Why Decks Are Getting BIGGER & BIGGER...

[@motherfudger6664]

The 80's were all 10" boards and that's when kickflips started. Things are just coming around full circles, kind of like the return to rails, etc.

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn that’s crazy! I wonder if boards started getting smaller from then on to make flip tricks work easier 🤔 Yeah same with the fashion scene in skateboarding too, everything keeps resurfacing every decade

[@justin_your_cousin9273]

Andy Anderson got alot of people into shaped boards

[@LeonPaxton]

@@justin_your_cousin9273That’s true, he’s been on shaped boards for a while now and has a massive following 🤔

[@Datttsnake]

​@LeonPaxton yes it looks like current skate clothing looks very 90s right now. Alot of the kids at my local park look grunge or like early 90s skaters. It's kinda funny.

[@LeonPaxton]

I wonder if the skinny jean punk phase will make it's way back around lol

[@teamv8longboards]

I am currently riding the Krooked Beamer as my setup for everything. It is 10.75" but I grew up longboarding so a wider/longer board makes me feel alot more comftorable. That board and just absorbing gonz content throughout the years has really taught me to just have fun on whatever setup has the most fun for you. Skating is an individual sport and your board should express that.

[@LeonPaxton]

Oh dude, that board looks insane! That's so true man! Each skateboarder is so different to the next so there are so many different styles that come in to play when you are looking at board shapes and sizes. Whatever is fun for you and feels comfortable is the way to go 👌🏼

[@blackdogproductions2044]

I started skating in the early 90's when a "Kick nose" was a new super awesome thing. The boards had shape to them. They were pretty and easy to ride. Rolled fast. Big wheels that crusised well on the road. Then the popsicles came along. I jump right in. Went to college and took my old Mike McGill with me. 10" wide. Put some super soft street wheels on it and commuted to class and just road all over the place. Back right as lock downs started I picked up an old school Santa Cruz board. Nice fun shape. Easy to ride. Sprung for swiss bearings. Thing rolls like a dream. Great board for a dude in his 40's. I can still ride no problem but I quit trying to do tricks cause I gotta not break my bones.

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn it would have been so weird seeing the popsicle boards come in though right? That board you have now sounds amazing! Bones swiss as well 👌🏼

[@blackdogproductions2044]

@@LeonPaxton they were cutting edge at the time. All the rage. Everyone wanted ride the skinniest board they could with the tiniest wheels they could find. The wheel thing was silly. Wheels got retarded. They got so small it didn't make any sense and no one knew why they were supposed to want such tiny wheels but they rode them anyway cause that's what you did. And the giant oversized pants and homeless look was all part of the deal too. Fun times. Nothing really to worry about in the 90's life was great. Had to make up problems to get upset about ahahaahahaha. Skateboarding is better now than it was then. Now I get the impression that skating is "normalized" a person doesn't need to act a particular way or dress a particular way. All that stuff is gone. Skateboards are just things with wheels that anyone can ride. Don't have to be running from the cops or anything to ride a skateboard. It's no big deal. Hence the old school board resurgence. The old school wide boards are better for riding around on than popsicles. Those skinny little decks and tiny wheels are only good for doing flip tricks on smooth concrete. Not worth a damn for rolling around covering ground.

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn that's so funny to hear since everything has changed to bigger wheels and bigger boards now 😂 Much more simple times back then aye, before the internet and social media lol That's definitely true man, it's a lot more accepted by the community these days and there are so many different styles of skaters within the sam community 🙌🏼

[@Puxto1]

Everyone thinks popsicles are boring now, but when they actually came out it was the most exciting thing that could have happened to skating, it offered so much more freedom to do whatever you could think of. I dig the old school shapes for the fun and nostalgia, and they look amazing, but the popsicle changed everything.

[@LeonPaxton]

Maybe that's why the newer generation of skaters are excited to see the shaped and egg boards come back in? I'm the opposite, popsicles were the norm when I started so that's probably why I get so excited about shaped boards 🤔

[@Tom-si5ec]

​@@LeonPaxtonI think the future is angular popsicles or even an angular board with a semi obvious nose and tail that are still upturned. Think of an Andy Anderson variant of a reissue board.

[@Stolas1777]

I remember the first popsicle style board I saw my buddies moms boyfriend came outside while we were playing with our cruiser boards with plastic trucks and showed us his real board we were blown away

[@JarrodRodosTaylor]

Really it’s just come full circle. I started skating in 87 and it went from big 10”boards to right down to 7.5 by the 90’s it happened so quick. A lot of old farts like myself love having the option to ride a bigger board these days, it feels like going back in time, plus it keeps it interesting and fun. Enjoy your vids mate 🤘🏻

[@LeonPaxton]

It really does doesn’t it, even the way skaters are dressing these days as well! Yeah dude, bigger boards are just the way to go 👌🏽 Thanks so much man 🙏🏽

[@judsonsnell]

@@LeonPaxton It's weird, I started skating in the era of money bumps and decks the size of boogie boards. But I absolutely love riding a 7.75.

[@LeonPaxton]

It must be so funny to see those boards come back and popular again then lol

[@notmyname3681]

​​​@@LeonPaxton started skating back in about 84/85.. the only thing I find really weird is seeing people on those tiny little penny boards cruising about like it's the 70s. Those things always felt scary to me 😅. It's cool seeing all the different shaped boards come back though, more choice and freedom of expression is always great. I feel in love with my Zarosh broken heart deck and big old Grosso 'I Suck'.. but it's great to be able to jump on a smaller popsicle on other days.

[@LeonPaxton]

Oh dude, those things are the worst lol Yeh man, skateboarding is so diverse so there are so many different styles out there. Just need to find what works best for you 🙌🏼

[@chrisxshock]

One, I love your channel, as the old guy getting back into skating it's a great resource. I got an 8.25 Popsicle , a week later I was on a Oldtown 10.125 shaped board. I'm almost 40, I'm done flipping, and doing big gaps and what have you. I just want to not be the dad at the park sitting down. I just put a min ramp up out back for my 3 daughters and find it's soooo much fun with the shaped board! It brings a whole knew life back into it for me! Thanks for the help, I used your channel for everything from setting up my board to picking out parts! Very good!

