How Do You Know What Size Longboard To Get?

Longboards have much more to offer than meets the eye—everything from deck shape to wheel bearings affects your ride. They come in a variety of shapes, constructions, and features. 

That’s why most people are confused about how you know what size longboard to get. However, regarding longboards and cruiser boards, getting the right size is key to getting the best longboarding experience.

Handling a board becomes second nature to seasoned longboarders and cruisers regardless of size, but for newcomers, getting the right size to fit you and your body is more important—your needs.

There are a lot of details regarding longboard styles and sizes. So I have summarized it for you in the image below. Every longboard rider should see and feel what works best for them.

What is a Longboard?

A longboard is a kind of skateboard that is longer than normal and comes in different shapes.

People are falling in love with this type of skateboarding to perform tricks for beginners every day.

How do you know which size longboard to choose?

The size of your longboard should be based on the type of riding you plan to do, as well as your height and weight. Generally, taller riders prefer longer boards while shorter riders prefer shorter boards.

Cruiser boards or mini cruisers are usually best for beginners and those who don’t ride much. For more advanced riders, the size should be determined by the kind of riding they do – for example, downhill racing requires a longer board that is more stable at higher speeds, whereas freeriding or carving typically requires a shorter board with a tighter turning radius.

Ultimately, it’s important to find a size that is comfortable and suits your individual style of riding.

Look at the photo of one of my plates for reference:

The length of the longboard can range from 22 inches to 50 inches and more.

What style of longboard do you prefer or plan to choose?

It really depends on what you plan to use the longboard for. If you are looking for more of a cruising and carving experience, then a top-mount pintail or swallowtail longboard would be a great choice.

If you are looking to do more downhill, freeride, or slalom style riding, then a drop through or drop deck longboard would be better suited.

Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and whatever style of riding you plan to do.

Famous longboard types

 Do you dance on your longboard and do tricks? Or are you just enjoying a chilly walk along the beach?

It will essentially determine the size of the longboard to choose from. Four main longboard styles define longboard length:

1. Cruising longboard
2. Downhill longboard
3. Freestyle longboard
4. Free ride longboard

They are designed because these riding styles require both manoeuvrabilities for tricks and stability at fairly high speeds.

Cruising & Carving Longboard

Cruising and carving longboarding is about cutting streets with a gradual slant, shaking the quad on the way to class, and pushing long distances on flat or slightly slanted ground. 

Downhill longboard

Downhill longboarding is about bombing down hills as fast as possible while maintaining control. You are usually crouched or hunched on your board to reduce wind resistance and increase stability. Like in freeriding, damaging those wheels in a fall is not unusual to hold your speed, so real downhill isn’t the most suitable riding technique for new riders.

Freeride Longboard

Freeride longboarding means rolling down hills with good speed while styling them with slides and curb jumps, as well as slides to control your speed on bigger descents. 

Freestyle Longboard

Freestyle longboarding involves technical skills such as gliding, board tricks, steady and silly riding, and dancing, to name a few. 

Longboard deck shapes

All other designs fall into two common board shapes: directional and twin or symmetrical. Both board shapes are suitable for beginners and experts.

Twin longboards (symmetrical)

Asymmetrical plank looks and feels the same no matter which direction it points. A symmetrical board is a way to go if you plan to do 180° slides (common in freeride and freestyle).

Top Mount Longboards

It is the least expensive and more traditional shape longboard. It makes the top bracket slightly less stable but more elegant than boards that have been dropped due to increased spin leverage. Top mount boards are used for speed, downhill, and carving, which is the most universal. 

Fall Through Longboards

 It increases the stability of the plate and reduces fatigue when pushing / braking because you have to lower your foot to touch the ground. These boards are ideal for long-distance (commuting), free-riding, and downhill styles.

Drop Deck Longboards

These decks look weird. Drop-deck longboards are shaped during construction so that your feet roll-on area is under the trucks. The fall deck fashion is usually located on some freeride boards and downhill. Drop rig boards ride their trucks.

Longboard characteristics (shape)

All longboards have specific shape elements that provide tooling differentiation and assist dictate each board’s purposeful use. These elements contain kick tails, wheel cuts, and concaves.

