What are The Best Cruiser Skateboards? | 2020

Cruising around on a skateboard is fun and good for you, it is a green form of travel that has few economic overheads.

There are no traffic jams, parking problems, and no fuel costs. You cannot get a parking or speeding ticket either!

Choosing the best cruiser skateboards for needs is a time-consuming task but this article and review should help you and free up your time in the process.  We have compiled the ultimate buyer’s guide. Read on.

What are The Best Cruiser Skateboards?

• Best Cruiser for Adults: Sunset Ghost Cruiser Skateboards
• Best Cruiser in 2018: Santa Cruz Ratboy Shark LG Skateboards
• Best Cruiser in 2019: District Bogan Cruiser Skateboards
• Best for Cruising: Penny Cruiser Skateboards
• Best Cruiser in 2020: Quest QT-NSC44C Skateboards
• Best under 100: Retrospec Zed Bamboo Skateboard
• Best Wood Cruiser: Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboards
• Best Mini Cruiser: Cal 7 Mini Cruiser Skateboards
• Best for Cruising Around Town: Playshion Cruiser Skateboards
• Best Budget: ChromeWheels Cruiser Skateboards
• Best for Smooth Ride: VOLADOR Cruiser Skateboards
• Best for Trick: MINORITY Maple Skateboards
• Best for Beginner: Skatro Cruiser Skateboards
• Best for College: Landyachtz Cruiser Skateboards

Best Cruiser Skateboards Reviews 2020

Quest QT-NSC44C Cruiser Skateboard

We begin with this super cruiser longboard from Quest.

The name is well known and the features of this board are very much the quality that you would expect from such a brand. The 7-ply wooden deck combining of hardwood maple and super-flex bamboo, for example, and the 70mm polyurethane wheels with an 80A hardness.

I can’t promise you phenomenal performance when jumping and bouncing, but they do give the feeling of adventure, speed, and freedom as you ride.

This cruiser board is the best choice for both beginners and professionals because of its superb stability and control whether riding down hills, around the city full of foot traffic, or on campus.

Sadly, the wheels are not robust enough to handle harsh terrains like rocks or cracks, so ride it on easy, flat surfaces only.

Product Specs

Retrospec Zed Bamboo Cruiser Skateboard

Next up, another good board for all riders, whether you are an expert or just a beginner: the Retrospec Zed Bamboo Cruiser Skateboard.

With a cool and eye-catching design, its look is polished more than ever when riding on sunny days.

The top feature is the durability of the board. Unbelievably this small board can carry up to 150kg whilst giving skateboarders a smooth and comfortable ride.

It has one capability that Quest boards don’t have: it can roll over cracks, stones, and debris because of the hard wheels.

Another big bonus that those who are concerned about the environment will appreciate is the eco-friendly materials used in the construction of the board. Not only are they non-toxic, there also considered to be stronger than traditional wood.

Product Specs

Playshion 39 Inch Cruiser Skateboard

This skateboard looks very sturdy and has a reinforced fiberglass plus PP deck that can carry up to 220 lbs. Both kids and adults will enjoy this board.

What I like about this Playshion skateboard the unique anti wheel bite feature underneath the deck. This feature allows you to turn left and right dramatically without getting a hard stop.

The high-quality deck, the wheels are made from soft PU measuring 59mm in diameter and have ABEC-9 bearings that ship fully oiled for smooth gliding. The solid aluminum trucks also hold the wheels in place very well.

The Playshion includes a T-tool with the package that helps you adjust the wheels and trucks to fit your own riding style.

Overall, this is a great starter skateboard. You couldn’t be happier getting yourself or a loved one this skateboard.

Product Specs

ChromeWheels 31 inch Cruiser Skateboard

It is possible for a cruiser skateboard to be used for tricks. The key elements lay in its dimensions, wheel size, kicktail, and hardness of wheels.

With the ChromeWheels 31”, you have ABEC-7 bearings, a stiff 8-ply maple deck, and ultra-small wheels that help you gain speed to support for your tricks. Furthermore, the board features a double kick concave, which makes for easier braking and better control.

The best part of the  ChromeWheels 31” is the additional anti-shock ability on the wheels that prevent speed wobbles: The smaller the skateboard’s wheels, the easier it causes wobbles and this is why these specialized PU wheels are so valuable.

The emery non-slip surface to emphasize superior grip during skating is a superb feature allowing you to retain your balance at high speed.

