The best electric skateboard for weekend adventures

If your weekends involve more than smooth footpaths, the Diablo Carbon All Terrain is the board built for it. Whether you're dropping into a gravel trail outside Queenstown or covering coastal paths around Auckland, it handles terrain that would stop most electric skateboards flat.

Weekend riding is different from the daily commute. You're not just covering distance, you're chasing the feeling of a good run. That means rough surfaces, variable terrain, occasional climbs and the kind of riding where you want the board to feel planted rather than nervous. The Diablo Carbon All Terrain is engineered around exactly that use case.

Why rigid carbon works better for mixed terrain

The carbon deck changes how the board behaves at speed and on rough ground. Unlike a bamboo deck, the forged carbon fibre platform has zero flex. That rigidity translates directly into confidence, particularly when you're pushing speed over gravel or loose surfaces where a flexy deck would amplify every wobble.

It also runs an integrated CNC heatsink, which keeps the motors and controller running efficiently during longer sessions. On a day ride where you're pushing hard across varying terrain, thermal management matters more than most riders realise.

At 14.35 kg, it is heavier than the street-only version, but that weight reflects the 175mm pneumatic tyres rather than the platform itself. The deck at 13.15 kg in street configuration is actually lighter than the Bamboo equivalent.

The terrain it genuinely handles

The 7-inch pneumatic all terrain tyres absorb what sealed wheels cannot. Grass, packed dirt, gravel, loose trail surfaces and standard roads all sit within its capability. You do not need to route around imperfect surfaces or scout the path ahead, which makes a genuine difference when you're exploring somewhere new.

Tyre pressure plays a role in how it feels. Running around 40 to 45 PSI gives a firm, responsive ride. Drop the pressure a little and it becomes more forgiving on rougher ground. Small adjustments, noticeable difference.

The 45%+ hill capability is the other relevant figure here. New Zealand's landscape is not flat, and that climbing rating means you're not restricted to easy gradients. Steep suburban hills in Wellington, the longer inclines around Hamilton's lake paths, or fire roads above Christchurch are all manageable terrain.

Power and range for full-day sessions

The 864Wh Samsung 50S battery offers up to 50 km of real-world range on all terrain tyres. That is enough for most day trips without needing to think about charging mid-ride. The board charges in around four hours using the included 5A fast charger, so an overnight top-up before a weekend session is all you need.

Dual 3500W brushless sensored motors give a combined 7000W output. On climbs, that power is what pulls a 120 kg maximum load rider up a 45% gradient without the motor labouring. On flats, the EFOC 2.0 controller delivers smooth, consistent throttle response rather than the lurch you get from less refined systems.

Top speed in all terrain configuration is 50 km/h, though on unsealed trails most riders will sit well below that. The speed ceiling matters less than the torque and control at lower speeds, which is where the Diablo Carbon genuinely performs.

Where these boards work well in New Zealand

Auckland's network of coastal and harbour paths suits an all terrain setup far better than street-only wheels. Many of these paths transition between sealed concrete and packed gravel, and swapping wheels mid-ride is not realistic. The Diablo Carbon handles the full run without compromise.

Around Wellington, wind and hills are the defining challenge. The strong motor output helps on exposed climbs, and the rigid platform feels more predictable in gusty conditions than a flexy deck.

For riders based in Queenstown or visiting for a weekend, the combination of mountain scenery and varied surface quality makes the all terrain configuration the obvious choice. Gravel car parks, sealed pathways, dirt tracks and road sections all appear within a short riding area.

Christchurch's flat grid might seem like street wheel territory, but the city's network extends into the Port Hills and surrounding trails where all terrain capability earns its place.

Control and customisation

The Phaze remote is CNC aluminium, dual trigger, with an LCD screen showing speed, battery level and ride data. It is weighted and sized properly for longer sessions, which matters more than it sounds on a two-hour ride.

The Explore by Evolve app connects via Bluetooth and lets you adjust acceleration curves, braking sensitivity and ride modes. ECO keeps things manageable on unknown terrain. SPORT and CORSA open up the full performance range when you are confident in the surface ahead. Custom mode lets you dial in exactly what you want.

Front and rear LED lights with app-customisable settings are integrated into the board. Useful for visibility on early morning starts or when a trail run extends later than planned.

Who this board suits

• Riders who want one board that covers both road and trail without swapping wheel sets constantly
• Heavier riders up to 120 kg who need the structural confidence of a rigid platform
• Anyone chasing high-speed stability and wants the deck rigidity that carbon provides
• Weekend riders covering 20 to 40 km across mixed terrain in a single session
• Riders who have outgrown a street board and want genuine off-road capability without moving to a purpose-built off-road setup like the Renegade

If you primarily ride sealed surfaces and value a surfy, flexible feel underfoot, the Diablo Bamboo is a better match. The Carbon platform trades that flex for precision and stability, which is the right trade-off for adventurous, mixed terrain riding.

What is in the box

The Diablo Carbon All Terrain ships with the board, a 5A fast charger, the Phaze remote with leash and USB-C cable, a Y-tool and spare screws. Everything you need to ride is included. Bindings and conversion kits are available separately if you want to expand the setup later.

Ordering is straightforward through the Evolve New Zealand website, with delivery across the country. There is no physical store locally, but the online ordering process is well supported and the help centre covers setup, maintenance and troubleshooting in detail.

You can find the Diablo Carbon All Terrain on the Evolve NZ website with full specs and ordering options.

People also ask

Is the Diablo Carbon All Terrain good for beginners?

It is a high-performance board with significant power, so it suits riders who have some experience with electric skateboards. The app lets you tune down acceleration and braking sensitivity, which helps newer riders ease in. That said, if you are completely new to e-skating, a board with a lower power ceiling may be a more comfortable starting point.

Can you ride it in the rain?

Evolve boards are not waterproof and water damage is not covered under warranty. The Diablo Carbon has improved sealing compared to older models, but riding in wet conditions is not recommended. Stick to dry days, especially on unsealed terrain where puddles and mud are unpredictable.

What is the difference between the Diablo Carbon and Diablo Bamboo?

The Carbon deck is rigid with zero flex, which improves high-speed stability and control on rough terrain. It is also lighter than the Bamboo in direct comparison. The Bamboo provides natural flex and a more forgiving, surf-like ride. Both share the same motors, battery and controller. The deck choice changes how the board feels underfoot, not how much power it has.

Does it handle New Zealand's hills?

Yes. The 45%+ hill gradient rating covers most real-world climbs you will encounter on New Zealand roads and trails. Wellington's steep streets and Queenstown's surrounding terrain are well within its capability.

Can you convert to street wheels later?

Yes. A street conversion kit is available separately, which includes the drive gears, belts and wheel set needed to run 97mm or 107mm urethane wheels. The 2-in-1 version of the board ships with both wheel sets included if you want that flexibility from day one.

For weekend riding that takes you further than the footpath, the Diablo Carbon All Terrain is the most capable setup in the Evolve lineup short of the purpose-built Renegade. Rigid platform, serious range, genuine all terrain tyres and enough power to handle whatever the weekend throws at it.