Longboard vs Skateboard: Which is Better?

By Ryan Barnes

There are several different ways to enjoy the outdoors. From hiking to biking, there’s always an activity that will suit your needs and fill up those free hours.

One sport that seems to be gaining popularity is longboarding. It is similar in many ways to skateboarding but with one distinct difference: it is much bigger!

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at both types of boards, what they’re used for, and help you decide on which sport might be better for you – skateboard or longboard!

Longboard vs Skateboard: Where Does it All Begin?

To understand the differences between a longboard and a skateboard, you need to look at their history.

Longboards are older than many people realize, with their first official debut in 1970. They were initially used as the platform to carry surfers on waves until they realized that they could be ridden like skateboards and enjoyed by all sorts of different people!

On the other hand, skateboarding has been around far longer- since 1954! It was born to surfers to practice in the cities but quickly became its sport.

Skateboard v/s Longboard: What's The Difference?

Before we dive deeper to find the best among these two boards – longboard and skateboard, we’ll explore the key differences between these two types of boards.

1. Shape and Size

The main difference between a skateboard and a longboard is that it is usually much more comprehensive than its smaller counterparts. This makes it easier to keep your balance on them but also reduces speed.

A skateboard has what’s called “trucks” at either end of its board- these act as axels for turning corners.

A longboard doesn’t have these. As such, they tend to be more stable and easier to ride at high speed as there are no trucks on the board that can hit obstacles you might encounter along your way. This is also one of the main reasons why people who use a skateboard for tricks prefer them over other types of boards.

2. Deck Flexibility

Skateboards are made with stiffer decks which make for a more responsive skateboard.

Longboards have a much looser deck, meaning they don’t respond the same way to changes in direction and speed- this can be either good or bad depending on your preference as some people find it easier to control their longboard. In contrast, others may find it less responsive.

A longboard is good for cruising and carving through challenging terrain or traveling on rougher roads, while a skateboard can be more appropriate for tricks in tighter areas with slower speed.

3. Trucks and Wheels

Both skateboards and longboards have wheels attached at the bottom of their decks, but what connects them to the board is called a “truck.” However, they operate differently on these boards.

On skateboards, trucks are typically mounted on the underside of the board and have two axles that a rider’s feet can be pushed against. This allows for quicker turns with less effort from the rider.

Trucks on longboards, however, sit at an angle, so they’re perpendicular to both wheels. They also don’t require the rider to kick their feet out, and under the board, so it’s a more comfortable ride.

In addition, trucks on longboards are more significant because of the deck length, and they have three axles instead of two. This makes them stronger than skateboard trucks when dealing with heavier riders or rough terrain.

Longboards have large and soft wheels for quickly and smoothly getting wherever you need to go. On the other hand, skateboards have small and hard wheels that can’t absorb bumps in the road.

4. Balance

If you are a first-time skateboarder and your goal is to learn new tricks, try longboarding before trying a traditional skateboard. Longboards are easier to balance because they have larger wheels and a much longer deck than skateboard decks.

Skateboarding requires you to be on your toes, but longboarding can provide more stability for riders who may not be confident in their ability. Longboards also allow the rider’s feet to hang off the end of the board instead of being right in the middle, which means that riders can lean into turns more.

Which Board Is Best for Beginners?

Skateboards can be challenging for beginners because they have small, hard wheels that cannot absorb bumps in the road.[1]

Longboards are a great option if you’re starting as they allow riders to hang their feet off the end of the board, which will enable them to lean into turns more and offer more excellent stability than skateboard decks.

Which Board is Best for Intermediate Skaters?

If you are an intermediate rider, then choosing the right longboard for your needs will depend on what type of riding you want to do. For downhill, the board should have a stiff deck and be on the heavier side.

If you’re an intermediate rider, who wants to cruise around town or go fast downhills in one direction while going slow uphill, then choose a flexy longboard with light trucks.

Which Board is Best for Professionals?

If you are a professional rider, then again, the best longboard for your needs will depend on what type of riding you want to do.

For downhill or free-riding with high speeds and big drops, choose a stiff board that’s lightweight so it doesn’t bog down going fast while maintaining stability at higher rates. Downhill racing boards will be more rigid and less flexy.

For cruising, choose a board with more flex to make it easier for pushing uphill or taking the long-drawn way home.

A downhill racing board will generally have slightly smaller wheels, so they don’t get bogged down on technical terrain but roll fast when going straight.

Wrapping Up

Trying to summarize this debate is not an easy task. Both boards have their respective merits, so it’s up to you which one best suits your needs.

A board’s stiffness can vary from rider to rider, and so will the sort of terrain they want to use it on and get the riding experience accordingly.

The best advice we could give is to make sure you know what type of riding you’ll be doing most (technical downhill or cruising), then choose a board accordingly whether you need skateboard or longboard. The rest is up to you!

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