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Best Longboards Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Materials
There are a variety of different materials used in the production of longboards, and these include maple wood. This is a very popular material because it is tough and lasts for longer, and enable a better life in the purchase even if you ride hard and tough. Bamboo is becoming more commonplace and benefits from being more flexible than maple, and as a bonus, it is very light so won’t bog you down when it’s strapped to your backpack.
Technological improvements are constantly evolving and carbon fiber is the latest material to be added to the longboard category. It is more expensive than some of the other products but offer a better, faster push off and ride; consequently, they are highly favoured by the professionals in the field because of the improved ride, having said that however – there are lighter weighted wooden boards that still offer a similar experience to the super expensive versions and you should always do your own compare and contrast before you take the plunge and buy your new board.
Size
You may think bigger is better when you’re looking for your ideal longboard – but heed a few cautionary tips before you take the plunge. Generally speaking, longer longboards of fifty inches are recommended for taller people and are designed for longer, more cruising types of boarding rides. Middle longboards of around forty-two inches are recommended as being suitable for most types of riding and most body sizes, they are an ideal intermediate board that is good for cruising and maintaining great stability.
The shorter sized longboard at around thirty-four inches is best suited for younger, smaller riders and offers a great starting place for beginners. You should always make sure the board width best suits your individual needs too; they are often presented in narrow and wide forms. The latter is wide across the whole of the central board, whilst the narrow is only wide at a single point on the point.
Style
A downhill longboard is designed to do just that, riding down hills at speed; and the board shape is often specifically designed with a definitive curve to the rear and the front to reduce drag and improve directional changes. The better quality longboards will have superior bases and tracks to reduce wobbling and shuddering that may have painful consequences when speeding downhill.
For a more relaxed longboard, there is the drop through styles; these allow you to cruise in a more stable position and offer a freer ride in relative comfort and safety. A carving longboard benefits you because it makes quick avoidance movements a lot more smooth to execute, the open track in front of you may look clear, but a carving longboard will let you avoid obstacles and help to keep you upright through its perimeter shaping.
If it’s a shorter distance you are using your longboard for, for instance, a peruse around the block or mall, then a cruising style may be right up your street. They are designed with wider decks and trucks for an exceptionally stable ride; these types are well suited for younger boarders and learners. For a more lightweight and flexible longboard, bamboo longboards are super light and this gives them the advantage of being easy to do tricks and they are less expensive to buy.
Use
When you think about buying your longboard, the first place you need to begin is to decide what you want to use it for and some consideration should be given to your level of experience. The more popular uses for longboarding include downhill racing, (not for the faint-hearted!) slalom riding for more precise moving and simply cruising around town or for sidewalk surfing. Whatever reason you are thinking of longboarding for, chances are you already have a use in mind, as long as you keep that thought high on your priority list – you should be able to find an ideal longboard that best suits your requirements and matches your level of expertise and capabilities.
The variety of different styles of longboards is quite vast, and different types are better for varying uses. The obvious evolutionary breakthrough and change from a skateboard is the length of the longboard. You would be advised to check the length of your intended purchase to ensure it will not be too long for you be able to maneuver safely and to the best advantage. Shortboards are generally around thirty to forty inches long and offer a unique ride which is very practical if you find yourself having to carry your board for any length of time.
Value
Your individual levels of experience should be a great place to start when you are shopping for a longboard, hopefully, this basic guide has given you a useful starting point on which you can build on. As long as you err on the side of caution, you should be able to buy and use your longboard safely and for maximum enjoyment. But as a note; always make sure you are wearing the correct safety gear and make sure you are riding in a safe zone, you may not think it’s awesome to wear but it’s better for your own protection if you are unfortunate enough to fall. Within the source list below, you will find handy links to some sites that offer invaluable information regarding sizing, setting up through to uses, there should be a site here to point you in the direction you need to answer any further queries you may have.
BEST LONGBOARDS REVIEWED & RATED FOR QUALITY
1. YOCAHER Professional
The YOCAHER professional longboard is available in a huge range of twenty colorful designs that are measured at forty-one point twenty-five by nine inches. The deck is produced using nine-ply maple that offers a high flex concave finish for the extreme experience. It benefits from being provided as a fully assembled unit so is ready to ride as soon as it arrives for ultra convenience.
Chrome Bearings
The longboard boasts ABEC seven chrome bearings which are complemented with black widow premium grade eighty a grip tape for the ultimate ride, and the top-mounted trucks reduce the risk of wheel bite.
