Anyone know if the 8.4 and 8.5 shapes are any different outside of the 0.2 inches in length? The 8.5 measured super close to a 8.4 last I checked so it seems kind of redundant to have both in production
A couple of things to note, apart from the fairly common assessment that some 8.5 width decks are not actually 8.5 wide, as follows:
The 8.4 is true to size in the boards I have, at 32 long with 14.25 wheelbase and really good sized kicks and a decent straight shape, staying 8.4 right through and rounded kicks.
The standard 8.5 x 32.25 with 14.38 wheelbase is also a really good shape, slightly bigger than the 8.4 all round (width, length and wheelbase) and definitely an even 8.5 width in every board I have of that size, good shape and normal kicks - a bit more pointy than the other board but still fairly rounded.
The increasingly more common shorter 8.5 x 31.8 with 14.25 wheelbase in every board that I have has also been true 8.5 width, although this is the one most commonly said to be not 8.5 and more like 8.3 wide from others, the board tapering ever so slightly and just felt like the tail was a touch shorter, with the shorter length overall.
People like all three for various reasons, so depending on what you are after, the 8.4 is a really good size and shape overall, ever so slightly more nimble than the shorter 8.5 size with a better shape. The shorter 8.5 if it is actually more like 8.3 might be more what you are wanting in a slightly narrower board too, but I guess it is just luck of the draw depending on whether you actually get an 8.5 or something not so wide.
There are other shorter versions of DLX boards coming out too, so if you were more keen on wheelbases closer to 14, hold off for a bit and see what else comes out. Real floral series are already out now, with others following.