Best Loaded Longboards: Which Model Fits Your Riding?

Loaded boards are easy to want and hard to choose. Every model looks great, costs real money, and comes with words like camber, rocker and flex rating. Which one is actually for you?

Here is the short answer. There is no single best Loaded longboard. The best one is the model built for how you ride. The Icarus is for carving. The Tarab II is for dancing. The Fathom is for commuting. Each model does one job very well.

This guide matches six current Loaded models to six kinds of rider. It also explains flex ratings in plain English, and gives an honest view on whether a premium board is worth it for you.

Which Loaded longboard should you buy?

Start with what you want to do on the board. This table gives the quick match. The details for each model are further down.

What makes Loaded boards different?

Loaded boards cost several times more than a budget complete. Three things explain most of that gap.

Composite construction

Most budget boards are plain maple. Many Loaded decks combine bamboo with fiberglass, and the listings describe this as snowboard-inspired construction. The result is a deck that is light, strong and springy. It bends under load and snaps back, which is what gives a carving board its lively feel.

Flex options

Several Loaded models are sold in two flex ratings. The shape is the same, but one version is stiffer. That lets a 130 lb rider and a 220 lb rider both get the feel the board was designed for. Budget boards come in one flex, which only truly suits one weight range.

Named components

The completes we checked are fitted with Paris trucks and Orangatang wheels. Those are established names, so replacement bushings, pivot cups and wheels are easy to find. On an unbranded budget board, a worn part often means guessing what fits.

Loaded flex ratings explained

Flex is how much the deck bends when you stand on it. Loaded numbers its flex options. On the listings we checked, Flex 1 is the stiffer option and Flex 2 is softer.

Each option comes with a rider weight range. The ranges differ from model to model, so always read the one on the listing you are buying from. As an example, the Dervish Sama listing gives Flex 2 as roughly 100 to 185 lb and up.

What if you sit between two ranges? Think about how you ride.

• Choose the stiffer flex if you are near the top of a range, ride fast, or want more stability and pop for tricks.
• Choose the softer flex if you are near the bottom of a range, or want a bouncy, forgiving ride for carving and cruising.

The six Loaded longboards, one by one

Here is each model with the details from its Amazon listing, who it suits and what to keep in mind.

🌊 Best for carving

Shape illustration, not a product photo

Loaded Icarus (38.4 in)

Best for: Riders who love deep, energetic turns and want to pump for speed.

Loaded describes the Icarus as a performance longboard for snowboard-style carving, pumping, freeride, freestyle and commuting. Its cambered bamboo and fiberglass deck is built to flex and spring back.

• Length 38.4 in
• Width 8.6 in
• Deck Bamboo and fiberglass with cork, drop-through, cambered
• Trucks Paris 180 mm, 50°
• Wheels 80 mm (as listed)
• Flex Options by rider weight

✅ Why it works

• The cambered, flexible deck gives an energetic feel in turns.
• Drop-through mounting adds stability and easier pushing.
• Cutouts leave room for big wheels.
• Paris trucks and Orangatang bushings are fitted.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• It costs several times more than a budget complete.
• An 8.6-inch deck is narrow for big feet.
• Pick the flex that matches your weight, as the listing explains.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

🏆 Best all-rounder

Shape illustration, not a product photo

Loaded Dervish Sama (about 41 in)

Best for: Riders who want one premium board for carving, commuting and a few tricks.

Loaded describes the Dervish Sama as a drop-through carving board that also handles pumping, freestyle, freeride and commuting. Nose and tail kicks add trick options that most drop-throughs lack.

