Loaded Longboards Guide: Models, Construction and Fit

Loaded is a premium longboard brand best known for carving, pumping, dancing, freestyle, and material-focused deck construction. Its current lineup also includes compact cruisers, freeride boards, and low bracket-based commuters. Loaded longboards are generally a strong choice for riders who understand the feel they want, but the brand’s varied flexes, profiles, and complete configurations make model selection more important than the logo.

This guide is based on Loaded’s current official catalog and specifications. Longboard Bible has not tested every Loaded model, so manufacturer claims are identified as such and conclusions are based on documented geometry, construction, components, and intended use.

Loaded longboards at a glance

Loaded’s catalog changes over time. Confirm current stock, flex choices, components, and warranty terms on the exact product page before ordering. Older reviews often discuss discontinued models or earlier constructions that should not be assumed to match the current version.

What Loaded is known for

Loaded treats deck profile, flex, and construction as central parts of the ride. Rather than relying on one maple layup across the range, current boards use different combinations of bamboo, maple, fiberglass, basalt, cork, and bio-based epoxy. Those materials are arranged to create different levels of rebound, damping, stiffness, pop, and durability.

The brand also provides unusually detailed product filters. Riders can compare discipline, mounting style, length, width, profile, and stiffness. That transparency is useful because two similarly priced Loaded boards may serve entirely different intentions: the Icarus is an energetic carving platform, the Fathom is a low commuter, and the Tesseract II is a stiff performance top mount.

Loaded’s current standard completes commonly combine its decks with Paris trucks, Orangatang wheels, Loaded Jehu V2 bearings, and model-specific hardware. This is not a universal formula: truck width, wheel diameter, hardness, and brackets vary with the deck.

Who should consider a Loaded longboard?

• Carving-focused riders who want flex, camber, rocker, and truck leverage to shape the ride.
• Dancers and freestyle riders choosing a platform by length, kicks, grip layout, construction, and flex.
• Commuters interested in Loaded’s bracket-based, large-wheel designs rather than a conventional drop-through.
• Experienced riders who can benefit from custom complete options and understand how trucks, wheels, and bushings interact.
• Buyers who value detailed specifications and are willing to pay for specialized construction or geometry.

Loaded may be a poor fit if the primary goal is the lowest possible price, a simple stiff maple commuter, or a generic first board purchased without comparing flex and dimensions. Beginners can ride many Loaded models, but “premium” does not mean “automatically beginner-friendly.” Start with the longboard selection guide if mounting styles and wheelbase are unfamiliar.

Current Loaded model families

Icarus: carving and pumping

The Icarus is a 38.4-by-8.6-inch drop-through with a 28.25-inch wheelbase. Its bamboo, fiberglass, and cork construction combines camber with flex, wheel flares, and subtle kicks. The current standard complete uses Paris V3 180 mm 50-degree trucks and 80 mm Orangatang Kegel wheels.

Choose the Icarus for deep carving, pumping, and lively cruising. Loaded offers two flexes with manufacturer weight recommendations. Flex 1 is stiffer; Flex 2 is more responsive. Rider weight matters, but so do speed, stance, and personal preference. A flexy cambered board is not the correct choice for someone seeking a rigid platform or maximum low-deck pushing efficiency.

See the current Icarus specifications at Loaded.

Chinchiller: compact and playful

The Chinchiller is a 34-by-8.5-inch top mount with a 21-inch wheelbase, mild rocker, subtle flex, and symmetrical twin kicks. Its standard complete uses 150 mm Paris V3 trucks and 65 mm Orangatang Love Handles. The shorter wheelbase and narrow trucks make it more maneuverable than a full-size drop-through.

Choose it for carving, pumping, playful cruising, and occasional freestyle. Its higher platform and smaller wheels make it less efficient over long rough routes than a Fathom or dedicated distance board, but lighter and easier to redirect.

Review the current Chinchiller complete.

