Skateboarding has become a popular sport and also a fun and green way to commute for kids and adults alike. This blog aims to answer one of the commonly asked questions in the skateboarding world – should I buy a longboard or a skateboard? Let’s dive in!
Skateboarding has become a popular sport and also a fun and green way to commute for kids and adults alike. This blog aims to answer one of the commonly asked questions in the skateboarding world – should I buy a longboard or a skateboard? Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
⇅Longboard vs Skateboard: Our Recommendations
Best Value: Quest Super Cruiser 44 Inch Longboard
“Well worth the money! This is a great board for the money…This board did not disappoint. If you’re new to skating and looking for a cheap board that is still fun to ride then this is the board for you…” – Jimmy
Best for Beginners: Playshion Drop-Through Freestyle Longboard
“Don’t bother looking at other boards for a beginner – choose this one, you won’t regret it!… It only took me about 30 minutes to get used to the board, and another 30 to learn exactly where I liked my feet placement, how to properly push while riding, and make turns…” – Brian
Best for Kids: Merkapa 22 Inch Complete Skateboard
“Perfect for our 6-year-old! Right size and speed for a small child with no prior skateboard experience. She picked this up very quickly…” – Amazon Customer
Best for Cruising: Rimable Complete 22 Inch Skateboard
“Take on your college campus! I am not an avid skater, just an average adult Joe, who weighs 145lbs, who likes to cruise on a skateboard.” – Man of Athens
Best Value for Money: Minority 32 Inch Maple Skateboard
“Very good for what you’re paying for!… Overall, you’re getting a hell of a board for the price. I’m going to keep this one around till it dies. Hardware alone is worth the price in my opinion…Give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed!” – Austin
Best for Beginners: Cal 7 Complete Skateboard
“Good board to learn to ride. The product is good for a starter skateboard. Purchased this for my younger brother so he can learn to properly ride before I get him a more expensive board…I think this is a good board to start on and learn to ride.” – Amazon Customer
Best Overall: Powell Golden Dragon Complete Skateboard
“Pretty good!… The complete product is decent…Everything looks and feels well made. I would recommend any first-time skaters…Good trucks…Great wheels and bearings…The deck looks great and feels nice…No one will be disappointed with this deck!…” – Alex
Longboard vs Skateboard: What Are The Differences?
In technical terms, ‘skateboard’ is used to refer to all kinds of boards, however, people also use it to mean the standard-sized boards ideal for performing tricks. Longboards are a smaller subset of skateboards: they are long and flat (featuring no kick tails on their nose and head).
Most people would assume that longboards must be longer than the standard skateboards. As it turns out, the distinguishing difference is actually in the board’s build. Longboards are flat at both their heads and noses as opposed to bent like skateboards.
Skateboards are the most popular – their dimensions tend to be 22 – 36 inches long and 7.5 – 8.25 inches wide. Longboards tend to feature a width of 8.5 inches and a length ranging from 34 to 50 inches.
Below are the usual shapes of these 2 board types. Notice that the standard skateboards have a popsicle-like shape, whereas longboards tend to feature shapes like pintail, twin (aka symmetrical), and many others.
Skateboard Shapes
Source: https://www.eliteskater.com/best-skateboard-decks/
Longboard Shapes
Source: https://www.ridingboards.com/longboard-types/
Longboard vs Skateboard – Board Terminologies
Trucks are essential as they help turn the board left or right, grind on rails or ramps based on the rider’s weight placement. These trucks are connected to the underside of your board via a number of hardware items – including a kingpin and 2 bushings.
The kingpin is a bolt that connects the hanger with the base plate. In many board models, it is made of carbon steel, which is very durable. Bushings are very important as they control the board’s turning behavior – there are usually 2 bushings: a street-facing top bushing and a board-facing bottom bushing. Like the wheels, the bushings are made of polyurethane (PU, aka plastic).
Longboard vs Skateboard: 5 Best Longboards
1. VOLADOR 42 Inch Longboard
This board from Volador combines quality with style – with artisan graphics carefully painted aiming to bring joy to skaters with artistic souls. There are various designs available including meditation, cocktail, lemonade, and solar.
