Choosing the right longboard as a beginner can be overwhelming. While you can technically learn on any board, some are far more forgiving and easier to handle, leading to a smoother learning curve. This guide will walk you through the best longboards for beginners, updated for 2023/2024, helping you find the perfect fit for your needs and riding style.
Top Longboard Picks for New Riders
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best longboards for beginners, categorized by the type of riding they’re best suited for. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it provides excellent starting points based on different preferences and budgets.
Best Mini Cruiser Longboards for Beginners
Mini cruisers are compact and portable, making them ideal for short commutes and easy storage.
Magneto Mini Cruiser: Budget-Friendly but Basic
The Magneto Mini Cruiser is a small board, measuring 7.5 inches wide and 27.5 inches long. It features a 6-ply maple deck with a clear sand grit finish for grip.
Magneto Mini Cruiser
While the deck is reasonably strong, its components are subpar. It uses knock-off Paris TKP trucks and small 60mm wheels. These might be okay for very young riders, but they don’t offer the smoothness or performance that adults or heavier riders need. They also struggle with road imperfections and pebbles. This board is budget-friendly and suitable for children, but it might not be the best choice for adults.
Stoked Blank Cruiser: Best Value for Money & Versatile
The Stoked Blank Cruiser is a skateboard-style deck with larger, softer wheels, providing a smoother ride. This board excels in both value and versatility, making it great for beginners.
Stoked Blank Cruiser
It comes in standard popsicle lengths of about 32 inches and various widths from 7.75 to 8.5 inches, with the wider options being more comfortable. Unlike the Magneto, the Stoked cruiser features real Paris trucks, which offer a much smoother and more responsive ride without wheelbite. At around $90, it offers exceptional value with high-quality components.
Landyachtz Dinghy: High-Quality, Great for Kids
The Landyachtz Dinghy is a popular mini longboard known for its high quality. It measures 28.5 inches long and 8 inches wide, constructed with maple and high-quality components.
Landyachtz Dinghy Mini Longboard
The Dinghy includes Bear trucks and 63mm Hawgs wheels, which are slightly taller than standard mini-cruiser wheels. This provides a smoother ride and better performance over road cracks and pebbles. Landyachtz also offers various graphic options, making it a good option for those looking for a stylish and functional mini longboard.
Top Cruising Longboards for Beginners
Cruising longboards are designed for comfortable rides and enjoying the sensation of skating.
Sola Bamboo Longboard: Budget Option with Basic Components
The Sola Bamboo longboard offers a decent design at an affordable price. However, the components are not of the highest quality.
Sola Bamboo Longboard
The board is 38 inches long and 9.75 inches wide with a drop-down design, which makes it more stable and easier to ride. However, it comes with low-quality trucks that don’t turn smoothly and 70mm wheels made from less durable urethane. This board is suitable for those on a tight budget, but it may not last as long as higher-quality alternatives.
Sola Bamboo Longboard Drop
Landyachtz Drop Cat 33: Excellent Value and Performance
The Landyachtz Drop Cat 33 is considered one of the best stock longboards available, especially for beginners. It’s low to the ground, easy to push, and flexible, offering a smooth and enjoyable ride.
Landyachtz Drop Cat 33 Cruising Longboard
It features 72mm wheels that roll fast and absorb vibrations well. The Drop Cat includes high-quality Hawgs Plow King wheels, Bear Gen 6 trucks, and Bear space ball bearings. Its 33-inch length makes it easy to carry and store. At around $190, it is a high-quality, easy-to-skate cruiser.
Comet Cruiser: Top-Tier Hybrid Cruiser
The Comet Cruiser is a high-quality board known for its excellent ride, turning ability, stability, and trick capability.
Comet Cruiser
The board is approximately 34 inches long and 7.9 inches wide with a low standing platform. It’s equipped with top-tier components from reputable brands, along with custom upgrades for an enhanced riding experience. While it’s priced at $225, its exceptional quality makes it a great investment.
Pantheon Ember: Premium Cruiser/Commuter Hybrid
The Pantheon Ember is a high-quality hybrid board designed for both cruising and commuting.
Pantheon Ember Cruiser
It measures 32 inches long and 8.5 inches wide with a double-drop design, keeping it close to the ground for stability and easy pushing. Large 85mm wheels provide a smooth ride even on rough roads. While it is priced at around $200, the quality and performance make it a worthwhile purchase for those interested in commuting.
Best Beginner Longboards for Dancing and Freestyle
These boards are designed for fancy footwork and tricks.
Magneto Dancer: Budget Option with Lacking Components
The Magneto Dancer, priced around $140, is an affordable option for those interested in dancing. However, its components are lacking.
Magneto Dancer Longboard
The deck is decent, but the board comes with cheap knock-off Paris V2 trucks and subpar wheels and bearings. While replacing these components can improve the ride, it adds to the overall cost, potentially making other options more appealing.
Landyachtz Stratus: High-Quality Beginner Dancer
The Landyachtz Stratus is an affordable, high-quality option for those serious about longboard dancing.
Landyachtz Stratus Dancer Longboard
The 40-inch version is best for freestyle, while the 46-inch version is ideal for dancing. This board offers a great balance of quality and affordability, making it a worthwhile investment for aspiring dancers.
Rayne Nae Nae 44”: Best Value for Money Dancer
The Rayne Nae Nae is a budget-friendly option for dancers, available in 44-inch and 40-inch lengths.
Rayne Nae Nae Dancer Longboard
It features Rayne wheels and Atlas trucks. While the Atlas trucks are not as smooth as other options, the board offers a decent quality ride, making it great for beginners on a tight budget.
