I'm 90 kgs and rode a mate's 8.0 Pro from 2012 today in challenging conditions and was just able to make it work (still fell in a fair bit). Incredible little board! My question is, has anyone ridden the new 8.5 Pro and how does it compare in stability/performance with last year's 8.0? The shaving of volume on the new 8.5 has me wondering if it would be too small for me now. The old 8.0 has 4 or 5 more lites than the new 8.5, and it was barely enough for me plus a heavy 5.5 mm suit.

Cheers!

Can't tell you how the 8'5 goes in comparison to the 8'0. But I have a 2013 8'5 AST Silver and am finding it a great board for me.

I am around 85-87 kg and while it sits pretty low in the water is stable enough and still gets me into waves as early as i need. I am certainly happy with how it performs. It really is suprisingly stable for the stated size and volume.

Select to expand quote

aus301 said...
Can't tell you how the 8'5 goes in comparison to the 8'0. But I have a 2013 8'5 AST Silver and am finding it a great board for me.

I am around 85-87 kg and while it sits pretty low in the water is stable enough and still gets me into waves as early as i need. I am certainly happy with how it performs. It really is suprisingly stable for the stated size and volume.

i have a new 8"5 pro and weigh 90kg and it goes insane
best board I've ridden.
light strong fast and loose ,what more do you need????
i find it very stable and this is my 8th board.
comes off the top better than any board I've ridden and seem to go air or it feels like it but you always seem to land really solid.
old 8"0 was 110lit and 8"5 was 123lit
2013 8"0 is 96lit and 8"5 now 106lit but feels just as stable

Oneteam, carbon or Silver? Thanks for the input!

I just had a go on one of the carbon 2013 8.5s and quite liked it! Even with a 5mm wetsuit, gloves, boots etc, it floated me well enough and surfed very well. Way more stable at 106L than the 2012 8.0 pro at 110, but the 8.0 feels more alive on the wave. The carbon boards are incredible, and the flatter deck makes a HUGE difference for stability.