Unpopular Gear Opinion Thread 2025

[moonordie]

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I really like my Mindys

Black Diamond griptape is a better option than MOB

There's absolutely zero difference in performance when it comes to hardware, idgaf and will run allen and Phillips together if I need to.

[close]

Sometimes I read things on this website and I get upset, I get embarrassed, I laugh, I cry, but I have never read something that has scared me, running Phillips and Allen hardware at the same time is truly terrifying and I am afraid of you, I hope to never run into you in real life

What about that "hybrid" hardware?

[twistingtheknife666]

Expand Quote

I really like my Mindys

Black Diamond griptape is a better option than MOB

There's absolutely zero difference in performance when it comes to hardware, idgaf and will run allen and Phillips together if I need to.

[close]

Sometimes I read things on this website and I get upset, I get embarrassed, I laugh, I cry, but I have never read something that has scared me, running Phillips and Allen hardware at the same time is truly terrifying and I am afraid of you, I hope to never run into you in real life

Oh man, as a grom coming up I'd have short bolts, long bolts, two different trucks (I think I ran a Venture and a Gullwing at the same time once.) all on one board. Times were tough. Having mis-matched bolts isn't going to phase me, I'm thankful all mine are the same length and my trucks match nowadays.

[ferguu]

Why isn't there any company making torx hardware? I'd ride the hell out of a torx company, it'd be the only hardware that's actually unique. There's probably a way u can buy torx bolts of the correct length and size but I want them pre packaged for me cuz I'm lazy. + no stripping. It's probably cuz there's no torx skate tool huh...

[Slave IV]

Why isn't there any company making torx hardware? I'd ride the hell out of a torx company, it'd be the only hardware that's actually unique. There's probably a way u can buy torx bolts of the correct length and size but I want them pre packaged for me cuz I'm lazy. + no stripping. It's probably cuz there's no torx skate tool huh...

You just laid out a feasibly successful business plan. Package the hardware, make a skate tool that works with it, profit.

[rikki]

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Why isn't there any company making torx hardware? I'd ride the hell out of a torx company, it'd be the only hardware that's actually unique. There's probably a way u can buy torx bolts of the correct length and size but I want them pre packaged for me cuz I'm lazy. + no stripping. It's probably cuz there's no torx skate tool huh...

[close]

You just laid out a feasibly successful business plan. Package the hardware, make a skate tool that works with it, profit.

Got a name and a slogan for ya to boot.

"Gnorx. It just works."

[Slave IV]

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Why isn't there any company making torx hardware? I'd ride the hell out of a torx company, it'd be the only hardware that's actually unique. There's probably a way u can buy torx bolts of the correct length and size but I want them pre packaged for me cuz I'm lazy. + no stripping. It's probably cuz there's no torx skate tool huh...

[close]

You just laid out a feasibly successful business plan. Package the hardware, make a skate tool that works with it, profit.

[close]

Got a name and a slogan for ya to boot.

"Gnorx. It just works."

You’re welcome @ferguu and we will kindly accept the our commissions once you are up and running. 

[Obijuan91]

I also liked the Mindy’s. But I tried them in the midst of board madness on a deck that was too mellow for them and I wrote em off because I didn’t like the pop feel of them. Ended up in thunders, love the control, settling on turn. If I ever size down to a 8 again I’d probably try the mindy forged

[SwitchBenihana]

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Why isn't there any company making torx hardware? I'd ride the hell out of a torx company, it'd be the only hardware that's actually unique. There's probably a way u can buy torx bolts of the correct length and size but I want them pre packaged for me cuz I'm lazy. + no stripping. It's probably cuz there's no torx skate tool huh...

[close]

You just laid out a feasibly successful business plan. Package the hardware, make a skate tool that works with it, profit.

[close]

Got a name and a slogan for ya to boot.

"Gnorx. It just works."

https://skruhardware.com/about-us/

Torx makes no sense for skating. You need another tool that you don't have and isn't as common. You should be tightening on the nut side anyways, not driving it into a 4x4 with an impact driver.

[Slave IV]

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Why isn't there any company making torx hardware? I'd ride the hell out of a torx company, it'd be the only hardware that's actually unique. There's probably a way u can buy torx bolts of the correct length and size but I want them pre packaged for me cuz I'm lazy. + no stripping. It's probably cuz there's no torx skate tool huh...

[close]

You just laid out a feasibly successful business plan. Package the hardware, make a skate tool that works with it, profit.

[close]

Got a name and a slogan for ya to boot.

"Gnorx. It just works."

[close]

https://skruhardware.com/about-us/

Torx makes no sense for skating. You need another tool that you don't have and isn't as common. You should be tightening on the nut side anyways, not driving it into a 4x4 with an impact driver.

