Which rebound boots are best?
Which rebound boots are best?
Which rebound boots are best? Kangoo Jumps? Aerower? Bounce Boots? This is a question that we are asked so often that we felt that it merited a blog post of its own to answer the question fully.
The brands
While there are currently many brands of rebound boots on the market, only 3 brands can be serious candidates for comparison in this test. There are no “fake boots” as some people claim, but some brands should be disregarded as cheap low-quality imitations. We will confine this comparison to the 3 top brands currently available.
These 3 brands are Kangoo Jumps, Bounce Boots and Aerower. Each has its strong and weak points. While by no means “the original” as they claim, Kangoo Jumps was the first of these 3 brands to become internationally known, followed relatively recently by Aerower and Bounce Boots. We will take an objective look at each of these brands and give them a score based on quality, comfort, lifespan of springs (the parts that need replacement most often), the extent to which the boots are customizable to one’s weight/athletic abilities, and the overall rebound experience. The scoring for quality is broken down into two parts: the overall quality and the quality of the rebound system (comprising shells and springs)
*Note: Kangoo Jumps, Aerower and Bounce all apply a different terminology to the shells and springs:
Kangoo Jumps: T-springs, Shells
Bounce Boots: Bounce Bands, Bounce Blades
Aerower: Multibands, Arcs
For the sake of simplicity we will keep to the terminology of Kangoo Jumps as this is what most people call these parts.
The test
The scoring system employed is as follows:
1: sub-standard
2: neutral
3: excellent
Pricing
Pricing was too complex to add to the scoring, as the pricing models of the companies differ too much. Aerower bases the prices on the strength of the rebound system, Bounce Boots and Kangoo Jumps use the same price for all models. The table below gives the recommended retail price of the boots per company, grouped by the rebound system strength. All 3 brands have “special” models that are more expensive, we used only the prices for the standard models. Shipping prices are not included. The lowest prices per rebound strength are shown in green.
- Note: The default Aerower model comes un-assembled, meaning that the boot and rebound system are packaged separately. For 5,00 € extra you can buy them fully assembled.
- Note October 23 2018: This price table reflects only the initial purchase price. Of course, maintenance costs play a big role as well. To see what maintenance will cost you, per brand, read How Much do Rebound Shoes Cost?
- Update April 12, 2020: Initially Aerower boots came with a very thin liner. They now feature a much thicker and more comfortable liner, the “comfort” score has been adjusted from 1 to 2.
Kangoo Jumps
The undisputed market leader for many years, Kangoo Jumps boots have had their ups and downs, mostly in the realm of quality control and logistics. The reason for competitors appearing on the market is clear – often there were quality problems (shells breaking, springs wearing out too soon, White Edition boots breaking) and logistical problems (parts, especially shells, not being available for months, in the case of the Pro model for almost a year). As for customization you can choose between 2 types of shells: Light and Hard. The spring has 3 rectangular bands, so your options for weight customization are limited. (There are different options for customization on the PRO 7 model, but that comes at a hefty price-tag) The XR3 model was launched 2006, and since then no new innovations have taken place.
The score:
Quality (boots) 2
Quality (rebound system) 2
Comfort (liner) 2
Lifespan (springs) 1
Weight customization 1
Rebound experience 1
Total score: 9
Bounce Boots
Bounce Boots offer quite a few innovations and improvements on the Kangoo Jumps XR3 model. Bright fashionable colours, better-quality and longer-lasting springs, a comfortable rebound and an exceptionally comfortable liner. Innovations: Integrated support plate, round instead of rectangular springs. Customization: with 4 round strands per spring, 3 spring hardnesses and 3 shells hardnesses, Bounce Boots can be better customized to weight. They introduced the click-by-click ratchet system to the lower buckles, and have a very comfortable liner. These innovations are somewhat marred by quality issues (the “horns” of the click-by-click ratchet system bend or break very easily, boots crack, spring and shell quality is inconsistent) and logistical problems (late deliveries, wrong colours etc)
The score:
Quality (boots) 1
Quality (rebound system) 2
Comfort (liner) 3
Lifespan (springs) 2
Weight customization 2
Rebound experience 3
Total score: 13
Aerower
With their Jumper1, Aerower presents an entirely new version of the rebound boot, redesigned from the ground up. Precise engineering and high-quality materials coupled with rigorous testing provide a rebound boot of exceptional quality, and the 4 different shell configurations make it perfectly customizable to one’s weight and/or athletic abilities. Innovations: round instead of rectangular springs that last approximately 100% longer than Kangoo Jumps springs, and 30% longer than Bounce springs, improved mechanical characteristics of the rebound system. Customization: with 9 round strands per spring and 4 shell hardnesses, the Aerower Jumper1 offers infinite weight customization options. The range of athletic possibilities per weight range is also larger than in the other brands tested, making Aerower the most versatile of the three brands.