Product Specs

See also:

• • Affordable Skateboard Decks
  • 7 Noteworthy Skateboard Trucks
  • 13 Good Skateboard Wheels
  • Essential Skateboard Bearings
  • Essential Skateboard Bearings
  • Independent 1.25″ Skateboard Hardware
  • Clear Grip Tape (optional)

Skatro Mini Cruiser Skateboard

This is an incredible cruiser skateboard.

It’s a well-built board from Skatro and the highlight has to be the signature Skatro Flexy Technology that is worth every cent.

Beginners may find it a bit struggle to keep your balance at first, however, once you find your footing the ride is awesome.

Compared to the Penny Boards, I like this model because of its price and performance.

I won’t say that the Skatro Mini Cruiser Board is ready out of the box as you will need to make some adjustments to loosen it for smoother turns. This why they include a T-tool.

Because of its lack of stability over rocks or cracks the ride can be precarious, so make sure you’re confident with your cruising skills when riding this board on the roads.

The significantly small dimensions are a great help, allowing you to maneuver easily through sharp turns.

In brief, for those looking for a cruiser skateboard as a means of transportation across city blocks or around your college campus, I highly recommend this.

Product Specs

Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboard

Small in size it will come as no surprise than the Magneto Mini Cruiser is so light that even a kid can easily carry it around. The board is compact enough to hang behind your backpack for transportation whenever it’s not in use.

The really big feature, however, must be the superb construction with an emphasis on the multi-ply premium maple deck and superior quality wheels that easily carry a weight of up to 275 lbs.

The board does have some flex allowing you to control your ride through crowded foot traffic without bumping into anyone.

Acceleration is not fantastic but the small-sized medium-hardness wheels combined with a compatible wheelbase do retain speed well. Therefore, this board a good choice for short-distance cruising.

Product Specs

Cal 7 Cruiser Skateboard

At under $28, I initially didn’t expect much from the Cal 7 longboard other than basic functions for beginner riders. However, it gives much more than what I bargained for.

Compared to ordinary cheap longboards, this board is different. The first difference is the additional HR95A bushes and 3mm riser pads that almost eliminate wheel bite when carving.

Next, the grip tape on this board is applied carefully edge-to-edge to ensure is holds up well against harsh use. Even when performing stunts or tricks, the bottom shows minimal wear.

This is the most affordable cruiser skateboard with a 1-year warranty by far.

Product Specs

Playshion Mini Cruiser Skateboard

Product Specs

VOLADOR 42inch Freeride Cruiser Longboard

Kid’s skateboards have not been been divided into for boys and for girls as yet.

However, boards for girls are more about design, style, and safety features. For girls, the VOLADOR 42” cruiser to consider.

The small size is nothing to be concerned about and the board is light enough to carry around. The drop deck is another bonus to help riders easily stand, keep their balance, and cruise around. There is a bigger deck that comes with bigger wheelbase and trucks.

The trucks in this cruiser are built with a special ability that flips to 50 degrees for more responsive riding and turning accuracy.

The unique, eye-catching artwork of these VOLADOR 42” longboard will make your daughter happy with this board.

Product Specs

Cal 7 22-Inch Mini Cruiser Skateboard

The biggest selling point of the Cal 7 Complete Mini Cruiser is the colorful, bright design making it one of the trendiest in my collection. Whenever riding this board, I feel as if this micro board is an artifact left over from an energetic and hot summer. That’s how wonderful the design is!

At just 22 inches with ABEC 7 grade bearings the board is perfect for all ages while the lightness and portability make this board super easy to carry around. Just strap it to your backpack and there you go.

Whether you are crossing your school campus, going to a nearby store, or weaving in and out pedestrians, you hardly notice it’s on your back.

Sadly the board has the same weakness as the Quest skateboard.  Soft wheels. This means rocks and cracks are going to be your worst enemies.

Product Specs

Merkapa Cruiser Skateboard

Imagine have a superb light show your control. This Merkapa skateboard is a firework display right at your feet. Small kids and even teenagers will get excited about this board.

You don’t even need to put batteries inside the wheels and they light up with energy generated from the rolling wheels and whenever you roll, the lights shine.

The deck measures 22” long and 6” wide. It fits little feet very well. It’s made from PP plastic making the board lightweight and tough. PP plastic is the kind of high-quality plastic they use in the lab and can withstand temperatures of up to 300 Fahrenheit.

The base of this board is made from high-quality aluminum and the wheels have ABEC-7 bearings. There are also many colors to choose from. Personally, I like the multicolored one as It looks like a Popsicle to me!

In a nutshell, this is a great beginner skateboard that will get you well on your way to becoming a master.