Proof of concept!

But you make a good point. Either way, the Torx head will last longer even if you only use it to hold in place while you tighten the nut. The better design is those grippers on Ace hardware or Grind King Rocket bolts that reduce or eliminate need for anything on the head side but I've never used either to know how well they work or if they compromise deck integrity.

[Jort250]

Colored wheels (blue, green, purple etc) actually look kind of cool in footage

[dstrytruitt]

Expand Quote

I really like my Mindys

Black Diamond griptape is a better option than MOB

There's absolutely zero difference in performance when it comes to hardware, idgaf and will run allen and Phillips together if I need to.

[close]

Sometimes I read things on this website and I get upset, I get embarrassed, I laugh, I cry, but I have never read something that has scared me, running Phillips and Allen hardware at the same time is truly terrifying and I am afraid of you, I hope to never run into you in real life

I also will combine Allen and Phillips and I only run 6 bolts/nuts instead of 8. Because who cares?

[gsosa]

I ride Phillips 60 % of the time, all the time. Just because if you have lost the screwdriver/Allen key part of the skate tool its way more easier to find a phillips screwdriver at a random place

[rocklobster]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I really like my Mindys

Black Diamond griptape is a better option than MOB

There's absolutely zero difference in performance when it comes to hardware, idgaf and will run allen and Phillips together if I need to.

[close]

Sometimes I read things on this website and I get upset, I get embarrassed, I laugh, I cry, but I have never read something that has scared me, running Phillips and Allen hardware at the same time is truly terrifying and I am afraid of you, I hope to never run into you in real life

[close]

What about that "hybrid" hardware?

RIP Andele hardware, wouldn't touch their bearings but their hardware was good

[ferguu]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I really like my Mindys

Black Diamond griptape is a better option than MOB

There's absolutely zero difference in performance when it comes to hardware, idgaf and will run allen and Phillips together if I need to.

[close]

Sometimes I read things on this website and I get upset, I get embarrassed, I laugh, I cry, but I have never read something that has scared me, running Phillips and Allen hardware at the same time is truly terrifying and I am afraid of you, I hope to never run into you in real life

[close]

What about that "hybrid" hardware?

[close]

RIP Andele hardware, wouldn't touch their bearings but their hardware was good

Damn that's kinda sick tho. See we need more stuff like this. Innovation!

[somethingmustbreaknow]

there is / was also this unfunny bullshit
i think it's dumb, it's either or, but this mixture seems very prone to stripping the phillips-allen-hole

[Boog]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I really like my Mindys

Black Diamond griptape is a better option than MOB

There's absolutely zero difference in performance when it comes to hardware, idgaf and will run allen and Phillips together if I need to.

[close]

Sometimes I read things on this website and I get upset, I get embarrassed, I laugh, I cry, but I have never read something that has scared me, running Phillips and Allen hardware at the same time is truly terrifying and I am afraid of you, I hope to never run into you in real life

[close]

Oh man, as a grom coming up I'd have short bolts, long bolts, two different trucks (I think I ran a Venture and a Gullwing at the same time once.) all on one board. Times were tough. Having mis-matched bolts isn't going to phase me, I'm thankful all mine are the same length and my trucks match nowadays.

Lmao this reminds me of having to use those round head Phillips screws one time. Probably with mongoose trucks on a mini-logo back when they had dyed plies.

[twistingtheknife666]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I really like my Mindys

Black Diamond griptape is a better option than MOB

There's absolutely zero difference in performance when it comes to hardware, idgaf and will run allen and Phillips together if I need to.

[close]

Sometimes I read things on this website and I get upset, I get embarrassed, I laugh, I cry, but I have never read something that has scared me, running Phillips and Allen hardware at the same time is truly terrifying and I am afraid of you, I hope to never run into you in real life

[close]

Oh man, as a grom coming up I'd have short bolts, long bolts, two different trucks (I think I ran a Venture and a Gullwing at the same time once.) all on one board. Times were tough. Having mis-matched bolts isn't going to phase me, I'm thankful all mine are the same length and my trucks match nowadays.

[close]

Lmao this reminds me of having to use those round head Phillips screws one time. Probably with mongoose trucks on a mini-logo back when they had dyed plies.

Holy shit, I don't think I've had rounded top phillips since my first, terrible skateboard my parent's bought me from a flea market. It did actually roll at least, and had metal trucks, so not as awful as some cheap boards back then. I ran those trucks on the first hand me down board an older guy gave me, it was a Salba with the tiger on the bottom. Hardware way too long, would bend them doing grinds, then go to take the trucks off one board and have to either break the bolts, or finagle the nut off. Ohh the shitty old days.

