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Snap folding skateboard slides in your backpack for easy transport

Snap folding skateboard slides in your backpack for easy transport
The SNAP claims to be the world's first folding skateboard
The SNAP claims to be the world's first folding skateboard
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The SNAP claims to be the world's first folding skateboard
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The SNAP claims to be the world's first folding skateboard
Steel pins lock the two end segments in place
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Steel pins lock the two end segments in place
Folding makes the board less than half its length
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Folding makes the board less than half its length
SNAP can both cruise and trick
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SNAP can both cruise and trick
You can slide the SNAP board into your backpack, gym bag, etc.
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You can slide the SNAP board into your backpack, gym bag, etc.
SNAP comes with grip tape
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SNAP comes with grip tape
The SNAP claims to be the world's first folding skateboard
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The SNAP claims to be the world's first folding skateboard
View gallery - 7 images

The creators of the SNAP Skateboard bill it as the world's first folding skateboard. The aluminum board folds into three segments so that you can easily transport it when not in use. The hinged, aluminum board is designed for both tricks and cruising. Given that the skateboard has wheels and rolls you where you need to go, we're not sure that it needed to get more portable. But, we suppose that the standard wheeled board can't take you everywhere you need to go, and sometimes you need to slide it in a bag or under your arm, so the smaller, the better.

Steel pins lock the two end segments in place
Steel pins lock the two end segments in place

Instead of the wooden deck that's standard in skateboard design, the SNAP uses aircraft grade 6061-T6 aluminum, presumably because a wood board would crack and splinter if you cut it into three pieces. The board folds from 36 inches (91.4 cm) down to 14 inches (35.6 cm) by way of two patented hinges. It's about 14 x 8 x 5 inches (35.6 x 20.3 x 12.7 cm) when folded, making it easier to fit in your backpack, suitcase, locker, etc. When it's time to skate, steel pins lock the hinges in place, giving you a solid deck to thrash on. The board has grip tape, and the trucks and 56 mm wheels can be removed and replaced with your kit of choice.

We're not sure how far you can trust a board that's split in three as far as tricks go. SNAP's website does specify that it is designed to do tricks as well as cruise the street, with claims of it being stronger than a traditional maple board. But it also says that the middle might buckle if you push it too hard, so maybe try a couple of ollies and kickflips before airing off the quarter pipe or jumping any big staircases.

We're going to guess the SNAP won't become the biggest craze in skating, but it might be a good option if you're frequently in a situation where you're forced to lug your board around by hand. The video below shows it doing some tricks in the park.

The SNAP retails for $119 with free shipping (limited time only) advertised on its website.

