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How to choose a longboard

As the name suggest, longboards are longer (and wider) than regular skateboards; they also feature larger and softer wheels. This makes them perfectly suited to cruising around town and carving downhill. They are availble in various shapes and sizes, each offering a slightly different ride.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ideal for downhill and road use
Excellent stability
Large wheels can handle uneven ground
Different shapes and sizes available

Bigger and heavier than regular skateboards
Not suitable for tricks

Frequently asked questions when choosing a longboard

What type of longboard should I choose as a beginner?

For beginners, pintail longboards are the best choice as they are the easiest to ride. They feature a flat deck, which resembles the shape of an elongated drop.

What type of longboard is best for experienced riders?

For frequent cruising around town, go for a drop-through or cruiser-type longboard. Like regular skateboards, cruisers are also suitable for performing some basic flatground tricks.

What type of longboard is best for downhill use?

Hybrid and drop-through longboards offer outstanding stability, making them suitable for use at high speeds.

What safety gear is recommended for longboarding?

Basic safety equipment includes a helmet, gloves, and knee and elbow pads.

Longboards

Different variants for different riding styles
Suitable for cruising around the city
Faster than regular skateboards

Important parameters

Longboard type

Longboards come in various different shapes and sizes, each designed for a slightly different style of riding.

The most popular type is the pintail, which features a flat drop-shaped deck. Pintails are easy to use, and are therefore suitable for beginners.
Cruiser longboards are designed for more experienced riders and cruising around town. Their shape is more like that of a regular skateboard.
Hybrid and drop-through longboards are the obvious choice for adrenaline lovers and experienced riders. Drop-through boards have a lower centre of gravity, making them ideally suited to fast downhill skating.


Pintail	Cruiser

Drop-through	Hybrid

Board size

City use - 71 cm and longer (28"+). Shorter longboards are more able to deal with uneven city surfaces.
Downhill and freeride - 97 cm and longer (38"+). Longer boards are suitable for downhill riding and performing slides. However, because of the larger size, they are heavier and thus more difficult to carry.

Wheel size

Longboard wheels are larger than regular skateboard wheels. While they are slower to accelerate, they can achieve higher top speeds. For beginners, a diameter of 75 mm is suitable, with bigger wheels designed for more experienced riders. Wheels with rounded edges are recommended if you want to do power slides, whereas wheels with flat edges provide better grip.

Wheel hardness

Soft wheels are grippier than hard wheels and are recommended for uneven and rough surfaces; hard wheels are faster on smooth surfaces.

Up to 85A - suitable for beginners and riding on rougher surfaces.
85A and above - suitable for experienced riders, downhill skating, and high speeds.

Core position of wheels

Centre-set - these wheels are symetrical, which means they can be flipped so that the outside faces in. As a result, they wear evenly and keep their shape much longer.
Side-set - the core is flush with the inner edge of the wheel, offering excellent grip and stability even at high speeds.
Off-set - the most common type, off-set wheels provide a balance between slideability and traction.

Center position of wheels

Wheels according to usage

City use

For city riding (carving, cruising), we recommend 65-75 mm side-set and off-set wheels, with sharp edges, a large contact area, and a hardness of about 80A.

Downhill use

For high-speed downhill riding, go for 70-80 mm off-set wheels, with a hardness of 80-83, sharp edges, and a large contact area.

Freeriding

Hard centre-set and off-set wheels are best for freeriding, as they allow you to initiate slides and handle sharp bends.

Glossary - Longboards

Trucks

Trucks are the metal T-shaped parts that connect the skateboard deck to the wheels. The ideal truck size depends on the width of the deck and the style of skating.

Downhill

Downhill skating involves high speeds and controlled skids. For downhill skating, longboards with long, broad and solid decks are suitable. Wheels should be wide and have a diameter of over 60 mm. Safety equipment, such as a helmet, gloves, and pads, is also recommended.

Glossary