Round tail long tables

Kick tails are what you see on both sides of regular skateboards. Kick-tail longboard shapes are ideal for cross-country, and last-second pedestrian curb jumps are necessary on many freestyle boards.

Longboard wheel cutouts/wheel arches

Wheel notches and wheel wells are intended to prevent wheel bites on your longboard, which happen when you turn too hard, and your wheels come into contact with your cover. It usually results in you being thrown off your plate (no Bueno). 

Longboard Length and Wheelbase

The length of the longboard, or the wheelbase, plays a key role in the turns and the stability of the board.

Longboard building

When choosing the length, The material design of your longboard can even be appropriate. For example, if you want optimal stability but are hesitant to buy a skateboard that is too long for you, you can go for ones that are well constructed. 

Bamboo

Bamboo laminates are also becoming popular in the longboard world. A vertically laminated bamboo sheet is wrapped in fiberglass or other composite materials. It typically produces a medium to light board with a smooth bend and powerful resiliency.

Carbon fiber

Carbon fiber is one of the most expensive decks covering materials. It combines bamboo and foam, creating a lightweight core wrapped in composite materials for a firmer finish. This board is ideal for downhillers due to its weight and stiffness.

Customize a skateboard

Maybe at some point, you thought about refurbishing your skateboard. 

1. Remove both trucks from the skateboards for a clear view of the decks and seamless work.
2. Start cutting the A with a jigsaw. Cut the grip straps or replace them completely.
3. Attach the trucks to Skateboard A and take them for a test drive to see the upgrades.

longboard swirls

Wheels play an important role in how your longboard performs, as they provide grip between you and the road, affecting the speed and cornering ability. 

Longboard Wheels (Round-Lipped)

 The wheel’s ” edge ” is rounded, providing less cornering traction. It means they are easier to slide than the square type, making them the obvious choice for free-riders and freestylers. Look for square lip wheels if you’re new to longboarding or want to bomb up hills and turns as quickly as possible.

 Longboard Square Wheels

It is a typical shape longboard. Instead of rounding the “edge” of the wheel, it is square (at a 90° angle). It offers better contact with the road, which offers much more traction and slip resistance.

Longboard Safety Tips

1. Wear a Helmet and Safety Gear – This should be common sense, but it’s extremely important to wear a helmet while longboarding. It’s also highly recommended to wear other safety gear such as elbow and knee pads, wrist guards, and protective eyewear.

2. Check Your Equipment – Before you start riding, check your longboard to make sure everything is in good condition. Ensure that the trucks are secure, the wheels aren’t losing their tread or shape, and the bearings are still fastened correctly.

3. Stay Alert – When you’re longboarding, pay attention to your surroundings at all times. It’s easy to become distracted by your music or phone when you’re cruising down the street so keep an eye out for traffic and pedestrians.

4. Obey Traffic Laws – Follow all local laws regarding riding on public roads and pathways including obeying speed limits and yielding right of way when necessary. Always ride with traffic on the right side of the road or path unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

5. Be Courteous – Remember that you share the space with pedestrians, drivers, cyclists, skateboarders and other longboarders so be respectful of others around you when riding in public areas by keeping noise levels low and avoiding aggressive behavior such as cutting off other riders or weaving in between pedestrians on sidewalks.

6. Avoid Rough Surfaces – Stick to smooth surfaces whenever possible since rough terrain can cause wheel bite which may result in an accident if not corrected quickly enough before impact with a stationary object (e.g., curb).

7. Practice Good Braking Technique – Start slow and practice braking on flat ground before taking on hilly terrains or crowded streets where unexpected obstacles may cause accidents if not stopped in time using proper technique (i.e., heel-toe braking).

8. Watch Out For Children & Pets – Be aware of children playing or running around while longboarding since they may not always be able to move out of your way quickly enough due to their smaller size; likewise for pets who may wander into street unexpectedly during rides near parks or residential neighborhoods

9 . Don’t Ride at Night – Visibility is reduced significantly during night time so it’s best to avoid riding in dark conditions altogether unless equipped with proper lighting systems; even then it is still riskier than daytime rides due to decreased visibility

Frequently Asked Questions

Williams Jayson

I am a longboarding enthusiast and a blogger. On this blog, I share tips, tricks, and advice based on my experience. I am dedicated to helping newbies improve their skills and enjoy this fun activity to the fullest.