Category / Board Review

by Sam Arrington

Rayne Skyline Review

There is a Venn diagram where a boards features compliment each other in a variety of disciplines. The Skyline falls squarely in the center.

Rayne’s Skyline deck has turned out to be an absolute banger this year. It may seem like a while since Rayne last released a new deck but it was more than worth it!

We all love the multi-discipline mantra – one board that excels in multiple disciplines. It’s an especially appreciated feature for those of us with budget and/or space constraints. One deck for a ride to a friends house, to the local convenience store, to the top of the hill and then the same for a run to the bottom.

  • Rayne Skyline Side Profile

In practice, it usually leaves a bit to be desired in one area or another. To be fair, it’s a lofty goal. Things that make a board excel in one discipline usually don’t help in another.

Turns out there is a gray area – a “just right” middle ground where a boards features compliment each other in a variety of disciplines. The Skyline falls squarely in this area.

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by Matheus Iark

Moonshine Rum Runner Review

Solid Moonshine construction and versatility are prevalent in the Rum Runner. This is a quiver killer for those who appreciate speed.

The Rum Runner has been a staple in the Moonshine lineup for quite a while. The wheelbase options, waterproofing, urethane rails and lightweight construction add to a functional shape to produce a product that is tough to match.

The Rum Runner name is reminiscent of prohibition era booze smugglers. They needed to get their cargo to it’s destination, fast. Moonshine’s Rum Runner only has one difference – the cargo is you.

Freeride or downhill, this board is well suited to the task. Even a little slashing if you move the trucks in far enough.

It’s available in both composite and standard constructions. In this review, we’ll be going over the standard construction – The standard! Read on to hear our thoughts and find a coupon to purchase your own at the end of the article!

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Bustin Shotgun in the Canyon
by Sam Arrington

Bustin Shotgun Review

The Shotgun is a deck that features unique and innovative concave with an incredibly strong construction. The only real issue is where to get one.

The Bustin Shotgun was designed by Max Ballesteros over a three year period with help from Jonanthan Neuman aka Bubbles. Luckily Max gave me a prototype about 8 months before its release so I’ve spent a lot of time on it. The Shotgun comes in two different layups: Thermoweave Hollow Core or Thermoweave Maple. The Hollow Core is both lighter and more expensive than it’s Maple counterpart. As Bustin’s premiere layup, I’ve found Thermoweave to be a durable composite that’s both resilient against abuse and stays very stiff.

  • Bustin Shotgun
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by Sam Arrington

Sanctum Collective – Stratos Review

Colorado Based Sanctum Collective Stratos is made with the signature Alloy Construction that features 8 plies of maple with a single bottom ply of aluminum. The result is an absolute dream to skate.

Construction:

Sanctum Collective is based in Colorado and with that comes the Colorado style. Their Sanctum lineup features some of the most unique construction and concaves on the market. The Stratos is made with the signature Alloy Construction that features 8 plies of maple with a single ply of aluminum on the bottom. This creates a very stiff, durable deck ready for the abuse that comes from downhill and freeride.

I’ve been skating the Stratos for about two months now and it has taken quite a few beatings; however, the crew at Sanctum make boards to last. The Alloy Construction has kept the board as stiff as the day I got, it has saved the Stratos from curbs and not surprisingly, it’s still immaculate looking!

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by Sam Arrington

Powell Peralta Kevin Reimer Samurai Review

The Kevin Reimer Samurai deck, while massive for a downhill board in today’s race culture, is absolutely fun for taking drifty lines and going fast.

Powell Perlta and Kevin Reimer designed a beast of a board that features: microdrops, flat top w-concave, ultralight construction and polyurethane bumpers. The board is incredibly light for its size due to its construction, but carrying a light board up the hill is the best. Now urethane bumpers aren’t new to the game, but Powell Peralta has the best implementation of them. The bumpers on the Powell line up are just <i”>thicc, while a company like Moonshine  has them more flush with the deck. I also appreciate Powell taking the bumper all the way to the flairs, rather than stopping just at the nose. The board has a simple w-concave that flows through the whole deck, somehow they managed to make the first w concave that isn’t uncomfortable to push or stand on for an extensive period.

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