Loaded Fattail Review

Loaded has got a brand new toy to play with, their newest board, the Fattail. First things first, the graphic detail on the Fattail is an extension of the artistic concept explored in the two graphics used on the Pintail. One of the primary reasons they call this board the Fattail is as a reminder of what it has taken for Loaded to get to where they are today. It looks like a cross between the Loaded Bhangra and the Tan Tien because it is an asymmetric top-mount like the Bhangra and is light and flexible like the Tan Tien. In short, the Fattail is a super attractive piece of work.

One of the best things about the Fattail is its sublimated graphic that’s pretty sweet and they are basically way more resistant to wearing off than normal ones because they are under the clear top layers of the deck. In addition to the pretty natural wood/graphic combination it has one of the signature crazy Loaded grip jobs which will surely turn some heads when you ride it through campus or town. The width of the deck has been redistributed while maintaining subtle tapering near the trucks to provide both ample leverage and better foot position while powering through turns.

Not only it has a super sick tail but a slightly kicked nose, both of which are more than functional. The formerly vestigial tail has received the silicone treatment for improved functionality in both freestyle tricks and surf-style shredding. The Loaded Fattail is also equipped with a slight nose kick for manuals and shuvits. If there’s one word to describe the flex in the Fattail, it would be powerflex. It bounces you around town with style and grace. Right behind the board’s mad commuting skills come the freestyle skills. If you have ever made any sort of tricks on a board with a little tail, then you’ll find that the nose on the Fattail doesn’t need to overcompensate for anything.

Specifications

• Length: 38″ / 96.5 cm
• Width: 8.63″ / 22 cm
• Wheelbase (Inner): 26.5″ / 67.3 cm
• Wheelbase (Outer): 27.4″ / 69.6 cm
• Weight: Deck – 3 lbs / 1.4 kg
• Construction: Bamboo / Fiberglass
• Concave: Mild
• Flex: Flexy
• Trucks: Paris 180mm Black Longboard Trucks
• Wheels: Orangatang 4 President 70mm 80A
• Grip Tape: Black Laser Cut

Pros

• Big and lively camber is the heart and soul of the extremely versatile Fattail, which with a carvy camper at heart, is designed with a healthy amount of camber to provide snowboard like responsiveness in a pocket-sized package.
• The top mounted and cambered platform provides energetic performance in and out of each carve.
• The Fattail is great for pumping, carving, pedestrian slalom, freestyle, and literally any situation which demands more lively and energetic lines. Right behind the board’s mad commuting skills come the freestyle skills.
• Increased concave locks your feet in against g-forces and stiffens the deck without undermining the camber and flex characteristics of the board.
• The organic tapering shape preserves torsional stiffness and allows both heels and toes to maintain constant contact with the rails for optimal control in hard carving and pumping. Plus the board has a lot of clearance for big, fast, and grippy wheels.
• The board has a super sick tail and a slightly kicked nose, both of which are more than functional. The formerly vestigial tail has received the silicone treatment for improved functionality in both freestyle tricks and surf-style shredding.
• A vertically-laminated bamboo core is sandwiched between fiberglass skins. The tail is reinforced with an additional layer of fiberglass on the top and carbon fiber at the bottom for added stiffness and abrasion resistance.
• Loaded fine tuned the Fattail’s shape and contours to ensure more consistent flex throughout the entire length of the standing platform when using either wheelbase.
• In addition to the pretty natural wood/graphic combination the deck has one of the signature crazy Loaded grip jobs which are sure to turn some heads when riding through town.
• The Orangatang Nipple bushings, when combined with the flex of the board, make it an unstoppable pumping beast. Opt for a stiffer board to do lots of freestyle which really takes a toll on decks with lighter flexes.

Cons

• It’s just not the best board for downhill riding, while the flexes make it a little sketchy at times. But that doesn’t mean you cannot go fast on this board.

The Bottom Line

For all its strengths, the Fattail does have its fair share of weakness. The board is designed around a certain skill set and downhill is not one of those skills, which means it’s not just the best board for downhill riding, however, that doesn’t stop you from moving very fast. That being said, the Loaded Fattail is the best for anyone looking for a high-performance board to bounce around campus or town. Plus with the sweet sublimated graphics, it has enough flair for some crazy freestyle tricks and dancing moves.