What Are The Best Longboards for Cruising? | 2020

In cruising, stability and comfortable standing space are the keys. The more stable the board, the better cruising.

That’s why when it comes to choosing the best cruiser board, my top choice is always longboards. They nail up three vital things: Length, Heft, and Wheelbase which are also the must-consider factors, at least in my standard, if you want to get the best longboards for cruising.

If you’re struggling in finding out a good one, my ultimate guide here will give you a hand.

See Also:

• Top 18 Best Longboard For Beginners In 2020 Review – Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide
• How to Choose Best Longboards for Heavy Riders In 2020: The Definitive Guide
• 47 Best Skateboards For Beginners In 2020: Selected By Me

Top 19 Best Longboards for Cruising Reviews In 2020

Retrospec Zed Bamboo Longboard

(For Beginner)

Retrospec Zed is the best example for the saying “Good designs don’t need to cost the Earth”.

While being one of the cheapest longboards in my list, it comes with many suitable high-quality components for beginners. Start firstly with the deck which is wisely mixed between sturdy maple wood and flexible bamboo.

For beginner riders, you might know that stability is a top priority when looking for a board. Don’t fret with this one since a little flex from 2 plies of bamboo only makes the unit more versatile to use later. On top of that, sturdiness and self-balance feature are still assured.

Another highlight is the wheels with extended width – 70 x 51 mm, delivering a more ground-contacting area for smoother riding. Each of them moreover has a rock finish for extra-durability to stay intact against harsh abuse and high impact.

Reverse kingpin trucks are the last worth-mentioning feature. They nail up two precious things – Reactive and smooth gliding that no beginners can’t fall for.

White Wave Bamboo Longboards

(For Heavy Riders)

The first-and-foremost feature making a cruiser longboard for heavy riders is higher weight capacity. With White Wave, it’s up to 250 – 270 pounds. And the board’s width is also extended to 9.5 inches to ensure fitting (probably) bigger feet.

What makes this unit stand out from other counterparts is its ability to ride fast even under heftier load and meanwhile, keeping the ride ultra-smooth and well-balanced.

That’s not only a big thank you to the mixed-material deck that significantly harmonizes the stiffness and flex in a board but also the soft wheels and good bearings.

While featuring up to ABEC-9 bearings which are insanely fast, the wheels are crafted from high rebound urethane to capably holding heavier load whereas giving a smooth ride over gravel patches. Combining with full grip tape, it ensures the self-balance ability of riders.

Therefore, even if you intend to conquer some nearby hills, no matter at all.

VOLADOR 42inch Freeride Longboard

(On City Streets & Campus)

My next pick is the Volador 42” Longboard, for its decent maneuverability. If you prefer to struggle yourself in different terrains, from flat ground to rough, rocky surface, this is the best go-to.

The 7” reverse kingpin trucks and ABEC-9 bearings excel its freeride performance whilst 42” deck gives enough comfort and control for riders. In fact, it’s more than just a cruiser board as you can freeride, board-walking and longboarding downhill.

I’m here to prove that. This Volador has stuck with me for 4 months now, riding on many nearby slopes, over cracks, rocks, and grass, its performance is phenomenal. But what amazes me the most is its stability and superbly fast speed that I found no wobbles during any ride downhill. Incredible!

If you’re also an environmentalist, pick this. Its maple deck includes 8 plies and each veneer is utilized the eco-friendly epoxy glue – nontoxic and very safe to the environment.

Playshion 39 Inch Drop Through Longboard

(On rough terrains)

If a multifunctional longboard is what you’re all about, the Playshion Drop Through Longboard is worth a try. It’s designed for both adult and kids with great performance at various skateboarding styles, no matter that is cruising, curving, sliding, freestyle or freeride. Plus, super affordable.

That’s why I love riding it with my son when he needs me to teach him some more longboarding skills. For kids, its 39” length is reasonable with their height whilst the weight is light enough to carry around. Very easy to learn as well. And my son, he loves this buddy a lot that if he could bring it to bed, he definitely would.

For tall, heavy starter riders, this longboard might be a little bit narrow and uncomfortable to start with. But, for an experienced skater, it surely turns out to be your favorite because of the fast speed, durability, and huge weight limit.

