For many, the word “summer” conjures up visions of waves crashing on warm amber sands, a bright golden sun gently setting beyond the reach of palm trees swaying in the salty air, and the image of surfers gracefully carving white capped waves with the sound of seagulls signing in the distance. Unfortunately not everyone can walk out their back door and step onto the sands of summer.
The good news is that you don’t need white sandy beaches to spend your summer carving and cruising in style. Whether home is the bustling sidewalks of Baltimore, or down long country roads and cornfields of Ida Grove Iowa, Loaded Boards lets you experience the freedom and soulful beauty of riding wherever you may find yourself.
Based in Culver City California, Loaded Boards is dedicated to manufacturing the best ride possible on boards that functionally and aesthetically are a step above the rest. Since skating is a sport of individual style, Loaded Boards has designs for a range of longboarding disciplines, yet all share the craftsmanship and performance that is earning Loaded Boards a prestigious name in the industry.
Loaded sent our team one of their Vanguard Boards to put to the test and share with our audience. At length of 42” and 8.5” wide, the Vanguard is designed and intended for low speed (between 0 and 25mph) and perfect for graceful cruising or carving through a world of concrete. It’s the board that started it all for Loaded Boards.
Get Your Skate On…
Form follows function, and Loaded Board’s passion for crafting boards that embody a sense of simplicity and elegance is readily apparent with the Vanguard. Driven by functionality, ergonomics, and performance, the board’s symmetrical shape and design is as stunning as the ride it offers.
The heart of any skateboard is the deck, and Loaded Boards makes some of the best decks in the industry. The Vanguard deck consists of a vertically laminated bamboo core that’s strong like steel yet light as a feather. That core is sandwiched between epoxy and tri-axial fiberglass and is pressed into concave and convex curvatures. While that sounds like technical skate jargon, the result is a lively and responsive board that offers enhanced control and high energy potential.
Whether you’re a veteran skater, or a newbie to the sport, flex is certainly something to consider. The more flex a board has, the softer the ride, as it will absorb some of the rough terrain you may encounter. It also acts as a dampening system to help avoid discomfort on longer rides, helping to relieve some of the stress on your ankles and knees. Towards those ends, Loaded Boards offers five flexes spread out over two lengths, so you can find the board and flex that’s right for you.
Once you’ve picked your flex, you’ll need wheels that stick to the road, and glide smooth over the cracks and pebbles of the world below. Our Vanguard was stoked with bright orange 75mm Orangatang In Heats which lets roll over cracks with confidence while helping to maintain speed and control of your board.
The Orangatang line of wheels are made of high rebound/hi-grade urethane making them rebound more effectively and be more predictable. The stepped inner area of the wheel is designed to aid in traction control, so when your longboard game improves, you’ll be ready for sliding and drifting with the best of them.
The Culture of Skate…
One of the great things about skateboarding is that it’s a unique culture within the world of sport, and one of the reasons is the blend of athleticism and art. Since the beginning, skateboards have always been about more than a powerful streak of rebellion or owning a cool commuter ride. They have been about expression.
The Loaded team works tirelessly to give the rider everything they need while avoiding the embellishments that don’t add to the board’s performance. The artwork on the Vanguard, as well as all Loaded Boards, aims to complement the vibe and characteristics of the corresponding product. That design ideal brings about an understated organic aesthetic of the accompanying artwork that’s easy on the eyes.
The Bottom Line…
You don’t want to just ride a board… you want a board that lets you love the ride. Whether you’re an experienced skater, or looking for a board that allows you to cruise the neighborhood in style, the Vanguard from Loaded Boards is a masterpiece of long boarding you’ll appreciate.
Manufactured by Loaded Boards, the Vanguard is offered in five different flexes over two lengths and is available with wheels (Vanguard complete) for $311 from LoadedBoards.com