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arsCynic@piefed.social

Are pro boards worth it? (piefed.world)

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by Vegan_Joe@piefed.world to c/skateboarding@piefed.social

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I've been skating blanks for a while now, so it's hard for me to justify jumping from paying $30 for a blank board up to $80 for a pro board.

Is there any substantial difference these days, or is it solely the graphic?

I've been hearing a lot of the pros complain that skateboarding goes through waxing and waning periods, and that we are currently in a waning period. When you look at general skateboard sales, that is not the case.

It seems like the accessibility of custom blanks has allowed every hometown skate crew to start their "own brand", which obviously cuts sales to the larger brands. I imagine this is why the larger brands feel like the sport is waning despite worldwide sales going up in general.

If that is the case, then by buying blanks, I am contributing to that problem. If I want to live in a world with professional skateboarders to watch, then I obviously should support that part of the industry.

But times are tough and boards aren't necessarily cheap, so is there a quality incentive to buying pro decks? Better shapes, laminate, glue, wood quality, better pressing process, etc.,?

What have you experienced?

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[–] Vegan_Joe@piefed.world 8 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

I've heard that name a few times this past year. I wonder how it compares to Powell-Peralta's "Flight Decks", Deluxe Distribution's "DBX", or Santa Cruz's "VX".

I went to Kape's website, and it looks like their boards are a composite of foam and fiberglass, which is an entirely different direction than the epoxy glues for Flight Decks and VXs.

The price is similar enough that it might be worth a try. They are only charging $25 shipping to America.

[–] arsCynic@piefed.social 6 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

I've had two Powell-Peralta flight decks and now using a Decathlon carbon fiber deck. The kape decks seem to be better as they have all the benefits but also don't chip! Carbon fiber is a game changer towards not easily snapping a deck, but when skating predominantly on rougher surfaces, then the chipping detracts from the carbon fiber benefits.