Best Of The Year Skaters' Picks Top Ten Longboarding Products of 2011
If there’s two things that define the revolution in skateboarding that’s played itself out on the internet at Silverfish Longboarding and other websites, they’ve got to be skaters’ discussion of skate spots and the best gear. Skate spots can be a tricky subject on the internet… do you share something awesome to spread the stoke, or do you keep it on the downlow and play “locals only”? Gear is different: there’s plenty to go around and one of the best things any skater can do is to highlight what’s workin’ great for us. And that, brothers and sisters of the revolution, is where this 2011 Skaters’ Picks Gear Guide comes from.
We’ve surveyed hundreds of skaters in the rollicking Silverfish Longboarding forums and at skate sessions around the globe, sifted some wheat from chaff and boiled it down to a list of the year’s top innovations and values, new products that captured your attention this year or worked just right out on the hills and streets. It’s not all-inclusive and the manufacturers we depend on for great gear haven’t had anything to do with it – so check out the Silverfish Longboarding Skaters’ Pick Gear Guide for 2011:
Everyone knows topmount is gangster. Getting a board designed to the point that all of the elements work is really what sets this board apart from a field of many wannabe thugs.
The major highpoints are the solid board feel and the amazing execution of the board design. When putting together this list, the Elise is the board that was mentioned again and again.
Looking at all of the feedback shows that not only has Fullbag delivered a well thought-of deck, but it's exceptionally well thought-out. Wheel wells, a thinned waist and brilliantly executed tub concave work together to deliver a deck that is worthy of the adoration it gets from its fans and our editors are itchin' for a pair.
In an industry where almost everyone touts their "skate cred", plenty of people are wishing they had the presence that Rob "The Wizard" Nickell has. You might love him or hate him but, at the end of the day, he set out to establish a brand presence for a product with eager marketing on the 'net. Risking buyer confidence and his own reputation, he suceeded. These bearings were picked up by many shops & riders and his initial selling sold out of stock quickly.
Are they really magic? Of course... They are also easy to clean, purple & green, and most of all affordable.
Although Magic is out of stock at the moment, you can expect great things from Magic in 2012.
This is one of those ideas we are pretty damn sure many skaters have had, a lazy day safety meeting session where they think, "hey, slide pucks should be scratch and sniff!"
Well, Holesom does more than dream, they make that dream a reality. Now you too can lay down some super slick delrin slides and at the same time bask in the delicious aroma of Cocoa, Bubble Gum, and even Glow in the Dark. What does Glow smell like? Victory, baby.
Now it's not a game changer, but they may have made our slide sessions smell a little bit sweeter.
Now where the holy hell are the bacon-scented pucks? Get on it, Holesom! We are here for product research and we know a LOT about bacon.
Earthwing is well known for delivering products steeped in skateboarding street cred and their lineup has some of the most no-BS, brick straight to the zombie skull of longboard culture deck available. The Hightailer is no expection. It takes a concept that used to be well-known and makes a statement with its evernew feel and design that had skaters railing on what a great idea the Hightailer is.
Big skateboards are awesome.
You can not get around that one simple trueism, and it doesn't matter if you are adept with the kicks or not. This board brings the utilitarian aspects of a proper nose and tail and combines it with a dap ton of wood. Giving you a chance to shred streets, parks and hills all on one, savage beast. ·Earthwing isn't sitting back hoping on the next big marketing concept, they are not dancing around with cute marketing terms.
They are swinging a hammer of knowledge right to the brainpan of the longboard consumer.·
This is another breakout into the future of our sport. A board that in a way will not only build on existing concepts in board building, but elevate common acceptance of high-end construction techniques.
Our editors and skaters on the forums cite this rock solid topmount's expert combination of materials, multiple mounting options, integrated shape rail designs, intelligent drop, concave that fits the rider and the board and a razor sharp rail. We could rattle off the marketing terms that everyone has come to know and love but in the real world.