The score:
Quality (boots) 3
Quality (rebound system) 3
Comfort (liner) 2
Lifespan (springs) 3
Weight customization 3
Rebound experience 3
Total score: 17
Conclusion
So which rebound boots are best? The hands-down winner is Aerower (17), with Bounce(13) coming in second, followed by Kangoo Jumps(9). While it’s sad for Kangoo Jumps to take the last place after being the market leader for so many years, they take this hit primarily because of inconsistent quality and an inferior rebound experience. As one person put it: “After using Bounce Boots for a while, I put on my Kangoo Jumps again and it felt like I was jumping on bricks instead of springs”.
A hint for Kangoo Jumps owners who feel disappointed after reading this: Consider a hybrid boot. Upgrade your Kangoo Jumps with Aerower springs (or even better, an entire Aerower rebound system of shells and springs), and liners from Bounce Boots. Instantly your Kangoo Jumps boots will have a superior rebound experience and a very comfortable fit! Brand compatibility is a whole other story, and in another blog post we focus on how to upgrade your boots by using a better rebound system on your existing boots.
Tags: Aerower, Bounce Boots, Kangoo Jumps
Thanks a lot for the information, I have been using KJ for over 7 years and after your post and talking to many excolleagues, I will give Aerower a try
You’re most welcome, Nadia 🙂 Let us know how it goes!
How did it go Nadia? I was curious as to how the Aerower’s are.
[…] For more information, read this article: Which rebound boots are best? […]
[…] Once again, we will deal only with Kangoo Jumps. Bounce Boots and Aerower, as not enough data is available on any of the other brands. Firstly, let’s deal with the actual purchase price of rebound shoes. We’ll include a paragraph we’d added on this subject in a previous article: […]
I mentioned in a previous post about Exerlopers. I really like these and the customer support was wonderful. I had problems at first with the bands not flexing evenly and they sent new bands which solved the problem. Last week the boot plastic cracked in half and the Company out of Canada said to return them and they will fix the boot even though they have a new design. What I like best about the Exerlopers is the comfort of wearing my own shoes even though all the ties are a pain to deal with and it takes about five minutes a boot to stay my foot in place. The bounce is a blast and sometimes I use trekking poles and can get a super workout that I’ll use as sort of interval training with five minutes at a time of my heart rate in the 160’s I have a big clear span barn and when the weather is nasty can do my workout inside. My main goal for using bounce shoes is to supplement long distance running training and help build an endurance base.
Awesome to hear about the great customer service! One doesn’t often find that these days. And yes, using rebound boots is an excellent way to increase your endurance.
[…] own pair of the best rebound shoes on the market, with a special corona 10% discount. (In the post Which rebound boots are best you’ll find an explanation of the criteria we used to establish why they are the best) So […]
Mi sembra una comparazione molto di parte a favore di Aerower e quindi non veritiera
Giacomo, there is no bias. This article was written based on extensive research of all three brands, and also based on specifications (for instance on the life-span of springs) given by the companies themselves. I see Elmas SRL applied for a patent for rebound boot shells. Do you plan to start your own brand of rebound boots?
Hi,
I own 3 pair of (new) jump boots and have issues with all three. I read your article and with your expertise, I wondered if you might be able to advise me.
I have a pair of Kangoo KJXR3 in size small and with 2 bands removed, they are good for my weight but too large for my feet. I’m considering ordering these in size extra small.
I have a pair of Kids Power Shoes in size 4-6 which fit my feet perfectly but at 110 lbs, I’m too heavy for the T Springs. I’m considering replacing the Tsprings with metal coil springs.
