LOOT is the Haydenshapes board designed for those looking for a multipurpose board, suitable for all conditions. Perfect for small waves and less than perfect conditions, it also does well when the waves come overhead. It can be used as a board by intermediate surfers or as a cruiser by those who are progressing or looking for something more manageable than a minimalibu, but still don't feel ready for the shortboard. In practice, a truly multipurpose model, to make practically anyone catch many waves.
The Loot, as well as in PE and Future Flex construction, is also available in the SOFT version and today we are talking about the Loot Soft, in the 5-foot version which is the one we have.
Loot Soft Haydenshapes costruction
Being a Haydenshapes, it could not be the classic sponge. And in fact the construction is definitely of quality, designed to give the right compromise of stiffness, flex, reactivity.
The Loot Soft has a construction with a waterproof high density EPS core and shaped with numerical control machines. The core is reinforced with two bamboo spars, covered with carbon fiber on the top and bottom. This serves to give the right flex to the board and above all to keep it over time, because as we know the flex is precisely one of the weak points of traditional soft boards. The glass fiber under the IXPE layer gives a soft flex, but with a quick spring back.
Above the fiber we find a 4 mm layer of hot embossed IXPE. The bottom is in HPD (high density polyethylene) which offers the right smoothness and resistance, remaining softer than the fibre.
The board has 3 Futures system fins and is delivered with 3 fins that are not too stiff or sharp. However the fins can be replaced with any futures fin, to improve performance when used by more advanced surfers.
This is a board specifically designed to help children progress with wave surfing, but in the larger sizes it makes a great board for adult surfers too.
Loot Soft Haydenshapes 5.0
We chose the Loot 5.0 for our 8 year old son (just under 30kg) as a progression soft board, after his CBC Sushi 5.8 started to get a bit bulky and he needed something more manageable for him.
The measurements are: 5'0 x 20 x 2 5/8 for 30 liters of volume
A board just 5 feet long but wide enough and with a lot of volume distributed especially under the chest, to help float and catch many waves. For a child we are talking about a board with enough volume, 30 liters, ideal for the phase in which it is no longer just a question of cutting the wave transversally but starting to make the first turns.
Coming from the Sushi 5.8 the first waves with the Loot 5ft soft were a little harder to catch, but it didn't take long. The board is still an easy board, with a rocker that helps not to get stuck and a good buoyancy distributed to help in progression. The smaller width in the case of children, therefore with not very long arms, helps to enter the water better with the arm and row more effectively, without losing stability.
In riding the board is agile enough to allow for tighter turns. Let's say the right compromise between agility and stability.
NOTE: the black color is very cool but be careful never to leave the board in the sun. It heats up a lot and runs the risk of getting ruined. If you don't think you're taking care of it enough, it's better to opt for the blue version.
The embossed deck is in theory designed to be used without paraffin. In reality, paraffin is always needed, even on soft boards, and this one is no exception.... it's always better to wax, because you don't want to miss the day's wave because your foot slipped!
CONCLUSIONS
This Loot is a soft that aims to be a "serious" board in all respects, while maintaining a fair price.
In sizes 5 and 5.6 this is an ideal board for kids already able to catch and cut waves. For a kid of about 30 kg it is a board that will accompany him in the progression for a long time, remaining an excellent summer wave board once they have switched to a fiber shortboard.
Of course, we grown-ups have also tried it and despite being a short tablet in size 5 for an adult, thanks to its 30 liters it remains feasible. We really liked the feel underfoot and the feeling of just the right amount of stiffness. This makes us say that in slightly more abundant sizes it is a perfect board even for older surfers, to progress or simply to have fun on less perfect days.
So in sizes 6 and up it's a perfect board for someone looking to have some fun in the summer and then use it for friends, relatives, kids, girlfriends to try and catch their first waves.
Available sizes:
5'0 x 20 x 2 5/8 = 30 Liters
5'6 x 21 x 2 3/4 = 36 Liters
6'0 x 21 5/8 x 3 1/8 = 46 Liters
6'6 x 21 3/4 x 3 1/4 = 52 Liters
7'0 x 22 1/4 x 3 1/4 = 58 Liters
Pubblicato il 08 maggio 2023 | Softboard > Reviews: SURF