I remember how Heelys took everyone by storm when they first launched. Heelys could turn an ordinary day into a fun roller-skating adventure. They combined functionality and fitness all into one shoe with an exciting, fresh look.
Although they have declined in popularity over the past few years, the good news is that you can turn any pair of shoes that you own into Heelys. Who wouldn’t want their favorite shoes to have secret wheels that let them skate whenever they want?
So, how can you turn Crocs into Heelys? All you need to do in order to transform your favorite pair of Crocs into Heelys is insert some wheels into their soles. It’s that simple!
Keep reading for a step-by-step guide on how you can do so. I have also added some tips and tricks so that you don’t go wrong at any point while turning your Crocs into an exciting pair of Heelys!
What Is Heelys?
Heelys is a brand of footwear that is a hybrid between roller skates and regular shoes. It was first launched in 2000 and gained popularity in the subsequent decade.
A Heelys shoe has either one or two wheels embedded in the sole. They allow you to switch between walking and skating whenever you want.
Moreover, a Heelys shoe looks no different from a regular shoe. So, you can enjoy the thrill of skating without having to wear heavy and visible skating wheels.
My favorite part about Heelys is that they combine fun with fitness. They can help you lose weight in the most enjoyable way possible. You can skate, run and walk around in them without having to spare extra time out of your routine for exercise.
Can You Turn Crocs Into Heelys?
Yes, you can basically turn any shoes you have into Heelys. Crocs are no different.
The process to transform your Crocs into Heelys does not require a lot of time or any complicated tools. You can easily do it at home. Here is a list of items that you’ll need:
- Your favorite pair of Crocs
- Wheels (at least two)
- Screwdriver
- Permanent Marker
- Knife or Cutter
- Screws
- Duct Tape
After gathering all the materials that you need, there are a few more things you will need to do before starting the process. Here is what you need to do to make sure that you don’t make mistakes before turning your Crocs into a pair of Heelys:
Step 1: Acquire Wheels For Your Heelys
First and foremost, you will need appropriate wheels for your Heelys. You will also need to decide how many wheels you want. You can either put two wheels in each shoe or go with one. In any case, you will need at least two wheels for your Heelys.
You can acquire wheels from an old skateboard or a pair of old roller skates. Use a screwdriver to loosen and remove the wheels from the skateboard or skates.
Make sure that the wheels are not too worn out. If you don’t have any old wheels, you can also buy a pair of new ones from a store or online.
Step 2: Determine The Thickness Of The Crocs’ Sole
The first step of the process is to cut out a hole in your Crocs’ sole in order to fit the wheels inside. But before that, you will need to make sure that the sole is thick enough to do so.
If the thickness of the sole is not enough to fit the wheels inside, you might end up cutting through the shoe. To make sure that there is adequate space, place a wheel next to the Crocs’ sole and determine whether it will be able to fit.
Additionally, you will need to make sure that there is enough space left after you insert the wheels inside the sole. You should leave at least half an inch of space left.
Otherwise, if the wheels are too close to the sole, they may end up poking through the sole and cause discomfort while you are wearing the Heelys.
Step 3: Determine The Height Of The Wheels
After you have made sure that there is adequate space to insert a wheel into the soles of your Crocs, begin measuring how much to cut out and where you want the wheel to be.
Note that the wheel should not be completely inserted into the sole. A small portion should be poked out of the shoe so that the wheel can roll properly.
So, you need to keep in mind that there should be some area for movement both above and below the wheels. Incorrectly positioning the height of the wheels can make the Heelys uncomfortable to wear.
Step 4: Determine the Position Of The Wheels
You will also need to make sure that the wheel is placed correctly.
The wheel of your Heely should be inserted slightly behind the middle of your foot, where the back wheel of a roller skate would be placed. This will allow you to skate with ease and not cause any discomfort while you are walking.
If you wish to insert two wheels into your Heelys, position them where the wheels usually are in a roller skate. Also, make sure that both the wheels are at the same height.
Step 4: Mark Where To Cut The Sole
I strongly recommend determining the thickness, height, and position of the wheel before you begin with inserting them into the Crocs. Another very important step is to make markings on the sole so that you don’t go wrong while cutting it.
After you have decided where to place the wheels, use a permanent marker to denote this position onto the wheel. This way, you will know where to cut the sole.
If you want, you can also use a ruler to ensure that your markings are straight. Once again, place the wheels next to these markings to double-check whether they are big enough to fit.
How to Turn Crocs Into Heelys?
Here is a step-by-step guide for how to turn Crocs into Heelys:
1. Cut Out The Sole
Firstly, you will need to create a hole where the wheels will fit inside the soles of Crocs.
Since you have determined and marked where the wheel should go, there is not much room for error. Simply take a knife sharp enough to pierce through the soles and cut along with the markings you previously made.
When you make a hole for the wheel to go inside, there should be enough space for it to roll, but not so much that it falls out. Make sure that the hole is not larger than needed.
2. Insert The Wheel With A Screw
Place a screw in the middle of the wheel before you insert it inside the sole.
The screw should be protruding the width of the wheel and be poking the sole slightly. Next, use a knife to poke holes into the sole so that the screw goes inside them.
So, the screw will be acting as an anchor that keeps the wheels in position inside the sole of your Crocs. This is why it is imperative to not make the hole too big.
Repeat these two steps for each wheel that you want to insert.
3. Secure The Screws Inside The Wheel
Next, you need to make sure that these screws fit firmly.
They should not be so tight that the wheels are not able to rotate. On the other hand, they should not be so loose that the wheels fall out or have too much space to wiggle.
After you have ensured that the screws fit properly inside the hole that you made, use duct tape to make them secure. Simply wrap some duct tape around the screws.
4. Finalize The Heelys
Before the final step, you need to make sure of two things.
Firstly, the wheel should fit inside the sole properly. Secondly, the screws should act as a strong anchor. This will make sure that your Heelys are comfortable and safe to use.
Finally, insert the wheels inside the sole of your Crocs. If you want, you can also use some glue inside the hole so that the wheel is secured more firmly.
Voila, you have successfully transformed your Crocs into a fabulous pair of Heelys!
Final Thoughts
Turning your Crocs or any of your favorite shoes into Heelys is one of the most exciting activities that I can think of. Not only do you get to make a fun project, but you’ll also end up with the coolest shoes you can imagine.
Whether you are a skilled roller skater, a fitness freak, a DIY enthusiast, or just a person just looking to have some fun – Crocs turned into Heelys is the right fit for you!
I hope that this article taught you all that you need to know to begin with this awesome and easy-to-follow process of taking your favorite shoes to the next level.
So, what are you waiting for?