I have a pair of Aerowers in size small which fit my feet and weight perfectly but have pressure points at my ankle bones. I’m considering ordering a new pair in size medium or just replacing the boot only with a size medium boot. My shoe size is 6.
What would you recommend I do?
*Another question for you, I understood you to say that the Tsprings and shells of the Kangoo boots and Aerower boots were interchangeable. I was unable to swap them as the Kangoo boots are mounted with one screw and the Aerowers are mounted with two screws. Am I missing something?
Thanks so much for reading this and for any advice you might have for me. I have around
$900.00 invested in Jump boots that I can’t wear and don’t want to make another mistake.
Judy
Hi Judy,
That’s a whole bunch of questions 🙂 I’ll try to answer as fully as possible.
I’m considering replacing the Tsprings with metal coil springs.
Hmmm, I haven’t tried this before, but I fear that the PRO coilsprings will be too tight for the Powershoe shells – they are way too soft.
pressure points at my ankle bones. I’m considering ordering a new pair in size medium or just replacing the boot only with a size medium boot. My shoe size is 6
Officially the S size boot would be perfect for a size 6 foot. That said, the Aerower boots are slightly narrower than the comparable size in KJ or Bounce, so that is probably the problem.
Yes, a size M should solve the issue, but might just be a bit too clumsy. Something else to consider is replacing the liners with Bounce Boots Liners, or even trying the KJ liners you already have.
I understood you to say that the Tsprings and shells of the Kangoo boots and Aerower boots were interchangeable
No, not quite. Aerower springs and shells can be fitted to Kangoo Jumps XR3 and PRO models, and to Bounce Boots. The Aerower Support Plate and Bumpers can be fitted to KJ XR3 or Pro, but not to Bounce Boots, as they come with the support plate integrated in the boot.
KJ and Bounce parts will not fit on Aerower boots.
Kangoo boots are mounted with one screw and the Aerowers are mounted with two screws
This is only true for the KJ Powershoe -it does have only one screw. The KJ XR3 and PRO models, as well as Bounce Boots, all have two screws and are compatible with Aerower parts.
I have around $900.00 invested in Jump boots that I can’t wear and don’t want to make another mistake.
I can totally imagine, yes.
I would say that if your Kangoo Jumps XR3 model is comfortable, it would be the best bet to replace its entire rebound system (support plate, shells and springs, plus sole) with your Aerower Rebound system (support plate, bumper, shells and springs, plus sole). This will definitely be your cheapest option, as you already have all the parts. The only thing extra you would need to buy would be a pair of Bounce Boots liners, which are much thicker, and would make the XR3 S size fit more snuggly.
For your weight, the Aerower Soft shells would be best, and 4 bands on your multibands – in other words, with the 5 bands on the inside cut, leaving 2 on either side.
The more expensive option would be to buy a pair of boots alone from Aerower in size M, and to mount your current rebound system on them
I hope his helps! Let me know how it goes!
Hi Johny,
Yes, that was a whole bunch of questions, lol, and yes, did you ever help…. Answered every one of my questions, and so thoroughly! I had watched video after video for weeks trying to glean the information you gave me so I’m ever so grateful for the time you have saved me searching forward.
Using the information you gave me, I decided to do the following:
A) The Power Shoes fit my foot so perfectly that I’m not ready to give them up just yet. There is a light weight coil spring made especially for the Power Shoe but it’s currently out of stock. I’m going to give them a shot when they become available.
B) The Aerowers are another story altogether. In addition to the ill-fitting boot, I can’t get any bounce from them even with all but two bands removed. I have the light shell, not the soft shell but switching shells or using the parts at this point is not an option, as I just don’t think they are for me.
C) I took your advice for my KJ XR3’s and ordered the Bounce boot liners and am hopeful they will be a fix for the fit.
I guess I’m not done spending money however, on Kangoo boots (yes, I’m hooked). I found and purchased a pair of KJ XR3’s in size extra small and am awaiting their arrival. I am also waiting for the color combo I want in the Diana Rojas’ Bounce Boots, size small, and I’ll order them as well. I plan on teaching some time in the future so whatever doesn’t work for me will be able to be utilized and It will be nice to have all three brands for comparison.
