Longboarding, which is essentially a natural evolution of the more basic and traditional skateboarding, has many distinct differences and advantages over its smaller cousin.
The larger size, better stability and improved agility of the longboard means you can go further, faster, and have more fun in the process.
Here we are going to look at the different types of longboard that are popular at the moment, as well as some of the best selling boards around.
Which is the best Longboard?
Quest Skateboards 44″ Bamboo Super Cruiser Longboard – More details:
https://www.amazon.com/B008EZNY4W
See more great Longboards:
See Best Selling Longboards at Amazon
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While generic longboards are basically skateboards that are longer, there are numerous types of longboards which have evolved to create what you might call sub-genres:
Drop Through, Drop Down and Cruiser boards.
Before we dive into these sub-genres more closely, here is a list of the boards we have featured on this page later:
(Paid links)
1. Volador 42″ Freeride Longboard
[Full Details]
2. Sector 9 Bamboo Lookout Drop-Thru Complete Longboard
[Full Details]
3. Atom Drop Deck Longboard
[Full Details]
4. MINORITY Downhill Maple Longboard
[Full Details]
5. Quest Skateboards 44″ Bamboo Super Cruiser Longboard
[Full Details]
6. Magneto 44 inch Kicktail Cruiser Longboard
[Full Details]
Drop Through Longboards
Drop Through Boards at Amazon
(Paid link)
Drop through boards have trucks (wheels) that do no attach to the underside of the deck in the usual manner.
In order to place the deck closer to the floor and provide greater speed, the deck has holes cut into the front and rear through which the the trucks are dropped.
The trucks are attached with the plate being screwed to the deck on the topside.
Drop through longboards are good all rounders and are also considered the best longboards for freestyle boarding.
Volador 42″ Freeride Longboard
The board also features a camber deck, which means the deck is curved so that it is raised in the middle.
The curved camber deck also helps with shock absorption, giving you a more comfortable ride.
The Volador Longboard comes decorated in a range of interesting artworks to make you and your board stand out from the crowd.
This great looking board currently has hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon and is available at a very competitive price.
Volador 42″ Board in Fuji Sakura design.
See The Full Range of Designs at Amazon
Amazon.Com (Paid link)
Sector 9 Bamboo Lookout Drop-Thru Complete Longboard
This board has been designed to handle all types of terrain and is great for cruising, carving, downhill boarding and even commuting.
The green Hawaii wave design on the underside of the deck complements the feeling of sheer freedom you get from this board.
The long wheelbase you get on the Sector 9 Lookout II board gives you a very stable and comfortable ride, making it the perfect board for beginners.
Sector 9 are known for producing high quality boards, and the Green Wave Lookout II is no exception and will give you years of boarding pleasure.
Sector 9 Bamboo Lookout Longboard.
See The Current Price & Deals at Amazon
Amazon.Com (Paid link)
Drop Down Longboards
Drop Down Boards at Amazon
(Paid link)
Drop down boards (also known as drop deck) have their trucks attached to the underside of the deck like traditional boards.
However they are also designed with speed in mind by having the deck placed closer to the ground, which is achieved by the use of a curved deck.
Behind the front trucks and in front of the rear trucks the deck curves and drops down, putting it much closer to the ground than regular boards.
These boards tend to offer better stability, which is useful when travelling at speed.
Drop down boards are the best longboards for downhill boarding because the front drop provides a place to wedge the front foot, which provides better stability.
Atom Drop Deck Longboard
Because this drop down board is so low to the ground you do benefit from superb stability, making it a great choice for downhilling.
Atom also claim that the perimeter shape of this board is a brand new design for a longboard, and gives more leverage going into a turn.
This board also features Reverse King Pin trucks, which means that the axle is on the other side of the truck. This is said to offer much improved maneuverability.
The Atom Drop Deck Longboard is one of the best selling boards on Amazon at the moment, and the consensus of opinion among the reviewers is that this is the board to get.
Atom Drop Deck Longboard.
See Full Details & Pictures at Amazon
Amazon.Com (Paid link)
MINORITY Downhill Maple Longboard
This drop deck offering is made from 8-ply maple hardwood and measures 40″ in length with 7″ aluminium trucks.
