It’s a question we’re asked a lot, especially as our longboard range greatly varies in length, anywhere from 32-inch decks up to a mega 60-inch deck. But we’re here to tell you that the answer isn’t a simple one based on metrics such as height, weight and experience like some other board sports.
In this post we’ll explain that the key to getting the right longboard for you is about more than size. It lies within what you want to do with the skateboard: where and how you plan to ride it, which also dictates the shape you’ll choose.
We’ll go through different longboard riding styles so you can consider the shape and type of skate setup that’ll suit you best and also explain what effect the differing sizes will have in those areas.
But before we do, here’s one simple rule to bear in my mind: longer boards, or more specifically, skateboards with longer wheelbases, will provide more stability at speed but can’t turn as fast or as tight as boards with shorter wheelbases.
Cruising and Carving Longboards
The most popular style of longboarding is simply cruising and carving. This is about taking to the streets, carving sloping roads and riding about town whilst having as much as fun as possible. If you’re just getting into longboarding, this is most likely how you want to learn to skate.
Typically, boards made for cruising and carving are at the shorter end of the scale. This is because, the shorter the skateboard and its wheelbase, the more manoeuvrable and agile it is, allowing you to turn sharper as you weave your way from A to B. In some cases, smaller carving boards will also have a kicker at the tail. This raised section of the deck means you can lift the nose of the skateboard, allowing you to turn tighter and pop over obstacles such as curbs. The Buddy is a personal favourite of the Two Bare Feet staff.
Downhill/Freeride Longboards
Downhill longboarding is arguably the most advanced, and as you probably guessed, the fastest discipline you can do on a longboard. Simply put, it involves bombing the biggest hills and going as quick as you can.
If this is where you’d like to take your longboarding, then stability is your best friend so the first step you can take is to look for a ride with a long wheelbase. The Parker for example, has a deck of just over 42 inches and a 33-inch wheelbase. The further apart your trucks, the less sensitive to your movements they will be, providing you with a super stable and controlled ride.
Downhill longboards are often also mounted with a different type of truck called a drop-through. This is where the trucks are literally mounted through the board, lowering the overall height of the deck. The lower the ride, the more stable you will find it, helping you maintain and control all the speed that comes with bombing hills.
Freestyle Longboards
Freestyle riding is about getting creative which is why there’s no real right answer as to what to ride. Here, skaters get technical, performing tricks such sliding, board spins and flips and even dancing. Often this a more of a flat-ground pursuit and it’s the type of tricks you intend to do that will inform the style of skateboard you are thinking of buying.
For example, anyone looking to dance and cross-step on a board will benefit from as much space on the deck as possible. Whereas, if you hope to ride hills and get into sliding, search for a board with a low centre of gravity, similar to a downhill board. And if you want to flip your board, a kicker will certainly help. Some boards in our range you’ll find suitable to cross over disciplines and perform all types of tricks on, (the 824 Pintail, for example) whereas others are more geared towards a particular discipline.
Start Skating Today
While this may have left you with a few more things to consider before buying your board, it’s always worth taking into account where you’d like to take your skating so you’ll have a board that will last. One thing that is for sure however, is our wide range of longboards will certainly have something to suit you. If you’re still struggling to decide on the right setup, feel free to give us a call and talk it through so we can get you skating as soon as possible.
Check out our full range of maple and bamboo longboards.
