The 11 Best Longboards in 2023 – Reviewed & Buyer Guide

It is now fashionable, and for this, we must not devote an article to it: longboarding is one of the most fun activities that can be done, both on the road and in skate parks. Unlike standard skates, the longboard is more stable, so it is easier to get used to it than a usual skate.

Also, other disciplines relate to longboard: from the classic “strolls” to real stunts, drifts and descents did at full speed, just to name a few. If you are going to buy a longboard, the article you are reading contains everything you need to know.

Right here we had selected some of the best models of longboards that are given below.

Longboards Buying Guide

The Right Table

There are longboards of various shapes and styles that can be selected based on the level of experience of the user. In this way, it is possible to find the one that best suits your needs, which allows you to be exploited to the maximum and to derive great fun from it.

On the market, different types of boards are suitable for various situations that can be encountered. If you simply want to slide along the road, you will choose a different model than the one that allows you to do various stunts.

Those who need it to move quickly can opt for a longboard cruising or carving, designed to slide along slightly inclined roads without fatigue. Those who want to throw themselves headlong from a hill must orient themselves on a downhill, intended for this purpose, but you must be expert enough before choosing such a model.

For the more adventurous freeride longboarding is fine, characterized by a good dose of speed, but which also requires excellent technique. Finally, Freestyle, which allows you to do any movement, is suitable for beginners who want to learn stunts but also for advanced riders.

The Shape of The Table and Style of The Deck

Among the models on the market, identifying the best brand depends not only on the convenience of the price but also on the type chosen. It is essential to know the shape of the board, which can be directional or twin.

The former was created to go in one direction only, that is, forward. Generally, carving, cruising and downhill longboards are of this type. The latter also called symmetrically, behave the same way in any direction they are pushed and are the most suitable for tricks because they are above all Freestyle and freeride boards.

The style of the deck, or of the board on which the feet rest, is fundamental to manoeuvre the longboard well and avoid accidents. The most traditional form is the top mount, in which the deck is mounted on the trucks (the point of contact between the board and the wheels) so that the centre of gravity is higher than other boards.

The drop-through has the board positioned to be lowered from the ground, making it perfect for Downhill or freeride. Finally, the drop deck has a board modelled so that the foot area is reduced and placed closer to the ground, which is why it is more valid for covering long stretches of road.

The Flex

Finally, the flexibility of the table, called flex, can be of three types. The soft is ideal for absorbing impacts on uneven roads, and the medium better maintains speed stability, the high is suitable for not too fast movements and is not good on poorly straight paths.

Therefore, evaluate your skill level before moving on to one model rather than another. Before choosing a suitable product, it is good to analyze the reviews of other users who may or may not confirm your impressions.

How to Use a Longboard

US films made us familiar with what for many, at the time, was a wooden board with four wheels. It was a fundamental “toy” for those who “wanted to be an American”.

Do you think that skateboard was born in the 1940s and is still widely used by children today, indeed, for some, it has even become a profession that has led to the signing of large sponsorship contracts.

With the longboard, you can perform stunts that for some would-be unimaginable and, let’s face it, it takes a certain amount of madness to do them.

The Differences Between Skateboards and Longboards

But are skateboards and longboards the same thing? From a conceptual point of view, we believe we can answer yes, but in truth, there is no lack of differences. Compared to a skateboard, the longboard is more prolonged, broader and more substantial. Also, if you want to go faster, you need a longboard.

The Disciplines for Longboard

But which are the disciplines which longboard is best suited to? We see them immediately. Downhill requires a high speed, and as we said, one of the differences between skateboard and longboard is that the latter is faster. Freeride also requires you to go fast while Dancing, as the name suggests, reminds you of a kind of dance.

The Security

Safety is an aspect that must always be put in the foreground. When you decide to buy a longboard you must not stop only at this because it is essential to buy everything you need to avoid getting hurt. Therefore, you must choose a good helmet for the knee pads and the elbow.

This means that you have to think well about the available budget and not allocate it all or almost to the table because even the best longboard in the world will not prevent you from falling.

How to Dress?

Going on the longboard requires adequate clothing. The clothes must be comfortable and possibly resistant. Better to allocate clothes for the use of the longboard only because falling, they are likely to tear here and there.

It is also essential to choose the shoes that brand apart (we know which are the favourites of skaters, but we avoid advertising) must have specific characteristics that, in particular, concern the gannet. This must be flat and at the same time ensure excellent adhesion on the board.

Measurement

A small board is more comfortable to control, but the more you speed up, the more unstable it becomes. This type of board is ideal for getting around the city or for cruising due to its agility that allows you to avoid obstacles and pedestrians. A larger board is more difficult to control but is more stable at higher speeds.

Width

The width directly determines the stability of our longboard, be it for moving, for Freestyle or Downhill. The wider the board, the more stability and less response it will have; on the contrary, the narrower it is, the more difficult it will be to move on the table.

Length

The length of the board is the distance from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail. To start practising with a longboard, it is better to choose one that has a length between 90 and 107 cm; if you already have the experience, you can choose smaller boards.

Aces

Aces are important for longboards because they define how curves are taken; they have a T-shape, are located at the base of the table, with the wheels positioned at their ends. Their role is to allow the wheels to communicate with our movements: therefore, their width should be equal to that of the board.

Wheels

The wheels are what allows the skater to feel the asphalt: they are made of polyurethane and the harder it is, the longer the wheels will last. Instead, the softer it is, the more it will wear out. Furthermore, if you want to drift, it is better to use harder wheels, but it must be remembered that not all diameters are suitable for every type of table.

Bearings

The bearings are pieces of maple which are inserted in the centre of the wheel to allow the longboard to move with minimal resistance; a better ABEC category (the ranking we have already told you about) is equivalent to greater precision, effectiveness and ability to reach higher speeds.

Longitudinal Curve

In longboards, the longitudinal curve plays a very important role because it determines the feeling of the board under our feet and the type of longboarding that we practice. Rocker boards (which are concave) are used for Carving and Downhill, while Camber boards (which are convex) are more flexible.