[@LeonPaxton]

Thanks dude, appreciate that a lot 🤝 Oh man that’s amazing! Glad you’re getting back into it and enjoying yourself 🥳 Glad I could help you out as well!

[@SO-ym3zs]

For someone who started skating way back in the day, it just feels like a return to normalcy, instead of riding what look like bastardized versions of 80's freestyle boards.

[@LeonPaxton]

Haha yeah dude, I never got down with boards any smaller than 8.25" wen I was a teen but now I can't skate anything lower than 9" lol

[@chuckmaddison2924]

I got back into skateboarding few years back before covid. I went to kmart with the wife and saw a board and just tried around the shelves. She got pissed and told me to grow up and act my age. So I bought it and went out in the car park. My board currently is 38in drop through, reverse trucks and 76 x 53 86 a Gunslinger wheels. I use on hills and cruising 17 kilometres Max distance at moment. Fast and extremely stable and with extra spaces to lower bit more , easy to foot brake

[@LeonPaxton]

Hahaha that sounds like such an adult thing to say to a skateboarder. A lot of people still see skateboards as toys lol That’s sick man, at least you are back on your skateboard and enjoying yourself 👌🏽

[@SkateNH8]

I started skateboarding again this year after about a 8 year hiatus.. had my old 8.0 kicking around thought that it felt to small for me, so I bought a 8.5 and that ended up feeling too big after a few sessions so I ended up going down to a 8.25.. I’ve been learning tricks Ive never done back in the day feels good man. Don’t know how you guys are skating 10” think my ankles would blow up trying to flip those beasts

[@LeonPaxton]

Hell yeah, welcome back 🥳 8.25” sounds perfect then man, at the end of the day skateboarding is still very much personal preference 👌🏽 That’s sick man! Yeah it’s not a board you want to be doing a lot of flip tricks on regularly but it definitely still works lol

[@2Taps420]

hey, you should try an 8.37 it's the best mix between an 8.25 and 8.5

[@rivercuntahnohahn]

@@2Taps420my dick is the best mix between and 8.5 and an 8.25

[@meikil0860]

I think that skateboarding nowadays it's being seen as more of a form of expression/art/style, so people are prioritizing more the style that they have than super technical stuff. With a bigger board you get less technical for sure, but you feel waaay more comfortable and this improves your style. I think this was caused by social media, for example jeff Dechesare does a lot of extremely technical tricks, but people prefer to watch Heitor da silva clips (that are no so technical) because he has a great style.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, I can definitely see that side of it. People are usually more comfortable actually riding on a wider board so that makes sense 👌🏽 That is definitely 100% true! No one really wants to watch Jeff triple flip a massive stair set (including me) when someone with a much nicer style does a good looking kickflip down a much smaller stair set lol

[@sk8fm448]

Good point. And being from the 90 era, I feel that a lot of skaters today wouldn’t be skating back in that time, because there was no money involved, and no popularity. I can’t remember seeing a skate park around till about the 2000’s. I definitely remember rocks being thrown out of nowhere, and people yelling curse words at us from car windows. You had to really love skating in order to be doing it back then.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude exactly! The skate scene has changed so much these days and a lot of people are actually getting into it to seem 'cool'

[@electrocit673]

It's always been that way. very old school but I never cared for Tony Hawk and I had many friends that felt the same, we didn't care for his style, defiantly respect his technic and considered him part of the top group though. For technical and trick I loved Mullen (freestyle days) he had style while being technical. I was more into Natas and Rob Raskopp for street and Staab for vert didn't care about ranking I liked there style more. Most my friends liked different skater and it mostly based on style though mad respect for the more technical skaters too. Lol I remember thinking that Tony was so good but I wish he had more style.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah I can understand that for sure! Style is definitely a big factor on being popular in the skate industry for sure. But I think the new generation of skaters misinterpret that and think dress style will make them popular rather than their actual skate style lol

[@RaidersRaidersRaiders]

Pretty much nailed it for me. Older guy getting back into skating after years away, love my egg.

[@LeonPaxton]

Hell yeah dude, eggs are the way to go 👌🏼

[@corail53]

I just bought a new board setup for bowls and got an 8" board and felt it was huge compared to what i used to skate. I grew up skating in the 90's and early 00's so skinny boards were the thing and what i learned on. Guess it all comes down to personal preference. Give it a couple of years and we will be back to skinny decks and 42mm wheels again.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, skating is like 90% personal preference and 10% performance with a set up lol

[@bumrodgers]

Go back and forth between the 9.5 Donovan Rice ATM Click board (shaped) and Heroin's 10" twin pop. Ive been riding the ATM shape for a few years now and wanted to try a pop again but smaller felt weird. I absolutely looove the 10" pop. Got 77 ace hollows on it and haven't noticed any loss of ollie height. Still have my few tricks and now I have a nice fat nose to slide on

[@LeonPaxton]

9.5” shaped boards feel the best to me 👌🏽 Damn I really want to get a 10” popsicle, I just need to find one!

[@Christophe_L]

As someone who skated as a kid in the early 2000s and now just uses the skateboard just to commute or move around in the city, I still find my 8in to be huge lol.

[@LeonPaxton]

Haha yeah dude, it just depends what is most comfortable to you 👌🏼

[@lopwidth7343]

Same. Biggest ive tried from 7.5 era is 8.5. They feel massive :D but i see why they moved on from small. 8 and under is so unstable in comparison

[@biggusy25]

My board broke recently (8.0) and I switched to a skinnier deck my buddy had laying around (7.75) and it's AWFUL for Ollies and flip tricks. I don't know why people say skinnier boards are easier to flip, there's hardly any space at all to push down on the board to start a kickflip, and the nose comes to a steeper point, so it flies ALL OVER the place, even just trying to Ollie. With size 11 shoes, the thing feels like a 2x4 on wheels. I ended up buying an 8.25 that I'm waiting to have delivered. Hopefully it rocks, and now I'm even thinking I might go even bigger next time, but I would need wider trucks.

