Best Longboards In 2022

Features To Look For In Longboards

Material - Most longboards are constructed using maple ply, although there will sometimes be a hybrid construction that also uses bamboo or fiberglass. The number of boards, or veneers, will determine how heavy the board is, and the heavier the board, the most cumbersome it can be to ride.

These materials are usually the cheapest, but if you are experienced with longboards, then investing in fiberglass boards will be your best bet.

Flexibility - While the number of veneers will affect the weight, it can also affect flexibility. As you’d expect, more boards mean it is less flexible. The flexibility you choose depends on your skill level and your riding style. Soft boards are good for shock absorption, while medium flex will provide stability when going fast. Stiff boards with little flexibility are stable when riding quickly, but they can be uncomfortable when riding on bumpy surfaces.

Wheels - There are two primary wheel shapes you will encounter: round lip and square lip. Round lip wheels are the same as what you see on a regular skateboard. The edge is rounded, which means there is less traction when turning. This makes them excellent for freestylers, but they may not be stable enough for beginners.

Conversely, square lip wheels ensure increased road contact and better resistance. They can, however, still slide once broken in, making them useful for cruising.

Style of Riding - Different people prefer different riding styles. The styles of riding for longboards are Cruising and Carving, Downhill, Freeride, and Freestyle.

Cruising and Carving is about as close as you’ll get to an ‘everyday’ longboard. They are great for getting around town. Downhill riding is exactly how you would expect it to be. These boards are specifically designed to make it stable and safe to ride down a steep slope. As for Freeriding, these are similar to Downhill but also offer the means to go off-road, up curbs, and sliding. Finally, a Freestyle board allows you the most creativity. They encourage tricks and sliding, but perhaps aren’t suitable for your everyday ride.

Longboard FAQ

Q: What is a longboard?

A: Longboards skateboard models are extremely similar to the standard skateboard you used to ride to school or at the park imitating Tony Hawk. Despite this, their actual history is related closer to surfing, and they were developed as an alternative activity for when the waves weren’t good or exciting enough.

Still, most people will compare them to skateboards, and while there are similarities, they share a few key differences.

The most obvious difference is that, as the name suggests, a longboard is, well, longer than a skateboard. But why should this matter? Due to the length, longboards are easier to ride and control compared to skateboards, which are usually several inches shorter than the best longboard. This means they are a brilliant choice for beginners, as they minimize the chance of losing your balance, which can be a severe mental block in getting the most out of riding.

Furthermore, while skateboards are a useful way of getting around town, most people ride them intending to learn tricks and hitting the local skatepark, or even anything they think they can grind along or ollie over. Conversely, a longboard acts better as something to cruise downhills. The shape and the wheels also make longboards faster, while the length allows for more freestyle creativity, allowing riders to step back, forward, and adjust their posture with more confidence and versatility compared to a skateboard.

Q: Why should you buy a longboard?

A: Why shouldn’t you buy a longboard is the real question.

Longboards are a fantastic way to get around town, even if some people, mainly dinosaurs who hate fun, consider them a little too juvenile. They are a solid alternative to riding a bike, scooter, or taking a skateboard, and if you’re heading down to the beach or park to meet friends, longboards are better than driving as long as you’re not too far away.

Another reason to buy a longboard over a skateboard, scooter, or bike is that longboards are easier to master, which means you will get more out of them. After you’ve mastered riding a longboard, you can decide if you want to move onto the more complicated skateboard or stick to what you know.

As they are easier to ride, you can also feel more confident on them, and that means you will have more fun while also minimizing the risk of falling off and injuring yourself or pedestrians. If you live somewhere with plenty of hills and interesting scenery, longboards are an excellent choice if you want to get around quickly and efficiently.

Q: How to choose the right longboard?

A: Aside from the convenience and being able to do something a little different, longboards also boast a range of options for you to try out and this is important when deciding on the right longboard for you.

The range of shapes and sizes mean you can find the perfect style. If you’re looking for a simple way to get to school, work, or the park, a standard longboard is ideal. However, with such a vast variety, there is still something for everybody.

If you’re looking for speed and stability, Drop-through longboards are an excellent choice, while a fish tail or standard cruiser are awesome for cruising. Conversely, hybrid longboards are typically shorter, and these make sharp turns more comfortable, while the smaller size provides superb stability.

Another option is electric longboards. Purists may not consider them a decent option, and as they come with battery packs and remotes, they aren’t suitable for tricks or casual riding. These longboards will take the effort and energy out of riding, allowing you to enjoy the ride without worrying about catching your feet on the curb or pavement.

Q: How to ride a longboard for beginners?

A: Longboards for beginners are the best place to start if you’ve never stepped on a longboard before. As they are easier to master than a skateboard, you can pick the nuances of riding up much easier. However, that doesn’t mean you will become a professional straight away.

The most important thing to remember when riding a longboard is where you place your feet. It’s vital to know where to place your balancing foot, which is the foot you put at the front of the board and you will focus your weight to move. For this, it would help if you have some experience with skateboarding or snowboarding, as you already know what stance is most comfortable for you. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know just yet, though, as it is easy enough to pick up.

For most people, their dominant foot is not the balancing foot, but instead the accelerating foot. This is because it is stronger and can help you pick up more speed. For example, if your dominant foot is your left, then you should ride right foot forward. This will be different for some people, however.

Mostly when you’re riding, you will keep your feet between the trucks, which is just wider than your shoulder width. Your front foot will be pointed diagonally forward, and the back foot at a 90-degree angle. This is a suitable place to start, but don’t feel you need to stick to it, as you will need to shift and adjust your feet depending on the riding surface, direction you’re traveling in, and your balance.

If you want to pick up speed when traveling downhill, point your feet forward. If you want to go quick down a hill, widen your stance. You can also keep your front foot forward to get started and then adjust as you move.

It’s also important to remember your arms and knees will also help you ride as they help you balance and turn, so don’t forget to consider these when working out your best stance.

Q: What kind of wheels do I need for my longboard?

A: There are several factors that go into selecting the perfect wheels for your longboard. There are five key factors that determine how useful a set of wheels is. These are:

• Height
• Lip shape
• Contact patch
• Durometer
• Hub setting

Tall wheels are not as fast as their smaller counterparts, but once you pick up enough speed, you will find plenty of things to love about them. As for the durometer, this demonstrates how tough the material (usually urethane) is, and this can impact your decision based on how often you will use it and the type of surface you ride on. Furthermore, lip shape determines traction, while the contact patch is the part of the wheel that makes contact with the surface.

Finally, the hub setting relates to the ball bearings, this can be Centerset, Side-set, and Offset. The primary difference is the amount of grip, and therefore how much control each wheel provides.