A non-skater tried the new Boosted Board electric skateboard - and absolutely loved it
The new Boosted Board electric skateboard comes with new features over the first version, like a replaceable battery, an extended range option, and water-resistant electronics.
![A non-skater tried the new Boosted Board electric skateboard - and absolutely loved it](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-60085318%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2F60085318.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The wireless remote pairs quickly and easily with the board itself, and you use it go forwards, as well as backwards for braking.
![The wireless remote pairs quickly and easily with the board itself, and you use it go forwards, as well as backwards for braking.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-60085318,width-700,height-525/60085318.jpg)
You can set different levels of power depending on how proficient you are. The higher the level, the more sensitive the remote, and the faster you can go.
You can go up to 18 to 22 miles per hour, depending on the model.
The Boosted Board gives you the control you craved when you first tried riding a skateboard.
![The Boosted Board gives you the control you craved when you first tried riding a skateboard.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-54840954,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1064715/the-boosted-board-gives-you-the-control-you-craved-when-you-first-tried-riding-a-skateboard-.jpg)
The Boosted Board basically addresses everything I didn't like about regular skateboards. I remember thinking when I first rode skateboards that I wished I didn't have to kick to maintain speed so I could simply cruise and enjoy the ride. And going downhill was never fun because I had little control of my speed.
The remote takes care of the accelerating and braking you did with your feet on a regular skateboard. There's a trigger that activates the board's electric motor, and you roll the remote's wheel up with your thumb to accelerate, or down to brake.
It's incredibly comfortable to ride because of super-flexible bamboo deck acts like suspension.
![It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-60085318,width-700,height-525/60085318.jpg)
The bamboo deck's classy natural design also looks great.
![The bamboo deck](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-54840952,width-700,height-525,imgsize-604587/the-bamboo-decks-classy-natural-design-also-looks-great-.jpg)
The large, wide wheels help with stability and make an easy meal of small obstacles on the road, like debris, cracks, and bumps.
![The large, wide wheels help with stability and make an easy meal of small obstacles on the road, like debris, cracks, and bumps.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-54840951,width-700,height-525,imgsize-459398/the-large-wide-wheels-help-with-stability-and-make-an-easy-meal-of-small-obstacles-on-the-road-like-debris-cracks-and-bumps-.jpg)
The Boosted Board's electric motor is powerful enough to go uphill, even in San Francisco's steep streets.
![The Boosted Board](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-60085318,width-700,height-525/60085318.jpg)
Boosted Boards/YouTube
The GIF above isn't me, but I went up some pretty steep hills and I was surprised the board's motor could haul my 195-pound self.
There are three options and two different battery sizes for range.
![There are three options and two different battery sizes for range.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-54840948,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1096853/there-are-three-options-and-two-different-battery-sizes-for-range-.jpg)
Generally, you get about a seven-mile range with the Standard battery pack, and about 10 miles with the Extended Range pack.
One of the main updates of the second generation Boosted Board is a user-replaceable battery that you can swap out with a hex wrench.
Yes, you can use it without the motor in case you run out battery during your ride. It feels like there's some slight resistance even when the electric motor is off, but it still glides.
As awesome as the Boosted Board is, you need to feel comfortable with the idea of riding a skateboard in your city. If you chicken out and decide to carry it, it's heavier than a regular board.
![As awesome as the Boosted Board is, you need to feel comfortable with the idea of riding a skateboard in your city. If you chicken out and decide to carry it, it](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-60085318,width-700,height-525/60085318.jpg)
tehblahman/YouTube
Some people are comfortable with riding a skateboard around a busy city. I am not one of those people, at least not yet. I have what I'll call "the fear" of dangerous things around me, namely crazy NYC drivers and pedestrians who think they're the only person in the world.
It's not the board's fault, it's the city I work in. The mixture of Manhattan car traffic and the sheer number of people walking to work in the morning made for a stressful experience.
There are bicycle lanes in NYC, but few drivers and pedestrians show any regard for those lanes and the cyclists that ride them, let alone skateboarders. Plus, not every street has a bike lane.
I was also constantly carrying the board around while looking for a safe route with fewer cars and pedestrians, and the Dual+ model I was testing is not a light board. I'd face the same problems with a regular skateboard, but at least regular skateboards are lighter. At the same time, the Dual+ I was testing happens to be the heaviest model of the Boosted Board. The Single Boosted Board model is designed to be lighter than the Dual+.
It's entirely likely that I'd get more used to busy city riding, especially as I gain more control and confidence, but the first few times can be pretty intimidating and harrowing.
But if you are comfortable riding in a busy city like New York, the new Boosted Board is fantastic and absolutely worth your consideration.
![But if you are comfortable riding in a busy city like New York, the new Boosted Board is fantastic and absolutely worth your consideration.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-60085318,width-700,height-525/60085318.jpg)
Boosted Boards/YouTube
It's also worth considering if you're just looking to have some fun.
![It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-60085318,width-700,height-525/60085318.jpg)
Boosted Boards/YouTube
Skateboarding on a regular longboard is a lot of fun, and the new Boosted Board makes it even more fun than non-electric skateboards because you don't need to kick to accelerate or drag your feet to stop (or however else you brake). It lets you enjoy the ride like no other skateboard.
Riding the Boosted Board outside NYC and in places with fewer cars and pedestrians was a ton of fun, and it'll easily be one of the products that I'll miss the most when I have to return it.
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