[@LeonPaxton]

Hahah yeah dude, people always love to say that and then they lose their minds when they see me flipping a 10" board! How has the 8.25" been going?

[@erics2091]

I took my son to target yesterday and we went through the toy aisles. I noticed even some of the Tech Deck toy boards are wider now too. He’s still a little small for those tiny nuts and bolts. We ended up getting a toy car. However he has sat on my 8” complete and liked it. I later got him a tiny penny board. But I feel like, I like him better on the bigger board. He’s less than 2. So he’s barely not even learning yet. Just having some fun. A little of topic but my point being wider boards are comfortable. Maybe not the best for tricks, but when it comes to skating; it’s just personal preference. I like wider boards for cruising around. Have fun!

[@LeonPaxton]

I've noticed that too actually lol Dude that's exactly it! It's all about personal preference and what suits your skating the most 👌🏼

[@codemand.p.7839]

I think your spot on. I haven’t skated in years and now I’m thinking of getting back on a shaped board for those very same reasons.

[@LeonPaxton]

They are also so fun as well!

[@TRAVIESO_NA]

My daily has become a 9.0 inch Egg. GIRL Shape. With some 159s Indys. Skating a 10. alot changed my comfort on bigger boards.

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn those boards sound sick 👌🏽 I need to find a 10” popsicle!

[@TRAVIESO_NA]

@@LeonPaxton Heroin skateboards is the only brand making a 10 inch popsicle its got great shape and dimensions too. 32 long, 14.25 wheelbase,

[@LeonPaxton]

@@TRAVIESO_NAMan I need one so bad!

[@Unlockingparadoxes]

Much love and respect to you and your channel Leon.

[@LeonPaxton]

Dude, thank you so much! Thanks for the support 🙏🏼

[@Unlockingparadoxes]

@@LeonPaxton it's my pleasure. Thanks for taking your time and energy to speak with us on KZbin. 🙏

[@OLDGUYSK8R]

I just got my first 9.5 madness board. Man how fun and comfortable it is to ride. I can do most my tricks on it still. I came from 8.125.

[@LeonPaxton]

That's a big jump up in sizes but that's sick! Bigger is always more fun too 🙌🏼

[@azazelreficulmefistofelicu7158]

My first proper board was a 10.5 Santa Cruz Corey O'Brien back in the 80's. Learned kickflips, heelflips and varialflips on that boards. Hated the 90's trends, skinny fragile boards and bearing condoms. It got so bad that in 2k, at least in my country, the biggest board you could find was 7.75. Now I ride an 8.6 with 7.75 trucks.

[@LeonPaxton]

Dude that’s sick! Was it hard learning Felipe tricks on that deck or did it just feel normal at the time? Yeah man that’s insane! Especially now since a 7.75” is considered a children’s sized board lol How does the 8.6” feel with the smaller trucks?

[@shikeemanthony5200]

youre absolutely right. stopped skating in 2015-2016. found myself back in it around 2020-2021 and the size 8 did literaly nothing. i broke it immediately. i was heavier and my feet were size 13s. 9 were the biggest popsicle i could find and theyre doing wonders! if we could work out maybe a 9.25 or 9.5 popsicle with a decent wheelbase and length then we might be doing some actuall good for not just old heads but taller and bigger skaters

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, your story is very common! I would love to skate 9.25"-9.5" popsicles regularly but they are just so hard to come by 🙄

[@jonathansharp169]

Because a lot of older guys (like me) are getting back into skating and bath back to the old days of wider pool inspired boards, but want something as stable, but not so heavy. A shaped 9.5 is just right. You can throw it around a street spot, then drop into a bowl or a mini ramp. 🎉

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, 9.5" is my sweet spot at the moment. Good for all areas of skating 👌🏼

[@P1Brand]

Loved seeing clips of your dreamy double sider spot! Plenty of shade and natural slope downhill…and of course, seeing some classic clips of the homie Ira at Costco is great too.

[@LeonPaxton]

Oh man that spot is actually amazing, I just need to learn more tricks to do there! Yeah he is such a legend 🙌🏻

[@narrowistheway77]

It’s kinda funny, before I started skating in the mid 90’s all the boards were 10-12” wide and they weren’t skating popsicle decks yet, but right when I started skating the game had changed and suddenly everything was a popsicle deck and the most popular decks at the shops were all 7.25-8” wide. You rarely saw anything wider than that, and narrow was considered better for whatever reason. Fast forward to now, you hardly even see decks under 8” anymore, and the majority of the most popular boards range from 8.5-9.5”. I gotta say, the narrow deck craze was totally stupid in retrospect. I mean, you could do a double kickflip without slamming your toe a lot more easily as a novice, but I can’t think of a single advantage besides that. Moving to wider decks just made so much more sense for riding at the skate park. Pools with narrow decks was always super challenging, and vert always felt dangerous. We’ve definitely gone full circle while also getting the board shapes dialed in, and trucks are way better than they’ve ever been before now too 😁👍🏼

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, the tiny boards and wheels took over quick because everyone wanted to flip their board lol It just feels so much better standing on a wider board too, it’s so much more stable and controllable! And yes trucks just keep getting better too!

[@Jonny_Nemo]

Some of us have been riding 10 inch boards since the 80s. Never stopped..🤘

[@LeonPaxton]

Sick! It looks like it’s heading back that way soon enough too lol

[@TRAVIESO_NA]

Bro Im on a 10. Inch Popsicle by Heroin skateboards OMG its amazing

[@michaeltarantino916]

The CQ deck is awesome!

[@LeonPaxton]

Dude! I’ve been trying to get my hands on that board but they are all sold out everywhere I look 😢

[@michaeltarantino916]

@@LeonPaxton Heroin just released the CQ “Die Tonight” graphic version of this deck last month, hopefully you can get your hands on one!

