The Loaded Longboard mad scientists at have been at it since the late 90’s, making some of the most technically advanced longboards in the industry. Made in the USA and using premium materials like bamboo and fiberglass, Loaded is able to achieve a flex in their boards that no other company has been able to match. From super flexy carving machines to uber-stiff downhill boards, Loaded has a model that is perfect for every type of rider.
As you read on, you will notice several boards are available in different “flexes”. Keep in mind that flex 1 would be the stiffest and 5 would be the softest. Not all boards are available in different flexes but several are. Be sure to pay attention to the weight capacity of each flex before you make your purchase.
Lets dive right into the good stuff. Here are our top picks from Loaded and what makes each of them so awesome.
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The board that started it all for Loaded back in 2002 has become one of the most highly regarded longboard decks in the industry. They call it the Loaded Vanguard Longboard. With a symmetrical shape and stance and loaded with camber, the Vanguard allows users to pump and push through carves, generating momentum as you go for a fast, fluid ride. Available in up to 5 different flexes based on your personal preference and body weight, there is truly a Vanguard for every type of rider. The complete Vanguard comes stock with Paris trucks and Orangatang In Heat wheels. Due to the extreme flex of the Vanguard, Loaded recommends keeping this board under 25 mph. For flatground carving and pumping, there is no better option than the Loaded Vanguard. Available in five different flexes.
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One of our top picks from the Loaded collection is our version of the perfect city longboard, the Loaded Tan Tien Longboard. This versatile ride has all the benefits of a traditional longboard mixed with some very trick-friendly tech so you can cruise, carve and maybe even nail a kick flip if you are feeling frisky. Loaded added some serious foot-locking concave for stability when you hit higher speeds, the true-twin shape allows for full support under both feet and the added nose and tail kick gives you additional maneuverability. Each Tan Tien complete comes with Paris trucks and assorted Orangantang wheels. Whether you are looking to perfect your slides or just want a more compact, super stable board to cruise on, the Tan Tien is an excellent choice. Available in three different flexes.
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In 2007, the Dervish was Loaded’s first attempt at drop-thru mount construction. Five years later they perfected that design and the Loaded Dervish Sama Longboard was born. Taking cues from the original model but adding upgrades like a wider body and functional nose an tail kick, the Dervish Sama quickly became the best selling Loaded board. The wider body offers more stability during carves and slides and Loaded also updated the neck and drop thru cut out area for increased durability during hard riding. In short, the Sama is one of the smoothest riding, easy to balance on, comfortable longboards out there. The complete comes with Paris trucks and Orangatang wheels. With three different flexes to choose from so there is a perfect flex for every weight rider. Find out for yourself why the Dervish Sama is our top selling Loaded longboard. Three different flexes to choose from.
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A revamp of their original Pintail, the Loaded Fat Tail Longboard is a beefier version that is perfect for city cruising, pedestrian dodging or quick trips to the liquor store. A more freestyle-friendly shape in the Loaded collection, the Fat Tail gives you the comfort of a longboard in a compact, shorter length. The fiberglass / bamboo combo that we know and love offers just enough flex for the ride to be super comfortable while the kicked up nose and tail and concaved deck give this little whip some extra maneuverability for added fun and versatility. There is still a slight taper in the deck but the back end has been widened out from it’s days as a true pintail, giving the rider a little more support under their back foot for better overall control and stability. Specifically placed grip tape looks cool and also gives you extra traction where you need it while the top mount and slight camber offer excellent response in and out of each carve. Three flexes available, each comes with Paris trucks and assorted Orangatang wheels. For longboard comfort mixed with street-friendly freestyle capabilities, the Loaded Fat Tail our top pick.
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My personal favorite board in the entire Loaded collection is by far the Loaded Poke Longboard. A descendant of the Fish / Ceviche collection, the Poke is the latest and greatest when it comes to super “skatey” longboard style cruisers. You can drop into a bowl with it, you can ollie it, you can cruise to the grocery store without wiping out and a whole lot more. It’s truly a dream come true. Slim shape, shorter length, functional nose and tail kick, strategically placed griptape and equipped with Orangatang wheels to keep your ride as smooth as ever. Maybe you skate and are looking for a good cruiser board but don’t want to jump into a full blown longboard? Maybe you longboard and want to downsize and eventually learn to skate ? Either way, it’s the happy medium between the two worlds and it tops our list of all time favorite shapes. No matter your riding style, you can’t go wrong with the Loaded Poke.
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So good they had to make three different versions. The Loaded Tesseract Longboard is like no other board you’ve ever seen. With downhill influences, the Tesseract family of boards offers a super stiff, stable ride loaded with tech like W concave, flared wheel wells and multiple wheelbase options for personal customization. The Tesseract (pictured) has the longest nose and tail and is in turn the longest of all 3 models. The Cantellated Tesseract has a shorter nose and fatter tail with more accentuated tail kick. Finally, the Truncated Tesseract has the most minimal nose and tail of all 3 and is known as the race-inspired shape. If you’ve got a need for speed and enjoy a little freestyle / freeride in your spare time, then the Loaded Tesseract may just be the board for you.
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The newest board in the Loaded family (as of June 2016) was created with the intention to bridge the gap between shorter technical boards and downhill-specific models. The end result was the Loaded Overland Longboard. This board has features like a super stiff, stable deck with nose and tail kick, flared wheel wells and insane concave for excellent grip at higher speeds. Equipped with slide-ready Orangatang wheels and machine-cut, strategically placed grip tape, the Overland is the downhill freestyle riders dream. The surprisingly lightweight feel of this board will keep you moving quickly without weighing you down, and to top it all off, the Overland is pretty easy on the eyes if we do say so ourselves. Freestyle ready but capable of handling high speeds, the Loaded Overland is definitely ready for your next kick-push adventure.
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