Unpopular Gear Opinion Thread 2025

[The Stifmeister]

My hot take is that Nike, Adidas, NB, ASICS, etc are good for skateboarding.

The big sports companies make better shoes and pay their skaters really well while the industry is struggling to stay afloat.

While I hate to see core companies die (and at one point was a consolidated Don’t Do It kinda guy), I can’t imagine myself ever buying anything other than NB or Nike in the near future.

[j....soy.....]

Great timing on that one.....

[BeachChicken]

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I’m not going to buy US brands anymore because high prices and BBS is owned by a MAGA cultist.

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Looks like hlc it is then, been wanting to try Roger’s new shapes

Smart move abandoning the biggest woodshop in skating cuz of some dudes forum posts. HLC doesn't have much variation in shapes and most are kinda wacky for their size.

[neonbrown]

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I’m not going to buy US brands anymore because high prices and BBS is owned by a MAGA cultist.

[close]

Looks like hlc it is then, been wanting to try Roger’s new shapes

[close]

Smart move abandoning the biggest woodshop in skating cuz of some dudes forum posts. HLC doesn't have much variation in shapes and most are kinda wacky for their size.

IIRC the “evidence” in this case was him saying something like “well this will be good for my business so 🤷‍♀️.”

[rikki]

Rictas are good wheels, they just make an awful sound when they slide.

Here, more than anywhere, people, is a fine example of an unpopular gear opinion.

[ToriNoFuji]

IIRC the “evidence” in this case was him saying something like “well this will be good for my business so 🤷‍♀️.”

Kind of. He said Trump will bring manufacturing back to the US through tariffs.
That’s the delusional drivel of a brainwashed boomer.

[MMongrel]

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I’m not going to buy US brands anymore because high prices and BBS is owned by a MAGA cultist.

[close]

Looks like hlc it is then, been wanting to try Roger’s new shapes

[close]

Smart move abandoning the biggest woodshop in skating cuz of some dudes forum posts. HLC doesn't have much variation in shapes and most are kinda wacky for their size.

Big fan of the 8.5" high concave pop. It's also easily available locally. Sadly most of the local brands graphics are pretty miss.

[DeanMaple]

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Rictas are good wheels, they just make an awful sound when they slide.

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Here, more than anywhere, people, is a fine example of an unpopular gear opinion.

Im really close to buying some rictas

[rocklobster]

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Rictas are good wheels, they just make an awful sound when they slide.

[close]

Here, more than anywhere, people, is a fine example of an unpopular gear opinion.

[close]

Im really close to buying some rictas

Over the years I've bought a few sets of Ricta 54mm Slims (Maurio McCoy) wheels but never rode them, usually sold them to homies. I guess now is the time to try them.

But no Sparx, those are ass.

[back smith]

Been curious about the 92A chrome core Ricta Clouds for a while.

[rikki]

Been curious about the 92A chrome core Ricta Clouds for a while.

I have a set of 86A Ricta Clouds and they are possibly the worst wheels I have ever known. Too hard for a cruiser wheel (feel tons harder than 86 would imply), horrible slide, really slow.

[back smith]

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Been curious about the 92A chrome core Ricta Clouds for a while.

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I have a set of 86A Ricta Clouds and they are possibly the worst wheels I have ever known. Too hard for a cruiser wheel (feel tons harder than 86 would imply), horrible slide, really slow.

I've got some of those too and the slide is lacking but the speed totally not the worst. Much faster than OJ Bloodsuckers and some Chocolate wheels I've tried for example. But the 92A could slide better, maybe. Haven't been convinced enough to buy some full price.

[rocklobster]

Been curious about the 92A chrome core Ricta Clouds for a while.

Still kinda bouncy and sticky, I'd stick with a wider Powell Dragon for a softer ride or F4 93a for more ATV skating

[layzieyez]

I used to ride rictas mostly because they were the spiritual successor to the darkstar wheels I used to skate when all I wanted to ride were skateparks.

They’re good unless you flatspot them then toss them ASAP because they’re not self healing like some other wheel formulas might have a chance of recovering in my experience.

[WoodRat]

Have a pair of ricta cloud I picked up a few years back. As others have said too sticky, very slow. Put them on a cruiser for the girlfriend and use dragons for crust now.

[back smith]

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Been curious about the 92A chrome core Ricta Clouds for a while.

[close]

Still kinda bouncy and sticky, I'd stick with a wider Powell Dragon for a softer ride or F4 93a for more ATV skating

He kinda makes them seem alright. But is also sponsored by them..

[j....soy.....]

If we’re talking clouds….we might as well be talking reverse kingpin trucks….

[Jort250]

ASICs look dope. To me, they’re second only after the Adidas stripes

[Ass]

99a F4 is the only logical skateboard wheel choice. Even the 97a is obsolete

[Unkle Fleak]

G’s they try to kook the short shorts sometime. Happened just now in Burger King. I just think to myself why do you wanna dress like puff daddy?

My look is way way tougher than yours

[Skate_woebegone]

If we’re talking clouds….we might as well be talking reverse kingpin trucks….

Yeah, to clarify, I wasn’t talking clouds. I am talking Ricta naturals..99a. They aren’t awful, just loud.

[moonordie]

ASICs look dope. To me, they’re second only after the Adidas stripes

Damn, you own this thread now.

[Hyliannightmare]

G’s they try to kook the short shorts sometime. Happened just now in Burger King. I just think to myself why do you wanna dress like puff daddy?

My look is way way tougher than yours

Essential in the florida summers,  im out there looking like prime Nyjah

[Texas_Tone]

99a F4 is the only logical skateboard wheel choice. Even the 97a is obsolete

I’m there with ya buddy, I tried a couple and I’m back on 99 F4s

[Unkle Fleak]

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G’s they try to kook the short shorts sometime. Happened just now in Burger King. I just think to myself why do you wanna dress like puff daddy?

My look is way way tougher than yours

[close]

Essential in the florida summers,  im out there looking like prime Nyjah

No shit. It’s not like I’m Lemmy up in here with the daisies .  I’m more on that Angus Young length of shorter shorts.  I don’t understand why these fools don’t wanna get suntan on their thighs. It fills good yo.

[BeachChicken]

Considering 99 F4 is the best selling wheel formula on the planet that's hardly controversial.

My controversial opinion on wheels and all the niche formulas and shapes is keeping manufacturers from making more wheels in normal shapes/sizes and keeping the price of wheels slightly lower. At most Spitfire could do 99 and 93 in Classics, some kind of conical/radial/radial slim middle shape, and a single wide shape. Does Bones need 5 shapes, 93, 95, and 99 X plus whatever other formulas?

Same with bearings now. I love my Quantum's but they make way too many pricey options that no one understands the differences of and I'd rather see fewer options and the price on par with Swiss again. Even Bones doesn't need Reds, super Reds, ceramic Reds and so forth. Give us Reds, Swiss, maybe one other.

[backinaction]

Even Bones doesn't need Reds, super Reds, ceramic Reds and so forth. Give us Reds, Swiss, maybe one other.

There is room for the Swiss-6 and Big Balls Reds. I pick them all day over the 7 ball variants. I'd be fine with just Mini Logos, Big Balls and Swiss 6.

[BeachChicken]

I thought mine sucked. Jammed more and a group of us that got them at the same time all had cages break basically skating flat and ledges. It's just a marketing gimmick.

[formula420]

I have clouds on my joring setup and they are fine for that.

[Too Frank To Fred]

Riser pads are underutilized.