After lacing up his first pair of skates (Rollerblade Lightnings), Cliff Chi was struck by lightning (pun intended).
As an avid skater and roller hockey player, he dreaded rotating wheels, particularly with the allen key that came with the skates.
Frequent wheel rotations with the clunky allen key (Knuckle Buster) resulted in bloody knuckles.
During the day, he was an Air Force space systems officer. In the evenings, he tinkered with knuckle preservation ideas.
After a year of late nights & countless cups of coffee, the Gripz Inline Skate Tool (Knuckle Saver) was finally introduced and became a game-changer for skaters.
Following the Gripz launch, Sonic continues monkeying with new products to help you skate better.
Every Sonic product innovation starts from scratch with countless design iterations and rigorous testing. We don’t source off-the-shelf products and slap our name on it. We don’t copy products which exploits another’s creativity and effort.
U.S. Utility Patent
Gripz Inline Skate Tool
U.S. Utility Patent
Turbo Wash bearing cleaning system
NASA selected Sonic axles and spacers for Space Shuttle treadmill systems enabling astronauts to stay fit in space. Their innovative engineering provides smooth, quiet performance—key to minimizing vibrations, which is essential in the sensitive environment of space.
Our Gripz Inline Skate Tool is in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art. Part of the Architecture and Design department.
Pack N Roll
skater’s ankle pack
Top 10 New Product – Sporting Goods Dealer Magazine
First to market proprietary bearing cleaners that are earth and human friendly.