I’ll wait until all my options have been realized before getting back to you with the results so it may be a while, but you can be sure I will as you have been so kind to go to all the trouble you did to answer my questions. I had watched tens of videos trying to glean the information you gave me so I’m grateful for the time you have saved me in searching further. Thanks, so much!
Judy
I am wondering if you would still rank these as you have now or if there have been changes in the industry? I recently purchased Joyfay- XXL. I wear 9.5 but weigh less than the 188-200. Plus, my foot is skinny, but not narrow, I have a high arch and my foot supinates. My feet slid around in them, despite wearing 3 pairs of socks. I ended up the knee pain. I love the exercise and want a pair that I don’t have to fight with to wear. The Bounce boots are more expensive but would be worth it if they fit well. Your assessment of Aerower makes them sound good and they are better priced. Any suggestions?
Oops wait – are you talking about US women’s size 9.5? That would be a size L in Aerower, and that is currently in stock 🙂
Hi Starr,
Yes, my ranking is still the same, there have been no major changes since I last edited the blog.
Sorry to hear about your issues with the Jofay boots. Jofay and Bounce Boots modeled their boots from the Kangoo Jumps mold, so they are very much the same and all 3 will have the same form-fitting issues.
As for supination: in theory, wearing rebound boots should help, as they sort of force you to put your feet down in a straight line because of the shape of the shells. It depends on the degree of supination, but in principle, over time there could be a degree of correction.
I think Aerower would be your best bet, as the Aerower boot has a narrower mold than the others. In principle it should fit you better, and also has better weight-customization options. I have high arches myself and experience no discomfort from that. You would need the XL size, which is currently out of stock, but we’re expecting the new shipment before the end of the month.
Hope this helps!
Kind regards
Hi Johnny,
I’m sorry it took me so long to get back to you.
The verdict is in, and it’s Dianna Rojas Bounce Boots. After bouncing in these, I would say the competition doesn’t bounce AT ALL! Dianas bounce boots are so incredibly BOUNCY! I was really taken aback after trying again, both the KJ’s and the Aerowers after bouncing in the DR bounce boots. It seemed like there was no bounce at all in them. What a difference! Additionally, when using both the Aerower and the Kangoo KJ’s I was getting slight injuries in my thighs and lower back and would have to take a day or two off in between workouts to heal before bouncing again. Not only can I bounce in Diana Rojos bounce boots for an hour every day without ill effects but the springy bounce in them makes them super, super, SUPER fun to bounce in.
As a side note, I do find the Kangoo liners more comfortable than the DR liners as they are softer around the ankles, but again, when it comes to bounce, it’s Diana Rojas Bounce Boots all the way.
When I ordered my boots, I explained my situation and Dianna herself answered my call and took it upon herself to put my boots together in order to get the correct combination. Yay for that and she did a perfect job. She also sent an extra pair of bands, a free carry bag, and a free T-shirt. Great customer service, and a great deal!
After I received the boots I attempted to make contact with them several times as the boots had a mismatched color combination. I never received a response. I also inquired about what the exact combination was that Dianna had put together for me so that I could replace parts when they wore out, and again, no response.
So to sum it all up, initial customer service, A+, follow-up customer service, F, Boots A+, liners, A, Repeat customer, forever.
Thanks again Johnny, for this blog and all the help you put out there for us bouncers. I for one, greatly appreciate your time and efforts. I hope my getting back to you shows this in at least a small way.
Judy
Hi, just found this article and wondered if anyone can help. I recently bought Kangoo Jump XR3 and my first try I couldn’t bounce at all so as suggested I cut the middle “spring” and although it’s a bit better I’m still not sure it’s bouncy enough. The size is perfect but I’m thinking I’m “too light” for it.
I’m fairly fit as I’m a trampoline instructor and weigh 60kgs…should I cut another “string” or will they get bouncier with time??
Thanks
Hi Carolyn, tricky question. Yes, the KJ XR3 has quite a hard rebound. I’m guessing your boots have the hard shell. A soft shell with the middle string cut would be better for you. Cutting another would help yes, but the problem is that you probably cut the middle one, meaning that it will be unbalanced if you cut another – the better option would have been to cut the two outer strings. They do get a but bouncier with time, yes, as the springs wear out.
Yes that’s exactly what I thought. I’ll keep practicing with these and if anything I’ll invest in the Aerower. Thanks very much
I’ve been using rebound boots for about 8 years now (first kangoo, then aerower) and, unfortunately, I’m thinking about switching to something else.