Riders make boards perform, not marketing and in the hands of the masses this board has a level of adoration that not many companies can hope for. This was another one of the most mentioned boards and for good reason.
With the Desert Eagle master building comes into contact with brilliant board design.·
This 2011 entry into the longboarding trucks field comes from an established “traditional” skate truck house that happens to be owned and run by longboarders. Bucking the latest trend for new trucks, they’re built for big wheels and tall boards with a high baseplate that enables skaters to roll 75mm wheels on many top mounts, or drop’em through old style, but with all the responsiveness that high trucks give.
They built trucks they wanted to bomb hills on and the Drones come in 4 widths, 2 pivot angles, have flippable hangers and they’re faced at the factory.
The ‘fish crew have a load of these under several boards right now…look for a review in early ’12.
For too long has the focus of high end helmets been the downhill aspect of our sport. As any rider knows, it's not the speed you are going, it's the impact that kills you.
Skull Crush brings their years of expirience in developing motorcycle helmets and delivers a half helmet that is worthy of all of our skulls.
A combination of Kevlar and Carbon Fiber are integrated to produce a comfortable helmet with the capability to take whatever you throw at it and still have a helmet that is just as confortable cruising as you are.
It would be a hard-sell to say that 2011 was about freeriding. Let's face it, as long as skateboarding has existed there has always been "freeriding". You're a longboarder. It's all free ride, bro!
·It can be said, however, that this is the year the market focused in tight and some amazing products came out.
Seismic delivers their answer to the Freeride Wheel Question with the Landslide. Stone ground, 75x44, double radiused and lots of urethane depth. Rider response has been the equivalent of using every synonym that can be used to describe a desireable slide.
Seismic continues to focus on their craft and has delivered a wheel that provides exactly what the riders were asking for.
Nothing is steeped in as much mystery and lore as bushings are. They are small, look like candy and can do so much for a setup. Of course, most gear-obsessive skaters can think of more than a few times when dialing-in the right bushing combination may have kept them on the curb when they should have been skating. Don't even get us started on OG Stimulators in the forums...
Riptide has entered the market and done everything it can to present the rider with all the shape configurations and duros to give every skater the chance to dial their setup till it's perfect. With all the hoopla and excitement over killer bushings from many companies, Riptide takes a big share of the airtime.
Oh and did we mention they come in different formulas?
Simple formula: take an already cred-heavy deck, shrink it down so it's more accessable to riders that otherwise have a hard time with the bigger platforms and name it after the psycho groms who deserve it.
The last thing any rider should be doing is riding a deck that doesn't really fit their body type. Yes, there's some truth to the idea that anyone can ride any deck, but for a deck to perform at it's peak and for the rider truly to enjoy it? That is when the synergy of rider and board comes into factor. The ability to ride exactly with the stance you want is what the Baby Killer offers riders.
With more and more young riders, ladies and circus midgets getting into skating every day, we're pretty sure that this is just the beginning of companies seeking to serve the myriad of riders out there.
This is the union of Edgetrack and Wefunk - they are your new longboard overlords.
Military grade monitoring and telemetry and over a decade of producing the most highly developed racing skateboards combined to destroy your understanding of longboarding technology. This is one product where, without reservation, we can tell you the anticipation and "hype" will always understate the reality. Nobody -- and we mean no-body-- knows more, does more and innovates more in skateboard materials and design than Alex Luxat, and he rips on what he designs (check out that scar on his forehead). You all went loose in the knees over these decks and we understand why.
Announced in 2011 and with expected production in the near future. Prepare to bend space & time.
So there you have it: a set of skaters' choice products and innovations that lit up 2011. And so now, you're in 2012 and we can tell you something that might sound familiar, since it keeps on coming true: there's never been a better time to be a longboarder! You skate it all, faster, funner, higher, gnarlier and with fewer limits and better gear than has ever been possible before. Just as the gear listed above might, in your eyes, be the best thing since Randal Fuller's speed truck or Chris Chaput's obsession with urethane, there might justifiably be another dozen or two killer products that also make your skating better. All we can say is that, although it definitely isn't about the gear, good gear makes it so much sweeter! Whatever you're ridin', Go Skate!