The board deck itself is very sturdy – comprising 8 layers of natural hard-rock maple adhered by epoxy glue. The woods are obtained via sustainable harvesting practices, the glue is methanal-free, and offcuts are recycled – all to help protect the environment.
Volador hardware items are made from high-quality and genuine materials: trucks from aluminum, bolts from carbon steel, bearings from chrome steel, and wheels from rebound PU. They work well and can last for a long time.
Moving onto dimensions, this longboard features a 34-inch wheelbase and a 9-inch width – giving you plenty of room to stand on and maneuver. Sitting beneath are the trucks angled at 45 degrees – they help with shock absorption giving you plenty of hours of a comfortable ride.
Wheel bearings are well oiled and hence deliver good steering accuracy as you skate.
Product specs:
| Dimensions | 42 x 9 x 4 inches |
| Weight | 7.6 pounds |
| ABEC | |
| Design | Artisan designs – meditation, cocktail, lemonade, and so on |
Pros:
Good for beginners
Easy to learn
Stable
Artisan designs
Cons:
Over time, some re-painting may be needed.
2. ATOM Drop Through 41 Inch Longboard
Atom board’s low center of gravity delivers better stability and is perfect for skating downhill. It also makes it easy for you to push and do the carving.
The board deck is made of maple laminate – which is rather sturdy and durable. This Atom board does not have kick tails – it is more for cruising than performing board tricks.
Atom round wheels have a high rebound, low rolling resistance, and hence are great for cruising.
This board features reverse kingpin trucks with 242 mm axles – these are situated lower than the standard kingpin trucks and are more stable. They are also good for making sharp turns around obstacles as you skate downhill.
With these trucks, you can also adjust the board height or change the bushing for better carving abilities. For those unfamiliar with bushings, they are the rubber-like cylinders located in the center of your trucks.
Product specs:
| Dimensions | 41 inches long |
| ABEC | 9 |
| Design | Circle shapes |
Pros:
Easy to learn
Very stable
Good for curving
Cons:
The bearings may make some noise after skating for some time.
3. MBS All-Terrain Longboard
The distinctive features of this MBS longboard are the all-terrain wheels measuring 100 x 65mm and cast with 78A super high-rebound urethane. This material gives these wheels a good balance between speed and traction meaning they can roll over almost all kinds of terrains.
Attached to these wheels are the 190mm Navigator Drones trucks that help the board make accurate turns. The bearings have an ABEC rating of 9. The deck is made of sturdy maple wood and features a drop deck design meaning your center of gravity is low – making it easy to push or do off-road skating.
Product specs:
| Wheel dimensions | 100 x 65 mm |
| ABEC | 9 |
| Design | Black and green |
Pros:
Stable
Affordable
Cons:
The paint may come off after prolonged use.
4. QUEST Super Cruiser Artisan Bamboo and Maple Longboard
For those loving the classic wooden look, this Super Cruiser from Quest achieves just that thanks to deck materials being entirely maple wood and bamboo. The 7 layers enable this board to withstand a load of up to 280 pounds.
In addition to a durable board deck, other parts are genuine – which include ABEC-7 bearings and 7-inch aluminum trucks. The PU wheels measure 70mm and are very durable. These wheels are good for both cruising and downhill riding.
To top it off, the board features cool abstract graphics painted in different colors. Pick one of your own likings!
Quest brand is committed to ‘Made in Mars’ ideology meaning they design and make all of their products. You can rest assured about your board’s quality as the manufacturers are pioneers of the skateboarding world.
Product specs:
| Dimensions | 43 x 9 x 44 inches |
| Weight | 9.9 pounds |
| ABEC | 7 |
| Design | Abstract graphics |
Pros:
Good for beginners
Ideal for cruising around town
Value for money
Cons:
The deck might get a bit stiff at times.
5. PLAYSHION Drop Through Freestyle Longboard
This Playshion board is another drop-through longboard that made the list. It is very versatile – able to perform cruising, curving, and downhill riding.
The board deck is made of 8 layers of maple deck making it strong and yet flexible too (its flex rating is 7 out of 10). It can hold a weight of around 250 pounds. A feature that makes this longboard ideal for beginners is its low ground clearance – this delivers stability to the rider and makes it easy to push.
