Maybe you’re a snowboarder and are looking to get that same feeling in the summer, or just a casual rider that is looking for a way to get from point A to point B. Either way, there is really nothing more refreshing than some good old fashioned hard carves on a warm summer night.When you are dealing with flat ground conditions, you find the joy in the small things, and usually develop quite a love for good carving longboards. Almost any longboard can “carve” in some way, but the boards on this list were designed give the rider the type of platform that you need to really dig into your turns and put some power behind your carves. Some of the boards on this list are flex decks, some are not. All of them possess the ability to carve like a dream and that’s how they made their way to our list. In no particular order, here are some of our favorite carving longboards for 2015.
Never Summer Heist
A staple in the line and one of our personal faves, the Never Summer Heist Longboard is a snappy, fun to ride, carving machine. The only flex deck that Never Summer makes, the Heist is super lightweight and has great rebound for quick edge to edge carves and slides. The drop thru mount adds a little stability by lowering the deck while the fairly massive camber adds to the rebound and pumping abilities. A slight kick at the nose and tail adds even more maneuverability and freestyle capabilities making the Heist one of the most overall fun and versatile boards in the whole NS line. Lighter weight riders, freestyle enthusiasts and those looking for a snappy, carvy ride, the Never Summer Heist is the only way to go.
Bustin Maestro Pro
A notorious deck in the longboard world, the Bustin Maestro Pro Longboard is essentially the regular Maestro, on steroids. Using Bustin’s ThermoCarbon construction, this deck is stronger, lighter and more responsive than the mainline version and in turn makes is a killer carving board. With the added fiberglass and carbon, the Pro ends up much snappier and opens up possibilities for higher speeds. Two layers of wood are removed from the deck to make room for the higher end materials and reduce the overall weight. Drop thru trucks add to the overall stability and the symmetrical, subtle flex is both comfortable to push on and supportive while you are carving edge to edge. The quiver killer just got even better. The Bustin Maestro Pro is for the ripper who is ready to treat themselves to a premium carving longboard.
Bustin Mission
A soft flexing, smooth carving dream on wheels, the Bustin Mission Longboard was created for sunny summer days and carving your way through life. Available in 2 sizes, the shape and overall ride of the board make it perfect for both beginners and more experienced rippers. Bustin added 2 plies of bamboo in the place of 2 plies of maple making this new and improved version super poppy, snappy and extremely comfortable to ride. This responsive feel also adds to the carve-ability of the board, allowing the rider to pump through turns and carves, nearly propelling yourself to the point that you barely have to push at all. The deck has a very slight camber with rocker throughout, which is where they get the term “hybrid” when referring to this model. Beginners or OG’s, carving, cruising and flat-ground pushing, the Bustin Mission will get the job done.
Landyachtz Drop Carve
A renowned carving masterpiece from our friends up north, the Landyachtz Drop Carve Longboard is definitely making it’s mark on the longboard world. With a variable concave and fiberglass bottom sheet the Drop Carve is technologically advanced, lightweight and still a breeze to ride. With a slight flexibility and snappy overall feel, the Drop Carve has a lively feel in and out of turns while still having the ability to handle slightly higher speeds. The wide body offers great stability and support so you can really dig into your carves. Plus, this board is available in 2 sizes so you can really get the feel you want regardless of your size. A slight kick at the nose and tail add a little extra maneuverability and if you pair this setup with a slide wheel, you can get sideways real easy. Drop into your carves like a boss with the Landyachtz Drop Carve.
Arbor Axis
Hands down, one of the best selling boards that we carry, that also happens to be an awesome carving board, is the Arbor Axis Longboard. Perfect for beginners looking to get their feet wet or OG’s who want a timeless board that can do it all, the Arbor Axis is one of our top go-to boards. Low down drop thru mount, carved out wheel wells for unlimited wheel options, a wide and stable body throughout and a barely there concave for comfortable pushing make the Axis perfect for so many riders. Burly enough to handle some faster carves, wide enough to support even the bigger guys and extremely comfortable for both everyday pushing and powerful turns and carves. So awesome that they made it in almost every type of wood they use (see the various graphics and wood combos using the buttons below). Each model has the exact same dimensions but the flex will vary depending on the exact construction. As a carving board that can satisfy riders of all skill levels, the Arbor Axis is a fine choice.
Sector 9 Horizon
You can’t have a list about carving longboards without at least one sidewinder option. The Sector 9 Horizon Longboard is definitely our top pick for a sidewinder equipped longboard. The Gullwing Sidewinder trucks were built with one purpose, to carve like a dream. Sector 9 picked a killer pairing by mixing them with with the Horizon deck. With a longer wheel base and mellow concave, the Horizon is a pleasure to cruise on thanks to the comfortable deck design and very slight natural flex. The drop thru mount keeps you at a nice height (Sidewinder trucks do sit slightly higher in general) and the carved out wheel wells allow for a larger, grippy street wheel without the fear of any wheel bite. A slightly wider nose allows for a little more power around your front foot but the back foot still gets some love with a stable and only slightly more narrow tail. They put the icing on the cake by adding a tiny amount of tail kick in case you are feeling a little freestyle-frisky. Did we save the best for last? Maybe. Just give the Sector 9 Horizon a try and find out for yourself.
Now who’s ready for some sidewalk surfing? I know we are!