Happy New Year! We'll see you on the hills and in the forums.
Just want to take a moment to thank all of Team Eagle Shark for helping out again this year and raising over 2,000$ towards mens health. Also to Rayne, Daddies Board Shop, Flexdex, Advanced Slide Labs and Hesher for helping out with prizes. Vote Now!
It's that time of the year again, when you think about all the great longboarding gear you're going to buy for your Mom, Dad and big sister... oh, and what yer askin' old Santy Claus to bring you, too! Here at Silverfish Longboarding, the annual longboarding wish list is a nearly ten year tradition and one we have fun with, everytime. You need the good stuff? Well, check these ideas out!
How about one of the most versatile wheels on the market for your favorite skater, nothing gets you sideways like the right wheel and this is one of them.
Freeriding wheels for all-around longboarding, carving, cruising, sliding and downhill … fast, smooth and predictably drifty.The new 72mm Centerset FreeRides feature our new Morthane drift formula and a wider 39mm contact patch, for more controlled drifts and longer life spans.
Supporting Skaters by Support Artists Who Skate. We're stoked to help Bustin unveil a brand new line-up of graphics from International DH Skater/Artist Ishtar Backlund. If you've hung around the International circuit much this year, you've probably met Ishtar (and chances are you're probably now in love with her). She is one of the lion-heart skaters who is supporting her travels and spreading good vibes by doing what she loves, designing skate graphics. We support Ishtar as an artist, as a skater and as a friend. That's why for this promotion Bustin is offering $10 OFF any deck with one of Ishtar's graphics, including the Ivory Dip Ishtar Strike, the just released Maestro Fiberglass V2 Sublimated Edition and all the brand new custom variations of Ishtar's graphics in our interactive Build-A-Custom program. In addition, for every deck purchased through the Silverfish Holiday Promotion, Bustin will put $5 in a fund to further help support Ishtar on the road! It's full circle: skaters helping skaters help skaters. See all the graphics at
If you want to want to RULE your street or hill, you need to get the new Tyrant Drop Thru!
Never Summer is kicking off 2012 with a new standard in all-around longboard performance. The Tyrant Drop Thru features all the things that have come to make Never Summers the best longboards on the planet; RDS Stabilization, P-Tech Tip and Tail Protection, 3 year warranty, and of course made here in the USA. The Tyrant DT's new definitive style and shape feature cut-away wheel wells, Drop Thru design and aggressive rocker to lock you in for the ride of your life!
It is an honor to present our first collaboration product: The MuirSkate × Landyachtz "Twelve Two Five" Longboard Skateboard Deck! We have always loved the quality of the Landyachtz lineup and when the opportunity arose to get some custom artwork onto a Nine Two Five deck, we certainly couldn't say no! The concave on this deck is deep, the rocker is poppin', and the gas pedals are crisp! The drop-through design helps the rider keep a lower center of gravity while lending an increased sense of stability. This makes the drop-through Twelve Two Five Freeride Deck a great choice for riders of all skill levels. If you're a fan of top mounts, fear not! We've got you covered as well. By the time you are reading this, the top mount Twelve Two Five Freeride Deck will be in stock as well.
The graphic you see before you comes from the mind of an artist by the name of Kyle Rice. We met him via one of his submissions to our Sticker Contest in early 2011 and felt his design should be enjoyed on more than just a sticker.
Our newest round of freeride gloves is lightweight and comfy to keep those dainty extremities happy. Sporting a highly breathable COOLMAX liner, the gloves are now constructed with additional mesh and slinky, stretchy fabric between the fingers to maximize airflow while riding. Form-fitting ergonomics and a hefty elastic wrist strap combine to keep everything snug without sacrificing comfort or dexterity. Synthetic suede extends from the palms to the cuff and thumb for durability and a gentle touch for wiping sweat and microorganisms from your brow.
