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Setting Up a Slide Deck - Sliding Gear and Equipment for Downhill Longboarding

By Steve Cave, About.com

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Gloves and Pads

Setting Up a Slide Deck

Puck and Pads - Setting Up a Slide Deck

Photo: silverfishlongboarding.com
Okay, we’ve gone over your slide deck setup, now let’s talk about gloves. You need them. Gravity, Lush, Timeship, and Loaded all make fine examples with the primary differences being price and durability. You’ll want a sturdy glove with a quality puck. UHMW or Delrin are both a good call. On a budget? Snag a cutting board, some old leather gloves and make your own gloves! You’ll be going through pucks in no time, so expect that.

Think what you will about helmets and pads, I for one am less worried about my core factor and more worried about skating another day. However beyond personal bias, pads and a solid helmet can actually enhance the sliding experience. Solid kneepads designed specifically for sliding, such as the 187 Sliders, allow more traction with drop knee slides and insanely long “perolitos”. A reliable helmet can become an anchor point into no-hands slides, as least as long as the helmet lasts!

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