TL;DR
Material Innovations
Several skateboard brands have developed decks using innovative materials to reduce weight while maintaining strength. The Powell Peralta Flight Deck is frequently mentioned as one of the lightest options available, utilizing five wood plies and two carbon fiber plies [1:1],
[3:3]. Similarly, Santa Cruz VX and Girl Pop Secret decks incorporate varying amounts of carbon fiber, which contributes to their lighter weight compared to traditional decks
[1:1].
Deck Size and Concave Preferences
The choice of deck size and concave can affect perceived weight and handling. Some skaters prefer smaller decks like 8.0 or even 7.75 for a lighter feel [3:2]. Mellow concave decks, such as those from Toy Machine, are favored by some for their ease of control and lighter sensation
[3:1]. However, downsizing too much may reduce the landing area for tricks.
Complementary Components
In addition to selecting a lightweight deck, choosing lighter components can further reduce the overall weight of your skateboard setup. Hollow trucks, such as Thunder Titanium Lights and Tensor Magnesium trucks, are popular choices for reducing weight [1:1],
[1:2]. Smaller wheels can also contribute to a lighter setup, although they may affect ride quality depending on the surface
[3:4].
User Recommendations
Skaters often recommend specific setups based on personal experience. For example, one user highlighted their setup with an 8.0 Real Skateboards deck and Mini Logo trucks as being almost weightless [3:2]. Another user recommended pairing a Powell Peralta Flight Deck with hollow trucks for an exceptionally lightweight board
[3:3].
Considerations Beyond Discussions
When choosing a lightweight skateboard deck, consider your riding style and preferred terrain. While lighter decks can enhance maneuverability, they may sacrifice some durability. It's also important to factor in the cost, as decks with advanced materials like carbon fiber tend to be more expensive.
edit: I usually ride an 8 or 8.25
Decks are the same unless you find a deck with less plys which will snap easier. But yeah, tensor mag lights, and some smaller wheels, ur sweet
Most decks will weigh around the same, given the construction, materials and process are similar. There are some outliers, such as powell flight deck, santa cruz vx, impact, and girl pop secret decks. Each using varying amounts of carbon fiber in the construction to reduce weight(and increase strength) I imagine powel flight is the lightest because they use 5 wood plies and 2 carbon plies.
You can also shave weight of your setup with lighter trucks. Most brands make a hollow truck, but thunder titanium lights and tensor magnesium trucks are noticeably lighter.
now to push this over the top, ace makes hollow hardware and a cored wheel like ricta weighs less than a standard wheel.
I know this is old but where can you get that hollowed out hardware?
Also looking for the same thing.
I need a new board. Right now I have a size 8 girl board and it’s at the end of its life. I bought an 8.25 almost deck from one of my friends but it was way too heavy. I’m not sure if it’s because of the trucks or wheels or what not but for some reason when I put that deck on, it really added some weight to my set up. I wanna get an 8.25 but I don’t want it to be too heavy. Do any of you guys know what company makes boards that aren’t so heavy? I appreciate the help!
Get stronger legs. Or shell out $80 for a flight deck.
Hi, at the moment I've been skating a 8.5 enjoi with 149 hollow indys, I love my deck but I feel like its slightly too heavy for me so I've decided to downsize to a 8.25 but after looking all over different websites I thought it would be easy to choose a deck but theres so much choice, I've been looking for a light mellow concave deck, does anyone have any suggestions on a deck that's suitable for me? thanks!
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(P.S. I've been thinking about getting a Toy Machine fists deck as I've heard a lot about their mellow concave, has anyone had experience with this deck or any Toy Machine deck and what did you think of it? thanks!)
I have an 8.0 Real Skateboards deck, with Mini Logo trucks. I’m a fairly small individual 5’2 and it’s basically weightless to me. If you feel like the 8.25 is still too heavy try just an 8 and if that’s still too much you can get 7.75 or 7.5, you just have less area to land tricks with.
