THE TRUTH ABOUT THE POWELL PERALTA FLIGHT DECK!

After winning some money in the Skateboard England virtual lockdown comp, we decided to blow it at our local Three Amigos Skateshop in Camden, on what we thought would be the lightest but most durable board in the market. Turns out, it's not what we thought it was, but is it still worth spending all that dough?

[@haslammmo9173]

In the 2 months your flight has been in action, your regular deck would have taken much more chipping and punishment. The carbon layers hold the damaged area together, so taking a full chip out like a regular board is surprisingly difficult to do. My main point i recommend flights for, is people that break boards. Thanks for the review and welcome to the world of flight decks :D

[@andreiierdna9356]

I think your 2 decks were NOT the same width which would explain the weight difference being in favour of the regular (skinnier) deck.

[@roocreativity]

I know my two decks were the same width- the Powell flight deck advertises itself as being THINNER, not lighter. People assume because it says it's thin that it will be lighter. They are wrong

[@andreiierdna9356]

@@roocreativity That's interesting. Thanks for replying to confirm both your decks were same width. I was one of the wrong people :)

[@1TruthIslam4uSunniSalefSaleh]

Another thing the board she did weight first i think wasn't new so it may have some part of raiser tails and nose which also may remove a bit something of the weight

[@PHeMoX]

Honestly, the whole thing with a Flight deck is how it is lighter _compared to most decks_ . You will indeed find lots of boards that have a pretty low weight, as the wood is just less dense (and presumably of a lower quality, but doesn't mean it has to snap quickly). It should also be noted that carbon fibre layers aren't necessarily more lightweight than two additional layers of wood anyway. In terms of what matters to how a setup feels though, I feel the 'main' weight of any skateboard setup comes from the trucks and wheels. I mean, that's the stuff that adds a third or almost doubles the weight, at least in how it feels. I prefer Tensor Mag Lights on Flight decks. And it does result in a very lightweight setup. But I think my 8" Almost Impact Light + Tensor Mag Lights is a more lightweight setup than my old 8" Flight deck + Tensor Mag Lights. In terms of how it skates, I have to be dead honest. I kind of prefer the thicker deck of an Almost Impact Light. And it's generally cheaper to get also. But in terms of shape, I was pleasantly surprised with the Flight deck. Landed quite a bunch of 'first ever' on that, even if I'd not truly count some as they were landed on grass or carpet.

[@joshpashia637]

im 235 pounds and i have had my flight deck since march of this year i only skate parks anymore but i have no chipping/delam and no cracks that I've noticed. Board basically feels like new aside from some pretty bad razor tail. skated between 2-4 days a week most of the year.

[@staticpeeks6641]

I dont think i could skate one board for that long lol. I just got mine for Christmas but ive only been able to skate it twice, i love it

[@joshpashia637]

@@staticpeeks6641 ive not been able to find any flight decks so i had to settle on a santa cruz VX and honestly i love the thing. The flight deck is still together it was just time for a new board because of the tail.

[@idmhead0160]

The only think that is different about the Indy Hollows is that the kingpin and axle are hollow. Other than that, the hanger material is the same. So, I don't think that has anything to do with the trucks squaring off quicker. Also, as you mentioned in the video, Powell doesn't claim Flight decks are lighter. I think the people who say they are are just confused.

[@MrJuice315]

your flight deck also looks a good bit wider than your old board

[@Piequalse]

Its not supposed to be lighter its supposed to be thinner so that it has a better feel. The thicker the board construction the worse it feels but making thinner boards with wood usually means giving up strength. This is the perfect combination because of how thin it is.

[@Mrmannycalvera]

I liked your review. I have subscribed. I am in the UK too , I am in Yorkshire. Please keep posting Skateboard stuff. Cheers

[@thatgurl453]

the plies separating on the flight deck need to have either wood glue, or a strong two part epoxy applied, carefully but generously to the inside of the cracks. Then, with the cracked side down, wrap it in thick plastic wrap, and clamp it HARD. I put two pieces of wood around the clamp spot to evenly apply pressure. After it dries, remove the wood blocks, plastic wrap and clamps, and file or sand down the excess. Works great for wood decks too. Good luck.

[@ricog1810]

Nice review. I think you landed your variel heel because you practiced. And having new gear helps too!

