For years, skateboarding has been elusive for many people because of how much practice it requires. This has driven many people to either drop the sport or switch to alternatives such as longboarding. So, is longboarding easier than skateboarding?
Longboarding is easier than skateboarding when it comes to performing tricks. That is because there is more surface area on the deck with a longboard than with a skateboard so it’s easier to maintain a sturdy stance. It is easier to learn how to longboard than a skateboard because there is much less room for error.
Skateboards are smaller and more concave than longboards, so there are more tricks to learn. However, you can easily ride a skateboard once you get used to skateboarding. Follow along as we explore whether or not longboarding is easier than skateboarding.
What Are the Key Differences Between Longboarding and Skateboarding?
The key differences between longboarding and skateboarding is that skateboarding is better for tricks and longboarding is better for transportation. Skateboards are more compact than longboards and they are more concave. This makes skateboards perfect for performing flip tricks and ollies.
Longboards, as the name suggests, are quite long which makes it harder to land tricks and quickly turn. That is why many skaters think of longboards as a means of transportation. With that said, you can perform tricks on a skateboard, even if it is much more difficult.
Longboarding is more about cruising, style, and transportation. If you strictly want to cruise, then longboards are the best option because of how much easier they are to ride. However, skateboards are the better option if you want to learn tricks and get better.
How is the Longboard Different than a Skateboard? (Physical Differences)
Between the wheelbase, deck size, and more, there are many physical differences between skateboards and longboards.
Board Shape and Size
The biggest difference between longboarding and skateboarding is board shape and size. Skateboards measure 28”-32”-long and longboards run between 33” and 60”. Longboards come in a variety of board shapes whereas skateboards are more limited.
Modern skateboards typically fall into the street deck category. You can find cruisers, but classic popsicle stick skateboards are standard. The key difference in shape for most skateboards is how concave the nose and tail are.
Conversely, there is no shortage of board shapes and sizes for longboards. Some longboards are close to classic skateboards, but most longboards are more akin to surfboards. Downhill, dance, and cruiser longboards are the most common shapes. Skateboard decks measure 7”-8.5” and longboards typically start at 9” wide.
Wheels and Bearings
Skateboard wheels typically run between 48 and 54 millimeters. Longboard wheels start at 54 millimeters and run to 60 millimeters or larger. You can put longboard wheels on a skateboard, but it’s unnecessary in most cases.
Soft, big wheels are best for longboards whereas hard, smaller wheels are typically better for skateboards. Luckily, skateboard and longboard bearings are interchangeable as there is no difference between them. Some brands delineate between a longboard and skateboard bearings on the label, but there is typically no difference.
The Trucks
Longboard trucks are much larger than skateboard trucks. That is because longboards typically have much wider decks than skateboards. Skateboard trucks generally measure 139 millimeters to 150 millimeters.
The average size of longboard trucks is 180 millimeters. It ultimately determines based on the size of your skateboard or longboard. The standard rule of thumb for skateboard wheel size is that they should be equal to or within ¼” the width of the deck.
However, it is standard to put trucks on a longboard that is wider than the deck so that the wheels stick out far.
Can Someone Who Knows How to Longboard Easily Skateboard?
It takes some work to switch to a skateboard after you are used to a longboard. Skateboards have a smaller deck surface area which makes them less forgiving. There is more room for error on a skateboard than on a longboard because longboard decks are much wider than skateboard decks.
However, you can transfer all of the basic knowledge from longboarding and apply it to a skateboard. This will give you a good foundation, and many novice skateboarders start with longboards.
Can Someone Who Knows How to Skateboard Easily Longboard?
It’s easier to make the transition from skateboarding to longboarding than longboarding to skateboarding. Skateboarding is more difficult than longboarding in many ways, so it’s much easier to get used to longboarding.
However, the transition will still be tricky because of the difference in the size and weight of the longboard. You will have to adjust your stance if you switch to a longboard after you are used to skateboarding. The biggest change that you will need to get used to when you switch to a longboard is that the wheels and trucks are slightly less responsive.
