Hey everyone, I’m considering investing in an Armstrong foilboard but wanted to get some real world feedback first about it’s built quality. For those of you who’ve been riding their boards how’s the durability? Do they hold up well over time, especially with frequent use and abuse, and can last a lifetime? Any issues with dings, delamination, or structural integrity? Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
I have DW 107, FG 50L (so older models)
150-200 days a year on water with them.
Mostly waves and stink bug starts
No issue. I do have rail tapes on them.
My 50L did have a couple cracks from metal harness from the previous owner who was struggling with stink bug in high wind.
If you’re getting one specifically for Foildrive, be prepared to use an additional antenna 
Armstrong boards do not like a signal.
I got the DW 96L 6’8 used and have logged close to 80 sessions with it winging + sup foiling and it’s still going strong. Most durable board I’ve owned! On the other hand, I had a used beginner Armstrong wing board before that which got dinged in just a few sessions.
I have the DWP, 1+ year maybe 50-80 sessions. It has surprised me with how strong, only one chip. Rail taped it which I think helps, but no issues.
I’ve had a Gong which I destroyed in 1 year, and an Appletree which has held up very well with near constant use.
No issues in the 8 boards I’ve purchased. Sold a few to upgrade. Held good value. I always use the board bag, that’s the secret.
Which is more durable? Appletree or Armstrong?
just based on the closed cell foam utilized, appletree takes the nod for durability
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The Appletree is more robust. It doesn’t chip paint like the Armstrong does. I’ve been careful with the Armstrong as far as possible, with the Appletree it has just lived in the back of the car.
The Appletree does break, I’ve smashed the rail, and stabbed holes in it a few times, but easily repaired and doesn’t suck water.
comparing appletree and mass produced boards from china like armstrong and axis is like comparing a plastic chanel bag that cost $10 to make that they sell for $100 because of branding versus a handmade artisan made in italy that costs $50 to make selling for $100. the amount of margin you are wasting paying to the marketing team of armstrong, the distributors, etc… is insane.
I’d bet on Armstrong being the stronger option. My buddies, Laitham (205 lbs) and Gordon (165 lbs), both had the previous generation Armstrong prone board when it first came out. They prone a ton and go out for super long sessions—they’re absolute animals.
They each rode that board for a couple of years, hitting 4–5 sessions a week, 2–3 hours per day. Laitham can pump & carve like crazy (linking 5 - 14 waves), and Gordon is a freak! …nonstop carving & pumping (linking 10waves - 15minutes). So yeah, we’re talking well over 1,000 hours of prone use each.
Oh, and they’re both firemen at the same station too 
Flyline, Portal, and Appletree boards have also held up well in our group, but those two Armstrongs really blew me away.
Lots of Armstrong board around here, a few jumpers, and no durability problems. Several have added FoilDrive and equivalents to GG, ML and surfboards and had connection problems due to carbon build and tracks. V2 FoilDrive seems to be better from what I heard.