Dude check out the Powell Peralta flight deck. They are only 5 ply so thinner than normal boards but they have a few carbon fiber layers mixed in, and they weigh less but are more durable than standard decks. The concave is mellow like you said. A flight deck with hollow trucks is super light. Other skaters asked to check my board out when I had one and they all said it was the lightest skateboard they ever held. I'd still be using one but my local shops ran out when it was time to buy my last deck. Only deck I've ever bought 2 of the exact same one of
I have an 8.0 with tensor alu trucks and im pretty happy with it. Still feels like a bag of bricks when i try to ollie but im pretty sure thats just me being terrible. Wheels are 54mm and a bit wide though, been thinking about going with like 52 or 50mm because I only ride park with that board anyway, but so far havent felt it worth the 40 euros for a new set of wheels..
havent ridden a toy machine, have heard several people say "best decks", however. My light ass setup is an 8.0 deck, 8.0 hollow light thunders (hollow axle and kingpin), 52mm Spit Formula 4's
First photo Dynamic Heavy Standard Kingpin Second photo Dynamic Inverted Kingpin No bushings, washers, or pivot cups included in weight test. Don't have the test deck at the moment but here is the weight difference for those who are curious of Dynamic's Heavy baseplates. Definitely the heaviest baseplate I've recorded. Caramel 3.0 Plus Inverted Kingpin baseplate is 1.64g in comparison.
Wish they’d restock!
I swear I saw somewhere it was happening sometime this month but I'm not sure.
Damn, that’s a pretty significant difference
Can I get a medium please?
My CX board weighs about 6lbs 11oz, and my C7 7lbs 10oz, both set up for rougher surfaces. I wanted something lighter for small bowls and tighter park transitions.
Most reissue boards are 10" wide and use 9" trucks. This is one of the few that fits the C5 8.5" trucks.
1987 Caballero Street Dragon reissue is a slightly narrower version of the Chinese Dragon at 9.625" with slight cutouts near the nose to pinch the width down to 8.5".
OJ Double Duro 101a/95a park wheels are really fast but don't slide out when pumped, on smooth concrete. The whole setup weighs 5 lb 13.75 oz, with the rails and tail guard.
For comparison, my standard 8.5" popsicle with no rails, Indy 149s and 54mm Spitfires weighs 5 lb 9.25 oz. Rails weigh about 2.5 oz, not sure if that's with or without the screws.
So this directional Carver setup ends up weighing about the same as a popsicle skateboard does. Even with the old school plastic added, it feels nice and light.
Nice looking deck! What size OJ's are those? As you know, I'm looking into C5's but I do like a wide deck (for now) and I like that the C5's are shorter. I met a dude that rips in the bowl but he didn't even want to try the CX, said the height sketched him out lol. I wondered about wheel size on c5 and avoiding wheelbite.
58mm with the Carver riser that came with the truck set. No wheelbite at all. I believe they come in 60s, too, which would probably be fine.
The 58mm wheels pump well and carry speed better than anything I've tried, or see anyone else riding. I find myself trying to figure out how to slow down.
They're not good for surfskating on rough asphalt, but for smooth concrete, they're amazing. And they absorb the vibration on a brick wall-ride transition really well, none of the knee-rattling feeling you get with regular 101a wheels.
Very cool. Yes, I am just getting started and I'm AOK with softer/not-too-fast wheels while learning. The more I look at your deck, the more I like it :)
i got 6497a bones and while loose, still more time scared of fishtailing on backside cuts than time laughing off fresh blood
58mm is probably the max you want on C5 to totally avoid wheelbite.
Thanks!
Oh yeah, I see a mix of measurements here, but boards seem to be measured in inches. Truck hangers tend to be in mm (like 149) but the axkes in inches (like 8.5) I don't know how this works in different places, or what measurement system to use for what parts of the board.
My popsicle is close to 2.5kg, this surfskate around 2.6kg.
My other surfskates weigh approximately 3 and 3.5kg.
Love this. I have the same deck in red but haven't tried it as a surf skate. Looks fun, cheers
I like having that big wide front foot zone, but in a setup that doesn't weigh so much.
Very interesting to get the weight info and compare to a popsicle set up.
Looks like the WB on this deck is 15.125". Is there enough room at the tail to drill holes further back? I'm wondering if the deck could accommodate a 16" WB.
Yes, this is 15.125"
The tail starts to roll up pretty close to the back of the truck base. It would be hinky to add 7/8" just in the rear, but if you bump both trucks out a half that, it looks like it would work.
Note that this deck uses the large old school hole spacing, and Carver bases are drilled with 6 holes, for both old and new.
