So I opened the box to my new K2 Radicals rollerblades, and was immediately stymied by the bootstraps which seemingly could not be opened by any means. The plastic pieces on either side of the metal lever look like they open when squeezed toward the center of the strap, but this is not the case.

Watching the available videos didn't enlighten me either, and there was nothing on it in the manual, but I finally figured it out. Here's how to do it - perhaps it will save you some time.