Choosing from the selection at your local skate shop or favorite online vendor can be difficult. It can be confusing to distinguish between skateboards, longboards, and Penny Boards for many people. Even some seasoned skaters struggle with the classic Penny Board vs. longboard debate. So, what’s the difference?
Penny Boards are lightweight and made of plastic whereas longboards are heavy and traditionally made of wood. Longboards feature bigger trucks and wheels and have grip tape instead of the plastic waffle top that Penny Boards are known for. It’s easier for a beginner to learn on a longboard because of the bigger surface area for your feet.
Children can also benefit from a longboard because they are less slippery than Penny Boards. However, Penny Boards are more affordable than longboards which is part of why they appeal to many beginners. Follow along as we explore the difference between Penny Boards and longboards.
What is a Penny Board?
Penny Boards are small, unique cruisers made of plastic. Despite dating back to the 1970s, they have only had a major resurgence in the past 10-15 years. Wooden skateboards were more popular for 40 years, and that is part of why Penny Boards got overshadowed.
However, the simple durability of Penny Board has made them stick around for years. Penny Boards are unique from bulky cruisers and longboards in that they are great for simple tricks.
What is a Longboard?
A longboard is a variation of the standard skateboard. Its name comes from the long deck that is at least 5”-10” longer than a skateboard. Longboards are also known for their large trucks and big, soft wheels.
Competitive longboarding is quite popular, but many people simply cruise or use longboards for transportation. Longboards are traditionally made of wood, such as birch, maple, and bamboo.
Read our longboarding posts here:
- 19 Best Longboard Brands
- How Fast Can a Longboard Go?
- Can You Longboard in The Rain?
- What Muscles Does Longboarding Work?
What’s the Difference Between a Penny Board and a Longboard?
Deck Shape, Size, and Weight
Longboards and Penny Boards differ in terms of deck shape, size, and weight. Classic Penny Boards measure between 22” and 29”. However, they have made boards that measure as long as 36”.
Longboards are typically much bigger and measure between 36” and 60”. Penny Boards have distinct, steep tails that are instantly recognizable. They are typically designed like small surfboards. Longboards come in all shapes and sizes, however, and there is more variety than with Penny Boards.
Penny Boards boast a unique waffle-top pattern design. Longboards instead feature grip tape that is typically black. A Penny Board only weighs 6 pounds, and a longboard weighs up to
Deck Materials
Longboards are traditionally made of wood, and Penny Boards are made of plastic. You can find other longboards that are made of plastic, but wood is considered preferable for longboards. Penny Boards are often considered more durable than longboards because it’s easier to break wood than dense plastic.
Wheels
Classic Penny Board wheels measure 59” millimeters. Longboard wheels have a range of 64-80 millimeters in diameter. A set of Penny Board wheels costs $45 which is fairly standard when it comes to cruiser and longboard wheels.
Trucks
Penny Board trucks are much narrower than longboard trucks. Longboard trucks often measure up to 180 millimeters which is way too big for a standard 22” Penny Board. Penny Board trucks struggle to maintain stability as well as longboard trucks at high speeds.
That is why longboards are preferable for riding downhill at a steep incline. Penny Board trucks are more similar to skateboard street decks than longboards.
Bearings
There is no difference between bearings for a longboard or a Penny Board. Bearings come with wheels when you order a set from Penny Board online, however, That is a huge benefit because you have to buy longboard wheels and bearings separately unless you buy a complete setup.
Does a Penny Board or a Longboard Cost More?
Longboards generally cost much more than Penny Boards. A basic 22” Penny Board only costs $109 and can last for years to come. However, you can easily spend over $200 for a complete longboard setup.
Reputable brands such as Loaded Boards make longboards that cost up to $350. Longboards are pricier because of the cost of wood.
Is a Penny Board or a Longboard Better for Beginners?
Longboards are easier for beginners than Penny Boards because of the surface area. You have more room for your feet so it’s easier to get the right positioning when you are inexperienced. The grip tape on a longboard is also easier to get used to than the plastic waffle top that Penny Boards have.
Do Penny Boards or Longboards Go Faster?
Longboards go faster than Penny Boards in most cases. You are unlikely to exceed speeds over 15-20 miles per hour on a Penny Board. Conversely, longboards can easily exceed 40 miles per hour when riding downhill. Longboards also offer more stability than Penny Boards at high speeds.
Is One Board Better for Doing Tricks?
Neither Penny Boards nor longboards are considered ideal for tricks. However, you can do limited flip tricks and pop-shove-its on a Penny Board which is nearly impossible on a longboard. Penny Boards are better for simple tricks whereas longboards are better for freestyling.
Dancing and freestyling have become quite popular in the skating world, and Penny Boards aren’t ideal for either. However, traditional street deck skateboards are better for tricks than both longboards and Penny Boards.
Which is Better for Children?
Longboards are better for children than Penny Boards. There is more room for error with Penny Boards because of their small size. With that said, many children over the age of 8 ride Penny Boards without a problem. It may just simply be easier to learn foot positioning as a child with a wider board than a Penny Board.
The Pros and Cons of Each Board:
| Board Type | Pros | Cons |
| Penny Board |
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| Longboard |
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Final Thoughts
Penny Boards are made of plastic and longboards are made of wood. Longboards feature grip tape whereas Penny Boards have a plastic waffle top surface for your feet. You get more speed and stability from longboards, but Penny Boards are more durable.
Longboards are better for beginners because Penny Boards are too small. However, Penny Boards are more affordable in most cases.
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.