Compared to the price, this Playshion longboard provides good wheels, bearings, and trucks, at least in my opinion. As long as you don’t do tricks on it, this can stick with you for years.

If you want to get a joyful weekend with family, this is an excellent pick. I and my son can assure that.

Quest QT-NSC44C Longboard

(Take exercises)

Longboarding has been known for its wonderful health benefits so far but to find out a true board for exercising, I recommend Quest QT-NSC44C.

Its combination of ABEC-7 bearings and moderately soft wheels boost the speed-catching capability to an extreme, which encourages you to kick more. This regularly repeated movement will naturally take exercise for your entire body. Hence, burning more calories.

Another compliment is for its multi-ply deck of bamboo and maple wood.

This combination gives the deck a nice blend of stiffness and little flex, making your kicking posture more naturally from left to right. With this support, you’ve got chances to train your body’s flexibility.

Not to mention that the price for each Quest QT-NSC44C is quite budget-friendly. I bet anyone can easily afford it.

Slendor 42 inch Longboard

(Relaxing Cruise With Effortlessly)

To cruise around with less effort, you should look for a board that sensitively catches as well as retain speed as much as possible.

My suggestion is Slendor 42” Longboard with emphasis on unbeatable ABEC-11 bearings and an ultra-stiff 9-ply maple deck. Why should a stiff deck? – Might you ask?

Well, under insanely high speed, your board MUST be ultra-stable and a stiffer deck will satisfy that needs perfectly. Not to say that the drop-through silhouette supports your self-balance capability.

Now, speaking of the 85A wheels, though they are harder than the average (which is 75A) to easily wheel bite, the additional PU rings with good cushioning strike back with decent shock absorption ability. Plus, it adds comfort to your riding experience.

If you’re a speed lover, I believe riding it downhill can’t be more satisfying. But of course, ensure your riding skills and safety longboarding gear.

Atom Drop Deck Longboard

(Versatile)

Atom 39” Drop-Deck Longboard is the most versatile model in this list that aside from cruising, you can carve, downhill or use it for commuting. Over different terrains, from skateparks to concrete trails, or bumps and cracks, it can incredibly ride smoothly through.

Want to know the secret?

It lies on the board’s mini-drop groovy deck. While the drop silhouette raises the center of gravity, its mini size gives you more capability to control and handling.

Combining with medium-hardness extra-wide wheels, they not only absorb shock decently but also deliver extra-smooth riding experience. Additionally, good and precisely fast bearings also take a role.

For such phenomenal performance, I think the price is quite reasonable.

Retrospec Rift Drop-Through Longboard

(For Long Distance)

Differing from the previous siblings, this Retrospec longboard features a drop-through for lower board height, hence, giving more ease to kick and keep balance.

For long-distance cruising, the most important things in your board are an easy-to-catch deck and shock absorption feature.

Glad that Rift has made a good bargain for that. They come with high-speed ABEC carbon bearings that are already pre-lubricated while the wheels highlight softer texture, which ends up with a superior smooth, fast ride.

Of course, an agile board can’t dismiss a sturdy, long deck. Retrospec Rift’s is crafted from well-known Canadian Maple for stiffness and stability. Plus, it’s 41 inches with well-heated grip tape for a better stance.

SANVIEW 42inch Longboard

(For short distance)

A longboard for short distances is usually used to cruise around campus school, skate parks, from/to work office or neighborhood. That’s why it should be quick and easy to turn.

SANVIEW Longboard is my high recommendation in this case.

It’s constructed with a perfect combo – ultra-hard 83A PU bushings, speedy ABEC-9 bearings, and lightweight 7” trucks. Not only afford nicely two requirements above but this longboard also gives you great control to easily weave in/out a crowded corridor, which is my favorite.

Take note is the 42” length that will be a good choice for people with more experience handling bigger decks with large feet. Other than that, I appreciate how lightweight it is compared to other counterparts in this field, which is helpful for transport from here to there.

MINORITY Downhill Maple Longboard

(Budget-friendly)

Minority 40” longboard is the cheapest unit in this collection, pricing under $59 while the quality is undeniably good. The most compliments are for its effective drop concave that locks rider’s feet firmly to keep the balance under high speed.

Like other drop-deck longboards, it’s built very low to the ground to leverage your center of gravity, hence, giving better stability and control.

