Getting to Know Bustin
Bustin Boards was born in 2001 after founder Ryan Daughtridge created a prototype downhill skateboard that led his cousin to take a nasty spill and split his lip. But even messy beginnings can bring good things. 20+ years later, Bustin has solidified itself as a top skateboard brand known for quality, performance and self-expression.
Based in New York City with their boards handmade in Maryland, Bustin brings together an urban style with a casual surf vibe. They‘ve sold over 100,000 custom boards globally and built a community 235,000 followers strong on social media. Bustin has a team of pro skaters who ride and test their products, helping them continuously evolve their board designs.
So whether you‘re new to the sport or a seasoned skater, keep reading this in-depth review to see why Bustin Boards has developed such a die-hard following.
Bustin Board Brand Highlights:
- Hybrid electric & push skateboards
- Durable boards made to last
- Manufactured in the USA
- Pro skater tested
- Tons of deals & discounts
- International shipping
Review of Bustin‘s Most Popular Skateboards
From electric cruisers to pro-level popsicle boards, Bustin‘s lineup has high-performing models suitable for skaters of all abilities. Below I‘ll be reviewing some of their most popular skateboards that have garnered attention and praise among riders.
Bustin Sportster Hybrid V3
As one of Bustin‘s latest electric skateboard offerings for 2024, the Sportster Hybrid V3 features upgraded hardware like Samsung batteries, an impact-resistant enclosure and fresh colorways that turn heads.
Speed and Range:
This zippy ride can hit 30 mph at full tilt. A single charge yields 18-20 miles depending on terrain, rider weight and speed. Impressively the Sportster can climb hills with a 30% gradient thanks to its dual belt-drive motors.
Control and Handling:
You command the acceleration, braking and lighting via Bustin‘s Shaka remote. It uses Bluetooth connection so you can view battery level, speed, mileage and other data points in real-time. The flex deck provides a comfortable platform for carving that also feels stable at speed.
Customers praise the Sportster Hybrid V3 as an exciting electric skateboard that‘s easy to maneuver. And at $799 it comes in a few hundred bucks cheaper than comparable competitor models.
Bustin Yoface Hybrid V3
While the Yoface shape has long been a staple board for street skaters, the Hybrid V3 version infuses extra pop and float into your ollies thanks to a powered rear truck.
Speed and Range:
It can reach a zippy 27 mph topped out. A single full battery charge lasts around 15 miles depending on conditions.
Control and Handling:
This hybrid uses traditional front truck steering while the motorized rear truck responds to remote input. So it handles much like a normal popsicle board that goes the distance without pushing. The lightweight bamboo-maple construction makes flipping tricks feel natural too.
If you want an electric skateboard that doesn‘t skimp on board feel and pop for tricks, customers recommend the Yoface Hybrid V3. And at $599, it comes well under competitor hybrids.
Bustin "Ninja" Skate Bag
While Bustin is best known for their boards, they also produce a quality lineup of accessories built to handle daily skate abuse. Case in point, the Skate Everything “Ninja” Bag.
This rugged backpack uses durable 1000D military-grade ballistic nylon exterior that can withstand drops, scrapes and spills. The crossbody strap design allows you to securely carry your board hands-free. An external zippered pocket fitting most 1L water bottles keeps you hydrated on sessions.
Despite its compact size, the bag fits full-size longboards and multiple skateboard decks. There‘s also a reinforced handle when you need to carry it traditional style. If you want a dependable skate backpack minus frills, customers recommend Bustin‘s Ninja pack. And at $89 it comes hundreds less than the bigger outdoor brand alternatives.
Bustin "One" Waterproof Skate Backpack
While the Ninja pack handles day-to-day skate duty just fine, sometimes you‘ll encounter less than ideal weather while riding. Enter the 100% waterproof Skate Everything “One” Backpack from Bustin.
This 30L rolltop backpack uses water-resistant tarpaulin fabric that keeps your gear dry through downpours. And the coated material means no worries if you set it down in puddles either. For hot rides, the ventilated back panel allows air circulation.
Inside you‘ll find a sleeve fitting most 15” laptops along with multiple organizer pockets. There’s also an external side pocket for a 1L water bottles. For keeping your electronics and clothes dry in soggy conditions, the One Backpack is a customer favorite.
Bustin Yoface Complete Skateboard
A standout popsicle shape in Bustin‘s lineup, the Yoface has long been popular for its versatility traveling between skateparks and urban streets with ease. This complete pre-built Yoface features quality components ideal for intermediate riders looking to up their trick game.
It uses a maple plywood deck with just the right amount of concave for locked-in feel when flipping or grinding. The 52mm, 92A wheels offer a smooth ride across rough terrain without compromising too much speed. And the mid-grade trucks and bearings can withstand novice-level skate abuse just fine.
For those advancing past beginner ready-made Walmart boards, the Yoface Complete provides quality gear for honing street skills without breaking the bank.
Bustin Maestro Mini Cruiser
While concave popsicle shapes work well for tricks, sometimes you want a mellower platform for commuting and getting around town. That‘s where Bustin‘s Maestro Mini Cruiser comes in. The micro-dropped deck offers supreme comfort for pushing long distances thanks to the mellow concave and prominent nose/tail kicks.
Bustin‘s proprietary push-camber profile ensures you get good spring and rebound to keep your momentum going. So even though it‘s designed for efficient commuting, this mini cruiser still handles decent speed on hills. The Orangatang wheels also grip nicely when you need to slide out.
For a compact cruiser board able to tackle hills at speed, Bustin‘s Maestro is a customer favorite. The cute graphic designs are just an added bonus.