[@darkwingduck7212]

It’s meant to not break like for skaters who abuse their decks or someone who can’t afford a deck every week?

[@haslammmo9173]

Yeah. It's main selling point is that you will not break it, giving a huge confidence boost while dropping off things

[@danielm428]

Decks pretty much weigh the same from all brands. On the other hand, even the lightest Independent trucks are heavier then standard raw Thunders of same size. Hollow light Thunders are about 20% lighter than independent hollows.

[@PHeMoX]

Sorry, but this is 100% demonstrably false... And it's really not always a 'good' thing for a deck to be more lightweight, as it says a lot about the wood that's in it. Very light wood = crappy wood.

[@PinkFZeppelin]

@@PHeMoX Pretty sure powell is heavier because of their epoxy process. So the weight can mean a few things.

[@roycegeenty4252]

Its meant to feel lighter,thinner,and longer lasting,the weight difference between trucks and boards is the weight of your keys in your pocket

[@elonce01]

Powell Peralta decks have always been heavier. I'm 45, and since I've started ('88) they've been the same. The old "hard rock maple" wood made them heavier and thicker than other brands. The newer Powells are lighter than ever, however you've just proven they are still the heaviest in the game LOL. I Still enjoy them. Thanks for the review, and Nice Skating!

[@joeschmoe5009]

Get the almost uber light, thats supposed to be the lightest deck, and the tensor mag light lows. Next month thats what im getting

[@ramrunsfast]

I second your comment man. I just picked up a set of mag light lows and the website has the weight at 231 grams a piece. I think for anyone whose looking to try getting the lightest deck possible for traveling should do the combo you're getting as well as throwing in a pair of wheels that are really slim to knock off a few more grams. Let me know how that set up ends up working out for you and what wheels you decided to throw into your complete. Happy Holidays!

[@manuelnaylor]

Got that exact same setup. And yes its as light as it gets. But i also have a Fligjt Deck with the Tensor Mag All Terrain Trucks, and i love it as well.

[@shanegrigg7579]

Nope lightest deck made is by lithe skateboards look em up best skateboard made also just $200 a deck but never have to buy a deck forever

[@Anonymous_________]

Tensor mags bend, and it's impossible to get customer service to uphold their warranty.

[@manuelnaylor]

@@shanegrigg7579 If you Lucky and get one of their new Lithe 3 Decks i agree, bit they are so damn hard to get.

[@arc-sd8sk]

the colors on your half pipe are so dope!

[@keeprolling_co]

Thanks! We had to destroy it though :( one neighbour loved it and the other hated it haha

[@arc-sd8sk]

fun while it lasted i'm sure :)@@keeprolling_co

[@saifulizhan]

Anything that is stronger doesn't mean it's lighter. It's just a good balance between weight and strength. I heard they could outlast a couple of other decks.

[@mikecynic5167]

I really want to try one, but I'm apprehensive about it. I've been skating for 38 years and have tried a few boards over the years with gimmicky construction and they either felt dead or were way too heavy. A board CAN last too long too.

[@keeprolling_co]

I don't blame you- it's not life changing. After this I tried the Uber Light by Rodney Mullen, it is lighter and also stronger. I'm back on normal decks now, but I do miss always having that crispy pop of the carbon fibre!

[@mikecynic5167]

@@keeprolling_co I'm old, cranky and set in my ways, lol. I always skate Krooked boards, Independent or Venture trucks, psycho skate risers and OJ wheels. Those Flight decks look cool, but they're expensive and not sure they're worth it for me.

[@frankrotthier4392]

it is not lighter that's for sure, same weight as other decks. I do like how snappy it feels though.

[@idmhead0160]

My guess is that if your goal is a lighter board overall, you are better off getting lighter trucks before anything else. Check the video that Skate Warehouse has with truck weights.

[@andrew-zr1pf]

Old boards can also dry out a bit and become a bit lighter which might be the case with your previous board?.

[@lukeamato2348]

If your board starts de laminating put some wood glue in where its seperating and clamp it over night

[@Gameboy-Unboxings]

Wow, that's a great idea.

[@flypuzz]

I was just about to buy one before I watched your review I was also thinking the boards were lighter thinks for the info. Now I think I’m gonna buy something different. thanks for making this video also.

[@Gameboy-Unboxings]

What did you end up getting?