You can get around this if you slightly loosen your trucks, especially the front truck. Otherwise, you will probably find longboarding much easier if you are used to skateboarding.
Are Longboards or Skateboards Easier to Perform Tricks on?
It is difficult to perform tricks on a longboard compared to a skateboard. That is because of how big the longboards are and how the tail is laid out. Skateboard decks are more concave than longboards which makes it easier to pop ollies and kickflips.
Without a concave deck, it is difficult to perform basic tricks on a longboard. However, ollies and flip tricks are possible on a longboard, they are just much more difficult. This has a lot to do with the fact that you need to drag your lead foot too far to jump on a longboard than a skateboard.
The less concave a deck is, the harder it will be to perform tricks. Skateboards with steep tails in particular make it easy to pop ollies without effort.
Is a Longboard or a Skateboard Easier to Balance on?
It’s much easier to balance on a longboard than on a skateboard. Skateboards are light and have narrower decks than longboards. The generous width, 9” or wider, makes it easy to comfortably fit your feet and shift your weight.
This makes it easier to balance than the typical skateboard that measures 7”-8.5”. However, you can find many 9”-wide skateboard decks these days as more and more skaters want to increase the surface area of their feet.
Do Longboards or Skateboards Require More Athleticism to Ride?
In most cases, skateboards require more athleticism to ride than longboards. However, it varies based on the terrain and your riding style. For example, it takes plenty of athleticism to ride a longboard downhill and shift your weight to move around obstacles.
It also takes plenty of athletic skills to grind handrails, jump stair sets, and land flip tricks on a skateboard. There is no ironclad rule on which type of board requires the most athleticism. However, skateboards require more athleticism than longboards when it comes to cruising in most cases.
Read our muscle articles for each:
Is One Better than the Other as a Form of Transportation?
Longboards are often thought of as better for transportation than skateboards, but that’s not necessarily true. While it’s easy and comfortable to ride from one place to another on a longboard, they aren’t as easy to store as skateboards.
It’s much easier to tuck a skateboard away than a longboard when you get to your destination. You can move around faster with fewer pushes on a longboard than a skateboard which is a benefit for many people. However, skateboards are a better option if you will have to stop many times on your path to your destination. It’s harder to stop on a whim with a longboard than a skateboard.
Which Board Type is Easier to Go Faster on?
It’s slightly easier to go faster on a longboard than on a skateboard. That is because you have more surface area and there is less of a chance for speed wobble and wheel bite. However, you can avoid wheel bite with both skateboards and longboards if you install riser pads.
You can lose control more quickly on a skateboard than on a longboard when riding fast downhill. Longboards have bigger wheels than skateboards which helps absorb some of the shock and vibration when riding fast. The extra weight of a longboard also helps make it easier to gain speed more quickly than with a skateboard.
However, speed has as much to do with your style as the board itself. For example, you won’t be able to go fast on a longboard if you have to ride on terrain where you’ll have to stop and start frequently. Whether it’s a longboard or a skateboard, you will be able to go the fastest if you can access a smooth, calm stretch of pavement without cars, pedestrians, and obstacles.
Read about the different types of longboards and the different longboard riding styles here.
Is Longboarding or Skateboarding Better for Beginners?
Longboarding is better than skateboarding for beginners. Skateboarding has a bigger learning curve than longboarding because of how light they are. They also have narrow decks compared to longboards which means that you will have to keep your feet on the board evenly at all times.
Longboards are so wide that you have more room to play around with the ideal foot stance for you. However, longboarding isn’t without its challenges. It’s harder to turn and steer on a longboard than on a skateboard because of how heavy they are.
With that said, longboarding is easier than skateboarding in most cases. That is why it’s a good idea to pick up a longboard if you are struggling with skateboarding.
Read our related post 9 Longboarding Tricks for Beginners (And How to Do Them) here.
Nick Durante is a professional writer that primarily focused on action sports. Skateboarding and Longboarding are his particular areas of expertise. When he isn’t writing about action sports, he is catching up on the world of skateboarding and spending time outside.