Quality Components
The components are quality assured and include one hundred eighty millimeter hangers that are an aluminum alloy, with heavy-duty trucks for an altogether better ride that allows durability and speed.
Cost and Value
Taking into consideration the quality materials used in the construction of this YOCAHER professional board, combine that with the smooth rolling and comfortable ride offered, it is ensured that money spent on this longboard is money well spent.
2. The Quest Super Cruiser
This forty-four-inch longboard is produced using maple hardwood that is strengthened by multi-layering, it boasts a bamboo deck that is designed to a high specification. The forty-four-inch longboard is ideal for cruising with the unique artisan styling, and the full Quest range includes Original, Freestyle, Boardwalk, Beach, Downhill, So Cal, Heritage, and the Cruiser. Each style is made to serve a useful and long-lasting board ride.
Practical Features
The Quest Super Cruiser benefits from seven-inch aluminum trucks, and ABEC seven-speed bearings for a smoother ride and enables tight turning for an all-around improved ride. The seven-ply bamboo offers greater flexibility and promises all-around high performance.
Convenient Multi-use
The quest cruiser weighs in at a light ten pounds which makes it convenient for carrying when riding is not viable, the overall size measures forty-three-inch by nine-inch by forty-four-inch and improves the functionality.
Cost and Value
The quality of the genuine components and technologically improved deck, combined with the trucks and gear systems ensure that this is very well proportioned when considering both cost and value and is a worthwhile longboard for the price.
3. Ten Toes Emporium
The Ten Toes Emporium longboard is available in twelve stylish and striking color designs, it is produced with bamboo and maple and boasts a bamboo deck and kick tail. It measures in at forty-four-inches for a comfortable professional feel when cruising, and the vintage California look boasts being designed in Los Angeles for a real American look. The smooth finish and quality manufacturing process makes this board all the more cosmetically appealing.
Quality components
This longboard benefits from quality components including a seven-inch truck system with a gliding reverse kingpin for a more responsive and reactive ride. The inclusion of ABEC seven bearing aims to produce an even smoother roll.
Tough and Durable
The wheels are seventy by fifty-one millimeters with an eighty-five a set of PU wheels, and the tough PU cast black bushing comes in at ninety a for an improved and more comfortable ride even when riding on the sidewalk.
Cost and Value
Considering both the cost and value of the Ten Toes Emporium cruiser longboard, the balance is well reflected in both areas, and with the quality components used and improved smooth rolling – this longboard is great value for money.
4. VOLADOR Freeride
This longboard is designed as a drop through camber deck and boasts a forty-two-inch drop. It benefits from being produced with eight ply maple with epoxy glue for longer durability and sustainability. The longboard is available in a great range of twelve striking colors, and globally influenced graphics. The deck is flexible and works as a shock absorber which provides a smoother and more comfortable ride.
Workable Features
The VOLADOR freeride longboard boasts genuine aluminum seven-inch reverse kingpin trucks that are conveniently adjustable to either fifty or forty-five degrees which offer a better choice for maximizing movements.
Functional Usability
The symmetrical shape allows sharp maneuvering and reduces wheel bite from any angle, it boasts a cold pressed camber concave deck to improve the performance and enhance any ride with smooth and extreme capabilities.
Cost and Value
The environmentally friendly sourced materials add to the appeal of this longboard, the genuine component parts combined with the striking and stylish cost-efficient and value-packed longboard that is great for superior longboarding.
5. Playshion 39 inch
This longboard is offered as a complete starter for any age range and is suitable for weights up to two hundred fifty pounds. It is produced using eight ply flex maple for the deck which is formed in a flat and symmetrical style for optimum comfort. The Playshion longboard has ample scope for freeriding and freestyling, for curving, cruising and sliding which allows even the earliest borders to learn and have extreme fun in the process.
Tough Construction
The longboard benefits tough but soft seventy by fifty-millimeter SHR seventy-eight A polyurethane wheels that will improve the ride no matter what level of experience held by the rider.
Quality Features
The Playshion thirty-nine inch has lightweight seven-inch aluminum trucks that boast ABEC seven bearings for a better roll making for a smooth ride, in addition, it has PU cast red bushing at ninety A.
Cost and Value
The balance between cost and value is reflected well when taking into consideration the quality materials and components used in the manufacture, that, combined with the versatility it offers as a starter longboard – makes it great value for money.
6. Minority Downhill
This one hundred percent maple wood deck is forty inches long and is designed using a drop model style that offers a classic downhill longboard. The board is specifically produced to enable downhill speeds with its low gravity and the stability is improved with a ten-inch width deck and an impressive thirty-seven-inch wheelbase. All these techniques used in this longboards production aim to give the most pleasure on any downhill ride.
