Longboard decks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, making the selection process seem daunting. A good longboard, however, is one that’s constructed with quality materials, suits your riding style, and feels comfortable under your feet. It should also be a reflection of your personal taste. Let’s delve into what truly makes a longboard exceptional.
Ultimately, the ideal longboard is a matter of personal preference. The best board for you will be one that aligns with your specific riding goals and feels right when you’re on it. Don’t be afraid to let your unique style shine through with a board you truly love.
In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of brand reputation, materials used in construction, variations in board shape, the significance of woodshops, and the essentials of trucks, wheels, bearings, and grip tape. Understanding these elements will help you make an informed decision when choosing the perfect longboard for your needs. We’ll also discuss what to avoid, so you can steer clear of low-quality boards.
Brand Names and Longboard Quality
Various longboard shapes and sizes displayed on a rack
When it comes to longboards, the brand name can be a good indicator of quality. Established brands like Loaded, Sector 9, and Landyachtz are known for producing high-quality, professional-level boards. These companies have a reputation for using quality materials and employing expert craftsmanship, ensuring a reliable and enjoyable ride. While these well-known brands often come at a higher price point, they tend to offer a consistent standard of performance.
However, don’t dismiss the smaller longboard brands. Many smaller companies, such as Arbor, Original, and Rayne, also offer exceptional longboards with comparable quality. Often, these smaller brands are just as reliable, and are a great way to get a quality board with a more unique style. In many cases, large and small companies often source their decks from a limited number of manufacturers, meaning the quality is often consistent across the board.
Exploring options on Amazon can provide you with various choices across different brands. However, it’s always a good practice to research brands and read reviews from other longboarders before making a final decision.
Construction Materials: What Your Longboard Is Made Of
The material used in the construction of a longboard is critical to its performance and durability. A high-quality longboard is typically made from multiple plies of Canadian maple wood. This material is valued for its strength, flexibility, and ability to withstand the rigors of longboarding. Seven to nine plies of maple are standard for most longboards, providing an optimal balance of durability and flex.
If a board is not made of maple or if the seller can’t tell you the construction material, proceed with caution. Lower-quality boards often use materials like plastic, balsa wood, or pine. These materials lack the necessary strength and durability, making them prone to snapping or cracking. While these cheaper boards might seem like a good deal initially, they are likely to be a waste of money in the long run.
Some premium longboards incorporate materials like carbon fiber, fiberglass, or bamboo in addition to maple to enhance their performance. These additions can improve a board’s strength, responsiveness, and reduce weight. While these boards often cost more, they may be worth the investment if you want advanced performance and durability.
For riders who focus on specific styles like cruising, carving, or downhill, a proper maple board is essential. It provides the necessary stability and control for a better ride experience. While it might be possible to ride a plastic board for cruising, it’s not ideal, and it certainly won’t be suitable for more demanding activities.
Longboard Shape and Its Impact
Different longboard tail shapes showcasing variations in design
Longboard shapes vary significantly, and the right shape for you depends on your preferred riding style and personal preference. A shape suitable for one rider might not be ideal for another, so choosing the shape that suits your style will ultimately improve your experience.
A longboard with a wider deck and a mellow concave is often preferred for downhill and cruising. This shape allows for more stability at higher speeds and is very comfortable for longer rides. A narrower board with a more aggressive concave, on the other hand, is favored by riders who enjoy performing tricks or navigating tight corners.
Some riders prefer pintails, which are popular for their classic surf-like feel, while others opt for drop-through boards that are closer to the ground and provide increased stability. Symmetrical boards, where the nose and tail are identical, are also favored by many riders due to their versatility and ability to ride in either direction. The shape of your board should also align with your personal taste and offer a form of self-expression.
Longboard shapes can vary greatly, ranging from the subtle to the extreme. A variety of brands have explored unique shapes to cater to different styles. Some shapes are designed with very specific riding styles in mind. The overall feel of a board is determined by its width, concave, and taper. It’s important to find a shape that complements the way you ride and allows you to progress.
Understanding the Importance of Woodshops
The woodshop where your longboard was made is more crucial than you might think. Several woodshops specialize in producing quality longboard decks for different brands, including both big and small companies. These workshops have varying methods and approaches to crafting longboards, and each woodshop leaves their own unique mark on the boards they produce. Some riders even develop a preference for boards from a specific woodshop.
The process of pressing longboard decks can vary among woodshops. Some use single board presses, while others press multiple boards simultaneously. While some riders will argue that a single-pressed board is superior to a board pressed in a stack of 5, it is unlikely that this can be noticeably felt. The real difference lies in the concave of the board, which can vary depending on its position in the multi-board press. The bottom board of the stack will often have a mellower concave, while the top board will have a deeper concave.
The way graphics are applied can also differ. Some woodshops use a heat transfer method, while others use cold transfers, or silk-screen them by hand. Silk-screening is a very time-consuming and costly process and is not often seen, but it’s often preferred by many because the colors tend to be more vibrant. Some skaters believe that heat transfers can weaken a board because of the heat applied to the glue. Again, you will not be able to tell how the graphics were applied just by riding the board.
As long as your longboard is manufactured by a well-known woodshop, you will be able to enjoy a high-quality product. If you’re ever in doubt, a quick search on Google will tell you which woodshop is responsible for manufacturing your chosen brand. If you are unable to find this information, it may be a sign that the quality of the board may be questionable.
Trucks, Wheels, Bearings, and Grip Tape: The Essentials
Assorted longboard parts including decks, trucks, and wheels on display
While the deck is certainly essential, there is much more that goes into a complete longboard. The trucks, wheels, bearings, and grip tape are all fundamental in your board’s performance. When it comes to trucks, it’s always recommended to choose a reputable brand like Paris, Bear, or Caliber. These are renowned for their durability and performance. Avoid generic or cheaper trucks, as they often do not handle the demands of longboarding, and could potentially be dangerous.
For wheels, brands like Orangatang and Abec 11 are well known and highly regarded for producing high-quality wheels. These brands offer different wheel hardness and sizes to accommodate different riding styles and surfaces. Softer wheels provide more grip and a smoother ride, and they are preferable for cruising, whereas harder wheels are often used for more advanced riding styles. It’s also advisable to avoid cheap wheels that flat-spot.
Bearings are another very important aspect of a longboard. Top choices for bearings include brands like Bones and zealous. There’s no need to go for very expensive bearings, as a standard set will perform well and should not cost much. As for grip tape, it’s really all down to personal preference, and there’s not much difference in terms of functionality, unless you want a special design.
What Makes a Longboard Bad?
There are many different factors that can contribute to a bad longboard, and it’s important to know what to look out for so you don’t end up buying a low quality product.
Avoid Unfamiliar Brands: Be cautious of longboards from brands you’ve never heard of. It’s usually a good idea to research the company online. If the brand doesn’t have a credible website or any online presence, it’s best to avoid buying from them. It’s also best to avoid buying boards from department stores or online retailers unless you’re certain of the product’s quality.
Check for Defects: Before you buy, inspect the board carefully for any defects. Warped boards can cause a lot of issues, and even a slight warp will affect your ride. Also, check the board for cracks or other forms of damage. Pay close attention to the bottom graphic. If you see cracks in the graphic, it may be a sign of poor storage, and the board may be defective.
[