Another highlight is the capability to make sharp turning radius – thing that usually shorter boards can do. Contrast to many people’s thought, you can handle this buddy with ease despite its big size and large wheelbase.

So, I think it’s a good choice for beginners who intend not only to learn to ride but also cruising and carving.

Ten Toes Board Emporium Zed Longboard

The Ten Toes Board is more biased toward novice riders with friendly construction that you can easily stand on and learn to ride.

Though it might not be as smooth riding and good shock absorption as the Volador’s, this Emporium Zed longboard emphasizes its lightness, stability, and good feeling that even when riding downhills, it doesn’t go too fast to lose control.

Still, I advise you to spend your first rides on flat surfaces before challenging yourself on slopes.

If you’re a heavy rider, just feel ease in mind to start with this one because its weight limit is up to 300 lbs. whilst the deck is 44” long – very comfortable to stand on. In general, a good choice for both kids and adult!

Atom Pin-Tail Longboard

(Best for beginners)

The Atom Pin-tail Longboard is my top recommendation of the best cruiser for beginners due to its ease to ride.

Bought this one for my 10-year-old boy who has just started some first steps to his longboarding life. 39” size of the deck seems reasonable to his height whilst the weight is light enough to carry around.

But what’s worth mentioning the most here is its classic pintail shape. It not only delivers better grip with lots of control for beginners but also easy to learn. My kid just needs roughly 1 hour to get confidence in his stance to be ready for a good cruise.

If you’re a big guy, it’s still okay to stand on and ride around, but take notice that your heft might limit the speed. This is somehow a big bonus for beginners because you can easily handle the board as well as control it while riding, even when longboarding downhill. On the other hand, is a con for experienced riders who prefer faster speed and sharp turns.

Whatever, at least, one thing for sure that you will receive after spending nearly $100 on this board is its decent quality and durability. An Atom Longboard can last 4-6 years, which is worthily a good investment in the long term, don’t you think?

Atom 40 Inch Longboard

If installing things isn’t your strength, the Atom Drop-through longboard is surely your go-to. Come in a fully assembled longboard, all you need to do is just jumping on and start a ride immediately. Besides, it is beautiful, unique, and so cool.

This Atom longboard is a little bit costlier than those models above, so, everything about it does give a different feeling. From the curved wide deck with a huge weight limit, to the grippy deck tape.

Its smooth-riding is also worth mentioning as well because you don’t need to push this board too many times to catch the needed speed. Might be around 2-3 times of paddling are enough and then, you can start cruising or carving.

Because the board itself is built as a drop-through, the additional kicking is even more useful to lower its height efficiently for stable riding and easy paddling.

The only drawback of this board might be its radius – a bit wider than other counterparts, which requires some lean-to affect a 180-degree turn. But in turn, there’s no wheel bite at all.

Overall, a good choice for beginners.

SCSK8 Blank & Stained Longboard

For about $33, truth to say, I initially didn’t expect much on this SDSK8 Natural Longboard. Just hope its quality was good enough to ride for fun. However, after opening the box, all my vestiges of doubt went away.

Arrive in fully assembled so, there’s no setup needed. The board is ready to cruise right away and it goes fast, smoothly with lots of control and stability. Even a novice rider only needs to spend roughly 30-60 minutes to readily cruise around.

Two months sticking with the SCSK8 Natural Blank & Stained and it acts no different than a $100 board. Though in reality, the wheels, trucks, and bearings might need some adjustment for the best performance, such that effort is well-worth spending because, in the end, it rides smoothly without wobbles.

Now, I can understand why this cheap longboard gains so many good feedbacks like that. Except for the price, there’s nothing cheap at all.

Santa Cruz Youth Land Shark Cruzer

This is the best cruisers of Santa Cruz Skateboards. As other fully assembled boards, it’s ready out of the board to start a ride. My first impression on this mid-tier longboard is very good. The trucks are loose enough for sharp turns in a small radius with minimal wheel bite. Cruise as smoothly as butter.

The biggest bonuses are their extra nose and kicktails to assist riders to lift the back wheels more easily with their feet on the nose. For beginners, it’s also a good choice because the board is very grippy and stable. Might it be around 1-2 days that you can get used to your own stance for a true cruise?

