Although there are several brands of surfkates, the question that comes up most often at the store is: Which is better? Carver or YOW?
Well, the answer is simple: there is obviously no system better than the other!
First of all, it should be clear that we are asked this question about trucks articulated, since both brands market a rather similar system of trucks, intended for the same kind of practice.
To avoid beating around the bush, you should know that the truck Carver C7 is a bit stiffer than the truck YOW Meraki, which offers more fluidity in the movement of carving. But beware, this does not mean that YOW surfskates are better for carver, actually it is a matter of preference. By the way, if you ask the question here at the store, you will get about as many votes for one as for the other!
Carver C7 Truck
The truck Carver C7 is a bit of a prototype of the truck from surfskate. First to arrive (the prototypes of the first truck Carver dates back to 1996), it has changed very little over the last 6 years.
Where the truck YOW is actually quite fluid for slalom, the Carver C7 is more "stiff" and therefore better suited to adult sizes than to featherweights. For those who like big snaps and want to train at surf, it is the default choice. Important detail, the truck Carver C7 is adjustable in hardness, which does not offer the competition.
Truck YOW Meraki
The truck YOW Meraki is the latest addition to the range. It is the ultimate evolution of the truck articulated of the Spanish brand, the result of many years of improvement. And the least we can say is that the result is conclusive.
The Yow surfskates are particularly fluid and are also suitable for the lightest of body types. Non-adjustable, the truck YOW is more flexible than its rival and therefore less suitable for "extreme" surfing surf-style.
Historically available in two versions S4 and S5 (the numbers correspond to the diameter in mm of the spring), the truck YOW is now available in a single version, the Meraki, which has been simplified to be even stronger.
The sets: Carver or Yow?
Today, the ranges of both brands are so deep that it is very difficult to differentiate them on their boards. Each brand offers no less than thirty models to meet the expectations of all surfers!
If you have to choose a board from surfskate, we recommend you to focus on the choice of trucks and the size of the board. And then: go for the prettiest one!
If you take a closer look at the two brands CARVER and YOW, you will notice that most of the board sizes are between 30 and 33". These are the medium sizes that are best suited for a standard surfing experience.
To learn more, you can check out our buying guide.
The wheels: Carver or Yow?
Most of the surfboards, be it Carver, Yow or other brands, are now mounted with wide soft wheels. Here again, it's hard to make a real difference since we will find diameters from 66 to 70mm and duros from 76 to 80a. Wheels from carving, with a lot of grip and dedicated to the same program: carver without sliding.
For more radical surfskates that allow you to send slides, you will have to buy a set of complementary wheels, if possible at the opposite extreme of the wheels proposed by Carver and Yow, like the wheels Blood Orange Smoke for example.