[@TRAVIESO_NA]

@@michaeltarantino916 very true i want that graphic. But i got to many boards right now

[@LeonPaxton]

@@michaeltarantino916Man I really hope I can get one 🤞🏽

[@GuitarWithBrett]

Surfing is similar lately, people ride all sorts of shapes and fin setups (ex. super short twin fins). Is good way to learn since opens up new ideas

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude I can imagine! I wonder if the same goes for snowboarding 🤔

[@brocksamson9737]

One thing I noticed about different size decks generally define your type of skating. People who generally ride 8.0 boards or bigger generally rail, ledges, transitional vert skaters, that don't have much technicality in their wheelhouse of tricks. People who ride 7.75 boards or smaller generally are very technical skaters. That prefer flip in and flip out tricks etc.

[@LeonPaxton]

That's 100% right dude! It always comes down to what is most comfortable to you and what type of skateboarding you want to do. Knowing how you want your setup to perform helps figure out what you should be riding 👌🏼

[@CH-nz6ys]

I skated from the mid 80s to about 1990. I'm just getting back into it. First, I ordered a G&S Mark Heintzman reissue. It's one of the last decks I had before I checked out, and I wanted a shaped deck like I was used to. I was never a fan of the skinnier popsicles. I learned double kickflips on a G&S Bill Tocco with 1/2" risers, and never gave any thought to board size, as pretty much every deck was 10" wide then. Recently, I started checking out the eggs, and was really intrigued. I ordered a Curb Killer 5 after watching this video. Just arrived today! Hope it works out okay with Indy 169's. I never skated anything bigger than 159's back in the day, so I should be okay. I'm really curious to see how the shorter wheelbase feels. Everything I had in the past was at least 15". Thanks for the videos. They're very insightful and inspiring!

[@LeonPaxton]

Aww dude, the curb killer 5 on 169's will feel amazing! Let me know how it goes 👌🏼 No problem dude, thanks so much for watching 🙏🏼

[@ashjamben]

Just got back into skating, don’t have a clue what I skated as a kid! But got an 8.25 and already wanna try an 8.5. I like knowing 8.5 trucks will still work for a 9.0 egg board with the taper, didn’t know that 👌

[@LeonPaxton]

Welcome back dude! Yeah man, egg boards feel good too because they are shorter and have a smaller wheelbase so it’s wider in the middle but feels good at the kicks since it tapers 👌🏽

[@azazelreficulmefistofelicu7158]

Hi, take in consideration your wheels. F4 tablets will show the nuts , big wide wheels cover them and some even extend over your trucks. When selecting a board I measure wheel to wheel.

[@LeonPaxton]

@@azazelreficulmefistofelicu7158That is true! I’ve always considered the width of my axles and my hanger grinding surface width but never wheel to wheel 🤔

[@olsinbad6815]

Cool to see the channel growing dude! Good stuff

[@LeonPaxton]

Thanks dude, appreciate that! How long have you been watching for?

[@olsinbad6815]

@@LeonPaxton I reckon since your second or third upload, hope it keeps goin this way!

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn dude! Thanks for sticking around for so long 🙏🏼

[@jacobsleeper6815]

My largest board is my current one at 8.25” but I’m probably gonna get into shaped boards(possibly even symmetrical boards) because it seems just nicer to skate

[@LeonPaxton]

That’s a good size for doing a lot of flip tricks dude 👌🏽 Yeah they really are so fun!

[@FEED_MY_EYES_63]

30 X 10 used to be the standard back in the day of the vert legends. I'm 60 and I still ride a 70s beast. You're a good big pig skater!

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn I wish that was standard again now. that would be so sick!

[@Ilovelife968]

Hey Leon! I think that your channel is underrated and doing more “mainstream” stuff maybe can help you. However keep it up, I love watching your videos🙌🏽🔥🔥

[@LeonPaxton]

Thanks heaps man 🙏🏽 What kind of stuff would you like to see?

[@jacksonwallace6211]

When I was a teenager in the late 90s, I skated a 8.25" or 8.5" popsicle, and I was a kook. I'm a big guy who doesn't do flip tricks, so the little boards weren't for me. When I got back into skating in the late 00's, I rode a 9" pig shape. I got back into skating with my 10-year-old this year, and we have boards all the way from 6" and 7" for sidewalk cruising all the way up 10". I have a 8.3" popsicle I really like, and I still have my 9" pig shape that I'm partial to. My 10-year-old really loves a 8.7 shaped deck with wheel wells that we have.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude that sounds like me, I was always riding bigger boards than everyone else lol That’s sick man, sounds like you guys are having heaps of fun!

[@jacksonwallace6211]

@@LeonPaxton we have a little bitty rural skatepark, but we try to go every day if we can. Keep shredding!

[@LeonPaxton]

Hell yeah dude, keep at it 🤘🏽

[@TRAVIESO_NA]

You put the wrong trucks. You need the Ace af1 9.5 inch 77s

[@yesmaybe630]

I disagree. Ace make the wheelbase too short!

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, I didn’t want to buy new trucks to suit this board so I just used my current trucks which was a bit of a struggle lol

[@tonyvolume666]

I have 215’s on mine! I love aces but I love my Indy 215’s for my 10 inch egg

[@LeonPaxton]

@@tonyvolume666That sounds perfect 👌🏽

[@TRAVIESO_NA]

@@yesmaybe630 the ace wheelbase brings it in more by how much? I only have one pair of Ace af1s never skate them really brand new. I have them on a 14.3 wheel base vx board by creature, i hate that wheelbase. You think it will make it more like a 14.25? That be nice. I only like 14.25 wheelbase or below like 14 or 13.8 is what Ive recently started skating again.

[@markdearlove8634]

Great vid and analysis of trends.

[@LeonPaxton]

Thanks dude, thanks for watching 🙏🏽

[@BRZguy]

The huge egg shaped boards were popular in the tiny wheels big pants era. And then it seemed like everything switched overnight in 1994 to being 7.75 popsicle shaped boards.

[@LeonPaxton]

That's when everyone wanted to start flipping their boards more right?

