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Are pro boards worth it? (piefed.world)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months 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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[–] Weirdfish@lemmy.world 10 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I could talk for hours on this, but the simple answer is, a well made blank is just the board they paint the pro's name on.

If you want to support a brand or rider, do it.

There are some exceptions, like Andy Anderson's heron series, but at the end of the day, a $30 blank from CCS is as good as any pro model.

[–] Vegan_Joe@piefed.world 8 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Those flight decks look amazing, but my hucking days are over. So, razor tail and a general soggy feeling kill my decks before I ever do.

I grabbed a cheap mini logo deck (Christmas complete), and it skated... But after about a month it definitely felt like it's price.

I had been grabbing Z-Flex completes. I initially snagged one just for the trucks because I like Aces. When they are on sale, a complete is $60 with Ace 144s. I was pleasantly surprised when the deck was stiff and poppy. With some better wheels and bearings, that setup was solid.

I grabbed a Tactics Blank the last time I needed grip and bearings because the sale price dropped the board down to $22. When I showed up to the park, my buddies could immediately hear the difference in pop.

My favorite so far has been Woodchuck laminates. It's a Canadian company and the concave and pop have been amazing.

[–] arsCynic@piefed.social 6 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

No, of course not. Paying $80 for a regular deck that could break in a week is silly. Skateboarding companies need to get with the times and produce more durable decks. Only then higher prices are fair.

On that note, check out these kape decks: https://kapeskateboards.com/. I've had the chance to try one from a fellow skater at the park yesterday and I'm amazed at how similar they feel. Great pop, strong as an ox, doesn't chip. The guy who I used it from was pretty much pro skill-wise, and he was nothing but enthusiastic about them too. Unfortunately they only come in 8.25 inch width for now as that is the most sold size apparently; understandable from a startup point of view. I've just mailed them asking whether they will increase size availability someday.

Edit: already got an answer :O

Thx for reaching out!
We are about to drop the 8.5inch deck in a few weeks; but going wider isn’t scheduled yet.

So 8.5 might stay the widest deck for a while.
Go give it a try; the board is so much better than regular decks or anything else on the market; it might even make up the missing width. At least that’s what a lot of skaters say; worldwide!

All the best,

[–] Vegan_Joe@piefed.world 8 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months 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 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months 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.