Product Specs

ENKEEO 22 Inch Cruiser Skateboard

For under $30, let see what features the ENKEEO 22” longboard has.

First, a polypropylene deck may be plastic but it very tough and bendable ensuring two basic things: stiffness and flex. It is not so flexible that you can see your kids fall off, but just enough to help them learn how to ride and have fun with their board.

If you have no idea of how to assemble a cruiser, don’t worry, this affordable board arrives fully pre-assembled so your kids can ride it out of the box.

22 by 6 inches in dimension, the ENKEEO can carry a load of up to 220 pounds, which means if you’re a young adult with small feet, this is worth considering. The wheels are specially made for this model, with resistant PU for long term use.

Finally, this unit is one of the rare cruisers have the CE certification for safety, health and environmental protection.

Product Specs

You may also like:

• • Affordable Skateboard Decks
  • 7 Noteworthy Skateboard Trucks
  • 13 Good Skateboard Wheels
  • Essential Skateboard Bearings
  • Essential Skateboard Bearings
  • Independent 1.25″ Skateboard Hardware
  • Clear Grip Tape (optional)

Which are the best cruiser skateboard Brands?

Retrospec

Retrospec is an outdoor-gear brand established in 2009 by Ely Khakshouri an outdoor enthusiast and up to now, their lines are varied, including cruiser skateboards. Retrospec focuses on perfectionism, from style to quality and especially, performance.

Quest

A well-known brand that always impresses customers with its huge product range for all levels of riders. With Quest’s cruiser skateboards, especially, riders get a well-balanced board with amazing design aspects and features. The price is budget-friendly.

Playshion

Differing from the two previous brands, Playshion is a new entrant to the market but has quickly become a reliable producer and provider in the skateboarding industry.

They are a Chinese company but have many certifications such as CTI and GVS anti-terrorism certificate tp help get a foothold in this competitive industry.

ChromeWheels

Like Playshion, ChromeWheels is a newcomer and has two showrooms: one in the USA and one in Hongkong; clear proof for they are growing.

Their success is due to high-quality products that have proven themselves in Canada, ASTM, European Union, and so on. Their best seller is their cruiser skateboard for tricks.

Skatro

The story of Skatro is interesting because they were a small start-up company. Their products are the key elements for their success. They create their own technology and self-produce many components that make their products unique in terms of performance.

Magneto

An OG in the skateboarding industry, Magneto has over 50 years of experience. They are a multiproduct company and customers love them.

The best thing about Magneto cruisers is that they are made in the USA, exceptional customer service and the customer service and warranties are excellent

Cal 7

Cal 7 was established in the 1970s and built on the raw skate culture, combined with contemporary innovation, making them a legend in the skateboarding world. Competitively priced and customer-friendly designs are two key-core strengths that help Cal 7 beat off other competitors.

VOLADOR

I love VOLADOR a lot for their futuristic vision about the environment. Despite their enormous product lines, they have tried their best to use as few toxic materials as possible, such as using epoxy glue to make their boards.

Their sleek, catchy colors and patterns are another strength that woe customers.

Merkapa

In contrast to Cal 7, Merkapa cruiser skateboards have a modern look and use the latest technologies. Their products are always designed with customers in mind that aim to satisfy their “GOD” as much as possible. For this reason, their products usually receive compliments for both quality and affordability.

ENKEEO

Not many people have heard of ENKEEO, however, my appreciation for them is due to their sophistication and hard work to ensure that every single released board delivers good price and good quality. They are a rare brand that ensures products have good performance while maintaining the lowest price on the market.

How to Choose the Best Cruising Boards – The Definitive Buyer Guide

The right equipment for skateboarding does matter!

Learning and practicing also matter,  but if the board you choose isn’t suitable, it’s hard to show off your real talent no matter how professional or laborious in training you are.

Never underestimate the importance of purchasing the correct skateboard while considering these four elements:

Wheels, trucks, bearings, and decks.

Wheels

There are four common types of wheel: the 48mm, the 52mm, the 56mm, and the 60mm, with the most common size or cruising being 52mm and the 56mm.

Keep in mind this basic rule of thumb when choosing wheels:
The smaller the wheels, the slower the speed, and the faster the acceleration.

There are three main things to determine the ideal size of wheels: Deck width, your body weight, and the terrain you’re going to cruise on.

Deck width.

Many people make the mistake of selecting large wheels for narrow decks and smaller wheels for more expansive decks when it should be the opposite.