[@BRZguy]

@@LeonPaxton Yeah I think the eggs were more when rails and street skating started to get super popular in the early 90's and then the smaller boards were for when more technical flatground tricks became popular.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, that definitely makes sense

[@Parakitedude]

I love my Heroin curb killer 10”, it is fantastic!

[@LeonPaxton]

It's so damn fun!

[@jouhajohnny]

My largest board has been so far a 8.38 thats where I started from now I'm at 8.125 lmao. Smallest board I've skated so far is 8 and it was pretty nice but 8.125 has been the perfect size for me so far. I do want to try a 7.5/7.6 board one day with small wheels haha. I'm on low trucks already and I love it

[@LeonPaxton]

Seems like 8"-8.38" is perfect for you then dude 👌🏼 7.5" is pretty damn small though! Unless you want to learn quad flips lol

[@jouhajohnny]

@@LeonPaxton I'm lowkey liking the 7.75” deck that I'm riding now haha feels so easy to skate but I still feel like 8.125” is my goldilock size with 8” trucks but I'm going to enjoy the 7.75” setup for now haha

[@DTC1138]

Leon is doing so well with the channel that he bought a boat! :P

[@LeonPaxton]

Haha yeah dude, pretty much 😂

[@Rooftop_Korean_159]

Time to get the 161 Thunder hollow lights 🤙🤙

[@TRAVIESO_NA]

Im skating the 169 Indys on my 10 inch Heroin board. Popsicle shape not egg. Fuck so fun

[@Rooftop_Korean_159]

​@@TRAVIESO_NANice! I've got the 169s on my 8.75 AWS popsicle board. They fit surprisingly well

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, I’m definitely going to have to go up a few sizes for this board lol

[@BIGPROWLER]

Might be worth considering the introduction of the "skatepark" deck... for most of my skating life (30 years since 1983 in NZ) flatground and ledges at a school or inner city being the staple and skateparks where an afterthought .. you could pay and travel to a private park or travel to a shitty public park... there seems to be alot of good public parks now and im sure that variable has effected shape.

[@LeonPaxton]

That’s a good point dude, there weren’t a lot of skateparks back in the day! Even the skateparks being built in the 90’s weren’t great quality lol

[@BIGPROWLER]

@@LeonPaxton your right, they seem to be pretty nice now (from what i can tell driving past). When more parks started to pop up it was always funny to me how they would build multi million dollar structures and every one would just skate the $300 manual pad praying for a street park ... it was the older generation from the 80s who would flow around the park or bowls.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude that’s so true! Lol

[@wolfhands2508]

I used to skate 8 when I was younger. Came back to skating a couple years ago 41 now and only skate 9 and above, 10.34 being the widest.

[@61936]

Was the 10.34 a winkowsi board ?

[@LeonPaxton]

9” and above is definitely the way 👌🏽

[@wolfhands2508]

@@61936 yup I gave had three of them and the are so fun!

[@uffu2490]

As someone who is riding for fun now, I love these ridiculously big boards. I was never a technical skater nor will I try and be technical. Can I ollie? Sure. But I’d rather have fun by carving and grinding curbs than think about 20 different things at once.

[@LeonPaxton]

Oh dude, the big boards are amazing for that and they feel so good under your feet!

[@uffu2490]

@@LeonPaxton hell yes! Since I’m learning switch in transition, those big boards add that feeling of stability.

[@pedrocarvalho4266]

All very good, but how tall and heavy are you? I am 45 years old and 5'11'', and I must say that above 8" it's a no/no for me (ideally 7.75"). But maybe that's because I was at top of my skating in the 90s, when the boards were narrow, wheels were tiny, and trousers were baggy.

[@LeonPaxton]

Around 6'1" and 95Kg so the wider boards definitely feel better for me lol Yeah dude, you might just be more comfortable on boards that size, I still have homies that ride smaller boards and love them too

[@Cowboytoycollector]

Started in the 80s Jeff grosso Alice in wonderland deck boards were big and we did all the tricks I've always preferred them and they're back I have a few valleley barnyard Grimple stick natas kitty etc.. no end in sight old skull skateboards has all the goods ❤

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn those boards are sick dude!

[@itstoucann]

the biggest board ive ever ridden is my current cruiser, a 10.35 inch shaped board (erick winkowski's shape), and it feels like such a beast, my only criticisms with it is that it isnt a very forgiving shape, and it doesnt have wheel wells (i have 60mm wheels, so its a bit of a pain)

[@LeonPaxton]

That’s a popular board too, it’s crazy that he skates that as his daily board! Damn, sound like you need a fair few riser pads on that thing lol

[@itstoucann]

@@LeonPaxton yeah i have a 1/8 riser atm and its more or less fine (just scrapes off a bit of graphic). if i took it down stairs it would probably wheelbite a lot but for cruising its fine

[@LeonPaxton]

@@itstoucannYeah dude definitely! I get that a bit just with my standard wheels lol

[@dissanti]

Bro that is a nice video! Congrats 🤙🏽

[@LeonPaxton]

Thanks heaps man 🙏🏽

[@jamesriendeau7351]

One thing is there are ALOT more concrete skateparks around now vs the early 90s. For most places in US, the average skateboarder has access to transition of some type, which those big setups are better for. In the 90s and early 2000s skateparks weren't as common, so a lot of skaters were either basically just freestyling and learning flip tricks in their driveway or trying to do tech street skating.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah that's true dude, that's why street skating was so popular in that era!

[@musclecarfan74]

I started skating in 1986 10x30 was the standard size

[@LeonPaxton]

Is it weird to see those sizes come back and be normal again?

[@WilliamAlexanderJr]

You’re so lucky to have these great skate spots.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, Sydney is blessed with great spots and skateparks 😍

[@tristankelly317]

So I have 5 setups ones a mini cruiser at 7.5 but the rest of my boards are between 9.125 and 10.25, I have 2 80s style setups one for tricks and one for cruising both 10 and 10.25 and my others are a old 9.125 darkroom board that I haven't skated in awhile and the other is my new setup that's gonna be my main setup and is a 9.5 egg shape from welcome skateboards and it's gonna mainly be used for slappys

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn dude, I've actually got 5 different set ups as well 😂 That's sick, all those boards sound heaps fun!

