Choosing the right board can be confusing, especially when you’re faced with skateboards, cruisers, and longboards. Each type serves a unique purpose, catering to different riding styles and preferences. This guide will break down the distinctions between these three board types, helping you make an informed decision based on your needs. Whether you’re into technical tricks, relaxed cruising, or long-distance rides, understanding the differences in deck size, wheel types, and overall design is crucial.
| Features | Longboards | Skateboards | Cruisers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Length | 35″ – 42″ | 31″ – 33″ | 22″ – 38″ |
| Deck Width | 8.5″ – 10.25″ | 7.5″ – 8.75″ | 8.0″ – 9.5″ |
| Wheel Size | 65mm – 80mm | 48mm – 58mm | 60mm – 65mm |
| Truck Size | 149mm – 215mm | 129mm – 159mm | 139mm – 169mm |
| Purpose | Downhill, Long distance, Sliding, dancing, freestyle | Tricks, skateparks, street skating | Short commutes, comfortable rides |
Skateboards Explained
A standard skateboard with a popsicle shape, showcasing its upward curving nose and tail.
The classic skateboard, often referred to as a “popsicle” due to its shape, is primarily designed for performing tricks and technical maneuvers. These boards typically range from 30 to 32 inches in length and 7 to 9 inches in width. The specific shape, including the upward curve of the nose and tail (kicktails), is essential for executing jumps and flips.
The concave shape of the deck, which refers to the curve across its width, plays a crucial role in the board’s responsiveness. Street skaters often prefer narrower decks, while those who skate vert ramps and bowls tend to favor wider ones. Unlike cruisers and longboards, traditional skateboards aren’t ideal for long-distance transportation. Their smaller, harder wheels make them less comfortable for prolonged rides. However, by switching to larger, softer wheels, a skateboard can be modified for cruising, although it generally requires more effort to push.
If you’re in the market for a quality skateboard, consider looking at pre-built complete setups from reputable brands. These offer a great balance of quality and price, making them a solid choice for beginners and experienced skaters alike.
Cruisers Explained
A lineup of four mini cruiser skateboards, each showcasing a different color.
Cruiser skateboards are designed for comfortable commuting and leisurely rides, while still being portable. They often feature a flat deck, though some models come with an elevated tail and slight concave, enabling riders to handle curbs and quickly correct their board’s direction.
Cruisers vary in size and shape, with penny boards also falling into this category. They tend to be lighter than longboards and taller than standard skateboards, and provide a great balance of acceleration, stability, and comfort. Though not primarily built for downhill riding, or extensive carving, cruisers can still be used for some basic carving.
Close up of OJ and Orangatang cruiser wheels, highlighting their size and design.
Cruiser wheels are larger than those on skateboards, typically ranging from 55mm to 65mm, and they’re softer to absorb impacts from rough terrains. While classic skateboards can also accommodate wheels up to 60mm with risers, cruisers come with a wide variety of shapes, sometimes making them hard to distinguish.
Old-school skateboards can often serve as cruisers as well, as many come with a tail and concave, enabling basic tricks. It’s difficult to define when a skateboard becomes a cruiser, but boards wider than 8 inches often fall into this category. Some cruisers feature wheel wells to prevent wheel bite, while others use extended riser pads for similar protection. Ultimately, the best shape for you depends on personal preference and experimentation. Deck lengths typically range from 25 to 37 inches, although shorter or taller options exist. When choosing a cruiser as a beginner, prioritize balance. Brands such as Landyachtz, Santa Cruz and Arbor offer a great selection of mini cruisers, excellent for campus or city riding.
Longboards Explained
A longboard positioned on a street, showing its length and deck design.
Longboards are the largest of the three board types and are suitable for a variety of purposes including long-distance travel and downhill racing. With shapes varying depending on use, longboards offer a smooth ride, capable of handling rough roads and pebbles with ease. The unique design and size of a longboard allow riders to reach and maintain greater speeds compared to skateboards and cruisers.