Tough wheels
The Minority Downhill longboard is complimented with seventy by fifty-one-millimeter seventy-eight A PU wheels that combine with ABEC nine precision bearings; to provide an ultra-smooth ride that rolls with ease.
Versatile ride
The longboard is fitted with genuine seven-inch aluminum reversed kingpin trucks that are fully adjustable for personal preference to either forty-five or fifty degrees. This offers a more comfortable and manageable ride.
Cost and Value
The impressive range of stylish and striking designs, combined with the features including the eight-ply cold-pressed maple and the reverse kingpins ensure that money spent on this is money well spent.
7. Atom Drop Through
This longboard is available in five unique designs; Tiki Banner, Owl, Purple Veneer, Blue Geo, and Bamboo. Each striking design is applied with photo heat transfer technology that seals the colors and gives a high-quality finish. The deck is constructed from eight-ply maple laminate and is produced to provide a comfortable drop through that reduces the risk of wheel bite and increases longevity.
Quality Components
The Atom Drop Through boasts heat treated CRMO axles with combined grade eight kingpins, the added adjustability is offered with a reverse kingpin that gives a degree of fifty for improved riding experience.
Built for Speed
The longboard is designed for fast riding and this is improved with the addition of fifty-one to seventy-millimeter diameter by fifty-one millimeters wide, coupled with seventy-eight A super high rebound – allows better speed capabilities.
Cost and Value
The relative higher-end price of this Atom Drop Through is reflected well with the overall quality of the components used, and the classy finish adds to this. The value and cost of this longboard are well balanced for this superior board.
8. RIMABLE Drop Through
The RIMABLE drop through longboard is offered in five unique and striking designs; black sculls, Canadian maple dream catcher, Canadian maple Polynesia, red skulls and black with contrasting yellow. Each design has bold wheel colors that are visually very bold. The board is produced using cold-pressed nine-ply maple that is laminated for a tougher and more durable board.
Speed Features
The longboard has an edge with the addition of high-speed lubricant to the bearings, which improves not only the comfort but the speed attainable and the smooth-rolling when riding hard.
Quality Components
The free-rider shaped longboard measures forty-one by nine point five inches that boasts a seven-inch one-eighty aluminum truck that has the benefit of high elastic bushing for better rideability and performance.
Cost and Value
The RIMABLE drop through longboard is reasonably priced, and the added quality features and unique designs ensure that this is well reflected in the value as well, overall an excellent longboard for the price.
9. Atom Drop Deck
This longboard is designed specifically with both stability and carving in mind, it is produced with full maple laminate and has a very striking and appealing color design with contrasting wheels. The smoother rolling capability it offers means an easier push so makes it ideal for using in busy urban areas as well. The lower construction provides a stable and smooth ride which increases its overall versatility and multi-purpose use.
Practical Features
The Atom Drop Deck has a reverse kingpin and adds two hundred forty-five millimeter axles and with the addition of ABEC nine bearings and lubricant – allows for better turning and speed with comfort.
Eurethane Wheels
The longboard has the benefit of wide lipped super high rebound urethane wheels that measure in at seventy by fifty-one millimeter for an even better roll and provides more grip when needed the most.
Cost and Value
The Atom Drop Deck longboard has great features that widen the versatility and practicality, the lower deck improves stability and the drop design also minimizes wheel bite – overall a great balance on both cost and value
10. Santa Cruz Lion God
Santa Cruz offers this Lion God longboard with a bold, striking, colorful and contrasting design. It is constructed using nine-ply maple wood and measures in at forty by ten inches, and weighing in at a mere seven pounds this is an ideal longboard for using in busy urban areas and is less uncomfortable when carrying is required.
Practical Design
The drop through the design of the Lion God longboard makes it more stable and reduces the risk of wheel biting, the components used also make this a very fast ride which is not only a good roller but is also very smooth.
Versatile
The longboard is versatile enough to be used for carving and sliding, its lightweight bulk and design make it very practical for riding in built-up paved areas, added to this is the comfortable ride when undertaking longer rides.
Cost and Value
When considering the cost and value of this Santa Cruz Lion Gog longboard, the combination of the multi-use versatility it offers, along with the speed and carving ability – it is well balanced on both and is excellent value for money.
Sources
- , Longboarding Information, Longboarding Blog
- , Adrenaline Beast, Lifestyle Blog