Longboard Guide: How to Choose the Best One for You

Longboards are more than meets the eye – every aspect from the shape of the deck to the wheel setting influences your ride. They come in a variety of shapes, constructions, and features, and are intended for a type of riding patterns and skill sets.

Naturally, you should try to find a model that is suited to your style and ability level. Whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced shredder, you should carefully weigh out your options when you decide to buy a longboard skateboard online as it can make a huge difference in your riding experience.

Longboard Deck Designs

A longboard’s deck style influences how steady the board is, how simple it is to foot-brake, and how quick it is to push on flat ground. As a general rule, the higher the board is off the ground, the higher the centre of gravity will be, resulting in less stability and fatigue while pushing and foot-braking. The lower the board, on the other hand, the less leverage you have to throw quick carves and the more inclined you are to bottom out on tight turns.

Longboards with a Top Mount

Top mount is the most common board shape in longboards and the most affordable. Because the deck is mounted above the trucks, the centre of gravity is higher than on other types of boards. Because of the increased turn leverage, the top mount is slightly less stable but more manoeuvrable than dropped boards. Top mount boards are the most versatile, with applications including cruising, carving, downhill, freeride, and freestyle.

Longboards with a Drop Through

The trucks on a drop-through platform are mounted “through” the board, effectively lowering the deck height by the thickness of the board. Because you have to drop your foot less to make contact with the ground, this increases board stability and relieves tension while pushing/braking. These boards are an ideal choice for long-distance commuting, freeride, and downhill riding.

Longboards with Drop Decks

These are the odd-looking decks. Drop deck longboards are built in such a way that the region where your feet ride is below the trucks. This is a very effective method for bringing down the centre of gravity while braking/pushing, resulting in increased stability and less fatigue. When you look to buy a longboard skateboard online, you’ll find that drop deck boards are commonly found on the downhill as well as some freeride boards.

Longboards with a Double Drop

Lower than the lowest limbo bar, double-drop longboards use drop-through trucks as well as the drop deck style to keep your feet as close to the ground as necessary (“double” drop). This one is perhaps the most stable deck style, but it is also the least common because of the difficulty in building it, which can also make it the most expensive. This shape is typically found only on dedicated downhill boards.

Longboard Shapes and the Different Features

All longboards have specific shape features that provide particular riding qualities and help define the intended use of the board. Kick tails, wheel cut-outs, and slightly curved ones are among the features.

Kick Tail Longboards

Kick tails can be found on both ends of standard skateboards. They enable you to perform tricks, hop curbs, and make quick turns by lifting one end of the board off the ground. Longboards can have kick tails on either one or both ends (directional boards) (on symmetrical boards). Kicktail longboard shapes are ideal for cruiser boards for last-second pedestrian dodges and kerb hops, as well as a must-have on many freestyle boards.

Longboard Wheel Cut-Outs

Wheel cut-outs and wheel wells are both designed to prevent wheel bite on your longboard, which occurs when you rear too hard and your wheels make contact with the deck. This typically results in you being thrown off your board, which isn’t a fun experience.

Because there is no method for the wheels to make board contact, cut-outs generally allow you to turn the hardest. Wheel wells allow you to turn sharply while still allowing contact if your trucks are too baggy, your risers are too small, or your wheels are too large.

Longboard Board Concave

Grip tape helps to keep your feet on the board, but concave also makes a difference. Concave means that the longboard deck’s edges or rails are slightly higher than the board’s centre.

When you stand on the board, your feet will mould to this shape, boosting the contact area of your skate shoes and, as a result, increasing your grip. The amount of concave on a board is usually determined by its intended riding style: downhill and freeride boards typically have deeper, more intense concave than cruisers.

Longboards with W-Concave

W-concave, like regular concave, keeps your feet planted on the deck. It’s actually two concave parts next to each other that provide a lot of grip for a better riding experience. This feature is typically reserved for more pricey downhill and freeride boards.

Longboard Wheels

Wheels have a significant impact on how your longboard performs as they provide contact between you and the road, affecting the speed and changing direction ability. The performance of the wheels is determined by a number of factors. These are the shape, width, and height, as well as the durometer and core style.

Round Lip Wheels

Skateboards with round-lipped wheels are prevalent. The “edge” of the wheel is rounded, providing less traction in turns. This makes them easier to slide on than squares, making them the obvious choice for free-riders and freestylers. Look into square-lipped wheels if you’re new to skateboarding or want to attack hills and rail corners as quickly as possible.

Longboard Square Wheels

Skateboarding wheels with square lips are the most common shape. Instead of being rounded, the “edge” of the wheel is square (at a 90° angle). This improves contact with the road, resulting in increased traction and rolling resistance. Once broken in, square wheels can still slide, making them ideal for downhill cruising and cruising.