Symbol Series

Fractal Symbol is a continuation, evolution and a mix of all the predecessor skates (Umbra, Enso and Hanzo) , 
It is a blended and improved versions of all of those, many things simplified and some others got more complicated. 
I went with the name Symbol, I originally wanted to name it Symbiont, but that would probably be too complicated for many. 

Here is the list of the most important features in detail:

Boot



The boot / ankle shoe part is 3d printed TPU, this material is abrasion resistant, it's semi soft, not rigid, can't break. Could only tear from a tremendous pulling force from upward, but it could never break in ambient temperatures. 

Anatomical boot shape

The toe box is not stylized, meaning it follows the shape of a foot instead of trying to be shaped differently for style points. 
An anatomical / barefoot shape offers better balance and comfort. 
The extra balance comes from having enough room to spread your toes a bit apart, or at least have the advantage of they are not being squeezed together by the shape of a pointier, narrow toe box.

Articulated heel

If features an articulated, protruding heel shape, with the right liner you should achieve zero to minimal / barely noticeable heel slip. 
Heel slip is like lag, that is one thing I disliked in all skates, that the heel slip was always more than I find tolerable. With this boot shape and straps, it's no longer an issue. 

Ankle bones away from any hard objects ! 
The cuff and the boot is separated by a distance, with most sizes the cuff does not even overlap with the anklebones, with smaller sizes, even if they overlap they are separated quite far. 

Two ways of control
The Fractal Symbol skate boot shell comes in two hardness,  the medium is more like a firm shoe, the hard is closer to a regular plastic skate boot.
The softer one is more comfortable and allows for easier grind control, the harder material offers better power transfer. 


Connections (straps)

Strapped in
Larger sizes come with 3 lower straps plus the cuff strap. This allows very precise and quick adjustment, very quick to put on and to take off. 
Smaller sizes come with 2 lower straps plus the cuff strap. 
The 45° strap comes stock as an elastic loop strap, the elastic is rubber strap, allows for more natural feel and less discomfort.
The elastic strap makes it feel less like your foot is roped to a rigid sheet of material, your body, more precisely your foot changes its shape when you move, the skate boot and straps adapt to that movement dynamically .
The straps create a connection, that the skates feel like an extension of your body . 

Elastic Loop Straps
The skates come stock with elastic cuff loop straps. The elastic loop straps allow a decent amount of forward flex, it's not totally proven but my theory is that this creates a bit of a slingshot effect when jumping . 
The forward flex has a dynamic resistance, so it could both act like a sling when you jump, but could also act as a dampener when you land. 


Cuffs (are everything)
The cuff shapes I use is a result of dozens of iterations of the same overall shape. 
I didn't finish any higher technical or engineering school, but it's easy to find out that the more parts something consists of the more points of failure you end up with.
This single piece cuff styled by function offer unparalleled flex characteristics, fast rebound / spring back and a unique look. 

Soles and sliders
This is where things got more complicated than previously were. 
The softer boots benefit from a thin sole, a sheet of 3mm alu or carbon fiber with sliders made of 3d printed PLA or machined UHMW (PE1000) . 
This does not only offer better responsiveness, but an ultra low ride height.
With the cut -out for the wheels, depending on your frame you could even skate up to 69-75mm outer wheels even. 

Hardware
Most, almost all metal fasteners (bolts and T-nuts) are stainless steel (corrosion resistant).
In some cases slight galvanic corrosion could occur if dissimilar metals are in contact, like stainless steel and alu, but that takes many years to have any visible effect.

Weight. 
Boot only with a lighter liner and insole in size 46 (305mm inner length)
alu sole and 3d printed sliders : ~1250g
carbon sole with 3d printed sliders : ~1150g
carbon sole with machined uhmw sliders: ~1100g