[@agomodern]

When in the world did grab rails come back? I just noticed that the last few videos I've watched of a few different skaters have them. Just noticed last night that Hosoi uses them.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, they are coming back again slowly lol I just love them for long slides 👌🏼

[@agomodern]

@@LeonPaxton I just went to a huge skate demo called Banger in The Hangar in Houston and I saw a lot of people with rails, little kids and adults alike. Yep, they're definitely back as long as wider boards.

[@MrJasonodonnell]

Don't forget we are all getting older.......wider boards suit skaters with more weight and muscle and your Centre of gravity get higher as you age. Its pretty rare for me to see young skaters that are really into it.

[@LeonPaxton]

100% true dude! I'm 100kg so these big boards are more of a necessity at the moment 😂

[@213SAPPER]

My ZipLogger 10.75...love it

[@LeonPaxton]

That board actually looks so sick!

[@MrCornWolf]

I started skating in the late 90s then after a 10ish year hiatus wanted to jump back in. I was bigger, so I figured a bigger board was appropriate...went from 7.5 or 7.75 to and an 8.5 and hate it lol. After being off the board so long i shouldve just went with what i knew. Feels like im riding a coffee table. Probably get a new set up and keep it as a cruiser or something. My point to all this is kinda like when I would ride 80s repro decks and wonder how the hell people can do such gnarly tricks on them

[@LeonPaxton]

Hahaha yeah dude, sometimes you just need to stick to what feels most comfortable for you!

[@blagon1379]

For me, i say it has something to do with the foot size as well everything else. I wear size 11.5 shoes and need stability in a light feel.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, the bigger your feet, the wider your board should be so you have a decent amount of board surface to stand on but it still comes down to personal preference and what feels best to each individual skater

[@dadude6619]

That skatepark looks so sick!

[@LeonPaxton]

It is man, one of Sydney’s best 👌🏽

[@dadude6619]

🥲to bad I'm in the states lol @@LeonPaxton . Looks to be really well thought out.

[@agomodern]

Glad I wasn't in a "lockdown" area in 2020. Funny enough, I traveled a 200 mile radius during it and never was in an area under "lockdown", and that was including Dallas, TX.

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn, you were one of the lucky ones lol

[@lopwidth7343]

Coming from the 7.5 era that was so uncomfortable and unstable. You can see it in every trick that is so sketchy. The biggest I've skated is 8.5 and it felt massive under my feet. I can't imagine how big a 9 or 10 will feel, but i really wanna try it. My problem is all those different size trucks too. There was not much like that back in the day. Street skating trucks was just the same size then and 8 boards looked like yours

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, I can't even imagine riding a board that small 😂 They are super fun dude! Just don't expect to be able to do all of your normal tricks on them since they are so big and heavy lol Yeah it's hard to try all different size boards without having the right size trucks for them but I don't mind my trucks sitting in a bit if it saves me money getting new trucks for each board I want to try out lol

[@lopwidth7343]

@@LeonPaxton Yeah, thanks for explaining it from the 7.5 perspective. You have the size and weight on your side for bigger boards. I think its not about board width as much as length. I think board size is about pure physics seeing how skating looked on short wide boards in the 80s, then skinny, a bit longer boards in 2000s. There's some fundamental physics with earths gravity and pressure. I mean i think theres a true size for what you wanna do with it. There's a true size for ollies and street skating. 31inches is the shortest, determined by physics and then you scale up like you say 33inch long compared to your leg length, maybe even longer to account for your full height. 8inch wide really borders too small with regards to physics being too unstable. So i believe with at least the style of street today, the "true" size, determined by physics, is smallest anyone should do is 8.25x31 and then you scale both width and hight according to ones leg length upwards. You're definitely on to something wanting a 33 inch board and i think maybe you even need a 34inch. It would be a really revolutionary experiment for skating if you could try a 9x33 and a 9.5x34 and buying a skateboard was like buying pants and shoes according to ones size down to the mark, but a minimum being locked at 8.25x31 because of pure physics

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah my body is way more suited to these bigger boards for sure lol I’ve been experimenting with length and wheelbase a lot lately and can say that is a massive factor that we should be looking at that not that many people take into consideration! That’s so true man! It’s fair that companies aren’t making 9.5” boards with a 33” length and 15” wheelbase because they would just be way too big and heavy for 99% of skate boarders out there lol

[@lopwidth7343]

@@LeonPaxton Yeah i get why they don't make boards like that, but it just hit me a skateboard should be like buying a bike. You buy it to fit you leg length exactly, and everything scales with the bike. Width for the board shape, should just scale with the length, and i know it already does, since my 8.5 board is definitely longer than my 8 one by an inch or so

[@LeonPaxton]

That’s true! It should be in proportion to your size but then personal preference comes in to play so much more I guess 🤔

[@Harley.s92]

I recently bought a Rowan Davis 8.5" and although it is heavier and harder to flip then my 8.25" anti-hero board which is a beast I think the 8.5" still is quite easy to ride and the only downside I find to riding a bigger board is the weight but it feels alot more comfortable to have a bigger board in terms of having more surface area to work with which is handy with learning new tricks 😀

[@LeonPaxton]

Hell yeah dude, supporting the new Aussie pros 🥳 Yeah it will feel heavier but on the other side of that, you have more board to land on when you are doing flip tricks as well so it just depends which way you look at it 🤔

[@Harley.s92]

@@LeonPaxton Rowan is from medowie where I used to live I always see him around I've seen him skating from as young as 12

[@LeonPaxton]

That's sick man, Rowan is a beast 🔥

[@Harley.s92]

@@LeonPaxton nice as dude too very humble

[@underrated7602]

It's only a 1/4" difference 😅

[@yomomma9815]

10x30 used to be the norm. Here's a hint for you youngsters, gen z didn't invent skateboarding.

