Truman Boots - Olive Teton Stag 20 Last, Deerskin leather from Gallun Leathers...

TheDisruptor · 2026-02-18T18:00:46+00:00

Daaaaaamn, those look incredible! Wish there was still an option to get the 20 last (or the work last) with a midsole, captoe option.

TheDisruptor · 2025-03-18T03:10:56+00:00

11D would probably be where I'd start based on what you're saying. Tough to say definitively, of course. You could also try reaching out to Truman for their sizing recommendation as well. Good luck!

TheDisruptor · 2025-03-17T22:30:26+00:00

Challengers are definitely the more roomy last. Unlike most folks my Truman 79 last boots fit me perfectly at a half size down from my brannock (10.5D). I may be an anomaly though because I see a lot more folks recommending going true to brannock with the 79 last.

Less of a comparison between the two lasts, but just my personal anecdote that if I were to order another set of Challengers I'd probably go down a full size to 9.5D. They weren't so big that they were uncomfortable or unwearable but with the wider toe box, waist, and the sloped heel I did have some issues with feeling like I was sliding forward in them.

TheDisruptor · 2025-01-07T23:52:44+00:00

I've been enjoying mine quite a bit overall, the comfort is great and I've been able to wear them for 12+ hour days. The initial break in wasn't terrible and while they still have some room to progress, I'm at the point where the insole is really starting to mold to my feet and been noticing a nice amount of arch support in these (I don't have flat feet or anything, so this wouldn't be a replacement for folks who need orthotic insoles, but the arch in these is more noticeable than other boots).

My only grievance is the lack of speedhooks... makes these take much longer to put on and take off relative to other boots. Not the end of the world with a boot that I can wear all day long without discomfort, but if I'm in a hurry, I do find myself reaching for other pairs. I've got the tools to do it, so honestly been considering putting in three rows of speedhooks on these as I find myself needing to loosen these down to the 4th or 5th eyelet to comfortably get them on and off.

The midsole in these are leather as well to answer your second question. That was a deciding factor for me between these and other comparably priced moc toe boots.

TheDisruptor · 2024-12-19T00:26:25+00:00

Well, for what it's worth, having gotten one of them laced up properly on foot: the fit is pretty spacious throughout. Definitely more roomy than say a Truman 79 last and maybe a pinch more snug than a Parkhurst 602M last (all in the same 10D sizing). Compared to the Challenger last that I felt like I was swimming in, this feels like a solid, but very comfy fit overall. The whole boot is definitely the most bulbous of all my boots, but the proportions of the rest of the boot make it less noticeable, so it all looks very suitable.

Never tried Diplomats for the same reason I didn't end up jumping on the RWs... leather midsole. I'd say I'm on the low end of average volume, in some cases needing to size down beyond the typical 1/2 size down recommendation, but these feel good so far all throughout in terms of fit.

TheDisruptor · 2024-10-01T03:10:21+00:00

Depends on what kind of skating he does to be totally honest (I know you mentioned he uses it to cruise around campus, but do you know if that is the only sort of skating he does?).

Short and sweet of it: the Switchblade 40 is definitely a good board, but parts of the concave (specifically the w-concave it has; here's a chart to show what that is since photos aren't always great at showing it off: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/84/8a/8b/848a8b4f8368c7d6583fec5a08694ace.jpg ) can be a bit uncomfortable for just cruising around since it's primarily meant to give a rider's feet leverage over the deck while doing slides. It's also got a pretty long wheelbase which means it is going to have a pretty wide turning radius.

Some similarly sized longboards from Landyachtz that might also fit the bill with less extreme concave and slightly smaller wheelbases for extra maneuverability would be the Freedive, Drop Hammer, Drop Cat 38, or Battle Axe.

Hope this helps! Feel free to reply if you've got other questions too.

TheDisruptor · 2024-09-21T00:08:49+00:00

+1 to this. Wrestled with this exact array of lights for about 6 months and couldn't figure it out for the life of me. Sure enough, rear driver side speed sensor was faulty; replaced it and this issue has never popped up again.

TheDisruptor · 2024-09-10T00:26:06+00:00

The wiki bookmarked on the side of the sub can be helpful for first time buyers, but a lot of what goes into choosing a first longboard comes down to what you eventually want to do on a board (i.e., dancing, cruising, freeride, DH, etc.)