Two reasons for that:
1. Breakage of arcs. I’ve broken a good deal of both aerower and kangoo arcs. Looking at my weight I kind of fall between H and XH. However, if I use Hard, they break within a month. XH does something better, but recently I broke my 2nd XH arc within a few weeks of breaking the first. I kind of feels that they break within 12-18 months. Not only that, they break in an unpredictable way, without warning. This is very annoying if you are halfway a run and have to stumble 6 km back (pro-tipe, always run with an allen key (hex key, or inbussleutel).
2. Changing the strings. I understand that strings should be changed in order to avoid breakage, so I try to change them every half year (50-60 hours of exercise). However, changing strings takes an enormous amount of effort. It takes me a few hours of trying and bending before succeeding. Yes, I can see the youtube videos, who mostly show replacing strings with Soft or H arcs, but an XH arc is really hard to bend and my weight doesn’t seem sufficient. I would expect some kind of tool that helps with it, but that doesn’t seem to exist.
It is sad actually, because the boots do help. If they work, I (definitely not a runner, not built for it) can easily run for an 60-75 minutes without getting any aches or injuries. The boots are especially useful for people who are older and/or heavier and simply want to run without any risk of injuries. I don’t really care much about comfort. The important thing is that I can keep running.
Do you actually sell only the Aerower? When writers of reviews differentially benefit from the sale of one item compared to the others, or if the manufacturers pay the writer or if review writers make money when readers click the link and buy a product, the reviewer has a conflict of interest. The review can therefore not be considered objective. If you really do sell one of the 3 items you review, your review and appraisal can’t be taken very seriously or considered to be objective.
Hi Deb. I’m sorry for the late reply, your response was stuck in moderation and I overlooked it.
I understand your concern. However, this isn’t quite the way things have worked in my case. I’ve worked for all 3 companies: First for Kangoo Jumps, then for Bounce Boots, and then for Aerower. As a dealer, I got to know each product intimately, because I was the contact point for end-users, and the one who had to deal with breakages and complaints. The reason I only sell Aerower is two-fold: firstly because I believe that it’s the best of the three, and secondly because contractually I’m forbidden to sell the other brands as well.
How are the Aerower boots if you wear a 9wide shoe(female)? Where can I purchase the boots in the USA?
Hi Catherine. The Aerower boots tend to be on the narrow side, but come in the sizes XS, S, M, L and XL. In other words, each size fits a range of shoe sizes, and with the new improved (and very comfortable) liner, you should be able to find a good fit easily.
There are no outlets, you will need to order them online. If you go to the Aerower webshop, you will automatically be redirected to the US store. Just click on the link, and use the online configurator to find the match your size and weight.
Hi, I’ve recently bought a second hand pair of aerower boots. When I bought them all the outer strings have been cut leaving only 1 middle string intact on each boot. I’m 75kg and I’m wondering if I would need to buy a new set of strings. To be honest I’m a bit scared of getting on them as they are in case they are unsafe.
Thanks
Hi Celine. Sorry for the late reply. That definitely wouldn’t be OK, no. At 70 kg, the recommended configuration would be Light Arcs with all 9 strings intact.
At 80 kg, it would be Hard Arcs with 4 strings.
In your case I think I would go with Light Arcs and 7 strings.
And the question is what is recommended for beginners who do not have experience in jumping yet?
Thank you!
In use, there isn’t really a difference in the boots. All brands would work equally well for beginners as well as advanced rebounders.
Thanks for the nice review! I want to buy a quantity of shoes for group activities, (lots of groups). What would you recommend in terms of durability for intensive use?
And the question is what is recommended for beginners who do not have experience in jumping yet?
Thank you!
I would definitely recommend Aerower. Both for durability and intensive use, as well as for pricing and cost of maintenance. (Also see my blog post “https://jumpingsolutions.com/2020/02/23/how-much-rebound-shoes-cost/”
In use, there isn’t really a difference in the boots. All brands would work equally well for beginners as well as advanced rebounders.
Dude, I bought the 3 pairs of aerowers for the family. They are great but your review is pure bullshit. How can you review them against the competition when you sell one of them. Do you really expect anyone to believe the objectivity of your review when you sell the Aerower. Wow!
