SlotCones are patented multi-use agility cones designed for K–12 physical education programs. Each cone has a vertical slot on one side that holds any size hoop upright, and five horizontal slots on the other side that hold crossbars at heights from 3 to 18 inches. They are twice as thick as standard plastic cones, available in a six-color set or as an obstacle kit with hoops and crossbars included, and manufactured in the United States by PullBuoy.
Standard gym cones mark a boundary and do nothing else. SlotCone was built to do the job of three separate pieces of equipment in one. The patented dual-slot design lets PE teachers set up hoop stations, hurdle courses, and agility drills using the same six cones, no extra hardware, no compatibility issues, no wasted storage space. The vertical slot on one side locks in any diameter hoop and holds it standing without any support. The five horizontal slots on the other side accept crossbars at six different height settings, from a low step-over bar for kindergartners to a proper hurdle height for upper elementary students. SlotCones are heavier and built thicker than the plastic cones most school gyms already stock, with an optional weighted rubber base that keeps every cone planted on gym floors, blacktop, or grass even when 25 kids are running a course at full speed. This is a single purchase that covers boundary marking, hoop runs, hurdle stations, and obstacle courses , and it holds up through daily institutional use year after year.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Dual-Side Slot System
The defining feature of SlotCone is its two completely different working sides. The vertical slot on one face accepts hoops of any diameter and keeps them standing upright on their own, which turns a plain cone into a freestanding hoop station in seconds. The opposite face has five evenly spaced horizontal slots that hold crossbars at heights ranging from 3 inches to 18 inches above the ground. This means a single set of six SlotCones can run a hoop weave course, a low hurdle circuit, and a boundary drill in the same class period without swapping out any equipment.
Adjustable Hurdle Heights from 3 to 18 Inches
The five-slot height system covers the full range of a K through 8 gym program. Kindergarten and first grade students work with bars set at the lowest position for step-over drills. Third and fourth grade students move up to mid-range heights for jumping challenges. Older elementary and middle school students can work at the top slot for a real hurdle experience. Every class group gets an appropriate challenge without the teacher needing a separate set of equipment for each age level.
Roll-Out and Lock-In Crossbar Options
SlotCone crossbars come in two versions so teachers can match the setup to the activity. Roll-Out crossbars release cleanly from the slots when a student makes contact, removing any tripping risk during hurdle runs and keeping the activity moving without constant resets. Lock-In crossbars fit snugly in the slots and hold their position for activities where the bar needs to stay in place regardless of contact. Both crossbar types work across all five height slots on every SlotCone.
Twice the Thickness of Standard Plastic Cones
SlotCones are manufactured from heavier-gauge material than the typical vinyl or polyethylene cones sold by general sporting goods suppliers. The added thickness makes each cone noticeably more resistant to cracking, splitting at the base, or deforming when stored under weight at the end of the school year. A set of SlotCones bought for a school gym program does not need to be replaced every budget cycle the way cheaper cones do.
Optional Weighted Rubber Base
The slip-on rubber base fits over the bottom of any SlotCone and adds enough weight to keep the cone grounded on gym floors, outdoor blacktop, and grass surfaces without the teacher needing to anchor or tape anything down. This is particularly useful when crossbars are stretched between two cones at higher settings, where the leverage from the bar would tip a lighter cone over. The base slides off for compact storage and is sold separately for teachers who want to add stability to an existing set.
Works with Hoops You Already Own
The vertical hoop slot accepts any standard hoop diameter. Teachers who already have a closet full of hula hoops or no-kink hoops do not need to buy a proprietary size to use SlotCones. Drop any hoop into the slot, and it stands upright on its own. This compatibility keeps the cost of setting up a hoop course low and makes SlotCone a practical addition to any existing PE equipment inventory.
Available in Color-Coded Sets
The Color set includes one cone in each of six different colors, which makes color-coded team rotations and station assignments easy to manage without labels or verbal instructions. Students can be told to start at the red cone station or rotate to the blue cone, and the setup communicates itself. Solid fluorescent orange and fluorescent yellow sets are also available for programs that already use a different color organization system.
Made in the United States
SlotCones are designed and manufactured by PullBuoy, a US-based company that has been producing physical education equipment exclusively for school gym programs for decades. Every product in the PullBuoy line is built for institutional use, which means it is tested against the conditions of a real school gym — daily classes, rough handling, bulk storage, and years of repeated use.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What sizes of hoops fit in the SlotCone vertical slot?
The vertical slot on the SlotCone accepts any standard hoop diameter. There is no proprietary size requirement. Any hoop from a small activity hoop up to a full-size 36-inch hula hoop will seat in the slot and stand upright without additional support.
What is the difference between Roll-Out and Lock-In crossbars?
Roll-Out crossbars are slightly thinner and designed to release from the horizontal slots when a student makes contact during a jump or run. This prevents tripping and removes the need to reset the course after every student goes through. Lock-In crossbars are marginally thicker and fit snugly in the slots, staying in position even when bumped or contacted. Teachers choose Roll-Out for safety-focused hurdle runs and Lock-In for station setups where the bar position needs to remain fixed throughout the activity.
What crossbar heights are available with SlotCone?
The five horizontal slots on each SlotCone hold crossbars at approximately 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 inches above the ground. The exact height achieved depends on the length of the crossbar used and where the cone sits on the floor surface.
What comes in the SlotCone Obstacle Kit?
The Obstacle Kit includes six SlotCones, three hoops, and three Lock-In crossbars at 40 inches in length. This gives a teacher everything needed to build a mixed hoop-and-hurdle obstacle course right out of the box without purchasing hoops or crossbars separately.
Are SlotCones appropriate for adapted physical education programs?
Yes. The adjustable crossbar height system makes SlotCones well-suited for adapted PE classes because every hurdle station can be set at a height appropriate for each individual student. The low 3-inch starting height makes the cones accessible for students with limited mobility or jumping ability, and the absence of any fixed height requirement means the same equipment serves the full range of learners in an inclusive gym class.
How do SlotCones compare to standard agility cones for durability?
SlotCones are manufactured from heavier material than standard vinyl or polyethylene cones. They are roughly twice as thick at the base and walls, which makes them significantly more resistant to cracking under storage pressure or splitting at the seams after repeated contact. For school gym programs where equipment is used five days a week and stored under weight in supply closets, this build quality translates to a longer service life and a lower cost per year of use compared to cheaper replacement cones.
Do SlotCones work outdoors?
SlotCones work on gym floors, outdoor blacktop, and grass. For outdoor use on uneven ground or in windy conditions, the optional weighted rubber base is recommended to keep each cone stable when crossbars are in use.
What grade levels are SlotCones designed for?
SlotCones are used across K through 12 programs, with the most common applications in kindergarten through eighth grade. The adjustable crossbar heights make them practical for the full elementary and middle school range without a separate equipment set for each age group.
Where are SlotCones made?
SlotCones are designed and manufactured in the United States by PullBuoy, a company that builds physical education equipment exclusively for K through 12 school gym programs.
What is the shipping policy?
All PullBuoy orders over $49 ship free. Most orders leave the warehouse within two business days and arrive within three to five business days after shipment.
