So there are three brands being sold in the USA legally. Although all 3 brands fall under are under the same patent number, and pay similar royalty fees, there are differences.
The first and most important difference is the spring size availability. Jumping stilts have carbon fiber springs that have different flex strengths according to weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, you would purchase a pair that has different spring toughness than what your 230 pound buddy buys. Now here’s the difference:
Poweriser makers, one spring strength for their youth unit. They manufacture only three sizes for their adult models. Air-Trekker’s and Powerstrider’s offer four spring sizes for the youth unit, and 6 weight classes for the adult. Many owners of the Poweriser claim that their springs are so stiff that they “feel like stilts”. Having a wide selection of spring strengths for a more customized purchase is the difference between jumping FUN and jumping on stiff stilts. Don’t allow this happen to you.
Read this article and find out how to correctly buy the right spring size.
Let’s ultimately give you some information on the actual units themselves. For the sake of this debate, I have held in my hands all 3 brands, but this was back in late 2006. At the time there was no outstanding difference. At least nothing that I was involved with. But when I attempted them on. The Korean model was very noisy and the size was way above my weight so yes, they felt stiff. More on that later.
Look at this independent review of brands. “The only reason Poweriser is more money than Powerizer is Poweriser is created in Korea where labor costs are more, not because it’s far better quality. In July of 2006 Powerizer made their aluminum aprox 25% tougher than the Poweriser frame. The Carbon Fiber spring has been 1 year in development, Powerizer is here to stay and doing their best to be the bomb in the Bocking world.” Well, the name has been modified to Powerstriders.
Air-Trekkers, made by Hong Kong International Amusement Information, have all been upgraded with very durable feet, space-age carbon fiber springs and troublesome aluminum. As discussed above, in December of 2008, Air Trekkers had cool new adult models. These new models are Extraordinarily unique, awfully light, and extremely comfortable!! Though Air-Trekkers are made of the hardest materials, they are not indestructible. If you fall, for example, on the side of a curb or on cement, regardless what brand you have, they could break. But if you throw anything against a curb it will break. These products are troublesome but you have to be practical. They are not made out of titanium. If you crash a bike or car into a tree – it can break or bend.
How about the warranty differences? Read the independent reviews. “Poweriser claims to have a better warrantee for their jumping stilts, they say they have got an one year warrantee. If you’re taking a closer look you may see the spring which is the spring which is the jumping stilt irrespective of the jumping stilt whatever what carries a 6 month warranty, not one year.” All Air-Trekkers come with a full one year guaranty on the
spring and a 6 month warranty on the feet. There are ways to defend the feet and I’ll cover that in another report.