Madness Son R7 Skateboard Deck | 8.5"

Big Platform. Serious Pop.

The Madness Son is the wider end of the Madness range and the one to grab if you skate transition, bowls or bigger street. At 8.5" it gives you a genuinely stable platform underfoot without tipping into cruiser territory — you can still flip it, you just get more board to land on. The graphic runs an embossed detail worked into the surface rather than a flat print, which is a subtler look than the holographic foil decks and ages a lot better as the board gets skated in.

Construction is Madness R7 — Resin 7. Seven plies of 100% North American maple bonded with epoxy resin glue rather than standard wood glue, and individually pressed instead of stacked in a multi-board press. The epoxy bond is stiffer and more resistant to delamination, so the board keeps its snap for longer before it goes soft, and individual pressing means the concave comes out consistent rather than varying board to board. Madness rate it as stronger than an industry-standard 7-ply with a longer usable deck life, and in practice that's exactly what you notice — it stays poppy well past the point a cheaper board would be done.

The shape runs a medium concave with a medium kick. That's the middle ground on purpose: enough concave to lock your feet in without the aggressive dig of a steep profile, and a kick angle that works for both flip tricks and pumping transition. If you found the Split's steep kick too sharp or a mellow-concave deck too flat underfoot, this is the one that sits between them.

Madness builds boards around bold, loud graphics and runs the same R7 resin construction right across the line — you're not paying for the artwork at the expense of the wood.

Why Ride the Madness Son R7?

• R7 Resin 7 Construction
Seven plies of 100% North American maple bonded with epoxy resin glue. Stronger than a standard 7-ply, resists delamination, and holds pop for longer.

• Individually Pressed
Each board pressed on its own rather than stacked in a multi-press, for more consistent concave and a truer shape.

• Medium Concave
The versatile middle ground — enough shape to lock your feet in, without the aggressive dig of a steep concave on long sessions.

• Medium Kick
A balanced tail and nose angle that works equally well for flip tricks and for pumping and pivoting in transition.

• Embossed Graphic Detail
Worked into the surface of the board rather than flat-printed. A cleaner, more understated look than foil.

• 8.5" Width
More platform underfoot for stability in bowls, on ramps and on bigger street terrain — and a solid choice for taller riders or bigger feet.

• Free Jessup Grip
Every deck we sell comes with free Jessup griptape — the industry standard for consistent grit and reliable adhesion.

Specs

• Width: 8.5"
- Length: 31.95"
- Wheelbase: 14.25"
- Concave: Medium concave / medium kick
- Shape: Popsicle
- Construction: R7 — 7-ply 100% North American maple, epoxy resin glue, individually pressed
- Graphic: Embossed detail
- Includes: Deck only — free Jessup griptape included
- Rider Style: Transition / Bowls / Park / Street

What width is right for me?

As a general guide: 7.5"–7.875" suits smaller riders or those focused on technical street skating. 8.0"–8.25" is the most popular all-round street and park size. 8.25"–8.5" suits riders who prefer a slightly bigger platform for stability. 8.5" and above works well for transition, bowls, and larger riders. Shoe size plays a role too — bigger feet generally prefer wider decks. Not sure? Call us on 03 9421 2293 or come into the Richmond store and we'll sort it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is 8.5" too wide for street skating?
A: Not at all — plenty of street skaters ride 8.5" and it's become far more common over the last few years. A wider board takes marginally more effort to flip and feels slower to whip around, but it's more stable on landings and more forgiving when your feet aren't perfectly placed. If you're skating mostly technical flat ground and ledges, 8.25" might suit you better. If you're in bowls and on ramps, or you're taller with a size 11+ shoe, 8.5" is the right call. You'll also want 149mm trucks on it rather than 139mm.

Q: What does R7 actually mean, and is it worth it?
A: R7 stands for Resin 7 — a 7-ply maple deck glued with epoxy resin rather than standard wood glue. The epoxy bond is stiffer and stronger, which means less delamination, better pop retention, and a longer life before the board goes flat and lifeless. It's a genuine construction upgrade rather than a marketing name, and it's why R7 decks tend to outlast basic 7-plies at a similar price.

Why Buy from Twelve Board Store?

✔️ Free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $90
✔️ Gear advice from riders — call us on 03 9421 2293
✔️ Authorised Madness stockist with full manufacturer warranty
✔️ Flexible payment options including Afterpay & Zip
✔️ In-store at 435A Bridge Rd Richmond