Slappy Trucks, born from humble beginnings
Slappy Trucks was founded by Mike Sinclair at a time in his life when he was seeking a new direction. With decades of experience in the skateboarding industry, as a team manager and respected figure behind the scenes, Sinclair decided to pursue something that had been on his mind for years: building a skateboard truck brand that actually addressed the performance issues skaters discussed but companies rarely fixed. The motivation came from a frustration with trucks that didn’t turn well or that hung up unnecessarily during grinds. It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel, but refining the essentials and making a truck that turned properly and worked out of the box.
Rather than seeking outside investment, Sinclair put his own money into the project. He sold his car to cover the costs of the moulds, working quietly on the design for over two years before anything went public. The name “Slappy” reflected everything the brand stood for: curbs, parking lots, and the raw joy of skating. There was no big launch, just a clean product and word of mouth.
A meticulously designed skateboard truck
The trucks themselves were the result of constant experimentation. Sinclair tested and adjusted geometry until he was happy that he had something that combined smooth turning with noticeably improved kingpin clearance. The trucks come in a range of sizes to suit the modern range of board widths, with multiple versions offering different weight and grind profiles. The trucks are slightly taller than most standards, which helps with turning range and reduces wheelbite without compromising control.
The ST1 series
There are a few variations within the ST1 series, each catering to slightly different preferences. The standard ST1 is solid and durable, ideal for skaters who want strength without worrying about weight. The ST1 Hollow lightens things up with a hollow axle and kingpin while keeping the same geometry and feel. Then there’s the ST1 Hollow Inverted, which swaps the regular kingpin for an inverted one, pushing the grind clearance even further, perfect for smiths and feebles on chunky ledges and rails.
Slappy has also started catering to wider setups, with the Heroin Skateboards "Wide Boy" edition, for example. A version of the ST1 designed specifically for decks that go above 9 inches. These trucks are built to fit the unique deck shapes modern curb skating has created, offering the same tight turn and solid construction, just stretched to meet the needs of the boards they’re paired with. Most recently, Slappy dropped the ST1 13″, the most expansive addition to the ST1 line, designed for skaters rolling out on decks around 12″ - 13″ wide. Think Eggzilla and similarly big setups. True to the Slappy philosophy, it delivers the same geometry that Mike Sinclair refined during his initial R&D: slightly taller than most to prevent wheelbite, a clean turn profile, and a hanger shape sculpted for superior grind clearance around the low-set kingpin.
Slappy Trucks didn’t emerge from a boardroom pitch or a marketing plan; it was a personal project built from scratch, grounded in a deep understanding of what skaters need and what the industry often overlooks. It’s that mix of honesty, experience, and execution that’s made them stand out.
Emerica FAQ's
What is the hardness of the bushings on a Slappy truck?
The stock bushings that come with Slappy Trucks have a durometer of 90a. A perfect middle ground, suitable for most. However, if you would like either softer or harder durometer bushings, Slappy sell these separately.
Are slappy trucks light?
They are not the absolute lightest truck on the market, although their Hollow Light trucks definitely do come close.
Are Slappy trucks high?
Slappy trucks sit at a height of 53.9mm, higher than trucks such as Thunder (52mm), but are slightly lower than a standard Independent truck (55mm).
Are Slappy trucks good for slappies?
Yes, absolutely. The wider sizes, especially, are perfect for creating the ultimate curb eating machine.