Fathom: compact commuting with large wheels

The Fathom uses Loaded Zee Brackets to extend a compact 23-inch deck into a 33-inch complete with a 26.5-inch wheelbase. The brackets lower the platform between the trucks. Current complete choices include 85 mm Caguama or 105 mm Dad Bod wheels with 150 mm Paris trucks.

The resulting design prioritizes push height, stability, and rollover without using a conventional long deck. The 85 mm configuration is lighter and easier to accelerate; the 105 mm option carries more wheel mass and requires a rider who values momentum and obstacle rollover. Neither setup turns the board into an all-terrain vehicle, and large wheels still require careful line choice.

Choose the Fathom for commuting, bike paths, and riders who want a low, compact distance platform. Avoid it if you need kicktails, traditional deck construction, or unrestricted component swapping.

Check current Fathom wheel and complete options.

Tarab II: dancing and freestyle

The Tarab II measures 47 inches long and 9.5 inches wide, with wheelbase options of 30.5 and 31.25 inches. Its bamboo-and-basalt construction includes rocker, concave, mellow kicks, grab rails, purposeful grip coverage, and cork for damping. Loaded currently offers two flexes and supplies the standard complete with 180 mm Paris V3 trucks and 65 mm Orangatang Fat Free wheels.

Choose the Tarab II for boardwalking, dancing lines, and technical freestyle where a large working platform matters. It is not a practical transit board, and its long deck is unnecessary for riders who only cruise. Flex choice should follow the current manufacturer guidance and the rider’s desired amount of rebound.

See the current Tarab II flex recommendations.

Tesseract II: stiff freeride versatility

The Tesseract II is a stiff 39.5-by-9.6-inch top mount with a micro-drop and adjustable wheelbase from 22.5 to 24.5 inches. Six maple plies and triaxial fiberglass skins create a materially different ride from Loaded’s flexy carving boards. The standard complete uses 165 mm Paris V3 trucks and 65 mm 86a Orangatang Fat Free wheels.

Choose it for freeride, downhill-capable setup development, freestyle, and riders who want direct truck leverage. The hard, compact wheel setup favors release and technical riding over rough-road comfort. Its stiffness and higher top-mount position make it a poor substitute for a relaxed commuter.

Review the current Tesseract II configurations.

Dervish Sama and Tan Tien: classic all-around platforms

The Dervish Sama and Tan Tien represent Loaded’s familiar flexible drop-through approach. Both support cruising and carving; the Tan Tien’s more compact platform and kicks add freestyle versatility, while the longer Dervish provides more stance room and a drawn-out carve. Current availability and flex options should be confirmed directly because graphics and configurations change.

These models make sense when a rider wants a traditional Loaded flex experience without the specialized brackets of the Fathom or the extreme length of the Tarab II. They do not offer the low stiffness of a dedicated double-drop commuter or the direct response of a downhill top mount.

Browse Loaded’s current complete catalog.

Construction: why the model matters

Loaded does not have one universal “build quality.” Construction is matched to intended behavior:

• Bamboo and fiberglass can create flex and energetic rebound, as seen in carving-oriented decks.
• Basalt reinforcement and cork are used on the Tarab II for strength, damping, and a tailored dance platform.
• Maple and triaxial fiberglass make the Tesseract II stiff and torsionally controlled.
• Zee Brackets change truck mounting and ride height on the Fathom, so bracket hardware becomes part of the structural system.
• Wheel wells and flares improve clearance or foot reference, but do not eliminate the need to test for wheelbite.

Composite construction is not automatically superior to maple. It can target a specific flex, weight, or stiffness, but may cost more and be harder to repair. Inspect any deck for cracks, exposed fibers, delamination, damaged inserts, worn kicktails, and water intrusion. Follow Loaded’s current care and warranty instructions rather than assuming every cosmetic mark is covered.

Loaded complete components explained

Paris trucks

Many standard completes use Paris V3 reverse-kingpin trucks, commonly in 150, 165, or 180 mm widths. The correct width depends on the deck rails and intended handling. A 150 mm truck creates a narrower, more agile package; a 180 mm truck supports broad decks and a longer carve. Bushings should be selected for rider weight and desired response, not tightened excessively to compensate for poor fit.

