Comparison MK Boards

This is the top speed you can reach while pumping. This is important for those who want to do sprints. If you mainly pump downhill or with a tailwind and want to gain an edge, having a high pumping speed is beneficial. Well-trained skaters also tend to prefer higher pumping speeds, even over long distances. If you have the fitness, use it and raise your average!

This is how effortless it is to pump over long distances. When you tend to pump a lot, a board with high pumping efficiency is a wise choice. Think about your setup as well. I’ve found that lighter riders who skate the rather firm Gbomb TTA prefer a platform with higher pumping efficiency, like the Procyon Endurance.

This is the top speed you can reach on your board. This matters if you mainly sprint while pushing. Pushing top speed is a bit tricky. Boards that are slighty higher, have a deeper flex, and a high rebound flex tend to have a high pushing speed. A slightly higher board with a deeper flex gives you more time to create more energy to dive into each push. The deeper flex makes sure you are closer to the ground, so your pushing foot is able to contact the ground and deliver this energy at the start of your squat. The rebound of the board will additionally push you forward.

This is how effortless it is to push over long distances. Do you mainly push on long skates or skate a lot uphill? Choosing a board with high pushing efficiency is a wise decision. Boards that are efficient to push are low and light, and they might also have a flex that allows you to stand lower while pushing.

How stable is this board? We look at how well the board keeps its center while pushing and braking. It’s wise to choose a board with better stability when you plan to skate tracks that go up and down frequently. It’s also important if you are skate-packing with a heavy backpack.

How comfortable is it to skate this board? Will it transmit vibrations or impacts from the road? If you know you’ll be skating over rougher surfaces, choose a board that offers more comfort. Different flex patterns behave differently on various surfaces. We found that depending on the reinforcement, the board reacts differently and can handle either rough pavement with small stones (high-paced small vibrations, like the Procyon Endurance, Ascension, and Platypusher) or cobblestones (slow-paced impacts, like the Procyon Speed). Boards that can handle both (like the Procyon Tour) have a flex pattern that don't allow much swinging. The side effect, however, is that the board absorbs pushing and pumping energy.

Is it easy to make tight turns? What is the turning radius? This is important if you skate through the city, slaloming around people and cars. On some trails, you have to make very tight turns. Stepping off the board and adjusting takes time. Keep in mind that maneuverability usually decreases pumping speed, efficiency, stability, and forgiveness.

Does your board forgive small mistakes? This is important if you plan to skate for a long time or at high speeds. When you're tired, you tend to make small mistakes, and you don't want those to lead to a crash.

How directly does the board respond to your input? Some boards have a delayed response, while others respond immediately. With boards that respond directly, you don’t have to plan ahead as much while skating; the board will do what you tell it to do. Note that boards that are forgiving tend to offer less control, and vice versa!