Longboards are heavier than the other board types, making them slightly more awkward to carry. They also have wider trucks with a sharper angle, which are mounted higher to prevent wheel bite. The reverse kingpins in longboard trucks enable greater maneuverability and make them ideal for carving.
A Pantheon Pranayama longboard, showing its unique shape and design.
Like cruisers, longboards use large, soft wheels which are generally 70mm or more. It’s important to find a balance between wheel size and hardness for optimal performance and comfort. Longboard shapes vary, with drop decks being lower in the middle for stability. These are a good choice for beginners. Other shapes are optimized for carving, downhill riding or long-distance travel. While longboards are typically the most expensive of the three board types, their robust construction ensures longevity, as they’re not subjected to technical tricks.
Difference in Trucks
All three board types feature trucks with baseplates, bushings, hangars, and kingpins, but their construction varies. Longboard trucks are typically inverted compared to skateboard and cruiser trucks. This allows for improved maneuverability.
Paris V3 trucks, highlighting the inverted design of longboard trucks.
Longboard trucks are also wider, usually between 150mm and 180mm, to match the width of the deck. The softer bushings enable easy turning and carving, although downhill longboards use stiffer bushings for stability at high speeds. Some trucks feature reversed or inverted kingpins, which increases stability and lowers the board, at the expense of maneuverability for tricks, which are generally not used on longboards.
Difference in Shape
An illustration showing the different shapes of skateboards, longboards, and cruisers.
Skateboards have a popsicle shape with a nose and tail angled to allow for tricks and a concave for better control. Cruisers can come with slight concave and a tail, or completely flat, while longboards lack the angled nose and tail and can be flat or concave depending on their purpose. Longboards come in a variety of shapes including pintails, flat-nose, swallowtails, and drop-through decks.
Flexibility and Board Feel
Longboards often have significant flexibility, allowing for deep carving and smooth riding over cracks and rough surfaces. Skateboards, in contrast, are stiffer and more responsive, but less forgiving on uneven terrain. Cruiser boards generally fall in between the two. Cruising on a skateboard can become uncomfortable after a while due to the rigidity.
Size Differences
Skateboards are typically 30 to 32 inches long and 7 to 9 inches wide. Cruisers vary more in size, ranging from 25 to 37 inches. Longboards are the largest, ranging from 33 to 59 inches in length and 9 to 10 inches in width.
When to Pick a Skateboard
Choose a skateboard if your main goal is to do tricks and technical skating. The learning curve is steeper, but it allows for a versatile riding experience. It’s also great for navigating skateparks and urban environments, and offers an exhilarating experience.
When to Go for a Cruiser
Cruisers are ideal for short commutes and easy transportation. They are convenient to carry and maneuverable, making them suitable for campus or city riding, but they can become unstable at high speed.
When to Pick a Longboard
Longboards are suitable for long-distance travel and are easier to learn on compared to skateboards. It’s also easier to develop a general sense of balance on longboards, which could be beneficial before trying out skateboards.
Is One Better Than the Other?
Each board type is designed for a different purpose, so it is inaccurate to say one is better than the other. Longboards are ideal for speed and long-distance travel, while skateboards are better suited to tricks and technical skills. Cruisers fit in between, balancing convenience and portability. Each board type is connected to its own subculture and community.
What They Have in Common
All board types share the joy of riding with friends and feature similar components, although construction and materials vary. Quality is crucial when buying a board and should never be overlooked. The techniques to ride are similar, although longboarders might position their feet differently because of the size and shape of the board.
Some Last Tips
When buying a skateboard, it’s always best to visit your local skate shop. This will allow you to experience the boards in person, and get guidance from an expert. Always test the board on a carpet first to make sure it is the right one for you, this also keeps the wheels, trucks and board clean so that you are able to return it. Make sure your shoes are clean too! Wearing a helmet and knee pads are also recommended as it will take time to learn how to balance properly.
Ruben Vee, the author of the original article, pictured.
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