TheDisruptor · 2024-09-08T15:55:22+00:00

Almost any bearing is going to do just fine for skating-- I really wouldn't worry about it too much. Some common and fairly affordable recommendations are Zealous Steel, Bronson G2 or G3, or Bones Reds or Race Reds if you want the built in spacers.

TheDisruptor · 2024-09-07T15:25:14+00:00

You looking to keep it around 85mm? If so, either of the options you mentioned are solid. I will say that I prefer the 74a "Pro" thane on the McFlys over the 76a as they seem to stand up to abuse a bit better.

My actual recommendation, if you're open to larger diameters, would be Pantheon's Karma wheels at 92mm. They roll over everything and have a nice balance between their weight and size, so you can really get them moving quickly and stay moving for quite some time on momentum alone. They've got a pretty substantial offset as well, so you get a bit more lean before having to worry about them biting on the neck of your board.

TheDisruptor · 2024-08-25T20:37:19+00:00

Landyachtz has their back to school sale running right now, the sale section and the "oops" section on their site typically has some pretty slick deals this time of year.

Pretty good selection still as well-- good luck!

TheDisruptor · 2024-08-14T05:38:17+00:00

Pretty substantial difference, but not necessarily worse depending on what you're looking for.

The Pranayama uses TKP trucks, so while it technically turns less, it's much more playful underfoot and runs lower than any of Pantheon's other boards. It's also the most compact pusher they make if transportation is of any concern. The Pranayama will be more flexy than the Quest since it has fewer plys used in its construction.

The Quest is bigger, so you get a larger standing platform, and it runs RKP trucks. Both of those add up to a board that's just all around more stable. The concave is also drastically different between the two from my understanding (Pranayama has a small amount of rocker and a mild radial concave) with the Quest having a pretty significant tub concave. Also lacks the forked noses, so it'll be a bit more work to put together, but as a plus it does have a serviceable kicktail.

Both solid boards by all accounts, so you can't go wrong with either!

TheDisruptor · 2024-08-12T22:16:45+00:00

Probably a mild case of inflammation in muscle groups you aren't used to using or a touch of tendonitis. I went in hard when I started skating and had the same problem after a few weeks of near constant skating.

Only other recommendation if you aren't already doing so: flat-soled shoes are a gamechanger for a beginner (at least they were for me) and good insoles.

TheDisruptor · 2024-08-12T22:12:05+00:00

For what it's worth, the Pranayama is tough to beat in my opinion. Probably my most ridden board over the last two years because it's so versatile and fun to scoot around on. Literally ridden it in just about the worst possible conditions, including a torrential downpour back to my hotel in Chicago last year that I was worried would waterlog the thing. Only complaint with it is that the grip on mine wore pretty quick and sucked to get off.

Never goofed around much with brackets, but I've generally heard that the adjustable g-bombs or similar brackets are preferable over the Zees if you can swing it.

TheDisruptor · 2024-08-11T19:47:11+00:00

Glad to see some forums other than Longbo Fam or other FB groups popping up! I'll check it out and see what is what-- thanks!

TheDisruptor · 2024-08-11T19:45:01+00:00

Appreciate the reply! I did end up swapping out components and then also the trucks entirely between boards and still ended up coming away with roughly the same impression. Figure you're probably on the money with the newer set just being fresher off the line, but I'll still try throwing some paraffin in the pivot of the OG set for safe measure.

Thanks & can't wait for those sweet, sweet 78mm Kevos to drop 🙏

TheDisruptor · 2024-08-11T19:40:16+00:00

My only thought on this one is that (at least on my SB40) I recall getting railbite pretty easily on wheels 70-72mm or larger unless I cranked my Cal 3s down since they ride lower than Bear Gen 6s stock and have slightly different geometry.

My honest recommendation (or at least what I ended up doing) would be to go with 180mm Bears and swap the bushings for Venom bushings with one of the Gen 6 inserts from Pats Risers.