The drop down design of the Minority Longboard is made to make downhill boarding a cinch and allow you to cruise for longer without you being left feeling exhausted.
You can currently get this board in three different designs: Galaxy, Leo and Nature and it is currently selling at a great price.
The low price of the Minority board, combined with the smooth and stable ride achieved by the drop down deck, make this a perfect first Longboard for beginners.
Minority Downhill Maple Longboard in Leo design.
See More Available Designs at Amazon
Amazon.Com (Paid link)
Cruiser Longboards
Cruiser Longboards at Amazon
(Paid link)
Cruiser boards tend to look more like traditional skateboards in design, but are significantly bigger, and are primarily designed for use in urban environments and cruising the city streets.
These boards will generally feature a kick tail in case you need to stop suddenly or jump over a small obstacle and are perfectly suited for swerving in and out of crowds.
As the name suggests these boards are the best longboards for cruising the dense urban city streets, maneuvering through crowds, and also excel at carving.
Quest Skateboards 44″ Bamboo Super Cruiser Longboard
As this is a cruiser longboard the deck is higher off the ground than other boards, which allows for deeper turns.
Although the Quest Super Cruiser is not designed for advanced maneuvers like sliding, it is perfect for cutting through the crowds and navigating any urban sprawl.
You can currently get this great cruiser board in three different colors: black, green and purple and the price makes it very affordable.
The Quest Super Cruiser is currently the best selling longboard on Amazon and has tons of great reviews that confirm this is a perfect longboard if you are new to the sport.
Quest Super Cruiser Longboard in Black.
See All Available Colors at Amazon
Amazon.Com (Paid link)
Magneto 44 inch Kicktail Cruiser Longboard
The board also sports aluminium trucks and urethane wheels trucks for better maneuvering, as well as a kick tail in case you need to stop quickly or jump over an obstacle.
The 7″ aluminium trucks are designed to be sturdy and lightweight and the urethane wheels are both shock absorbing and provide superior grip.
Available in a range of translucent wheel colors, the Ten Toes Emporium Zed is a very popular board with both beginners and experienced longboarders.
You can currently get this board at a very reasonable price, and the hundreds of great reviews mean you know you are buying quality too.
Magneto 44 inch Kicktail Cruiser Longboard in Blue.
See More Designs & Colors at Amazon
Amazon.Com (Paid link)
More Longboards
This is by no means an exhaustive list of either the features you can expect to find in the sub-genres above, nor the number of sub-genres you might find. It is a general guideline as to the more popular types of longboard, their features and their uses.
Skateboards & Longboards are a family that is constantly evolving and so you might find boards that are difficult to classify, have different features and are designed for more specific purposes. Check out some of the best selling Longboards right now below.
(Contains paid links)
Volador 42inch Freeride Longboard ( Drop Through Camber Deck )
Playshion Freeride Freestyle Drop Through Longboard Skateboard CompleteRimable 42 Inch Freestyle Topmount Longboard BLACKGREENWhite Wave Warrior Bamboo Longboard SkateboardBackfire New Cruiser Drop Through Longboard Complete Professional Longboards, balckNatural Blank & Stained Complete Longboard Pintail Skateboard (Natural, 40Backfire Drop Through Longboard Complete Lightweight 39 8.625inch Professional longboardsPlayshion 42 Inch Pintail Cruising Longboard Skateboard CompleteSCSK8 Professional Speed Drop Down / Drop Through Complete LongboardsRimable Drop-through Longboard 41inch Beach WavesTen Toes Board Emporium The Drops Drop Down Longboard DropdownAtom Longboards Atom Drop Through Longboard – 40Santa Cruz Lion God Rasta Drop Thru Cruzer Freeride LongboardSlendor Maple Drop Through Longboard Complete Skateboard, 41Quest Rorshack Bamboo Longboard Skateboard (34-Inch)PUENTE Skateboard Complete Pro Drop Through Longboard 41 InchLandwalker Pintail Complete Longboard 44MAGIC UNION 41 Inch Maple Drop Down Longboard Complete SkateboardAeroactive Longboard Skateboard Cruiser 45 Inch – Hardwood MapleMBS All-Terrain LongboardBackfire Drop Through Longboard Complete Double Kick 42×9.5inch Professional longboards