[TwisT]

I was just googling some round top bolts.

My first board (a gundam wing board from Walmart) had them and I was filling nostalgic for some.

Seems like they’re mostly for longboards. Didn’t see any 1in or 7/8in

[Side B Skate Shop]

I was just googling some round top bolts.

My first board (a gundam wing board from Walmart) had them and I was filling nostalgic for some.

Seems like they’re mostly for longboards. Didn’t see any 1in or 7/8in

The round head hardware was all I can remember being available in the late 80s early 90s. That was before we ditched risers and when wheels were usually 55 - 67mm.  I honestly do not remember having flat hardware other than Bridgebolts before I took a few years off when I turned 16.  I think when I came back two years later, the hole spacing had changed and Shorty's hardware was the norm.

Wait! I forgot about Powell Rat Nuts hardware.  I had one set when I returned in 1995.  I had to check the picture of my first "popsicle" deck to see the Rat Nut sticker.

[consumer]

asics colorways suck

the majority of board companies art direction kinda stinks right now

emerica is cool again

[twistingtheknife666]

asics colorways suck

the majority of board companies art direction kinda stinks right now

emerica is cool again

I don't know if any of those are unpopular, or if we're both fucked, cause I agree with all three.

[moonordie]

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asics colorways suck

the majority of board companies art direction kinda stinks right now

emerica is cool again

[close]

I don't know if any of those are unpopular, or if we're both fucked, cause I agree with all three.

I disagree with all three.
The beauty of skateboarding

[FrAnKenFrEd]

asics colorways suck

the majority of board companies art direction kinda stinks right now

emerica is cool again

I don't know anything about issues 1 and 3 but absolutely agree on no 2. haven't been excited by a graphic in awhile. and by that i mean getting sucked into buying a board i don't need b/c the graphic is so damn good. Todd, what you got on tap?

[consumer]

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asics colorways suck

the majority of board companies art direction kinda stinks right now

emerica is cool again

[close]

I don't know anything about issues 1 and 3 but absolutely agree on no 2. haven't been excited by a graphic in awhile. and by that i mean getting sucked into buying a board i don't need b/c the graphic is so damn good. Todd, what you got on tap?

the girls want chris johanson boards

[FrAnKenFrEd]

I miss Chris Johanson.

[GardenSkater77]

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I was just googling some round top bolts.

My first board (a gundam wing board from Walmart) had them and I was filling nostalgic for some.

Seems like they’re mostly for longboards. Didn’t see any 1in or 7/8in

[close]

The round head hardware was all I can remember being available in the late 80s early 90s. That was before we ditched risers and when wheels were usually 55 - 67mm.  I honestly do not remember having flat hardware other than Bridgebolts before I took a few years off when I turned 16.  I think when I came back two years later, the hole spacing had changed and Shorty's hardware was the norm.

Wait! I forgot about Powell Rat Nuts hardware.  I had one set when I returned in 1995.  I had to check the picture of my first "popsicle" deck to see the Rat Nut sticker.

Bridgebolts on a Dane 1 would be sick. It’s been so long but I don’t remember actually feeling them but I was skating in Converse Weapons so there is that. The only problem is if you overcranked them they would bend and snap. Definitely would look cool on a shaped deck. Round bolt heads were hella cool too. That’s what was used on the Nash Executioner, a.k.a. My neighbor’s board.

[Slave IV]

NB shoes are ugly.

I recently got a pair and was trying to convince myself otherwise but I realize, I'm just playing it off to myself.

[DarkPools]

I don't think NB# shoes are as comfortable as people say they are. I also *kind of* agree that they're not the prettiest. A lot of "dad shoe" but make it skateable looks. 50/50 on their catalog of models. However, their colorways > shoe design to me.

I've bought, skated, and tried on multiple models. All felt like something was "off" about them. Sorry NB# heads, they just ain't for me!

1010 - too much heel toe drop to feel comfortable for long periods of time. Seemed like I'd feel disconnected from my board if I tried to skate them seriously beyond what I tried in them.

808 - less heel toe drop, but too narrow/numb feeling in the toe box. Easily one of the better designed NB# fit-wise and looks.

440 - too thin of a sole. Boxy upper and a less plush SB dunk sole feel. Rubber is too hard of a compound, perhaps. Flick was okay at best.

933 - kinda clunky feeling, but maybe that goes away with break in. They do feel far more comfortable than other models and seem better built. Good looking front of the shoe, but kinda not so good looking heel of the shoe when seeing the whole shoe. Also, quite narrow in the rear/midfoot area.