Bustin Boards for Different Riding Styles
With the variety of quality boards Bustin offers, you‘re likely to find models catered towards your individual riding style. Below are my top Bustin board recommendations based on different skate disciplines:
Downhill: Sportster Hybrid, Shrike
Freeride: Sportster Hybrid, Shrike
Carving: Sportster Hybrid, Daenseu
Cruising: Maestro, Ibach
Commuting: Maestro, Ibach
Pushing: Sportster 33, Daenseu
Street & Tricks: Yoface, Bonsai
What Bustin Customers Are Saying
Bustin has built up no shortage of loyal fans. Across various websites, their boards average between 4-5 stars from hundreds of reviews.
On their own website, the Sportster Hybrid V3 scores a perfect 5/5 stars across over 20 reviews. One customer says: "This thing is awesome!…The fit and finish is top notch and has worked perfectly."
The Yoface Hybrid V3 isn‘t far behind at 4.8/5 stars averaging 20+ reviews. "It‘s super stable and really has no learning curve, the board works exactly like you would expect," writes a 5-star reviewer.
Over on Amazon, the Maestro Mini Cruiser earns 5/5 stars from a purchaser who says: "Great board with a smooth ride and nice flex to the deck with great handling."
Beyond websites, I scoured skate forums and YouTube for customer perspectives. On reddit‘s r/longboarding thread, one rider notes: "My Sportster has taken a real beating from me and held up great. The flex is perfect and it never wobbled me off at high speeds."
Based on the stellar customer feedback, it‘s clear Bustin boards deliver great performance, quality and durability to match their premium reputation.
Are Bustin Boards Worth the Investment?
Considering the brand‘s reputation for quality manufacturing, pro-level construction and high owner satisfaction, Bustin boards generally live up to their price points. Their decks compare favorably to other top skate brands in terms of materials, pop and durability.
Where Bustin shines brightest is their innovation infusing skateboard tech into some boards, like with the Hybrid series. By integrating motors and battery packs seamlessly into traditional deck molds, they provide a ride experience that feels familiar yet evolved. Given the stellar customer reviews of Bustin hybrid models like the Sportster and Yoface, the premium costs pay off through enhanced performance and mileage without pushing.
For the latest Bustin discount codes and over a dozen current deals, see my section below on Savings & Promotions. Between the special sales and overall product quality, Bustin Boards make sound investments for performance-minded riders.
Ongoing Bustin Deals & Discounts
The company seems to always have several sweet deals and discounts running. As of this writing, here are the current promotions purchasers can take advantage of:
- Subscribe & Save 25%: Sign up for Bustin‘s email newsletter and get a $25 credit towards your first board.
- New Hybrids $200 OFF: For their 2023 electric skateboard models, Bustin is offering $200 in savings automatically at checkout.
- 50% Off Mystery Boxes: Feel adventurous? Grab a deeply discounted mystery box and get some random Bustin gear worth over $100.
- 25% Off Bags & Accessories: Deck out your setup with Bustin‘s backpacks, tools, apparel and parts during this sale.
- Daily Deals Up to 60% Off: Check Bustin‘s deals page often for huge one day discounts on bestselling boards and packages.
They also run limited-time holiday specials, such as $800 OFF complete longboard packages this 2022 Black Friday.
To stay on top of their ever-changing deals and clearance warehouse sales, bookmark their promotions page or subscribe to Bustin‘s newsletter.
Where To Buy Bustin Boards
Bustin offers several purchasing options to get their boards into your hands:
BustinBoards.com – Order directly from the source with customizations, fast shipping and real-time inventory at your fingertips.
Official Storefronts – Bustin operates retail locations in NYC, Los Angeles, and Miami. Stop by in person to see gear and get expert buying advice.
Zumiez – Select Bustin cruisers and accessories are carried at most North American Zumiez locations. Call your local shop to check.
I suggest buying directly from Bustin online until you really dial in your product preferences. Their custom deck builder and Libya ONI graphic designer are great bonus perks too.
FAQs
Still have some questions about this beloved board brand before buying? Here I tackle some commonly asked questions about Bustin:
Who founded Bustin Boards?
Bustin was founded in 2001 by Ryan Daughtridge after his cousin took a gnarly slam on an early downhill deck prototype Ryan built.
What do the ABEC ratings mean on bearings?
ABEC refers to how precise the manufacturing quality is on bearings. The highest ABEC-9 bearings have tight tolerances and low vibration for smooth rolling. Bustin uses trusted ABEC-7 to ABEC-9 bearings on all complete boards.
How much flex do Bustin boards have?
Using a 1-10 scale, 10 being most flex, Bustin rates their decks as follows:
- Daenseu: 8
- Maestro: 5
- Sportster: 4
- Shrike: 3
- Yoface: 1
- Bonsai: 1
So expect moderate to heavy flex for cruising/carving boards, with minimal flex for their streetstyle decks.
Does Bustin ship internationally?
Yes, Bustin ships to most countries globally. Orders calculate local shipping rates at checkout. Just know international purchases may carry additional taxes, duties and longer delivery times.
What is Bustin‘s return policy?
You can return unused Bustin boards in new condition within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. You must pay return shipping costs. Once Bustin inspects and approves, they issue refunds within 5 days.
Contacting Bustin Support
Have more questions before buying or need help making a product selection? Bustin offers top-notch customer service reachable on multiple channels:
Phone: 1-855-NYC-PUSH (Weekdays 8:30am – 4:30pm EST)
Email: [email protected]
Contact Page: Direct form to Bustin Support team
Or hit them up social media either through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Their team promptly responds to questions and post comments.
When it comes to meticulous craftsmanship paired with innovative technology, Bustin Boards represents the elite echelon of skate manufacturers. Hopefully this comprehensive review gave you the insights needed to curate your perfect Bustin ride!
