Best Waterproof Electric Skateboard: Which ONSRA Board to Buy for Rainy Rides

Our original VELAR rain test video (the original VELAR, not the VELAR 2.0 S further down). Tap the thumbnail to play.

If you are looking for the best waterproof electric skateboard, you have probably noticed the problem: most brands tell you to avoid water at all costs. That is fine until you actually live somewhere it rains. Commutes do not wait for sunshine, and a board that stays in the hallway every time the sky turns grey is not much of a board.

This guide is for the moment you are ready to buy. We will walk you through which ONSRA board makes sense if you want a rain-ready electric skateboard, how the ONSRA electric skateboards differ from each other, and why they are different from most other electric skateboards on the market. The short version: ONSRA boards come with an O-ring that seals the enclosure, the boards below list IP 65 on their product pages, and they are, to our knowledge, the only boards we know of that are actually tested in the rain. We film those tests, and you can see one right above.

One rule comes with all of that. It is the most important thing in this whole article, so here it is right away.

Which ONSRA board should you buy for rainy rides? The quick answer

• You want a bamboo-deck longboard that carves: the BLACK Carve 4 (BC4), available as Street or All Terrain.
• You want something compact with a kicktail: the Challenger 2.0 All Terrain (Challenger AT), or the Street version.
• You want the biggest battery, 200mm all-terrain tires and a carbon deck: the VELAR 2.0 S.

Every one of these lists IP 65 on its own product page. So the real question is not which one is the “rain board”. It is which one fits the way you ride when it is wet. Details below.

Why ONSRA boards are different from other electric skateboards

Plenty of brands print “water resistant” somewhere in the small print. Here is what we do differently, and what we do not claim.

1. An O-ring between the deck and the enclosure

The O-ring is a mechanical gasket, a loop of elastomer, that sits between the deck and the enclosure. According to our O-ring product page, it gives you better water resistance, makes the board easier to service and take apart, and adds better shock absorption. On the Challenger and VELAR product pages the water resistance line reads “IP 65 (Enclosure Sealed with O-Ring)”.

2. A listed IP 65 rating on the product page

The BLACK Carve 4 spec sheet lists “Waterproof: IP 65”, and the Challenger 2.0 and VELAR 2.0 S pages list IP 65 as well. We only quote what is on those pages. IP 65 is generally described as dust-tight and protected against water jets. It is not a rating for being submerged, so please do not treat it as permission to ride through deep water.

3. We actually test it in the rain, on camera

This is the part we are proud of. In our waterproof test we went through puddles, heavy splashes and full wet rides. We said back then that when the board was properly sealed, no water got inside as long as the screws were tight and sealed properly. To our knowledge, ONSRA boards are the only boards we know of that are actually tested in the rain, and we put the footage on YouTube so you can judge for yourself. It makes for a better rain tested electric skateboard story than a line of marketing copy.

4. We tell you the truth about the limits

Our own test article is blunt about it: no electric skateboard is 100% waterproof. That is why the open-it-up-afterwards rule exists, and why the care checklist below is part of owning one of these boards.

BLACK Carve 4 (BC4): the longboard for riders who love to carve

Video: the BLACK Carve 4. This video is not a rain test.

The BC4 is the board we call our most advanced electric longboard so far. It pairs a bamboo deck with some flex with the new Gear Drive and a 14S battery (14S3P on the spec sheet). Our product page describes the drivetrain as smooth, quiet and low-maintenance, and the handling as precise carving.

On the rain side of things, the BC4 spec sheet lists IP 65 and an enclosure made of a flexible special polymer. It also lists 115mm rubber wheels, a deck of 102cm x 27.5cm, a weight of 15.5kg (34lbs) and a max load of 150kg (330lbs). Range is listed as 50km (31 miles) in ECO mode and 40km (25 miles) in BRUTALE mode, listed for a 75kg rider.

Street or AT? The Street version is the one with the street wheels, the AT version has large all-terrain pneumatic tires. If you ride mostly paved commutes, start with Street. If your wet rides include rough paths and gravel, look at AT.

Who it is for: riders who want a longboard feel, a lighter board than the VELAR and a drivetrain that needs little attention.

Buy BLACK Carve 4 StreetBuy BLACK Carve 4 AT

Want to see the whole range? Browse the BLACK Carve 4 collection.

Challenger 2.0 AT: the compact kicktail with an O-ring sealed enclosure

Video: the Challenger AT. This video is not a rain test.

The Challenger is the shortest board of the three, with a 35 inch (90cm) deck, a kicktail and Belt Drive. The AT version rides on 150mm pneumatic all-terrain wheels (HOTA). Its product page lists a 12S2P Samsung 21700 battery at 432Wh, TKP trucks, a 6-ply maple and 2-ply fiberglass deck, and a high quality ABS plastic enclosure.

For rainy rides the key line is the water resistance entry: IP 65 (Enclosure Sealed with O-Ring). The page lists a weight of 10.1kg (22.2lbs), a max load of 150kg (330lbs), a range of 24km (15 miles) on the 150mm AT wheel, and a standard top speed of 45km/h (28mph). The Street version lists a range of 38km (24 miles) on 100mm Tarmax wheels and the same IP 65 entry.

Who it is for: riders who want a short, easy-to-carry board, who like a kicktail, and who want a rain-ready board without the size of a full longboard.

Buy Challenger 2.0 ATBuy Challenger 2.0 Street

More Challenger options live in the Challenger collection.