[@LeonPaxton]

It's hard to believe that was normal back then but that's the truth! It's cool to see those sizes come back and be normal these days though 🙌🏼

[@mattdestroyed]

That spot in Camperdown is sick, ended up going there today 👍

[@LeonPaxton]

Aww dude it’s amazing! Perfect location and so fun 👌🏽

[@rubberfooty]

Started in 2001 (15y) with 7.5, over the years steped up to 7.625, 7.75, 7.825 and 8. 2012 change my hole setup, 8.25 board and 8.5 Trucks. 2022 8.1 board and 8.25 Trucks. Next year i will go down to 8 board and 8 Trucks … Not sure wich trucks though :-) would like to ride the venture 5.2 low Old school style like all my fav pros back then, kalis, williams and co

[@LeonPaxton]

What do you think has been your favourite size so far?

[@rubberfooty]

@@LeonPaxton I think 8.25 has been very good in the past. But since I do a lot of flip tricks, I find it easier to do that with an 8 inch board. The biggest factor will probably be the WB of 14.375 on the 8.25 to 14.25 on the 8.1 board. And the 8 inch board even has a WB of 14 inches. I could have ridden an 8.25 inch board with 14.25 WB, but not in my favored shape

[@DE-GEN-ART]

my last board was a 9.25 and i loved it, that 10 looks mighty tasty

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, this thing is so fun!

[@WKNDER1]

When i started Skating boards where 10inch or 10.3. but then again im old. trust me when i say it's not easy to try to learn to skate again at 47, but i do enjoy it..

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn was that the average size back then!? Yeah dude I can imagine, as long as you’re having fun with it though 👌🏽

[@WKNDER1]

@@LeonPaxton those where the average size back then yes. My first board was a Santa Monica airlines Natas Kaupas I think 10.3 lol.

[@LeonPaxton]

@@WKNDER1That’s true, A lot of those boards are coming back now as reissues!

[@victorallen8508]

7.75 for life grew up on em the bigger u go I can’t 3 flip em it gets harder the more wider u get

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn dude, that would be waaaay too small for me! But the beauty of skateboarding is that there is something for everyone so that must suit you perfectly 👌🏼 I'm riding a 9.4" deck at the moment and tre flips are still feeling good lol

[@victorallen8508]

@@LeonPaxton dang I couldn’t 3 flip a 8 I don’t think

[@LeonPaxton]

It does sound ridiculous to say out loud actually lol

[@cows1990]

I find that skating on a bigger board is more stable to me. Now in the 90s I never skated 775 boards always a 8 or 8.25. now it is 9 to 10 size.

[@LeonPaxton]

1005 dude, I feel the same way! Obviously it will be heavier and harder to flip but you can get used to anything 🙌🏼 anywhere from 9.5"-10" is my sweet spot these days as well 👌🏼

[@micksterminator3]

This is probably the next kind of complete I will build next. Seems fun. Maybe some 87a wheels and wheel wells on the deck 🤔 Then maybe a small ass 7.5 deck for nostalgia lol

[@LeonPaxton]

Aww dude, it's so fun! Yeah wheel wells would have been amazing on this board actually 👌🏼

[@Slix6Skates]

I’ve been riding 8.5 my entire life of skateboarding for about over 15 years besides my first board that was a Walmart board back then 8.5 board was hard to get

[@LeonPaxton]

Back then 8.5" would have been considered big and now it's on the smaller side lol

[@AngusBrady-st2gi]

I have a question I just ordered one and can’t find trucks anywhere for it So what trucks should I put on it it’s a 10 .0 ?

[@LeonPaxton]

It depends how you like your trucks to sit man! This deck is 9.5" over the trucks and 9" trucks felt fine on this, the trucks just sat in a quarter inch on each side which wasn't a problem for me but 10" trucks would sit slightly out since the deck is only 10" in the middle

[@AngusBrady-st2gi]

@@LeonPaxton ok true thanks .

[@HANUMAN7454]

Boards got hella big 8 inch wide and wheels like 57 58 60mm for a while back in the late 90s i remember. I wasnt super into it back then.

[@LeonPaxton]

8 inch is considered pretty small these days but wheels above 56mm are considered big so it's funny how standards of skateboard set up sizes change over the times lol

[@justin_your_cousin9273]

The influence of Andy Anderson really got skaters back into shaped/big decks

[@LeonPaxton]

That could very much have something to do with it too, he does have a big following and skates so uniquely!

[@micksterminator3]

It's been happening long before that but I'm sure he adds to it

[@alistairclark6814]

Hopefully vert, pools and more transition makes a comeback too. Way too many parks with tiny features.

[@LeonPaxton]

That’s true, everything is built very street oriented these days 🤔

[@rwm4738]

Decks in the 90s didn't start getting small until late '93, early '94.

[@ezrhino100]

Leon, you guys have so many good small parks. it's different out here in CA... 8.75 is huge for me... but I have never ridden an egg....

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah man we are actually so lucky with the amount of skateparks we have out here 👌🏽 What size do you usually ride?

[@ezrhino100]

@@LeonPaxton 8.25

[@LeonPaxton]

@@ezrhino100Yeah 8.75” would feel pretty big then!

[@ezrhino100]

@@LeonPaxton would you recommend an egg shape size for an 8.25 skater?

[@LeonPaxton]

Since the egg boards taper in towards the trucks and the kicks are more narrow you can definitely go up at least half an inch from your standard popsicle size and it will be a good feeling size 👌🏽

[@jerkey]

8.4-8.5 is perfect for all of the above in my opinion. Where is this park at? Looks like it has great flow

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, 8.5” is usually the smallest size I see getting around at the moment 👌🏽 That’s Sydenham skatepark in Sydney dude, such a good park!