If you move the trucks to use the inner "new school" holes on the truck bases, you can be sure it will all sit right before you drill. Then drill 2 holes for each truck, and you should be good.
There's a 3/8" difference between the hole spacing on old vs new hole patterns, so you'd get a 15.875" wheelbase, looks like on flat wood front and rear, nice and neat.
Sweet, just got some double duros myself. You can get rid of the bubbles on your grip with a hairdryer.
im tempted to buy the almost impact deck to see how long its last but do y'all have any recommendations on boards with good pop and maybe some new technologies lol thanks!!
I'm currently using an Antihero deck and can only recommend it, great pop and durability. Baker decks are also great
I am not a bigger guy but still would go flight deck I love them they are super strong for doing big drops but are actually really light & have incredible increased pop due to it being a five ply carbon fiber deck only down side is it will razor tail quicker because it a thinner deck there awesome I swear by them personally!
I’m 250lbs and have been doing fine with a pretty cheap Powell peralta Vallely deck. I thought for sure I’d snap it in half but it seems pretty tough
I've got an Almost impact deck that's 7.75" with tensor mag lights and it's the lightest set up I've ever had in my entire life. Pop is good and I don't really feel the board flexing on turns since the trucks are really responsive. I'd recommend it since Almost is a deck manufacturer that's innovating deck construction.
The only thing that I did not like about my almost is it just felt a little off on the pop side of things I wouldn’t say soggy but maybe it was just to mellow for me I definitely like my flight decks a lot better but honest it’s all preference tho
thanks!!! ill check them out!!
Hello Everyone, so its been about a decade since I regularly rode and about five years since I even stepped on a board. What brands are out there that can support larger (6'1" and 280lbs) riders?
I have an older Almost Impact Support that I bought when I was 23 that had very little usage, and it seems like Almost's website is totally down, so I'm unsure i want to break that one.
Basically I want to start to skate again to lose weight and be in better shape for my kid when he gets a bit older.
Powel Flight , vx or anything with carbon fiber in it
So we're talking early 2010's, but the most robust boards I used to skate were a Blind Eternal Life, Almost Impact Support, any Dwindle Resin-8, or Element Fiberlight.
I had a Creature board just before picking up my Impact Support and I liked it, but I have no idea how any of the new boards feel.
How would you compare what your listing?
The VX is less expensive and slightly bigger (wider), which would be an advantage for you. But the flight deck is a better designed board overall (imo, at least), it has some really well tuned angles and such that make a lot of tricks easier.
If you want a less expensive option than a carbon fiber board (you do get what you pay for tbf / for the record though, carbon fiber boards will always outlast wood boards, even with epoxy coating), you could probably get away with using a 9 ply maple deck if you coated it in epoxy resin. This adds some significant weight and kills any flex though, and resin is difficult to apply (and the quality of the protection it gives can vary depending on what formula you get) - so in all honesty if you can afford it you should just go for a carbon fiber deck.
So I’m going to go in the opposite direction of most suggestions and give you some different ones and explain why. Regarding concave, the highest I have seen have been, by far, PS Stix manufacturing. I actually was literally just comparing PS vs BBS vs crailtap. 2nd biggest concave I’ve felt is maybe south central manufacturing. I say concave because I think a bigger concave could potentially give you more strength to the board. If you need help sourcing a ps Stix or south central, I can help you our slap’s woodshop directory is a good way to find what companies use what woodshops.
But were I you - I’d probably buy a bustin yoface 35”. Composite layers, 8 ply and a multitude of materials mean it’ll work well for you. Check my older post history if you want to see what it looks like. But I’d probably just buy the deck.
6 foot 250 lbs. I don’t really run into any brand specific issues but I skate an 8.5 board with 8.75 trucks and rarely break boards.
Powell Flight Deck is what you're after
How is the board feel? I had one of those Powell Mini-Lites (I think thats what their blanks were called) and they had a mild concave, which I'm totally ok with. Is that the case for them?
I've only used the Andy Anderson Vajra but I think the others use the same concave. If so, it's good, not too steep, not too mellow.
