skating term for rearranging roller skate shoes or boots through mechanical or physical (hand) methods. This PVC material does not allow breaking, hence the discomfort.
How is Moxi Lolly Different?
Non-vegan:
A Moxi Lolly pair is made from a combination of both vegan and non-vegan materials. For the upper part of the shoes, the material is a genuine bovine cowhide that has been processed thoroughly and properly to get rid of any impurities. The hides undergo an intense quality check before it is sent to the production company. The sole is then made from vegan materials like PVC.
Softness:
one feature that makes Moxi Lolly people’s favorite is because they are very easy to break into and adjust for their comfort. The processed bovine cowhide will harden after production. Despite the hardening, it still gives you & me the chance to appropriately alter the shape to a desired shape.
Pro Shoes: Every bougie professional or religious skater knows having a pair of Moxi Lolly skates is synonymous with having Nikes. They are skates close to perfection and assure a snug fit every time. It is also a fact they are also known to take the shape of the skater’s feet.
Price:
Moxi Lolly is more expensive to purchase, and despite their high cost, it is more difficult to find. This pricing factor has not stopped skaters from buying it.
Ball Bearings:
Moxi Lolly has the perfect size of ball bearings, which are 65mm x 40mm. They give the skater are very comfortable feel and facilitate skating.
Is Moxi Beach Bunny or Moxi Lolly better for Arch Comfort?
For skaters and even regular shoe users like me, the work form of discomfort is arch pain and any boots, skate, or footwear with insoles or any form of arch support is a no-no. For a skate to be arch comfortable, it must have some features which include;
- A good closure system or collar, be it lace up or zip up, secures the feet and has a snug fit.
- A reinforced shell or padding that provides lateral support to the feet and as well as support and balances the ankle.
- A padded lining or closure system has been designed to give the skater a very comfy feel.
- In-built or factory-made insoles to provide support and cushion the feet during skating. These insoles also help to reduce pressure and absorb frictional energy during skating.
- The skates should be made from a breathable material to avoid constant sweaty feet to keep the feet airy.
Based on the aforementioned features of Moxi Beach Bunny and Moxi Lolly and also based on the feel after testing both skating shoes, the Moxi Lolly seems to satisfy the equation better, and here is why;
- The Moxi Beach Bunny is made with PVC materials that are not as durable as the leather material of the Moxi Molly. Although they both have comfortable linings, one of the shoes (Moxi Lolly) has a better air circulation property.
- The strong polyvinyl chloride materials do not allow for breaking or adjustments. Unlike Moxi Lolly, which can be shaped mechanically or physically to suit your feet, Moxi Beachy Bunny does not provide such an alternative. With the lace support and the maneuverable material, you can get the perfect snug that will provide the best arch comfort.
- Also, I have noticed the PVC material does not agree with skin for a long time. A lot of skaters, with me inclusive, have reacted with the polyvinyl chloride material around the ankle region.
- One admirable property of the Moxi Lolly over the Moxi Beach Bunny is the ability of the shoes to take the shape of the skaters’ feet after using it for a long time. This feature may be because of its leather material and allows skaters to get more comfortable as the shoe is worn often. In Moxi Beach Bunny, the skater has to take the shape of the shoe, and this does not provide any form of comfort to most people. Hence, the quick transition from Moxi Beach Bunny to Moxi Lolly.
Brand | Weight | Sizes | Material | ball bearings | Price |
Moxi Beach Bunny | 8 to 10 pounds | 4 to size 10 | Vegan | 58mm x 33m | $170 to $180 |
Moxi Lolly | 8 to 9 pounds | 4 to size 10 | Leather | 65mm x 40mm | $350 to $400 |
Conclusion
This review talked about the features each Moxi shoes possess and inclined them to the everyday life of a skater. After comparing and contrasting, Moxi Lolly had a better advantage over Moxi Beach Bunny. This review does not aim to discredit any feature of a shoe has over the other or change your purchasing choice. It aims to bring new and old skaters to the features of the two Moxi beauties.
Should you buy Moxi Skates Skates today?
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