358 - Arto's vulc. Comfortable enough to walk around in, but heavy feeling. The leather colorway I had felt stiff forever. Felt like it would be difficult to skate because of that. I did like them while I had em tho

600 - that shoe has the weirdest fit I've experienced from a big brand. My heel and toe were lower than the arch and it's all I thought about. Didn't feel like I'd have an even foundation while wearing it. Not comfortable at all. Not for me, but they look cool.

213 - easily one of the best shoes NB# had ever made. A nice, wide court vulc with sufficient padding. When I skated vulcs these were a fun one to skate. A more wearable blazer mid.

[Ok]

I don't think NB# shoes are as comfortable as people say they are. I also *kind of* agree that they're not the prettiest. A lot of "dad shoe" but make it skateable looks. 50/50 on their catalog of models. However, their colorways > shoe design to me.

I've bought, skated, and tried on multiple models. All felt like something was "off" about them. Sorry NB# heads, they just ain't for me!

1010 - too much heel toe drop to feel comfortable for long periods of time. Seemed like I'd feel disconnected from my board if I tried to skate them seriously beyond what I tried in them.

808 - less heel toe drop, but too narrow/numb feeling in the toe box. Easily one of the better designed NB# fit-wise and looks.

440 - too thin of a sole. Boxy upper and a less plush SB dunk sole feel. Rubber is too hard of a compound, perhaps. Flick was okay at best.

933 - kinda clunky feeling, but maybe that goes away with break in. They do feel far more comfortable than other models and seem better built. Good looking front of the shoe, but kinda not so good looking heel of the shoe when seeing the whole shoe. Also, quite narrow in the rear/midfoot area.

358 - Arto's vulc. Comfortable enough to walk around in, but heavy feeling. The leather colorway I had felt stiff forever. Felt like it would be difficult to skate because of that. I did like them while I had em tho

600 - that shoe has the weirdest fit I've experienced from a big brand. My heel and toe were lower than the arch and it's all I thought about. Didn't feel like I'd have an even foundation while wearing it. Not comfortable at all. Not for me, but they look cool.

213 - easily one of the best shoes NB# had ever made. A nice, wide court vulc with sufficient padding. When I skated vulcs these were a fun one to skate. A more wearable blazer mid.

yeah.
but aren’t you some sole tech stan?
i’m not all in on nb, been a few years since ive had some. i really appreciated their quality, and dedication to cupsoles/usable tech.
1010 beef broccolis were top notch. 808 wheats also excellent.

anyways

[DarkPools]

Expand Quote

I don't think NB# shoes are as comfortable as people say they are. I also *kind of* agree that they're not the prettiest. A lot of "dad shoe" but make it skateable looks. 50/50 on their catalog of models. However, their colorways > shoe design to me.

I've bought, skated, and tried on multiple models. All felt like something was "off" about them. Sorry NB# heads, they just ain't for me!

1010 - too much heel toe drop to feel comfortable for long periods of time. Seemed like I'd feel disconnected from my board if I tried to skate them seriously beyond what I tried in them.

808 - less heel toe drop, but too narrow/numb feeling in the toe box. Easily one of the better designed NB# fit-wise and looks.

440 - too thin of a sole. Boxy upper and a less plush SB dunk sole feel. Rubber is too hard of a compound, perhaps. Flick was okay at best.

933 - kinda clunky feeling, but maybe that goes away with break in. They do feel far more comfortable than other models and seem better built. Good looking front of the shoe, but kinda not so good looking heel of the shoe when seeing the whole shoe. Also, quite narrow in the rear/midfoot area.

358 - Arto's vulc. Comfortable enough to walk around in, but heavy feeling. The leather colorway I had felt stiff forever. Felt like it would be difficult to skate because of that. I did like them while I had em tho

600 - that shoe has the weirdest fit I've experienced from a big brand. My heel and toe were lower than the arch and it's all I thought about. Didn't feel like I'd have an even foundation while wearing it. Not comfortable at all. Not for me, but they look cool.

213 - easily one of the best shoes NB# had ever made. A nice, wide court vulc with sufficient padding. When I skated vulcs these were a fun one to skate. A more wearable blazer mid.

[close]

yeah.
but aren’t you some sole tech stan?
i’m not all in on nb, been a few years since ive had some. i really appreciated their quality, and dedication to cupsoles/usable tech.
1010 beef broccolis were top notch. 808 wheats also excellent.

anyways

Yeah, I guess you could say that? Though, i also skate a lot of Dunks and used to skate Vans & Blazer Mids religiously. Soletech has continually made shoes that work for me, I guess. In the same way people are strictly Vans or Cons, etc.

Sharing in here how NB# shoes didn't work for me because I know it's an unpopular opinion. I've put my money down to at least try them over the years. They're clearly well built (most models) and I've been a fan of the tech and dedication to riders' preferences, too. I own a pair of 933s currently.