Both longboards and skateboards are amazing on their own terms. Though they look and function in a similar way, they are not. It is spacially confusing for a beginner to choose the right setup for them. Well, we’re here to help. Today we’ve put together the most prominent differences and similarities between longboards and skateboards in this comprehensive guide. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of both of them so that you can make the right decision. So let’s find out who is the winner of today’s Longboard vs. Skateboard comparison. Shall we begin?
Our goal is to help you choose better whether you are a beginner or thinking about switching your gears. Though there are many factors to consider, we’re covering the most prominent factors you need to know about so that you can make the right decision. So without wasting any more of your time, let’s jump straight in.
Longboard vs. Skateboard: What’s The Difference?
Let’s have a look at the differences and similarities between longboards and skateboards.
Shape
Let’s start with the appearance. As you have already guessed from the name, longboards are longer in size (duh…). Usually, longboards have a length of 30-60 inches. They are also wider (9/10 inches). You can find a lot of different shapes for the longboard, depending on your intention. Pintail, Fishtail, Blunt, Cruiser, Cut out, Dropdown —- these are the most prominent designs/shapes for a longboard.
On the contrary, skateboards are generally popsicle-shaped and always have concave, curved ends. The usual height for a skateboard is 28-34 inches, and its width ranges between 7-10 inches. Nobody’s gonna judge you if you think of longboards as “longer skateboards.”
Deck Flexibility
This is especially important for the newbies. The deck is the base of your board. For all the tricksters out there, go for a skateboard deck if you are eager to learn new tricks. They have a thinner deck and much-needed flex (the stiffness of the board) that will make your jumps easier with better stability and a spring-like feel.
And if you want to cover large distances with greater speed and control, a longboard deck is the perfect choice for you. They are designed to gain maximum speed without compromising stability. They have thicker decks and a lower flex.
Trucks and Wheels
The base that attaches the wheels to the deck is called the truck. This provides support and allows you to ride smoothly. Skateboard trucks are rigid and narrower. This allows the rider to grind and do tricks easily. Skateboard wheels are smaller and harder. That’s why it feels easy to shred rails, ledges, and gaps with a skateboard.
On the other hand, longboard wheels and longboard trucks are designed to offer a smooth and long ride. That is why they have larger wheels and wider trucks. Though you can’t perform neat tricks on a longboard, it compensates with a more coordinated ride.
Bushings
Bushings are the little urethane pieces in your trucks that provide resistance. The taller a bushing is, the more turn you can make while riding. They offer superior control over your ride on both skateboards and longboards.
There are a variety of bushings that you can get your hands on. Feel free to choose from shapes like cone, hourglass, barrel, stripped cone, stripped barrel, etc. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preference.
Bushings for both longboards and skateboards are kinda similar except for the shape. Skateboard bushing come in conical, barrel, and eliminator shape.
Intention
The intended use of longboards and skateboards is not similar at all. Though you can ride both of them, this is not about just riding, okay? Some people want to learn impressive tricks, while some other people just want to enjoy the ride. If you are one of them who wants to learn new tricks, grind rails, skate mini ramps, master kickflips, or conquer ollies, you’re more of a skateboard guy.
On the other hand, if you enjoy covering large distances, bombing hills, or cruising with friends, a longboard will offer you a stable riding experience. If you are a beginner and don’t know where to start, a longboard is the perfect starting point that’ll offer you more stability and control.
Bearings
Bearings are the components that attach your board’s wheels to the axles. The bearing is probably the only thing you can interchange, meaning you can use your longboard bearings in your skateboard and vice versa. They help you to keep your wheels in place. They are made of different materials, such as steel or ceramic. They handle all the heat from the wheel’s friction, providing you with a smooth and fast ride.
Some bearings are incredibly fast at gaining speed, while others take a bit more time to accelerate. If you want to cover short distances with great speed, fast bearings are what to look for.
Pros and Cons
Now, let’s have a closer look at the pros and cons of both skateboards and longboards. Hope this will give you a better perspective. So let’s get started.
Longboard Pros
- They Provide Better Footing.
- They Are Easier To Balance And Make Turns With
- A Good Way Of Transportation Around Moderate Distances
- Offers A Smooth And Easy Riding Experience
- They Provide Better Speed And Control
- They Can Be Used On A Variety Of Surfaces
- Perfect Place To Start Learning For Beginners
- Requires Less Effort To Gain Speed
Longboard Cons
- They Are A Bit Heavier And Bulkier
- A Bit More Expensive Than Skateboards
- It’s Harder To Perform Various Tricks With A Longboard
- They Are Less Portable
- Not Good For Technical Street Skating
- A Less Popular Option By Choice
- Not Good For Performing Freestyle Tricks
Skateboard Pros
- They Are Smaller In Size, Which Makes Them Easily Portable
- You Can Do Pretty Nifty Tricks
- They Also Skate (Duh)
- They Provide Better Agility
- They Are Lightweight And Easier To Control
- A Bit Cheaper Than Longboards
- Helps To Increase Focus/concentration
- Help To Improve Hand, Eye, Leg, And Feet Coordination
- They Are Far More Popular Than Longboards
- Landing Tricks Can Be Very Satisfying
Skateboard Cons
- They Have A Steep Learning Curve
- Not A Good Place To Start (For Beginners)
- They Are Not As Balanced As Longboards
- They Require A Lot Of Dedication And Commitment
- The Parts And Gears Need To Be Changed Frequently
- Not Good For Covering Long Distances
- They Feel Uncomfortable On Rough Roads
- Carving Is Almost Impossible
Final Words
Many people tend to think of longboards as longer skateboards. But as we’ve discussed above, that’s not true at all. Our expert team tried to conduct thorough research on the difference between those two, and this article is the result of that. I hope you find all the information you were looking for. If you want more in-depth articles like this, please let us know and stay tuned.
That’s all for today. I hope this article proves to be helpful to those in need. Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comment section below. Thanks for reading this far. I wish you all a safe and secure weekend ahead. Stay safe and take care. Happy riding to you.