9 Different Types of LongBoards [ Ultimate Guide ]

We all need some kind of activities that we love, and longboarding seems like a good thing to indulge in. You cannot longboard professionally as soon as you decide to get your hands on a longboard. However, a person can be right at longboarding if they try to polish their skills with time. The first step to learn professional longboarding is to get your hands on a perfect longboard. There are plenty of fishes in the sea, and not all will be flavorful to you. It is essential to find a perfect one amongst different types of longboards.

Each longboard is different, and its shape gives it a unique look. People need to keep various factors in mind when selecting longboards for themselves. The shape, size, capacity, and materials are a few things to keep in mind. As a beginner, you judge the best longboard based on how it looks. However, you need to focus on a couple of nooks and crannies when making the ultimate choice. The top choice also depends on your riding style as well. This article will tell you about different types of longboards and what works the best for your kind of riding style.

Different types of longboards

     1. Downhill longboard

The downhill longboard is one of the most favored longboards due to its excellent speed limit among different types of longboards surf. It also has different kinds of push and pump functions to help you achieve the maximum speed range. A user can amplify speed up to 90-mph. The shape of the downhill longboard is quite different from the regular longboard. The elongated longboard with front and back pin works seamlessly for seamless speed distribution. The body weight is evenly distributed across the longboard to give the user more control over the break.

     2. Drop-through longboard

The drop-through longboard is different from most longboards you will find in the market. It is a highly recommended longboard due to its perfect cut-out deck. The longboard trucks fit seamlessly with the deck to provide effective movements. One thing you can expect from this longboard is that it travels seamlessly and works perfectly for freestyle riding. This cruising longboard is used for long-distance travel and great speed adjustability. The drop-through longboard is easily adjustable and an excellent choice for low-speed craving. However, one thing to consider in a drop-through longboard is that it does not provide the best grip.

     3. Cruising longboard

Like any other longboard, a cruising longboard is also one of the high demand longboards among the different types of longboards surf. It is easily a leisure style longboard that works perfectly for freestyle riding across the streets. There are different kinds of shapes when it comes to a cruising longboard. The pintail longboard is used to provide users with a freestyle rising along with a more relaxed leisure time. Usually, a cruising longboard is more than 40-inches to provide users with more stability and control. The wheel suspension is broader, and it works ideally to offer more support.

     4. Bamboo longboards

If you are a beginner looking to have a great experience without snapping the deck apart, then a bamboo longboard is excellent. A bamboo longboard is made with, as the name suggests, bamboo wood to give it the longevity one is looking to achieve. The ultra-feather-light design is ideal for people who want to have an excellent longboarding experience. The longboard’s sturdy wheels are exceptional as the PU material helps in smooth gliding across a surface. The most crucial part is that they are not expensive and even if you break them, you will not regret it.

     5. Pintail longboards

Pintail longboards are the kind of longboards that have minimum wheel bite risk. The pintail longboards work perfectly for beginners who are trying to gain some sort of leverage. The top-mount trucks on the longboard glide smoothly across any surface without a hassle. Usually, a pintail longboard is between 9 to 10-inches wide and is more than 40-inches long. The size arrangement works well to give the user more control. If you are bulkier or on the heavier side, then a bigger longboard will work fine for you. It is essential to explore the market and find a perfect one for yourself.

     6. Fishtail longboard

A fishtail longboard is one of the rarest longboards to find; however, you will instantly recognize those amongst the lot. When you look at the longboard, you will notice a fishtail, which will make you identify its type. The fishtail and the pintail are the same, but the only difference is that the tail is sharper. Overall, the longboard shape is ideal for people who want more toe control on the longboard as it helps put brakes. The low-flex concave shape is suitable for easy speed checks and more power. It is the classic surf style that most people enjoy.

     7. Blunt longboards

If you are new to longboards and enjoy the activity, finding the perfect one can be a hassle. However, a blunt longboard is ideal for you if you are looking for stability and durability. The longboard is given the name blunt because it has a sharp nose and tail, and rough edges. This longboard is not ideal if you have to climb down the hill or take a quick turn. However, it works exceptionally well for basic longboarding and safety.

     8. Cutout longboards

Cutout longboards are also a type of longboard that fits well with beginners’ use. The primary specialty of the longboard is its large wheels. A user can gain full advantage through the longboard as its wheels glide exceptionally well across the road. There are deep cutouts at the border of the longboard, which makes it cool to use. The cutout longboard is also a king of a drop-down longboard, which allows a user to have more stability and control. The bi-directional wheel ability of the longboard is ideal for people to have a great sense of comfort. The extended deck and unique shape are perfect for providing high-level support.

     9. Freestyle longboard

A freestyle longboard may not be as perfect for a new user as for a professional. The unique and elongated shape of the longboard is ideal for providing users with high-level support and stability. It is the combination of carving and cruising, but at the same time, it is highly responsive. A freestyle longboard is usually a drop-through deck. The freestyle deck is also ideal for times when you wish to explore the city on foot. You will instead explore places on wheels than afoot, which is perfect for keeping your energy alive.

Things to focus on when selecting different types of longboards:

There are a couple of things to focus on when making the final longboard choice. There are a few factors that undoubtedly make a difference when choosing a longboard. Let’s have a look at these factors:

     I. Deck size

The longboard’s deck size is probably the most crucial thing to consider as it tells a lot about the riding style. If you are a tall person, let’s say more than 5.10-feet, then you should not go for a shorter deck. A deck or more than 40-inch works reasonably well in such cases. It is easier to maneuver and fly down the street in a decent-sized deck. On the other hand, a person with less than 5.10-feet in height can opt for a smaller than a 40-inch deck. The size of the deck also depends on the longboard type.

     II. Wheel quality

Well, wheel quality is also something that influences the choice of a person. A longboard with strong and sturdy wheels is probably something people look for when finding a longboard. Cheap plastic wheels do not provide a person with the kind of smoothness a person is looking for. PU wheels with sturdy alloy rings work perfectly in giving smooth gliding across the road.

     III. Deck material

The deck material also plays a significant role when it comes to making the ultimate choice. The deck of the longboard must be of strong material to ensure its durability. Mostly, the combination of maple and bamboo wood works best. The stacking of multiple plies works seamlessly in making the deck stronger. A more robust deck helps in supporting any kind of riding style. However, it also depends on the riding style you have. The cheap decks can snap apart before you even know it.

Conclusion

The market is full of different types of longboards, and a person needs to find one that is perfect for them. No matter how hard you try, it is a possibility that you would not find a perfect one on the first go. However, it is essential to know which kind of longboard you want to make the final choice more comfortable. Do you wish to freestyle or genuinely want to commute through the longboard? After judging your every need, you can go for the longboard that best fits your requirements. We have stated the most famous types of longboards in our opinion. You can have a look at the list and evaluate a longboard that works best for you. Or checkout our ultimate buying guide on Best LongBoards for Beginners.

If you find this information helpful don’t feel shy to share it with your fellow skaters. Thanks,
Skating Info – Be Alive With Skating