Razors Boots - Cult vs Genesys vs SL

Comparing the Genesys vs Cult vs SL

By Stan | April 2019

Razors Skates are long-time favorites in the skate park with a hefty boot line up featuring the Razors Genesys, Razors Cult and Razors SL. All three are popular across skill levels but are built for different skating preferences. This matchup will give you the opportunity to learn which model suits your style the best.

Since there are so many variations of each model available we’ll focus on the stuff that stays the same from year to year, the Shells and the Soul Systems. Other aspects like the cuffs, buckles, frames, wheels and liners change over the years and are customizable to varying degrees. You can check out the components on each individual skate package in that product description and specs on the product page.

Worth noting are the newer Shift and Cosmo models that feature an Instant Frame Change System to take the fun outside of the park. These models are best suited for skaters who are looking for a multi-purpose skating experience that blends parks with longer distance skating. If that sounds like you, you can find the Shift and Cosmo on the Razors Skate Page.

If you’re all about the park, continue on to unlock the secrets of the Genesys, Cult and SL.

Razors Cult

Also known as: Razors Cult Classic, Razors Classic
Razors Cult

Razors Cult

  • Lightweight
  • Medium Volume
  • Large Backslide Plate
  • Narrower Soulplates
  • Best option for Large Wheel Frames

Weight: 1290 grams

Shell: The boot is clean in its design with rounded features and not a lot of sharp edges. This makes them look slimmer than the other models although when trying the shells on without liners, the volume in the toe box and heel area is similar to (if not the same as) the Genesys. The shell has is big enough to allow you to throw in other medium or low volume liners without issue. Feet sit really flat in the boot, but this mainly due to the fact that the shock absorber found in the other Razors models isn’t found in the Cult.

Soul System: The one-piece soul is pre-grooved on the backslide but not on negative/soul side. The Cult has the largest backslide plate overall but the groove is slightly smaller than the one the SL. Being so large, it is meant to be used and built to stand up to abuse when grinding.

The Cult has the narrowest soul system of the three models. This works well in continuing with its slim looking design and it places the skater more directly over the grinding surface to make you feel closer to your grinds. This feel is the reason so many skaters love this skate.

Summary: The Cult is more of an all-around boot, and skates nicely with larger wheels. Being lightweight it lowers fatigue on long sessions, and it easier to cess slide without large soulplates to hit the ground. With the growing number of large wheel UFS frames available, the Cult is a great pick for anyone hoping to test them out while also grabbing a great park boot.

Razors Genesys

Also known as: Razors G11
Razors Genesys

Razors Genesys

  • Shock Absorbing Heel Pad
  • Large Grinding Surface
  • Small Backslide Plate (Hard and Fast)
  • Heaviest
  • The Tank of the Line-Up

Weight: 1,334 shell + 56 shock absorber = 1,390 grams

Shell: The Genesys boots stand out with their noticeably edgier design. The added curves make them look wider, but as mentioned, volume feels similar to the Cult when slipping on the shell without liners. Also like the Cult, slipping in any low or medium volume liners isn’t an issue. The plastic around the forefoot is slightly more flexible compared to the other Razor boots, but it also has nearly double the number of lace eyelets in an offset lineup to allow you to wrap the boot closer around your feet for a locked-in, responsive fit. It’s the heaviest of the three models, but the included shock absorbing heel pad accounts for 56 grams. The added shock absorber adds some comfort and also puts you in a slightly more aggressive stance than the flat foot feel of the Cult.

Soul System: The one-piece soul is pre-grooved on both the backslide and negative / soul side plates. It has the smallest backslide groove and plate, but it’s made of a different plastic than the others that it super hard and fast sliding, making up for its size with awesome performance. Out of the box, it’s recessed a bit into the soul, and then wears nicely to lock on well to rails, copings or whatever else you can find…

Summary: A pure park aggressive boot that quickly created banter between faithful Cult Classic lovers and those that switched to the Genesys.

Razors SL

Also known as: Razors SL SuperLight
Razors SL

Razors SL

  • Shock Absorbing Heel Pad
  • Largest Grinding Surface
  • Baseless Design – Low Center of Gravity
  • Widest Fit

Weight: 1,263 shell +72 shock absorber = 1,335 grams

Shell: The boot is clean with curves like the Cult to make it look slim, but the SL shell easily has the most volume and fits widest both in the toe box and heel. SL stands for Super Light and while it isn’t technically the lightest Razor offering, it’s only because of the plush shock absorbers that weight in at a whopping 72 grams. The baseless design mounts frames super close to the feet, lowering the center of gravity and eliminating weight. The larger volume allows for your choice of any liner should you want to switch them out.

Soul System: The one-piece soul is pre-grooved on both the backslide and negative / soul side plates. The backslide groove is the largest out of the box, while the size of the plate is between that of the Cult and Genesys. They are fast like the Genesys, and durable like the Cult. Unique to the SL is front and rear replaceable sliders on the backside, meaning you can replace them separately as needed. The SL soul system is the largest and widest of the three, giving the skater the most grinding surface to work with. This is quite the accomplishment being as light as they are.

Summary: Razors Skates promotes the SL as its ‘Pro Level’ boot, with it being light and having a unique baseless design that basically straps your frames directly to the bottom of your foot. Combine that with its forgiving shell and large soul system, and it really stacks up.