Hi Brett. If you’d read the replies to this post, you’d have seen that I’ve answered similar questions before. I’ll post a more comprehensive reply now.
I’ve been involved in the rebound industry for over 12 years. In that time I’ve been a distributor and instructor for all 3 of the brands in my comparison. As such, I’ve not only sold rebound shoes to end-users as well as gyms, but also organized and led rebound classes, for which I purchased a substantial amount myself.
As a distributor I had to deal with complaints from buyers, as well as supply-chain issues. As an instructor I have intimate knowledge of the issues that arise, and with maintenance of all 3 brands.
Of the 3, Aerower is the only company that constantly innovates and improves their product. Since I’ve written this review they have made many changes, the latest of which is a much better liner, comparable to the comfort afforded by Bounce boots.
Contractually, I’m allowed to sell only one of the 3 brands. I chose Aerower, as I believe it to be not only the best, but also the most cost-effective in terms of maintenance.
So I consider myself somewhat of an expert on the subject, and more qualified to give an endorsement of one of the products, than you as an end-user of one of them to call my evaluation “bullshit”.
I myself love the boots and have no pain or rubbing. But the 2 woman in the household can only jump 5 minutes and have terrible pain on the inside ankle area. My distributor in Canada says it is a common break-in problem. Then I find another review showing Bounce boots much better that Kangoo boots. The reviewer Sells the Bounce boots. With your review I had no Idea you were a distributor. I thought you were some type of review site. I think you should state up front that you sell the boot. Also my Canada distributor tried the J1+ liners and found no real difference. So what do I do to help the ladies so they can use the boots?
Yes, unfortunately this can happen. It’s rare, but I’ve had a few people in my classes that had the same issue. Your Canadian distributor is correct, as far as I can judge without more details. It should get better, as the liner adapts to the shape of their feet. But of course there will be little incentive if it causes pain, I get that. What could possibly help would be Compeed plasters. I swear by them – not only do they protect against injury, but they also contain analgesic liquids that minimize the pain. It may be worth a try!
Hello Johnny,
I’ve been an Aerower jumper boot user for just a little over 2 years now. I weigh between 135 to 140 lb generally and use the light arcs with three of the bands cut in the nine band multi-claw part as according to the strength chart recommendations on the Aerower website. Since I’ve had the boots I’ve had constant and consistent issues with the arcs breaking. When my boots were still under the 2-year warranty I did reach out to Aerower and they sent me a couple of arcs under warranty however that was an extremely tedious and timely process and would put my workouts on hold for a couple months at a time. I only use the boots twice a week for 1 hour each time and yet the arcs without fail break. The Aerower website claims the parts should last for at least 2 years however I’m lucky to get 2 months of use out of one arc. I am very athletic and fit perhaps I should be leaving the multi-band claws with nine bands even at my weight due to my athletic ability however I’m concerned this will put even more pressure on the arc? I’ve reached out to Aerower multiple times and they have not been helpful nor have they provided very good customer service or taken the time to answer my questions. I know you believe in this product you’re a distributor this is the product you’ve chosen out of all other jumper boots to promote. Can you please provide me with any enlightenment and options to mitigate the situation? I am seriously considering switching to another brand or giving up jumper boots all together because this has become the most expensive workout equipment and I cannot continue to justify shelling out so much money.
Hi Rachel,
unfortunately it’s difficult to give you a definite answer. The way it sounds to me is that you are being too hard on the boots, which could be remedied by a harder arc or tougher band (all 9 intact). The arcs definitely are the most durable of all brands, as are the bands. I’m very sorry the answers you received from head office weren’t satisfactory. Unfortunately I can’t really give you a better answer. I can totally imagine yor disappointment and frustration.
I recently got an older model pairs of the DR Bounce boots with the horns on the lower rachet but cannot work out how to loosen them. Can someone tell me how as I can’t get my foot in without being able to! No matter what I press it won’t move?
The way to do it is to squeeze the horns together between your thumb and index finger, that should disengage the ratchet and release. Unfortunately the horns are very delicate and easily get bent out of shape (or break off).
I’ve been trying that. Do I do anything with the strap while doing that? How hard do they need to be pressed in? Should I push down at the same time on the horns?