Playshion trucks include a 7-inch reverse kingpin that helps the board slide better. The SHR 78A wheels are firm enough for easy steering and soft enough to smoothen your board ride.
Product specs
| Dimensions | 43 x 9 x 44 inches |
| Weight | 7 pounds |
| ABEC | 7 |
| Design | Abstract graphics |
Pros:
Good for beginners
Versatile
Cons:
The grip tape may get wrinkled over time.
Longboard vs Skateboard: 5 Best Skateboards
1. RIMABLE Complete 22 Inch Skateboard
Measuring 22 inches long, this Rimable is a cruiser skateboard. Bored of the daily commute to school or work? Thinking of a greener way to travel around town? Look no further! This Rimable skateboard is exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Many reviewers have commented that this Rimable board is a perfect balance between price and quality. It is sturdy enough to hold a rider weighing 198 pounds, and its gliding ability is quite smooth.
The wheels are made from PU and feature high-speed bearings. A common thing to encounter while riding a cruiser is that it’s short length means it is harder to control while going downhill. You should keep that in mind.
Product specs:
| Dimensions | 100 x 65 mm |
| Weight limit | 198 pounds |
| Design | Blue – dark and light, and other galaxy models |
Pros:
Good for cruising around
Good value for money
Cons:
Take care if you ride downhill!
2. MERKAPA 22 Inch Complete Skateboard
This mini cruiser from Merkapa would light up your ride thanks to the 4 colorful LED wheels that are powered by rotation. Forget batteries!
The deck is made of PP plastic and measures 22 inches long and 6 inches wide. Although this board caters mainly to children, adults weighing less than 180lbs (82kg) are good to go. Attached to the underside are the 3.2-inch heavy-duty trucks made of high-quality aluminum.
The PU wheels are large and soft, measure 60 x 45mm, and have a durometer of 78A. They deliver good shock absorption and great grip. The bearings of these wheels have an ABEC rating of 7.
Product specs:
| Dimensions | 100 x 65 mm |
| Weight capacity | 180lbs |
| Design | 9 different styles: Blue, Multi-colored, Orange Block, etc. |
Pros:
Colorful LED lights
Good value for money
Cons:
It may not be ideal for performing tricks.
3. MINORITY 32 Inch Maple Skateboard
This board from Minority is a fine combination of quality and design – it works well and looks great at the same time.
The super-sturdy board deck is made of 7 layers of maple wood cold-pressed into a single piece. It can hold a rider weighing up to 220 pounds. The shape is medium concave with a kick tail and a nose – which are ideal for pulling off tricks.
Sitting beneath the deck are the 5-inch trucks made of genuine aluminum alloy. The hardware involved includes a carbon steel kingpin and 2 high rebound PU bushings that have a durometer of 78A.
The wheels feature an ABEC rating of 9 meaning they spin with high precision. They measure 52mm in diameter and have a durometer of 102A. The bearings are made of chrome steel and hence durable.
To add a personal touch to these skateboards, Minority offer 10 different designs ranging from trendy to vintage styles – you are bound to find one of your own likings!
Product specs:
| Dimensions | 32 x 8 inches |
| ABEC | 9 |
| Design | 10 choices – America, Baboon, etc. |
Pros:
Good for beginner skaters
Nice graphics
Cons:
Trucks may require some adjustments at the start.
4. CAL 7 Complete Skateboard
Cal 7 board deck is 7.5 inches wide and is made of 7 plies of 100% maple wood – which makes it super sturdy.
This board features a Popsicle shape that is suited for both street and park skating, while the medium concave makes it easy to grab the board while performing flip tricks. The shape also delivers good stability.
The wheels are made of urethane and painted a fresh white color. They have a durometer of 99A – tough enough to handle all kinds of terrain – ranging from flat to slightly rough. They also have a good balance between grip and slide meaning the wheels grip the road surfaces well, but not too tightly to compromise its gliding ability. Their 52mm diameter allows them to pick up speed quickly.
Additional hardware includes aluminum trucks for easy turns, 3mm riser pads to prevent wheel-bite, and 95A bushings for shock absorption.