I'm 6'4" 230lbs. When I started skating again a few years ago I was 260lbs. I broke a lot of boards trying to stay loyal to Deathwish when I first started back up (the worst one I broke in 30 minutes). Broke about 5-6 Deathwish decks and not saying its all Deathwish's fault, as other variables my have included: 1. I weighed 260, 2. I didnt really have solid skate legs and balance again yet, and 3. I was relearning how to skate and I was rarely landing tricks perfect on the bolts. I finally switched to Girl/Chocolate 8.5 Twin Tip, shape #G096 and I've NEVER broken one. Ive probably been through about 20-25 now, only replacing them when the tail squares off or they feel too soggy. I know some people bash Girl/Chocolate for being made in China, but I won't buy anything else ever again. Also I would recommend swapping the bushings on your trucks out for the Bones Hard bushings, really helps for us heavier dudes. The hard bushings help with stability and you won't end up with torn bushings or having them slip out our smash up all lopsided. The Bones ones are nice because you put them in and they are ready to go, break in isn't really required after your initial preferred tightness is set
I’m 220 and the bones hards are a life saver. Hardly get wheel bite too
Just wanted to say it’s nice to see someone else with virtually the same body size as me still skating! 6’ 5” and about 225 lbs
So I was thinking 100A Thunder bushings since I have Thunder Trucks, but I know truck bushings are pretty universal.
I've never skated a Girl or Chocolate board.
Just dropped a few of these on the website in 34mm. Available in limited quantities. Also some other decks on there that are on sale. Link in comments! Instagram: @noscodecks
Highly recommend Manak Skates. Hand shaped and pressed. Such a nice person. $80 for a deck and this is all it came with.
https://jonnymanak.bigcartel.com/product/9-25-deep-ender-pool-shape-excelskull
Good dude- great decks! ❤️
I was just browsing their website 10 minutes ago!
Pull the trigger!! Such sick boards
Yeah the 9.2 symmetrical twin tail Voodude looks really interesting to try next. Worried it might feel small going from a 9.8 but I'm interested to try a symmetrical shape and I like supporting smaller companies. Think I'll pull the trigger.
This is rad to see. I've known Jonny for a long time. Good dude.
I herd 10 seconds of a song just now, can totally get behind it. Thanks for the new rec 😂
Manak is a good dude. He's given me advice on board building on fb groups.
I’ve always been obsessed with Alien Workshop boards cause I loved Rob Dyrdek but that was back in 2013/2014. I’ve been thinking of DGK but a lot of people say it’s mediocre. What are some good skate decks, mainly looking for durability since I’m still learning.
Yes i loved his skating back in the day too. Josh Kalis too, really the whole Love park scene. Anyways man I've had really good luck with Deathwish and Baker strength wise. Ive been known to snap a lot of decks but these do really hold up for me.
Hockey decks are good , same with Baker but they are on the expensive size of decks . Most decks function the same so it doesn't really matter . Just make sure to check what your local skate shop has as they are usually all good.
Theyre all made from the same wood, doesnt matter if you just pick a legit brand
Powell per Alta is one of the best out there, you don’t even need a flight, I’d go with a 8.5-8.75.
Durability? Powell Flight decks or Santa Cruz VX.
best lightweight skateboard deck
Key Considerations for Choosing a Lightweight Skateboard Deck:
Material: Look for decks made from high-quality materials like 7-ply maple or bamboo. Bamboo decks tend to be lighter and more flexible, while maple offers durability.
Weight: A lightweight deck typically weighs between 2 to 4 pounds. Check the specifications to ensure you're getting a deck that meets your weight preference.
Shape and Size: Consider the width and length of the deck. A standard width ranges from 7.5 to 8.5 inches. Choose a shape that suits your skating style (street, park, or cruising).
Concave: The concave shape affects how the board feels underfoot. A deeper concave provides more control for tricks, while a flatter concave is better for cruising.
Brand Reputation: Look for reputable brands known for producing quality decks, such as Element, Almost, or Baker.
Recommendations:
Bamboo Skateboards: These decks are incredibly lightweight and offer a unique flex that can enhance your riding experience. They are great for cruising and commuting.
Almost Skateboards: Known for their lightweight construction and durability, Almost decks often feature a unique resin-epoxy construction that reduces weight without sacrificing strength.
Santa Cruz Skateboards: Their lightweight decks are made from high-quality maple and are well-regarded for their performance and longevity.
Takeaway: If you're looking for a balance of weight, durability, and performance, consider a bamboo deck for cruising or an Almost deck for tricks. Always check user reviews to ensure the deck meets your specific needs and preferences.
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