The Bamboo Ripper is the most versatile board around and will take you anywhere you want to go. It's the perfect campus cruiser, parkade bomber and beer run board. Sanded wheel wells allow you to run 70mm wheels and Bear 852 trucks for an undeniably smooth and responsive ride.
Both Fusions have a great surfing feel with a tail perfect for slashing benches & coping. The Fusion(s) are great for slides, fast carving and all-out urban assaults. Each are excellent all around boards if you live where it is mostly flat with moderate hills as well as in the barriers and bowls; tested and developed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains since 1997. The Fusion44 is 9 ply, 44 inches long and 9.5 inches wide with medium flex and softer than '39 which features 7 plys, is 39 inches in length and 9 1/2 inches wide.
Both feature kick nose and tail as well as a deep concave. Completes feature Independent 169 trucks/ ABEC11 Freerides (66mm 84a) wheels, GunMetal high-grade 'Rounds' sealed bearings.
One of the, if not the, most highly advanced skateboards available on the market, the WeFunk Roadmaster is an insanely elite deck produced at outrageous effort and expense by a man generally accepted to be the most-knowlegable, most-accomplished, composite speedboard designer, ever. It costs more than some cars and you don't deserve it, but there is none better, anywhere. Wait, maybe you do deserve it... But order in the winter, because they aren't produced in humid months. Christmas might be exactly the right time...
The new standard in adventure POV filming. You know someone who wants one, or you want one - So get one!
GoPro cameras are used by more professional athletes, sports filmmakers and core enthusiasts than any other camera in the world. The HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition is the most advanced GoPro camera yet. Wearable and gear-mountable, waterproof to 197′ (do not longboard underwater, please), capable of capturing professional full 170º wide angle 1080p video and 11 megapixel photos at a rate of 10fps, the HD HERO2 is the world’s most versatile camera. Whether your goal is to capture a great day out with friends or you’re gunning for the cover of a magazine, the HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition can help you nail it and look like a HERO.
The Silverfish Longboarding Board Bag
The hardest working bag in longboarding is back again in a limited quantity. The 2012 "'Fish Bag" has all the features and details we created with the original, and now even beefier padding in the hideaway backpack straps and more banzai-ginormouser zippers. The helmet-flap, key-clip and pocket system are still there, but we've added a full side-zip panel so you can open the bag out flat to sit on at the races. Legendary durability and storage capacity that's hauled boards around the globe.
With exposed carbon fiber and full safety rating, the Skull Crush helmets are the pinnacle of safety and style with a low slung look and clean lines. This is the most functional and stylish helmet you can find.
50% Kevlar + 50% Carbon Fiber = 100% STRONG
This is the lightest Skull Crush Helmet model. Every bit as strong as their Beanie model.
Designed for extreme skate applications but used by many motorcyclists.
This has been the best selling model of 2011. There is not another helmet like it anywhere on the market and nothing as strong.
There is no gift that keeps on giving like a helmet. Every skater should have one and every skater should wear one. It's just that simple.
"The S-ONE Lifer Helmet is designed to fit low on the head like a traditional soft foam skateboard helmet. This helmet is a break through design combining the added safety of a CPSC certified helmet with the comfort of a soft foam helmet. We designed the Lifer Helmet specifically for Skateboarding, Roller Derby and Bicycling. The Lifer has an old school look with the traditional circular air vents."
The next step, past a lid, is good pads that fit well, take a hit, and don't twist out of the way.· 187 Killer Pads has been designing and constructing pads for top skaters for the past decade. Started by a long-time skater in a family owned upholstery shop, 187 Killer Pads has since become the preferred choice of skaters worldwide. Looking forward, 187 Killer Pads will be the company that leads the way to raising industry standards with ever-improved designs and revolutionary systems that make protective gear better.