The only part that I decided to replace is bearings. They are good but because I cruise a lot, so, a more durable pair of bearings is a better option for me. If you use it to commute from home to work/school or around your campus, replacement isn’t essential.

Yocaher Punked Longboard

Another ideal option for beginners. It’s super easy to ride that you can feel like an experienced rider. Though they advise novice riders to go for a lowered board whilst this one is a little bit high off the ground, its smooth wheels, nice grip tape, and stable deck are the best offset.

The board rides stably with good control but for a turn, you might need to do some adjustment on their trucks for easier performance.

To me, $60 of a longboard is quite affordable, not saying that the trucks and wheels of this Yocaher are quite outstanding with decent quality and smooth roll. Get neither remorse nor feeling to replace them in the near future.

Overall, this is the best bet for those starter riders who want to get a new, interesting hobby for a nice summer.

Sector 9 Fractal Longboard

Actually, what drew my attention to this longboard was its stunning graphics and after copping it, I received a lot of compliments as well as some questions from random about where I bought it from.

This Sector 9 was shipped rapidly, and right out of the box, I could jump on and start a ride without fine turning anything needed. So, if you’re a beginner and have no idea of setting up a board, this is your best bet.

If your concern is about its quality, due to my 8 months of experience on the Fractal Skateboard, everything is nearly perfect with super flexible deck, pleasure Gull Wing reserve kingpin trucks and grippy wheels. A great board for agility and speed. (Also, a good conversation starter as well.)

Loaded Boards Tan Tien Longboard

I particularly love this board for both its versatility and multifunction. This is the longboard for everyone, from kids to adults, from beginners to professionals.

And everything reaches the maximum sophistication, even the smallest detail that you don’t need to consider replacing anything or find a way to keep its graphics printing last longer.

The board is extremely responsive, less flex but more beautiful slides. I guess that’s the key to such a decent performance.

Though it’s a bit wobbly in high speed, for cruising, carving, freeride, freestyle, and especially commuting, it’s more than perfect. If you’re a beginner, might it be a bit hard at first to stand on and get used to your stance? But I can assure you that after finding out the best positioning set, you don’t want to leave it at all.

That’s why, though the Loaded Bards Tan Tien Longboard is also the most expensive in this list, I feel well-worth every single penny spent on it.

Landyachtz Chief Longboard

If you’re a fan of Landyatchtz, don’t ignore this Chief Cruiser Longboard.

I’ve got tons of compliment for its gorgeous graphics anytime going out for a ride. Also, very lightweight and easy to carry around.

Compared to other longboards for cruising, this one is a little bit higher in its deck, which is not my recommendation for beginners. Even an experienced rider like me must take some time to get used to it so, for a novice rider, it must take nearly a week to get used to it. Not saying that its whole construction isn’t biased to support novice riders.

But in the position of an expert, this is a worthy investment because once getting acquainted with your stance on the board, it’s like heaven when cruising on slight inclines and straightaways.

My guess is, its super responsiveness is the key for that.

The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Best Longboards for Cruising

Now, if you want to pick out the best longboards for cruising on your own, keep in mind these features:

Deck styles

Due to my experience, this is the first and foremost element that you must consider because it decides the three most important things in cruising – stability, ease of pushing and ease of foot braking.

As you might know it or not, there are four main deck styles in terms of a longboard. They are the top mount, the drop through, the drop deck and the double drop. All four of them are good to cruise, HOWEVER, each one will be suitable for a certain level of the cruise, from easy to difficult. Along with that, are different budgets.

To cut the long story short, take a look at this table:

Board Shapes

Basically, there are two shapes of longboard: directional and symmetrical. But for cruising, I recommend choosing the first one, especially if you’re a novice rider.

The reason lies in its characteristic – only going forward. And that is also the key to deliver better control while ridden switch.

*Bonus:

If you intend to cruise around for commuting, aside from considering the board shapes, it’s essential to choose the right board shape features because they will deliver more grip for a quick, safe, and satisfied turn.

Three popular features relating to the board shape are wheel cut-outs, kicktails and concave. But in my opinion, the kicktails and the concave are worth considering.

Choose a kicktail if you intend to use the board for curb hops and pedestrian dodges. Otherwise, pick the concaves for normal cruising because they raise up the rails your board a little higher than the center for better control when you stand on the board.