[@mchlselects]

sorry lad, not sure if it's already been covered but - where is that park? :)

[@LeonPaxton]

All good dude! It's Sydneham skatepark in Sydney 👌🏼

[@rumble108]

Just got my Heroin Wide Boy 10.75 not sure what size Trucks and wheels?I know it definitely needs a spacer

[@LeonPaxton]

Sick, I'm looking to try out one of those as well! I'd say you need 10" trucks at least dude but any wheels from 52mm-54mm will be sweet. The board is already going to be pretty heavy so adding big wheels to that will be too much lol

[@rumble108]

@@LeonPaxtonFor the setup I ended up getting Ace Trucks AF1 80 Polished Snot Wheels 54 Bronson G3 Santa Cruz Rails Wish me Luck Bruddah!

[@sk8fm448]

I have no idea why boards keep getting bigger. 🤔 but the park you were skating at had a very nice design. 👍

[@LeonPaxton]

Aww dude, that is one of my favourite skateparks in Sydney 😍

[@chazzlevin931]

Jamie Foy has a pro shaped deck, i believe was one of the first to make shaped boards popular recently. i think that we are seeing a rise and in bigger (body sized) skaters so companies are catering to that demagraphic which got regular sized skaters curious and now its become a thing

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude he has a pro twin tail popsicle shape though, I'm not sure if he has a 'shaped' board as a pro model. That could very much be true as well! I'm 6'2" and 100kg so I'm definitely way more comfortable on a bigger board

[@ethancostanzo2530]

Not a chance. Jamie Foy did not make shaped boards popular, not one of the first either. I would cite people like: Jason Celaya, Nolan Johnson, and Winkowski for the resurgence.

[@vinnyplace1269]

I need am egg shaped board 😮 big time ! Great vid.

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude they are the best! Thanks so much 🙏🏽

[@user-vo1eo4kp2p]

Where is that park you're at? Sydney?

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, it's Sydenham skatepark in Sydney 👌🏼

[@ron8935]

Perfect setup in general was achieved in the late 90s😮....there have been very little advancements in SK8 in general since then but skateboarding went through a terrible time in the early 90s and it was gimmicks galore for years, failed designs from the past became the norm....saw it all , it was sad.....

[@LeonPaxton]

I can see that! Now people have a good understanding of the science and how skateboards perform so there aren't as many gimmicks out there to confuse people 👌🏼

[@shittoi_bean1055]

i think i have an addiction lol, my current setup rn (primitive villani egg shape 9.125) is so razor tailed/nose due to rough grounds here and I really need to change my board but refusing to do so because no heroin egg decks are in stock in my local shop yet lolll. egg shapes are so addicting.

[@LeonPaxton]

Dude I’m the same! 😂 That Franky shape is so good though, definitely worth hanging onto until you get a new one 👌🏽

[@akiko3688]

Riding a 9 right now and that park looks amazing

[@LeonPaxton]

9” is a good size 👌🏽 Yeah man this park is so fun!

[@brunoiskovich3459]

what size wheels are you riding in the video?

[@LeonPaxton]

I'm riding 54mm Spitfire Tablets in a 99duro at the moment dude 👌🏼

[@ERICF66]

That park is 🔥🔥👍🏽🛹🛹 Where is it located?? Try Indy 215 trucks for that deck! 😁👍🏽

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, it’s so fun! That’s Sydenham skatepark in Sydney 👌🏽 I think I would go the 169’s since the egg boards taper in towards the trucks 🤔

[@Rot_Dog666]

Why not?

[@brentsanada6589]

Ya get u some Ace77 hollow trucks, mounting hardware and enjoy the flight

[@LeonPaxton]

I've actually got som AF1 Hollows recently! Just waiting on the right time to set them up lol

[@brentsanada6589]

@@LeonPaxton There's no better time than now. Ace hollow mounting hardware too and that board will tre flip! 🛹🙃

[@brentsanada6589]

And Ace shock pads 1/16" mate the trucks to board snug

[@KenshoBeats]

Dang, guardrails back now too? Back in the day it was practically forbidden 😮 ..or was it just my scene..

[@LeonPaxton]

Aww dude they are so fun! I don't know why anyone would be against them lol

[@KenshoBeats]

@@LeonPaxton that’s because you never tried them 😉

[@ras0ne]

I don't think boards are getting bigger. Bigger boards are just a attainable option now. I've been skating 9+ for a while and I used to get "Whoa that's a big board" all the time and now it seems most people are riding them. I think people are realizing that skating doesn't have to just be about flip tricks and technical, so they're resorting to just having fun.

[@LeonPaxton]

That's true! With the amount of skate shops and products we have available to us now, it could be that they are just easier to come by 🤔 That's definitely tru for me dude, all I skate is rails and ledges lol

[@osuspirit]

My first real board was a 1990 Jason Lee mini. 9.5". Wish I still had it.

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn that board would have been so sick!

[@Hokieman9094]

You should try the Powell Peralta Andy Anderson 9.13” board with 169s / 9” trucks. It’s a magic carpet ride!

[@LeonPaxton]

I kind of do want to try one of his boards but his shapes just look so wild lol

[@Hokieman9094]

@@LeonPaxton Bro, I am telling you, You will be absolutely floored at just how amazing it feels. And look at all the stuff Andy can do with it. Plus, the Flight Deck is lighter than a 7 ply. Trust me…just try one!.

[@LeonPaxton]

Damn I think I'm definitely going to have to try one then!

[@Hokieman9094]

@@LeonPaxton do it! Your views will skyrocket for that video, too!

[@LeonPaxton]

Thanks dude!

[@stayhazy2478]

You need 215s on that homie! That’s how I rode my 10s

[@LeonPaxton]

What brand trucks were they?

[@stayhazy2478]

@@LeonPaxton independent brotha 💪🏽

[@LeonPaxton]

I might be swapping to Indy’s real soon 👌🏽

[@stayhazy2478]

@@LeonPaxton great move brotha 💪🏽

[@tyhyhh]

freezing lol hommie the green is still green it cant be that cold

[@mr_unsane]

Thats a cool park!

[@LeonPaxton]

Aww dude, it's the best! Sydenham skatepark is definitely in my top 3 parks f Sydney 👌🏼

[@alejosanchez9406]

9 and 10 inch - is my true love

[@LeonPaxton]

Yeah dude, 9.1" to 9.5" is my sweet spot 👌🏼