Best Beginner Longboards for Downhill and Freeride
These boards are designed for speed and sliding.
Pantheon Gaia: Fan-Favorite Beginner Downhill Board
The Pantheon Gaia is a popular, egg-shaped board favored by many riders for downhill skating.
Pantheon Gaia Downhill Longboard
It is 37 inches long and 9.6 inches wide, constructed with maple and fiberglass, ensuring stiffness and control at high speeds. Its micro-drop design adds stability and makes sliding easier. It’s an excellent choice for beginners looking to get into downhill skating, providing quality at an affordable price.
Earthwing Hoopty: Affordable Downhill Option
The Earthwing Hoopty is an excellent budget option for those interested in downhill skating.
Earthwing Hoopty Downhill Longboard
It features a stiff, 9-ply maple deck and a 25-inch wheelbase for added stability. While not as beginner-friendly as the Gaia, it’s a solid option for those on a budget.
Niche Longboard Types
Best Longboards for Commuting
- Pantheon Quest
- Pantheon Trip
- Pantheon Ember
- Zenit ATB
- Rocket
- Bustin Sportster
Best Longboards for Heavier Riders
- Pantheon Quest
- Bustin Sportster
- Landyachtz Evo
- Most Zenit boards (with extra plys on request)
How to Choose the Right Beginner Longboard for You
The most important factor is the type of skating you plan to do. Here’s a breakdown of the different longboard disciplines and the boards best suited for them:
Mini Cruising
Mini cruisers are designed for portability and shorter rides.
- Purpose: Quick trips, easy storage, and portability.
- Ideal Boards: Small, lightweight boards, typically under 30 inches long and 8 inches wide, with TKP trucks and 60-65mm wheels.
Fireball Mini Cruiser- Pros: Highly portable and easy to store.
- Cons: Not ideal for long distances, less stable, harder to learn on.
- Price Range:
- Low-quality: $50 – $80
- Decent/High-quality: $100 – $150
- High-quality: $180+
Cruising
Cruising is about enjoying the ride and the feeling of skating.
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Purpose: Comfortable rides, relaxed skating, and slightly longer distances.
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Ideal Boards: Longer (around 35 inches), wider (around 9 inches), low-standing platforms, flexible decks, and big 70-75mm wheels.
Landyachtz Drop Cat Longboard -
Pros: Comfortable, stable, and great for enjoying the sensation of skating.
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Cons: Bulky, not very nimble, and not great for high speeds or tricks.
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Price Range:
- Low-quality: < $100
- Decent/Low-quality: $100 – $150
- Decent/High-quality: $150 – $220
- High-quality: $250+
Dancing and Freestyle
Dancing and freestyle involve footwork and tricks on the board.
- Purpose: Fancy footwork and tricks.
- Ideal Boards: 45-inch long boards for dancing, 40-inch for freestyle, and hybrid sizes for both.
- Pros: Fun and expressive, ideal for learning tricks and footwork.
- Cons: Not very maneuverable, not very portable, not ideal for high speeds.
- Price Range:
- Low-quality: < $200
- Decent/High-quality: $200 – $300
- High-quality: $300+
Downhill, Freeride, and Sliding
Downhill involves high speeds and sliding techniques.
- Purpose: High-speed skating with slides.
Downhill longboarding- Ideal Boards: Stiff, around 35 inches long and 9.5 inches wide, with big 70-80mm wheels, coarse griptape, and RKP trucks with 45-degree baseplates.
- Pros: Stable at high speeds, ideal for downhill skating and learning to slide.
- Cons: Uncomfortable for cruising, not good for dancing, not ideal for beginners looking for a casual ride.
- Price Range:
- Low-quality: < $180
- Decent/High-quality: $200 – $300
- High-quality: $300+
Commuting
Commuting involves using your board as a primary mode of transportation.
- Purpose: Efficient and comfortable travel over long distances.
- Ideal Boards: Low to the ground, flexible, with big 80mm+ wheels.
- Pros: Comfortable, efficient, and smooth on various road surfaces.
- Cons: Not ideal for downhill, tricks, or dancing.
- Price Range:
- Low-quality: < $200
- Decent/High-quality: $200 – $300
- High-quality: $300+
Key Features for Beginner-Friendly Longboards
Low Standing Platform
A lower platform makes the board easier to push, footbrake, and balance on.
Wide Standing Platform
A wide platform is more comfortable and makes it easier to balance on for extended periods.
Long Standing Platform
A longer platform allows for a more comfortable and relaxed stance, with the feet shoulder-width apart.
High-Quality Components
Quality components (trucks, wheels, bearings, bushings) enhance the riding experience by providing a smoother, more stable ride.
Why Avoid Cheap Longboards
Cheap longboards often have poor construction and components.
- Poor Construction: Decks with inconsistent shapes prone to delamination.
- Low-Quality Materials: Weak wood plys, and poor-quality glue.
- Subpar Components: Trucks that bend easily, gummy wheels, and bushings that don’t turn smoothly.
- Poor Riding Experience: Slow roll speeds, instability, and inconsistent turns.
Making a Budget-Conscious Choice
If you can’t afford a high-quality board, a cheaper option is better than nothing. Consider looking for used gear to find quality options at lower prices. However, save up for quality gear if you plan to do any technical riding.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right longboard is essential for a positive learning experience. Consider your preferred riding style and choose a board that matches your needs. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from experienced riders, and always prioritize quality components for a safer and more enjoyable ride. This guide should help you get started, but always continue to research and learn.