You should choose wheels that are as small or big as the deck is, otherwise, they will wear out quickly due to wheel bite.

Bodyweight

When it comes to body weight and the longboard wheels’ size the heavier the skaters, the larger the wheels should be.

If a heavy rider chooses a deck with small wheels or when a kid is skating on wheels that are too large, it’s obviously hard to control turns, speed, and the ride. In some cases, you may be unbalanced and fall off.

Terrains

Larger wheels deliver better stability so, the more challenging the surface you’re going to cruise on (such as sandy terrains), the larger the wheels need to be.

Also, don’t forget to choose the right hardness as well.

Trucks

They are the t-shaped parts attached to the lower side of a longboard deck with both ends for placing wheels.

Trucks are responsible for wheels turning while they are rolling, especially when you cruise around corners.

Without trucks, it’s impossible to turn well.

When it comes to choosing trucks, you should remember the deck width as well unless you prefer them to be visible from both sides.

To cut a long story short, you should go for standard-sized trucks to get the best performance when cruising as well as minimize wheel bite when going downhills.

Bearings

For those who don’t know what bearings are, this part is placed inside the wheels (usually made out of metal) that allow them to be mounted on the axle.

There are various sizes of bearings that are generally based on the size of the axle and wheels.

The first thing you should keep in mind when choosing a cruising skateboard is the quality of the bearings. Poor quality bearings should be replaced.

How to Choose Cruiser Decks – The Definitive Buyer Guide

To find out the best cruiser deck, first thing first, you need to determine is the terrain that you are going to skate on. Will there be foot traffic? Or, are there hills? These dictate how long the deck should be.

For example, if you’re going to skate to work, to class or to the nearby shopping mall, it’s essential to consider a longer cruiser deck to help you weave in and out the pedestrians. On the other hand where there is no foot traffic at all, but just terrain, such as hills or slopes, the deck needs to be more stable and shred-able but still work well for cruising, my advice is to go for a smaller one.

There are still many things in terms of deck length and two other key elements to consider are kicktail and the springy-ness of the deck.

Deck length

This is the easiest element to consider amongst three.

Deck lengths vary between 28”-46” and in brief, they are divided into three major kinds: the short, the mid-sized and the long.

If you still have no idea of where to begin, choose the mid-sized deck 32” to 42” that has all advantages of both and will be good for all types of riding. The longboards cruising the streets these days are mostly in this range.

Now, when the terrain is flat and you need a cruiser deck to practice your board-walking skills, go for the longer one (usually from 42” to 46”).

It’s also perfect for long, relaxed rides on the sidewalk as well.

The longer board, the heavier it is. If you don’t mind carrying a heavy cruiser longboard around, just go ahead.

The short deck.

Usually ranging from 28” to 32”, this kind of cruising deck is suitable for small or young riders.

Note:

Actually, you use a smaller deck for cruising, if you’re a pro in skateboarding in general. It is better and safer for novice riders to keep within the range of 28”-46” until you get comfortable.

Kicktail

The question is whether you should go for a kicktail or no kicktail at all.

For those who don’t understand the term, a kicktail is a raised tail that is used in some riding positions and tricks whilst making the skateboard itself more aesthetically appealing.

Two typical examples of a kicktail are the near symmetrical shape you can find in the Honey AMP 6 Longboard Skateboard Deck and the twin-tip shape of the Loaded Dervish Longboard Skateboard Deck.

It is not compulsory to go for a kicktail. It’s a matter of choice.

With a kicktail, you can do tricks, make quick turns, or even pop up and down curbs more conveniently.

Without it, you can maximize board stability. This is a good choice for novice riders.

Note:

The wheelbase is the distance from one axle to the other.

The springy-ness of the deck

It’s your choice to choose between a stiff or flexy deck.

Again, this is a matter of preference. Each type of deck will bring you certain benefits, so, read the descriptions for each one below to understand

Stiff longboard deck

A stiff longboard delivers better stability when you cruise downhill and if pedestrians aren’t your concern, but just the hills or slopes, go for this. It also gives you a better “direct” response in your lean and sway, which is something you don’t find in the flexy boards.

Flexy longboard deck

Despite its weaknesses, flexy boards are great at shock absorption over rough terrains and do relieve some of the stress on your knees and ankles. They also allow you to skate a little bit lower to the ground than the stiff ones helping to adjust your center of gravity to push or keep balance more easily.

If a flexy board is what you’re looking for, you need to consider one more:  flex levels.

You can opt for a small amount of flex and get some shock dampening effects for skating on rough terrains and some extra leverage through turns.