Orangatang wheels

Loaded completes use different Orangatang families rather than one generic wheel. Large Caguamas or Dad Bods prioritize rollover and momentum. Kegels support carving and speed on the Icarus. Fat Frees and Love Handles keep freestyle or compact setups lighter. Diameter, contact patch, lip, core, and urethane all change behavior; color alone is not a complete specification.

Bearings and hardware

Standard completes commonly list Loaded Jehu V2 bearings and model-specific hardware. Bracket boards require additional hardware that should not be substituted casually. When changing wheels or trucks, preserve proper spacers, speed rings, mounting bolts, and clearance.

Use Longboard Bible’s longboard truck guide and wheel guide before modifying a factory complete.

How to choose the right Loaded model

Then check your stance width, shoe size, rider weight, terrain, and carrying requirements. The longboard size guide explains why overall length alone is insufficient.

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

• Broad current range covering carving, dancing, freestyle, commuting, and freeride.
• Detailed dimensions, construction, flex, discipline, and component information.
• Distinct models rather than one deck reused under multiple graphics.
• Standard and custom complete options on many current products.
• Matched wheel families and truck widths for different purposes.

Limitations

• Premium pricing can be difficult to justify when a rider does not need the specialized construction.
• Flex options add complexity and cannot be chosen from weight alone.
• Some boards are highly specialized and poor choices for casual beginners.
• Bracket systems and large wheels create compatibility constraints.
• Older online reviews often cover discontinued models or previous versions.

Alternatives to Loaded

Consider Landyachtz for a broad range of integrated cruisers and freeride completes, Pantheon for highly efficient double-drop and long-distance platforms, Arbor for conventional cruising and drop-through shapes, and Rayne for more concentrated downhill or freeride geometry. The correct alternative depends on discipline, not which brand is considered more prestigious.

If cost is the main concern, compare the complete components and intended use before moving to an entry-level board. The longboard price guide explains which specifications may justify a higher cost.

Safety and setup checks

Before riding, inspect mounting bolts, axles, kingpin nuts, bushings, bearings, wheels, brackets, and the deck around every mounting point. Compress and lean the complete by hand to check wheel clearance. Wear a properly fitted skate helmet, learn to footbrake before seeking speed, and use discipline-specific protection for freeride or downhill.

A Loaded deck’s flex or premium construction does not make high-speed riding safe. Use the protective gear guide and practice in a legal, controlled environment.

Frequently asked questions

Are Loaded longboards good for beginners?

Some are. The Fathom’s low platform and the larger drop-through models can be approachable, while the Tesseract II and highly specialized dance boards assume clearer goals. Beginners should choose by stability, size, terrain, and stopping skill rather than brand reputation.

Why are Loaded boards expensive?

The current range often uses composite layups, model-specific molds, detailed finishing, and premium complete components. Whether that is worth paying for depends on whether the construction or geometry materially improves the rider’s intended use.

Which Loaded longboard is best for cruising?

The Icarus suits carving-led cruising, the Chinchiller favors compact playful rides, the Fathom prioritizes low commuting efficiency, and the Dervish Sama provides a longer flexible platform. There is no universal Loaded cruiser.

Can Loaded decks use other trucks and wheels?

Often yes, but compatibility must be checked. Truck width, axle position, wheel diameter, risers, bushings, and deck clearance interact. Bracket-based boards require particular attention to hardware and geometry.

Verdict: are Loaded longboards worth considering?

Loaded remains a strong premium option for riders who want a clearly differentiated carving, dancing, freestyle, commuter, or freeride platform. Its greatest strength is not one universally superior board; it is the depth of model-specific design and documentation.

Choose the exact model only after comparing mounting style, profile, flex, wheelbase, components, and terrain. Loaded is easiest to recommend when the rider can explain why an Icarus, Fathom, Tarab II, or Tesseract II solves a specific need. It is harder to justify when the purchase is based solely on the brand name.