Product specs:
| Dimensions | 33 x 9 x 5 inches |
| Weight | 11.4 pounds |
| ABEC | 7 |
| Design | About 15 different styles to choose from |
Pros:
Good for beginners
Affordable
Cons:
Might get a bit wobbly over time
5. POWELL Golden Dragon Flying Dragon Complete Skateboard
Powell-Peralta is among the oldest skateboard manufacturers; they have been around since 1978 and known for their high-quality products. Purchasing a Powell skateboard means you can have a peace of mind regarding buying the right board trucks, wheels or bearings. Stop worrying and start pushing!
The board deck is 32 inches long and 8 inches wide – which offers plenty of room for your feet and at the same time is long enough to keep you stable. A unique feature is the extra polymeric strap that can hold the deck together even when a crack occurs – thus preventing it from breaking into halves.
Powell wheels are made from hand-cast polyurethane that gives them a high-rebound quality, a good rolling motion, and a strong grip. The bushings are rather soft making them more responsive to weight distribution – you can turn more easily.
Last but not least is the awesome design featuring a flying dragon. If ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ was your favorite movie, this board may well be your own version of Toothless. How cool is that?!
Product specs:
| Dimensions | 31 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches |
| ABEC | 9 |
| Design | Flying dragon |
Pros:
Nice design
Solid build
Wheels spin nicely.
Cons:
Bushings are considered soft by some skaters. Replacement is pretty easy.
Longboard vs Skateboard: Which One Is Best For You?
Choosing between whether to buy a longboard or skateboard would depend a lot on your experience level and skating style.
Beginner Riders
For those who’re starting out, a longboard would be a better pick as it gives more stability as you ride. It may take just 30 minutes to be able to cruise on a longboard. You can then start practicing how to turn and brake effectively.
The large soft wheels help absorb the shock and lessen the impact caused by bumps on the road. Practicing on a longboard means you have an easier first riding experience, have more fun and fall less often.
Skating Style
Now that you’ve already mastered the basics of skateboarding and attempting to move to more advanced levels such as performing tricks, a skateboard would be a better choice.
Due to its unique shape, you can more easily flip the board around with your feet, grab it while you’re in the air doing a flip trick. Also, they are lightweight and compact meaning you can carry them around in your bag.
Longboard vs Skateboard: Important Things To Consider When Buying A Board
Now that you’ve decided on which board type to buy, let’s consider the other aspects of a board that are also important.
Size and Shape
Buying a board is somewhat similar to buying shoes – you should pay attention to the size. Most people would be fine with an 8-inch wide board, however, if your feet are rather large – you may want to buy a wider board.
Just keep in mind that a larger width means that it would be harder to do tricks or make turns. And if you want to do a full board rotation while mid-air, your board should not be wider than 8 inches.
Wheels
2 features of the wheels worth noticing are the durometer and the diameter.
Durometer indicates the hardness of your wheels. Soft wheels (about 80 – 90A) are good for cruising around as they could absorb shocks and minimize vibrations as you skate over bumpy surfaces. Professional skaters on the other hand prefer harder wheels as they are better for pulling off tricks – they normally go for 100A.
About diameter, beginners should go for larger wheels as they make the board easier to control and are faster.
Price
Last but not least is the affordability of your board-to-be. Luckily there is a wide range of decent boards out there that are priced below 90 USD. In this review blog, the two most affordable options are Quest the Super Cruiser longboard ($87.5) and Minority 32-inch Maple skateboard ($45.9).
Longboard vs Skateboard – FAQs
We’ve explained this in more detail earlier. Basically, this depends on your experience level and preferred skating style.
Yes, they are. These boards are made for cruising – they have larger and softer wheels that roll faster.
Yes, they are. Longboards offer more stability and hence they are easier to ride for beginners. Some people take only 30 minutes to ride comfortably on longboards.
Mid-sized cruising boards are recommended for beginner riders. They measure from 32 to 42 inches long.
Longboard vs Skateboard: Conclusion
Hopefully, this blog has cleared up some confusion you had about which board is best suited and should be added to your shopping cart. All in all, you first should choose between a longboard or skateboard based on your current skating experience and style – then you can start browsing through our well-thought-out reviews and buying guide for more information.
We hope you’ll get one that’ll keep you satisfied for a long. Happy skating! Also, feel free to check out our related posts linked below:
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