Choosing the flex levels is based on your body weight mostly.

Many companies are very helpful and they offer different flex options on certain longboard decks to make it easier to choose.

The thing about selecting the right flex of a board is that it will give you a closer ride to the ground as well as a better shock dampening over stiff ones.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about cruiser skateboards and related stuff. (Beginners shouldn’t ignore!)

Are cruiser skateboards easy to ride?

For getting around town or from one place to another, cruiser skateboards are perfect. The pointed front helps them cut through the air easily and the soft wheels for decent shock absorption help riders get to top speed with smooth riding experience.

What are the differences between cruisers and skateboards?

Two biggest differences between these two kinds of the board are wheels and deck shape.

Skateboards are better for tricks while a cruiser isn’t. If you’re looking for a board to commute over different terrains, a cruiser is good to go.

What is the best mini cruiser skateboard?

A good mini cruiser skateboard should come in with the following features:

• A kick tail end for trick performance
• ABEC high rated bearings
• High-quality wheels
• Compact trucks
• Extended long deck

My top-rated options are

• Skatro Mini Cruiser 22x6inch
• Magneto Mini Cruiser
• Playshion Complete 22 Inch Mini Cruiser
• Cal 7 22-Inch Mini Cruiser

What size cruiser board should I get?

Cruisers vary in size and between 25” – 46” in length and 7” – 9” in width.

The longer the board, the better it is for carving while the wider it is, the more comfortable it is for riders. To determine which size cruiser board you should choose, take a look at this table.

What is the difference between a longboard and a penny board?

The biggest differences between these two kinds of boards are size and versatility. A penny board is much smaller yet less versatile than a longboard and mostly used for daily use such as cruising around or transport between places whilst a longboard can be used for sport or a competition.

What is the difference between a cruiser board and a longboard?

Well, there many: Size, wheels, terrains, distances, speed, and the effort a rider spends maintaining speed. See this table:

Note: All comparisons are based on general measurements and the standard double-kick tail skateboard.

Should I get my first penny boards at Zumiez?

My answer is “No!”.

It doesn’t mean that Zumiez penny boards are bad. They are alright but there are two major reasons stopping me from encouraging you to use them for your very first penny board:

• Zumiez employees’ specializations
• Price range

You will get little help from their employees while looking for the first board because their specializations are more about thrasher shirts and skate shoes than boards.

And the price, I personally find penny boards sold by Zumiez are more expensive than other local stores. So, it is best to go to a locally-owned shop rather than getting little help from Zumiez. Just my opinion!

What is the main function of a shortboard and skateboard?

Shortboards and skateboards are both used for riding but there are some small differences.

While shortboards are specialized for vert skateboarding, city riding, and trick oriented skateboarding, skateboards can cruise pretty well. They come in various sizes, they are also used for different types of riding styles, from skateboard tricks to city riding, and they are just not as professional as the shortboards.

What size Penny board should I get?

This feature depends on your shoe size, your skating experience, and the purpose of the board.

If your shoe size is less than 13, an original penny board of 22 inches is alright. In the meantime, novice riders with bigger feet should opt for 27inch Nickel Boards.

If you’re a professional skateboarder, a penny board is a worthwhile try for its portability. However, if you’re okay with a heavier board, a 33” standard model will help you become a super trickster.

In terms of purpose, a 22” penny board is great for short-distance rides with sharp turns whilst a 27” Nickel board is better for adult beginners to ride with ease and comfort.

What is faster a penny board or a longboard?

Many people think a longboard will be slower than a penny board in a downhill race. However, it’s only true for a penny board with $90 ceramic bearings versus a longboard with $80 ones.

Just gliding down a hill, using the same bearings and wheels, a longboard will reach the same velocity as a penny board (proved by science).

What a surprise!

Conclusion

I know this is a long article so, I hope it helped

If there are any interesting boards you want me to review, or if you’ve got some useful tips and tricks related to skateboards, feel free to share them with me and other readers in the comment section below.

Again, thanks for spending time on my website.

Happy boarding!

If you enjoy reading this post, you most likely will enjoy reading these posts on the accessories needed to build a beginner skateboard or pro skateboard from scratch.

• • Affordable Skateboard Decks
  • 7 Noteworthy Skateboard Trucks
  • 13 Good Skateboard Wheels
  • Essential Skateboard Bearings
  • Essential Skateboard Bearings
  • Independent 1.25″ Skateboard Hardware
  • Clear Grip Tape (optional)