• Length 104 cm (about 41 in)
• Width 9 in
• Deck Bamboo and fiberglass, drop-through, nose and tail kicks
• Trucks Paris 180 mm, 50°
• Wheels Orangatang 75 mm, 80a
• Bearings Loaded Jehu V2
• Flex Two options by rider weight

✅ Why it works

• Drop-through mounting gives stability and easier pushing.
• Large cutouts allow deep carves without wheel bite.
• Nose and tail kicks open up freestyle moves.
• Paris trucks and Orangatang wheels are fitted.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• It costs several times more than a budget complete.
• Pick the flex that matches your weight, as the listing explains.
• Stock was low when we checked, so availability may vary.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

🏙️ Best for the city

Loaded Omakase (33.5 in)

Best for: Riders who want a short board that still feels stable and can hop kerbs.

Loaded calls the Omakase short, wide, stable and nimble. At 33.5 inches it is compact, but the 10-inch width keeps a solid feel underfoot.

• Length 33.5 in
• Width 10 in
• Deck Bamboo core with fiberglass, kicktail, rocker
• Trucks Paris 165 mm, 50°
• Wheels Orangatang 75 mm

✅ Why it works

• A 10-inch-wide deck feels stable despite the short length.
• A big kicktail gives pop, leverage and control.
• Rocker and mild concave hold your feet in place.
• Wheel well flares add clearance for 75 mm wheels.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• It costs several times more than a budget complete.
• A 33.5-inch board is livelier than a 40-inch one.
• Stock was low when we checked, so availability may vary.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

💃 Best for dancing

Loaded Tarab II

Best for: Experienced riders who want a dedicated dancing and freestyle board.

Loaded describes the Tarab II as an advanced dancing platform that also suits freestyle and carving. The symmetrical deck has rocker, concave, mellow kicktails and grab rails.

• Width 9.5 in
• Deck Bamboo, symmetrical, rocker, mellow kicktails
• Trucks Paris 180 mm, 50°
• Wheels Orangatang Fat Free 65 mm, 86a
• Bearings Loaded Jehu V2
• Flex Two options by rider weight

✅ Why it works

• A long, symmetrical deck gives room for dance steps.
• Mellow kicktails at both ends suit freestyle tricks.
• Firmer 86a wheels balance grip and slide, according to the listing.
• A damp flex is tuned for dancing.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• The listing marks its skill level as advanced.
• It is one of the most expensive boards in this guide.
• The listing’s details table does not give the deck length.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

🚲 Best for commuting

Loaded Fathom (33 in)

Best for: Riders who cover real distance and want the easiest possible pushing.

The Fathom mounts its trucks on brackets beyond the ends of the deck, so the platform sits very low. Loaded pairs that with very large wheels and describes the result as easy to ride and built to hold commuting speeds.

• Length 33 in
• Width 9.5 in
• Deck 8-ply maple, slight camber, bracket mounting
• Trucks Paris 150 mm
• Wheels 105 mm or 85 mm Orangatang
• Listed weight limit 250 lb

✅ Why it works

• The low ride height makes pushing and foot braking easier.
• Wheels of 85 mm or 105 mm carry momentum and roll over rough ground.
• A slight camber adds suspension, according to the listing.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• It is one of the most expensive boards in this guide.
• The listed weight limit is 250 lb.
• Choose between the two wheel setups on the listing.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

🎒 Best mini cruiser

Loaded Ballona Mini Cruiser (27.75 in)

Best for: Riders who want a small, carry-anywhere board with premium parts.

Loaded describes the Ballona as a performance mini cruiser for carving, pumping, commuting and skatepark flow. A spoon-shaped nose is designed to lock in your front foot.

• Length 27.75 in
• Width 9 in
• Deck 7-ply maple, rocker, spoon concave nose
• Trucks Paris 150 mm, 50°
• Wheels Orangatang (two setups)

✅ Why it works

• A 9-inch-wide deck is roomy for a mini cruiser.
• The shaped nose gives your front foot a secure spot.
• Paris 150 mm trucks and Orangatang wheels are fitted.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• A 27.75-inch board is twitchier than a full-size longboard.
• It costs far more than budget mini cruisers.
• Stock was low when we checked, so availability may vary.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

How to choose your Loaded board in 5 steps

1. Name your main riding styleBe honest about what you will do most weeks, not what looks best in videos.
2. Match the modelUse the quick guide above. Carving, dancing, commuting and city riding each have a clear match.
3. Choose the flexFind your weight in the ranges on the listing. Pick stiffer for speed and tricks, softer for a bouncy carve.
4. Check the size fits youNarrow decks such as the 8.6 inch Icarus suit smaller feet. Riders with big feet may prefer a 9.5 or 10 inch deck.
5. Choose the setupSome models are sold with a choice of wheels. Larger wheels roll better. Smaller ones are lighter and livelier.