Alligator wheels were first introduced in 1977 and at the time, were the most sought after new product. The modern Alligators use Mr. Bennett's famous shape but feature a new high performance "total memory formula" urethane. Alligators are designed with an offset bearing seat, precision core and with a rounded outer lip for maximum grip. Available in both 62 and 71mm these wheels are great for park skating and longboard cruising. Wheels are shrink wrapped with a classic Alligator decal inserted.
As "under the radar super wheels" go, the 'gators might reign supreme. These are the rollers that broke the 80mph barrier in 'rado, and yet you'll find'em on slalom racers and freeride carving boards, too.
If you know a skater, you know someone who needs new bearings. Since man stopped using mastadon nuts to skate on, Bones Reds have been there, being the affordable and durable bearing for generations of skaters. Get some to fill your skater stockings.
Single, non-contact, removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less friction.High speed nylon ball retainer for greater strength and speed.Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream™ racing lubricant.Skate Rated™ clearances, tolerances, materials and lubricant provide the best performance and durability possible. They ain't red no more, though: just black!
This is the one present every skater wants and none of them have the balls to ask for. A set of ceramics will last you longer and need less maintenence than any other bearing out there. Skate in the wet? Oh, you want these!
Features grade 5, silicone nitride, hot isostatically pressed ceramic balls.Higher quality steel races and a superior surface finish.Single non-contact removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less friction.High speed nylon ball retainer for greater strength and speed.Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream™ racing lubricant.Skate Rated™ clearances, tolerances, materials and lubricant provide the best performance and durability possible.
It's winter (some places) and there is nothing that can save a frigid session like wearing the right gear. With an under armor suit, you can stay warmer, drier, and chafe-free. Pick up an under armor suit for yourself or your favorite skater and help them stay warm and pull on their leathers with less flapping about like a wounded eagle shark.
There is nothing skaters love more than tweaking setups and that reqires having the gear on hand to make those changes. The Khiro kits give you the ability to choose exactly what is needed to build out your board setups any way you see fit. Many options, many possibilities in just one kit. It is a sure bet any skater out there can find a use for this kit.
This is a Silverfish Lonbgoarding all-star choice for skaters.· The Pipe Wrench is an essential tool in a small, compact design that won't poke holes in your shorts, or your leg.· It's got sockets for your truck mounting bolts, axles and kingpin, plus a cross-head screwdriver and a magnet to snag those pesky speed rings.· Beefy enough to build boards with, it's our number one choice for a pocket tool and a great gift for any skateboarder!
It's nearly time for our annual sporting event to support the campaign against cancers and Silverfish Longboarding is stoked to tell you that Rayne Longboards has rejoined us as a major schwag sponsor in the Movember Mo' Grow, 2011! During Movember (the month formally known as November) join us as a Mo Bro – shave clean on the 1st, then grow your ‘Mo all month, post your progress, help support awareness of prostate cancer and maybe, just maybe, convince your Silverfish bros and sistas to score you a brand-new longboard!
At the start of Movember, guys register with a clean shaven face. The Silverfish Movember participants known as Mo Bros then have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their Mo (slang for moustache) and along the way raise awareness about male health issues and funds for prostate cancer research.··If you join the Silverfish team and post your “proof of smooth” photo·using the rules below, you become eligible to win a·RayneVendetta or Hellcat Complete! The Mo' Bro' that gets the most donations gets first pick.·
The original plan of skating far South to Agadir has changed. Upon realizing the coastal headwinds and gruesome pavement Aaron, Adam, and Paul turn East through almond plantations and wheat fields lined with palm trees. This is the journey to the cultural capital of North Western Africa, Marrakech, and begins with a fierce competition that Aaron does not want to lose. Adam, the mighty nose manual sorcerer casts a spell upon Aaron's poor soul. On this journey they encounter police, rare wild animals hunted to near extinction, and ever so unpredictable pavement.