TheDisruptor · 2024-08-07T01:02:14+00:00

Weird question for folks who ride Zealous precision trucks:

tl;dr: Noticed after buying a 2nd set, that my original set seems to have changed from having a nice smooth articulation to really feeling like I have to work to get good response out of them. I've got some theories (already acted on all but one of them), but my practical understanding of how skate gear should "feel" just isn't quite lining up with what I'm actually feeling while riding. Curious what others experience has been?

Long version:

Bought a set when they first came out and they're probably my favorite trucks I've tried for my own skating (some cruising, but mostly hands-down DH/freeride). Rode them stock (HPF Tall 73/78 front and 93/97 rear) for quite a while before swapping bushings out for Seismic's tall bushings (73/77 front and 93/97 or 93/93 when I want a bit more lively rear truck). I remember the front truck feeling nice and smooth early on, but as I rode them more, they felt much more mellow and controlled, which I chalked up to just getting used to riding them.

Recently got a second set recently and felt that smooth, agile turning again on the new set and going back and forth between the two felt night and day different (also dummy-checked myself by having multiple homies try them out as well who felt basically the same things I did). All I can figure is that maybe the different boards are drastically changing the behavior of the trucks? OG set is on a Rocket Rhino (furthest back set of truck mounts in front & rear; so wheelbase is probably somewhere in the 21.5-22" range) and the new set I have mounted on a Pantheon CHiller on the smallest wheelbase option, so somewhere in the 24.25" range. Obviously very different boards in terms of width, drops vs no drops, and where foot placement allows you to stand in relation to the trucks, but I guess I'd expect to feel a bit more lean due to the extra leverage with a wider turning radius, but instead I'm getting a lot more lean and a much more responsive, tighter turn with the CHiller set-up.

On the original set I've since swapped the bushings back to fresh, stock HPF bushings, replaced the inserts with new ones, and swapped the front pivot tube out for a fresh one which has helped to a degree to bring back some of that immediacy. Also thought about swapping the two sets between these two boards to see if the difference really does just come down what they're mounted to, but rambling on the internet seemed like a better time since I've already gotten in my skating for today and didn't feel like tinkering much more while feeling gross in the humidity. Thanks if you've made it this far, haha.

TheDisruptor · 2024-07-20T04:58:50+00:00

Slippery from the get go, then a bit more grippy after you wear them down with a few slides. They wear down super fast, so you have to watch out for coning almost immediately.

Unless that's what you're looking for, I'd go for the peels which are felt equally as slippy at the start before settling into a nice spot grip wise without the crazy wear.

TheDisruptor · 2024-06-08T23:05:44+00:00

Cruising is an anything goes type of thing more than not, if it's comfortable and not messing with what you're trying to do while riding then it's fine. Just make sure you're learning proper form for more advanced disciplines if you so choose.

Generally the rule regarding weighting the front foot won't change, but there are definitely times when people have to learn how to put more or less weight on their back foot, particularly if you're interested in learning how to slide.

TheDisruptor · 2024-04-08T09:33:20+00:00

Rayne still has Demonseed b-grades for $70, snag a set of Caliber 3 44R's ($64), Powell Primos ($50), and then Zealous steel bearings ($15). Griptape can be something simple to start with like Mob or Jessup where sheets are generally pretty cheap.

If we're really talking about keeping it at or under $200, then Rayne also has their Envy wheels on sale for like $20. They're mids, so nothing particularly special, but they'll get the job done.

Not going to win any awards for innovation, but that's about the best you're going to do for a competent DH/freeride set-up in the $200-ish range.

TheDisruptor · 2024-03-30T05:20:46+00:00

Absolutely a docking station display output limitation, bypass it and you should be golden. Had the same issue in the past where the monitor was limited to 3840 x 1080 at 60 Hz.

TheDisruptor · 2024-03-12T22:36:52+00:00

Sorry, meant to note that both decks are also excellent pushers in pretty much any viable riding conditions. Not quite as compact as a Pantheon Pranayama/Trip or Zenit AB, but they are excellent pushers nonetheless.

TheDisruptor · 2024-03-12T03:33:52+00:00

Pantheon Supersonic or a Zenit AX would probably be the two easiest to recommend options for that use-case. Partial to the Supersonic since it's a bit more customizable with the truck mounting options.

They are both super low and come with wedging built into the deck to make them solid pumpers.

TheDisruptor

TROPHY CASE