Two of these steps are about fit, not features. That is deliberate. A premium board in the wrong flex or width will feel worse than a budget board that fits you.

Is a Loaded longboard worth it?

It depends on where you are as a rider. Here is an honest way to think about it.

A Loaded board is likely worth it if you already ride regularly, you know which style you enjoy, and you have felt the limits of a budget board. The lighter deck, the right flex and the better trucks will be things you notice on every ride.

It is probably not worth it yet if you are buying your very first board. You do not know your style yet, and a premium carving board cannot teach you to balance any faster than a budget one. Many riders start on a low-cost complete, ride it for a season, and then upgrade with a much clearer idea of what they want.

There is a middle path. If you are sure you will stick with longboarding and your budget allows it, buying a good board once can cost less than buying a cheap board and replacing it a year later. Just make sure the model matches the riding you actually do.

A premium board does not make you a better rider. It makes a good rider’s day more fun.

Looking after a premium board

A board that costs this much deserves a little care. None of it is difficult.

• Keep it dry. Water is hard on bearings and on any wooden or bamboo deck. If you get caught in the rain, dry the board and spin the wheels afterwards.
• Store it flat or upright, indoors. A hot car or a damp garage is a poor home for a composite deck.
• Check the hardware. Truck bolts work loose with vibration. A quick check every few weeks takes a minute.
• Replace bushings when they crack or go soft. Fresh bushings make an older board feel new again, and they cost very little.
• Rotate the wheels. Swapping them around now and then helps them wear evenly.

Looked after this way, a good board lasts for years, which is part of what you are paying for.

Real-life examples: which Loaded would they choose?

The riders below are made-up examples, based on the kind of questions people often ask in longboarding groups and forums. They are not real people or reviews. See which one sounds most like you.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Loaded longboard?

There is no single best model. The Icarus suits carving, the Dervish Sama is a strong all-rounder, the Omakase suits city riding, the Tarab II suits dancing, the Fathom suits commuting and the Ballona is a mini cruiser. Choose the model that matches how you ride.

Which Loaded longboard is best for beginners?

The Dervish Sama is the most forgiving choice for a newer rider. Its drop-through mounting gives stability and easier pushing. That said, many beginners are better served by a low-cost board first, and a premium board later.

What do Loaded flex ratings mean?

Flex ratings describe how stiff the deck is. On the listings we checked, Flex 1 is stiffer and Flex 2 is softer. Each has a rider weight range, which differs by model, so check the range on the listing you are buying from.

Are Loaded longboards worth the money?

They can be for riders who already ride regularly and know their style. The composite decks, flex options and named components make a real difference to feel. A brand new rider will usually get more value from a cheaper first board.

What trucks and wheels come on Loaded completes?

The completes we checked on Amazon were fitted with Paris trucks and Orangatang wheels. Sizes vary by model, so check the listing for the exact setup.

Your Loaded buying checklist

Run through this before you spend the money.

• I know my main riding style.
• The model I picked is built for that style.
• The flex matches my weight range on the listing.
• The deck width suits my shoe size.
• I have chosen the wheel setup I want.
• I have ridden enough to know I will keep riding.
• I have a helmet.

Loaded makes excellent boards, but only the right one is excellent for you. Match the model to your riding, match the flex to your weight, and you will have a board you keep for years.

Product specs and availability were checked in October 2026 and can change. Always confirm the details on the product page before you buy.