If you've been hanging around the skate park lately, you've probably noticed more people rocking brunny slide blocks on their quad setups. It wasn't that long ago that park skating on rollersnakes was mostly about air and carving, but once sliding and grinding became the "it" thing, the hardware had to catch up. Brunny Hardcore really stepped up to the plate with these blocks, and they've quickly become a staple for anyone looking to do more than just roll around the transitions.
The first thing you notice about these blocks is that they don't look like the chunky, oversized plastic bricks we used to see back in the day. They have this sleek, minimalist design that makes your skates look fast even when you're just standing on the deck. But looks aside, the real magic is in how they actually perform when you're hitting the coping or a rail.
Why the Shape Actually Matters
A lot of people ask if the shape of your slide block really makes a difference, and the short answer is: absolutely. When you're looking at brunny slide blocks, you'll see they have a very specific curvature and a low-profile fit. This isn't just for aesthetics. The goal here is to give you enough surface area to lock into a slide without having so much bulk that you're constantly clipping your wheels or bottoming out on the floor when you're just trying to turn.
One of the coolest things about the Brunny design is how they sit between the wheels. They've managed to find that "Goldilocks" zone where the block is wide enough to feel stable during a stall, but slim enough that you don't lose that agile feeling of your quad skates. If you've ever skated a block that was too wide, you know the struggle of "wheel bite" on the block itself—it's annoying and can actually be pretty dangerous if you're hitting a high-speed carve. Brunny seems to have solved that through some clever engineering.
The Feel of the Slide
Let's talk about the material. Most slide blocks are made from some form of high-density plastic, usually UHMW (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight polyethylene). It's basically a fancy way of saying it's a self-lubricating, super tough plastic that loves to slip. When you're using brunny slide blocks, the slide feels consistent. That's the keyword: consistency.
There's nothing worse than hitting a rail and having your blocks "grab" or stick halfway through. It's a great way to end up face-first on the concrete. These blocks have a very predictable slickness. Whether you're hitting metal coping, concrete ledges, or PVC piping, they offer a smooth transition. You don't have to wax them nearly as much as some other brands, though a little bit of speed cream or wax never hurts if the ledge is particularly crusty.
Getting the Right Fit for Your Plate
This is where things can get a little bit tricky for skaters. Not every slide block fits every plate, and brunny slide blocks are no exception. They are designed to be pretty universal, but because quad skate plates come in so many different angles and widths, you really have to do your homework before you buy.
Usually, they come with different sized hangers. The hangers are the metal bits that bridge the gap between your plate and the block itself. If you're running Powerdyne Thrust plates, Sunlite plates, or even something more high-end like Avanti Magnesiums, there's usually a configuration that works. I've seen some people get frustrated during the install, but honestly, it's just part of the process. Once you get the right hanger size dialed in, they sit nice and flush.
One tip I always give people is to check the kingpin clearance. You want your blocks to be high enough that they don't drag on the ground, but low enough that you can actually reach the coping. If they're tucked too far up under the plate, you'll end up grinding on your kingpin nuts instead of the block, and that's a fast way to ruin your hardware.
Transitioning from Flat to Slides
If you're moving from a standard "flat" setup to one with brunny slide blocks, give yourself a little bit of grace. It feels different. Your center of gravity on a stall changes slightly because you're now resting on the block rather than just your wheels or the arch of your foot.
At first, you might feel a bit "slick" on the coping. Without blocks, your wheels kind of "hug" the pipe. With blocks, you're sitting on top of it. It takes a few sessions to get used to that feeling of sliding rather than sticking. But once it clicks? It opens up a whole new world of tricks. Suddenly, you aren't just dropping in; you're doing frontside stalls, backslides, and maybe even working your way up to full-blown grinds across the entire bowl.
Durability and Long-Term Use
I've put my brunny slide blocks through the wringer over the last six months. I'm talking about crusty DIY spots, local park metal coping, and even some rough granite ledges. They hold up surprisingly well. You'll definitely see some "scars"—deep scratches and a bit of shaving off the bottom—but that's what they're there for. They are meant to be a sacrificial part of your skate.
It's way cheaper to replace a pair of blocks every year or two than it is to replace your actual plates because you ground them down to the kingpins. The material is dense enough that it doesn't just flake away. It wears down slowly and evenly, which keeps your slides feeling the same over the life of the product.
The "Hardcore" Community
It's worth mentioning that when you buy these, you're kind of joining a specific corner of the skate community. Brunny Hardcore is a brand that really lives and breathes the park scene. They aren't some massive corporate entity; they're skaters making stuff for skaters. You can tell by the little details, like the packaging and the way they interact with the community on social media.
Using brunny slide blocks feels a bit like a nod to other park skaters. It says you're serious about your hardware but you also appreciate a brand that has some soul. I've had more conversations at the park sparked by my blocks than almost any other part of my setup.
A Few Installation Hacks
If you're about to mount these yourself, here's a bit of advice from someone who's done it a dozen times. First, make sure you have a good skate tool and maybe a set of needle-nose pliers. Sometimes getting the nuts onto the kingpins with the hangers in the way can be a bit of a finger-cramping experience.
Also, don't be afraid to use a few washers if you need to adjust the height. Every plate is different, and sometimes a 2mm difference in height can be the difference between a perfect slide and a frustrating "clunk" every time you hit a bump. Also, check your cushions while you're at it. Since you have to take the trucks off to install the blocks anyway, it's the perfect time to see if your bushings are shot or if you need to upgrade to something a bit stiffer for better stability in the park.
Are They Worth It?
At the end of the day, you have to ask if the investment is worth it. Brunny slide blocks aren't the cheapest ones on the market, but they definitely aren't the most expensive either. For the price, you're getting a piece of equipment that is purpose-built for high-impact skating.
If you're just cruising the boardwalk, you don't need these. Save your money. But if you're looking at a half-pipe and thinking, "I want to slide across that whole thing," then yeah, they are absolutely worth it. They give you the confidence to try tricks that would be physically impossible on a bare plate.
The learning curve is there, and the installation can be a minor headache depending on your plate, but the payoff is huge. There's no feeling quite like hitting a long grind and hearing that specific "shhhhh" sound of plastic on metal. It's addictive, and once you start sliding, you'll wonder how you ever skated without them.
Just remember to keep an eye on your hardware. Check your nuts and bolts every few sessions, especially after a heavy day of grinding. Vibrations from the park can loosen things up over time, and you don't want a block coming loose mid-run. Stay safe, wear your pads, and go get those slides!