VELAR 2.0 S: maximum battery, 200mm tires and suspension trucks

Video: the VELAR 2.0 on a long ride with a heavy duty tire. This video is not a rain test. The rain test at the top of this page is the original VELAR.

The VELAR 2.0 S is the big one. Its product page describes a carbon fiber deck with low flex, a fiberglass enclosure, ONSRA CNC channel trucks and 200mm pneumatic all-terrain wheels. The S version comes with suspension trucks.

The listed numbers: a 14S4P Samsung 21700 battery at 1036Wh, a range of 60km (37 miles) on the 200mm AT wheels, a standard top speed of 62km/h (38mph), a weight of 18.4kg (39.6lbs) and a max load of 220kg (485lbs). For water resistance, the page says IP 65 (Enclosure Sealed with O-Ring).

Who it is for: riders who want the longest range and the most robust platform in the lineup and do not mind the extra weight. If you do not need suspension trucks, there is also the VELAR 2.0 Gear Drive, and the whole family is in the VELAR collection.

Buy VELAR 2.0 S

ONSRA rain-ready boards compared side by side

All values are taken from each board’s own product page. The BC4 column uses the BC4 spec sheet, which is shown on both the Street and the AT page and lists 115mm wheels. Real-world range depends on rider weight, terrain, wheels and settings.

After-ride rain care checklist

This is the routine we recommend after a ride in wet conditions. It comes straight from our own waterproof test and maintenance articles.

1. Dry the outside. Wipe down the deck and enclosure and dry the board thoroughly.
2. Open the board up. Open the enclosure / deck when you are done riding. This is the step that matters most.
3. Let the inside dry out. Give it time to dry before you close it again.
4. Check for trapped moisture. Condensation can build up inside even if no water got in while riding.
5. Look at the O-ring. Inspect the gasket between the deck and the enclosure and replace it if it is worn. A spare O-ring is available in our shop.
6. Close it up properly. Make sure the screws are tight and the enclosure is sealed correctly before the next ride.
7. Clean the drivetrain after wet or dirty roads. Water, sand and grit wear bearings faster than almost anything else, so keep an eye on them.

More routine care tips are in our electric skateboard maintenance guide.

What to look for when you buy a waterproof electric skateboard

Whatever brand you shop, these are the questions we would ask:

• Is there a seal you can see and replace? An O-ring or gasket between deck and enclosure is easier to inspect and service than a glued shell.
• Is a rating written on the product page? Look for a specific entry, not just “splash proof”.
• Has the brand actually tested it in the rain, and can you watch it?
• Can you open the board to dry it? Every board needs to dry out after a wet ride.
• What does the warranty say about water? Read it before you buy, not after.

FAQ: electric skateboards in the rain

Can you ride an electric skateboard in the rain?

With ONSRA boards, generally yes. Our boards come with an O-ring sealed enclosure, and we test them in the rain. But no electric skateboard is 100% waterproof, so after a rain ride you should open the board up, let it dry and check for trapped moisture. Details are in our waterproof test article.

What is the best waterproof electric skateboard?

It depends on how you ride. For a longboard feel, look at the BLACK Carve 4. For a compact kicktail board, the Challenger 2.0 AT. For the biggest battery and 200mm all-terrain tires, the VELAR 2.0 S. All three list IP 65 on their own product pages.

Are ONSRA electric skateboards waterproof?

We say water resistant and tested, not invincible. The Challenger and VELAR product pages list IP 65 with an enclosure sealed with an O-ring, and the BLACK Carve 4 spec sheet lists IP 65. Like every electric skateboard, none of them is 100% waterproof.

What is a rain tested electric skateboard?

It is a board whose maker has actually ridden it in wet conditions and shown the result. To our knowledge, ONSRA boards are the only boards we know of that are actually tested in the rain, and the test videos are on YouTube.

What does the O-ring do?

The O-ring is a gasket that sits between the deck and the enclosure. Our O-ring page lists better water resistance, easier servicing and better shock absorption as its features.

Do I really have to open my board after riding in the rain?

Yes. This is the rule we repeat everywhere. Even if no water gets in while you ride, condensation and moisture can build up inside. Open the board, let it dry out and check for trapped moisture.

What does IP 65 mean?

IP 65 is generally described as dust-tight and protected against water jets. It is not a submersion rating, so avoid deep water and standing water.

Does the warranty cover water damage?

Please read our warranty page. Among the exclusions it lists damage caused by riding through deep water or exposing the electronics to excessive moisture. Our waterproof test article also says water damage is not covered.

Street or AT for riding in the rain?

The water resistance entries are the same on both. The choice comes down to surface and wheels: street wheels for paved commutes, pneumatic all-terrain tires if your wet rides include rough ground.

Can I buy a spare O-ring?

Yes, there is a spare O-ring in our shop. Before you order, check which boards it fits: the O-Ring page lists it for the Black Carve 2, Black Carve 3 and Challenger.

Ready to pick your rain-ready ONSRA board?

Start with the full electric skateboard collection or go straight to your board. Stock and delivery times change, and some boards may be listed as preorder, so check the product page for current availability.

BLACK Carve 4 StreetBLACK Carve 4 ATChallenger 2.0 ATVELAR 2.0 S

Not sure which one fits? Write to us at eu@onsra.com and we will help you choose. And whichever board you pick: ride it, then open it up.