Just two small notes if your choice is the concave:

• There are two kinds of concave: The ordinary concave or the w-concave (W-concave gives better grip, which usually comes along with the expensive freeride and downhill boards). The choice lies with you.
• For cruiser longboard, you don’t need to go for a concave that’s as deep and extreme as the freeride and downhill ones.

Deck Sizes

Actually, longboards are the best choice among different types of skateboards for cruising. Most of them are around 32” to 42” – an ideal size range to cruise like a breeze.

However, choosing the right length of longboard also influences other elements, such as how to ease to cruise for beginners, extra weight, or if you want to improve other skills. That’s why I don’t advise you to choose this feature randomly.

Usually, young riders should go for 32”-39” whilst an adult, especially the beginners, might find it’s much easier and more stable to cruise in a 40”-42” board. For heavy riders, a 43”-44” longboard is the best choice.

For those who’d like to improve other riding skills, the longer deck, the better. But keep in mind that the longer the deck, the heavier it will be so, ensure that you’re okay with carrying around some more weight, particularly if you’re a female rider.

Flex

When it comes to flex, remember this basic rule of thumb:

The more flex -> The easier to balance on different types of terrains & the more stable of the board -> The stiffer the deck should be -> The faster of speed.

That’s why the soft flex boards are usually utilized for certain board tricks and mellow cruising; the medium flex is best on moderate speed cruising, carving and commuting whilst the stiff flex is good at freeriding, bombing hills and going fast.

Flex is like a question of taste – some love turning, they go for a soft-flex board whereas others prefer extra stability of a stiffer deck.

Beginners usually start with a soft flex board because they are easier to stand on and cruise around. But once you’ve already completed all basic longboarding skills, invest for a good stiffer deck.

Trucks

In terms of longboard trucks, their width does matter. Two common choices are 150mm and 180mm.

The narrower the deck, the narrower its trucks.

Also, consider the kingpin position.

For easier control while longboarding downhills or board-walking, choose the reverse kingpin trucks whilst the standard ones are usually caught in normal skateboards with kicktails because this combo delivers a more precise response.

Wheels

Three essential factors to remember when choosing longboard wheels are:

• Diameter
• Hardness
• Shape

In terms of wheels’ diameter, take a look at this table:

And for the hardness, it’s mostly based on your body weight:

• For less than 60 pounds, the ideal hardness of wheels are around 78a to 80a
• 60-80 pounds, it should be 80a to 83a
• For 80 pounds and up, 83a to 86a is great.

Finally, is wheel’s shape.

Two common types are round and square. But the second option is better for cruising because instead of being round, as usual, the edge of the wheels now is 90-degree angle square to deliver better contact with the ground, more sliding resistance and traction.

However, it might take time for breaking in before giving excellent performance in carving, cruising, and downhills.

Bearings

Last but not least, are bearings. They keep the longboard wheels making good turns without much wears and tear. For cruising, the ABEC-3 bearings are perfect. But if you’re an expert with a higher demand on a versatile longboard for cruising, carving, racing as well as riding fast downhills, go for the ABEC 5, ABEC 7 and up.

*Bonus:

Always keep the bearings clean, free of grit, water, and dirt for the best performance.

FAQs

1. What is the best brand of a longboard?

To talk about the best brand of a longboard, there are a lot. But I can point out the top three must-try ones: Quest, Volador, and Ten Toes Board. If you want to know which of their products are excellent to try, take a look here.

2. What is the best longboard for beginners?

There are many elements to decide which one is the best longboard for beginners, like budget, your riding style, body weight and so on. So, to ensure the best answer for you, kindly take a look at this article.

3. Are longboards easier to ride?

Compared to other types of skateboards, the longboards do be easier to ride because of its extra length, heft, and wheelbase.

4. What type of skateboard is best for cruising?

Cruising for beginners are different from that for professionals. Also, it’s a huge difference between terrains. I already explained quite detail in the Deck Types of this article’s Buying Guide section, you can learn more here.

Wrap up

My thought is, to pick out the best longboards for cruising, you need to be honest about your ability because there’s a huge difference between the one for beginners and the one for professionals, which surely leads to worse performance if you go for an improper board.

With that being said, hopefully, the given short guideline, as well as my suggestion of the top models, can help you make a better decision. Thanks for reading!