The City Exposed: Stilted Addiction from San Francisco Chronicle on Vimeo.

Before your first use…..

Your Air-Trekker jumping stilts have just arrived. Many ask – can I strap them on and start jumping? The answer is no.

There are a few adjustments to the units that you SHOULD make, to customize them to your body, before you use them the first time.

If you purchased the Adult Model, with the knee bar let attachment, you should slide the padded sleeve over and around the foam padded knee bar. The padded sleeve should be positioned on the inside of the knee bar.

Once the sleeve is on the knee bar, without putting the units on, slide the two aluminum tubes of the knee bar through the holes near the top of the frame. Slide the bar in until there is 1-2” of tube showing below the fastening mechanism on the frame. Tighten the quick release nut by turning the nut to the right until it’s fairly tight – but not too tight. Then take the “lever” on the other side and turn it a ½ or a full turn and push it down.

DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN. You will be making further adjustments so do not tighten – yet!!

Now slide your leg through the knee bar until your foot rests on the foot pad (bindings should be open.) Loosen the lever of the quick release bolt and slide the knee bar up or down so the foam padded knee bar rests about 1” below the knee cap. Once you have the knee bar set at the right height – tighten the nut and lever. You should never have to change this setting…..so take you time and set the bar correctly from the start.

If you purchased the Extreme Model, with the calf cuff leg attachment, the adjustment process is a bit more complicated, so get it right from the start and you’ll love how they fit and perform. Without loosening the calf cuffs, slide the aluminum tubes of the calf cuff into the holes near the top of the frame. With the buckle of the calf cuffs in front, slide the bars in through the holes until there is about 1” of tube showing below the fastening mechanism on the frame. Tighten the quick release nut by turning the nut to the right until it’s fairly tight – only tight enough so the tubes won’t slide up and down. Lower the lever to ensure the tubes won’t slide.

Open the calf cuffs and put your leg on to the frame until your foot rests on the foot pad. Loosen the lever and nut so the tubes are now maneuverable.

#1 – the tubes of the calf cuff should be narrowed or widened so the tops of the tubes rest against both sides your leg.

#2 – raise or lower the calf cuffs so they are as high as possible and you can still bend you leg 90 degrees.

#3 – the buckle should always go in front.

Once you have the calf cuff set at the height, and the tubes are resting against both sides of your leg, tighten the nut and lower the lever of the quick release bolt. Be patient and take your time. Get it right! You should never have to adjust this part again.

Binding adjustments:

Remember to adjust your bindings BEFORE you use your Air-Trekker jumping stilts for the first time. Each of the four binding straps has several holes for adjusting the length of the strap. The default setting is typically NOT the correct setting for most users! What is the correct setting for the bindings? Choose the hole so when you tighten the bindings, the pad rests squarely on top of the foot!!!!

If you tighten the bindings and the pad rests to the right or left of the top of the foot – make more adjustments. You want the pad ON TOP of the foot. This ensures no foot slippage.

Finally check ALL the nuts to make sure they are tight!

The ONLY difference in the two jumping stilt models is the part that attaches to the lower leg. Both models have the same frame, same spring, same bindings, and same feet.

The Adult Model leg attachment is a foam padded, tubular aluminum knee bar. This part also comes with a padded sleeve that slips over the knee bar for extra comfort and stability. The Extreme Model leg attachment is our new Calf Cuff part. (The Extreme Model does not come with both leg attachment parts!) This part is a series of 3” wide, padded, velcro-lined straps that fold over each other for a very customized fit.

Why buy one – or the other? The Adult Model knee bar offers incredible stability, and comfort, and is slightly heavier than the calf cuff. The calf cuff on the Extreme Model is very light, and very customizable. Any size user can get a confident, tight fit around the leg every time they put on the EXTREME.