[@cicerojones9248]

what size is it?

[@airtonsoares2664]

Well what is the difference in width and length between the two decks?

[@PHeMoX]

Yeah that's a good point lol. Needless to say you'd have to compare decks with the same width...

[@ericktorres6215]

I somehow got a flight deck for 45$ and I just realized it

[@keeprolling_co]

Bargain!!

[@EthanJahnz]

honestly hollows last the same, have you been grinding rougher than usual ledges??

[@ayjay359]

Wood is a organic material…It never weighs the same except someone picking just pieces with the same weight but no one in skateboard manufacturing is doing this cause it would be difficult. So you can have 2 identical boards but they weigh different. I had a 7.75 which was heavier than an 8.375 by 100 gramms. So it could be possible that some people had much lighter flight decks than regular 7 ply decks. Or like in your case it’s a little heavier. But a heavier piece of wood ( same type of wood, in that case canadian maple )means more durability.

[@haroldmclean3755]

👍

[@TheMiddleAmerican]

Hopefully people from the States reached out to you and gave you good information on how this video should’ve been done differently. Powell created something called bonite, a synthetic layer of material meant to replace a “ply” or “layer” of wood vs. the typical lamination process. It was used to strengthen boards. Clearly there’s a modern day version, but same applies. Bonite wasn’t meant to be lighter, just stronger. Now, when you read their add they weren’t wrong, they just meant they were the lightest in the “Heaviest” category. The old school of thought in the U.S. circa ‘88 was stronger decks, lighter trucks, faster rolling larger diameter wheels....for Vert. Street decks were mostly made from American Maple, the strongest forgivable wood. Unless your boards made from Maple......That Ride Be Short. Grow this Channel!!! I left out a ton of other comments to try and shrink my response down. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@startedskating86]

Bonite sucked. I'm in the UK and my first brand new deck was a mini bonite Hawk (pink, proper 80's) and it was like a Gremlin. You couldn't get it wet. It swelled up bad when it got wet. I didn't skate in the rain but I left it on my doorstep and it hammered down. It must've been five minutes but it turned to corned beef. I got that deck signed by Hosoi, Gonz and Jason Jessee at a demo called Holeshot.

[@Mrmannycalvera]

What type of bag is the one at 0:20 ? I need a bag like that one

[@lukeamato2348]

I'd like to make some carbon fiber bassplates let me know what you think

[@robertbarre9648]

Omg im in love

[@sasproductions701]

hey if u come coventry hit me up. i skate Flip 8.13. never skated a 8.125.

[@shanegrigg7579]

I got a Powell flight deck mine not heavy at all my deck 8.0 but if you looking for a better deck get a lithe skateboard it's unbreakable

[@shredspectrum356]

Lighter he means while skating the vx is lighter

[@grahamburnett2923]

The normal board are used so will be light new there not the fibre is lighter than wood

[@jDDignity]

you cant´compare a brand new board with an already raizor tailled used one, logic??? By the way the Powells do have a different shape and bluntier nose than your other 7ply

[@keeprolling_co]

only compared on weight and how much it hurts to be hit in the shin ;)

[@Anonymous_________]

@@keeprolling_co your used board has less original material. Common sense isn't so common with you huh?

[@keeprolling_co]

@@Anonymous_________ Since this video I have got a brand new powell and brand new normal 7 maple ply deck and the powell is still heavier (both unused). Powell don't advertise their flight deck as being lighter, they say 'thinner' and people have misunderstood this to think it weighs less. But thanks for your hurtful comments, and the fact you post as 'anonymous' so that you can hide behind your screen like a coward. It baffles me how much a video like this can wind someone like you up so much, when it was intended as a bit of fun...

[@olivl.7671]

I got 2 powell popsicle shape 242: one 7 plies and one flight Exact same width and lenght for both The flight got medium concave while the 7 plies is low And yes, the flight is around 100g heavier 1.3kg vs 1.2kg for the 7 plies HtH cheers

[@TeoOfficial_1]

I rather have 4 decks for 134 bucks .... from thank you ... ty

[@Jiggityjax]

I skate a flight its definitely lighter probably your grip

[@Jiggityjax]

The flight is well worth it and not heavy at all .. the shin thing true but not that heavy

[@sashaduty2846]

Get a new deck than compared