Source: Ati USA via Uncrate

Doing Tricks with SNAP Skateboard

View gallery - 7 images
11 comments
11 comments
Slowburn
I would prefer longer pegs and a more positive looking locking mechanism.
Mr Stiffy
This is quite good except:
a) Aluminium is COLD in cold weather - it just sucks the heat right out of your hands.....
b) The design should NEVER buckle in the middle - "if pushed too hard", this is a weak excuse by the manufacturer for under design. To me they have traded the sleek and rather stylish design, as a higher priority - over sound principles as a load bearing member.
Perhaps this is a staggered fail type of approach - where the center of the board collapses before the trucks shear off.
But it gives no confidence when the rider is larger and or the board collapses well before a cleverly designed ply board would.
Personally I would have designed it much along the lines of 2 or 4 or 5 parallel beams - with generous webbing, and a deck on top - all as a single unit though.
Short of dropping out of a 3 story building with rider - it should never break.
ActionSportsEnterprises
Sweet It's great to see some Canadian talent at work here...We'd love to hear from you guys...give us a shout out...maybe we'll see you at Picton for the IGSA races...
glazey
Definitely one of the more useful, less wacky skateboard innovations we've seen. They might want to take out the hinge in front of the back trucks. That part of the board receives the most stress, and is where 90% of breaks occur. I think they would get nearly as much potability with just on fold, fitting into an average locker or backpack. Impressive workmanship on that metal deck. Any chance of a composite version in the future (more natural feel, less clanky)?
Short Fuse
Hm, I'm very sceptical about this one.
Have had my own share of skateboarding experience, and due to heavy riding broken trucks were not unusual. And they've been all from renowned brands. Even some boards themselves have broken now and then, but less frequently.
Therefore I very much doubt in this folding board's structural integrity. To me it seems more of an object for posers, than for real riders.
Slowburn
In my foolish youth I tried to make the fireplace more efficient by running an aluminum air duct through the fire I got a room full of smoke for my troubles. Saying that the middle might buckle if you push it too hard is to discourage people from thinking metal equals indestructible.
Slowburn
In my foolish youth I tried to make the fireplace more efficient by running an aluminum air duct through the fire I got a room full of smoke for my troubles. Saying that the middle might buckle if you push it too hard is to discourage people from thinking metal equals indestructible.
Scott Peach
its to make it easier to to store skateboard. but you have it in back back, thats not good at all. they make skateboard bags were it holds it with straps, best part is, you still have room in your actual beg to put stuff in. the whole set up looks dumb, wheels look like from walmart. metal doesn't break as easy as wood, but olling on to it to slide a rail will more then likely bend the shit out of it after a couple months of skating. bending in a thing that folds, shit that holds it are doomed.... id rather stick to my solid plank then a folding board that looks less retarded. this isnt innovative, just dumb. want innovative, go look at lib tech skateboards
Paul Anthony
I see there are lots of critisism on this design. I would like to add some positives to this discussion. First of all, back in the early seventies I had a then revolutionary aluminum board. It was wonderful! Light weight, flexed nicely, a favorite board for years! Now I am not going to claim that I did any tricks like they do these days, heck if I was able to do a 360 or jump up on to a curb in those days then I was impressive. This design appears to be pretty robust, what with the pins and all. Also I think the idea of having it fold up compact in length is a wonderful idea for those that want to use it as a form of transportation. I would like to see an electric version of this, and maybe even a razor style electric scooter would be in order. Well done!
Jason Pong
I think the author nailed it. Thanks Chris! This design seems incredibly unimaginative. Why is the question? Why would you want your trick board to be foldable? Do you want to think about your board folding when you're jumping a flight of stairs? I could see compactibility being a nice feature for a commuter board that stays on the ground for traveling, or skating to class, but then why would you want your commuter board to have a stiff AL deck and hard small wheels. Do you enjoy getting to class or work with numb feet from all the road vibe? This design is the opposite of what I'd dial up for a smooth ride, and the opposite of what I'd use for tricks! The Stowboard reviewed also here in gizmag: http://www.gizmag.com/go/2707/ makes a lot more sense to me. It's got an elegant design that suits it's function. It's primarily a commuting board and it folds up to exactly the size of a ream of printer paper: 11x8.5x4 (a lot more backpack worthy than the snap board's useless 14x8x5) It actually uses its design to aide its function. It's not a perfect design either but at least it shows some effort! (If the snap board was a school project in a design class I think it would get a D- for being totally uninspired! You might as well cut anything into pieces and call it the folding whatever, it shows no thought or concern for what people are actually going to be doing with it!) The Stowboard on the other hand has features that lend to better use while simultaneously serving the folding function. The drop down stage lets me stand with a lower center of gravity (lower than the radius of the front wheels which acts as a speed wobble dampener). The larger wheels up front give me a smooth ride and the fixed axle with canted wheels in the back also seems to reduce speed wobbles via dampening the harmonics that can develop when you have two trucks. The hand rails on the side are the feature I disliked the most at first but I've found them useful to hold onto in power slides. Actually ever since I made myself some slide gloves, there is no hill to steep that I can't manage my speed with power sliding and pendies. When I'm not commuting to work bombing parking structures is now my favorite activity with the Stowboard. The design of the snap board gets a huge two thumbs down from me. I applaud innovation, not the obvious step that anyone could have taken 40 years ago but didn't because it's an idea that serves no purpose. D-!
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