There is no shortage of board shapes, deck graphics, and riding styles when it comes to longboarding. Longboarding is so accessible because each shape and type of board lends itself to a unique riding style. Because of that, many novice riders struggle with understanding the different types of longboarding styles and boards.
Cruisers are the most common type of longboard and are easy to use for beginners because of the large surface area for your feet. Pintail and drop-through longboards are also quite common and work well for cruising because of their simple shapes. Kicktail longboards are ideal for performing tricks and downhill longboards are the best for freeriding and riding downhill.
Follow along as we explore the types of longboards and highlight the key longboarding riding styles.
Types of Longboards
1. Cruiser Longboards
Looking to cruise around the city? Cruiser longboards are designed for getting around and they are the most common type of longboards. Cruiser longboards vary in size, but depending on how tall you are they usually measure anywhere between 30” and 45” long, which some seem pretty short for a longboard. Cruiser decks are quite wide and rarely measure below 9.5” wide.
This gives you a large surface area for your feet which is necessary to cruise around and just have fun. Their unique shape makes it easy to shift your weight, stance, and foot positioning while riding.
Cruisers are great boards for beginners because they are not limited to only one style of riding, figure out what you like and down the road you can choose more custom board for your riding style.
Check out this Retrospec Zed Longboard Cruiser to get an idea of a classic cruiser shape. It is the longboard in the image above too. Cruisers come in several shapes, but they are generally wider and shorter than other types of longboards. This one here is a longer style cruiser board and is a very popular beginner choice.
Some of the most popular cruiser boards are from Land Yachtz, they offer super high quality boards at unbeatable prices, most longtime riders will recommended beginners to check them out.
2. Drop Through Longboards
Drop-through longboards are unique in that you mount the trucks through the deck instead of underneath it. These boards feature the iconic tapered popsicle nose and tail that make them great for technical longboarding. Drop-through longboards aren’t the best option for beginners in most cases.
That is because it’s harder to get used to the foot placement that is necessary for the strange board shape. Once you get a hang of them, however, they are just as easy to ride as cruisers are. There is no standard drop-through board length, but they are longer than cruisers.
You will often see drop-through longboards being used by tricksters and freestylers. The DB Longboards Urban Native is a great example of the traditional drop-through board shape.
Drop-through and drop downs sound pretty similar and was confusing to me when I started. The difference is that drop down longboards physically drop down from where the board connects to the trucks, known as top mount. Drop throughs the mount is just above the board, but the board shape itself doesn’t drop down.
If the drop down board has drop through trucks it is known as a double drop longboard.
3. Drop Down Longboards
Not to be confused with the drop through longboard, a drop down longboard is a type of longboard designed for cruising and downhill riding. The board features a lowered platform between the trucks, which creates a drop-down effect. The drop down design allows for a lower center of gravity, making it easier to push while also providing a greater stability for the rider at high speeds.
A drop down board is typically top mount, but they can drop through too, these boards are called double drop longboards.
The length of a drop down longboard is often 35 to 42 inches long and they are often wider than standard cruiser board at around 10 inches wide. The trucks are mounted at an angle to allow for more maneuverability and sharper turns.
Drop down longboards are popular among riders who want to go fast and take on steep hills. The lowered platform and wider stance makes it easier to carve through turns and maintain control at higher speeds. Plus, the larger wheels provide better grip and can handle rougher terrain.
Overall, drop down longboards are a great choice for riders who want a smooth, stable ride and aren’t afraid to go fast. They’re perfect for cruising around town or taking on challenging downhill runs.
Interested in a drop down longboard a popular option is the Retrospec Tidal 41-inch Drop-Down Longboard on Amazon, it offers all you need for your first drop down longboard.
4. Top Mount Longboards
The majority of boards that you will see on the market are top-mount longboards. This simply refers to the standard truck mounting system. Drop-through longboards are the opposite of top mount and you can easily see the difference.
A top mount longboard is any longboard where the trucks are mounted underneath the deck and screwed in through the top of the board. This is essentially the universal style of a longboard with a few exceptions such as drop-through boards.
This is also the standard mounting system for skateboards. Most longboards aren’t listed as top mount boards because its just considered standard. That is why drop-through longboards are labeled as such to indicate that the truck mounting system is different.
5. Pintail Longboards
Casual longboarders and freestylers typically love pintail longboards. They are slender and lightweight compared to bulky cruisers. The name comes from the narrow tail that extends past the trucks.
A pintail longboard’s nose stops at the trucks with just the tip extending past them. This makes foot placement slightly trickier, so pintail longboards aren’t the best option for most beginners. There is some debate about whether or not pintail boards are good for downhill longboarding.
I have never found a pintail longboard to be ideal for high-speed applications. That is because there is less surface area for your feet which makes it hard to take back control over your board when you start to wobble.
The Magneto 40 inch Kicktail Cruiser Longboard is a great first pintail longboard if this the a board you are interested in.
6. Carver Longboards
Carvers are essentially cruisers with unique board shapes. There is no standard board shape when it comes to carvers, and that’s part of what makes them so much fun. They are typically somewhat short and quite wide, giving riders the most surface area possible.
Few longboards make foot placement as easy as carvers. Companies seem to reserve their most unique shapes and graphics for carver boards, such as this Santa Cruz longboard, which is pictured above. Carvers often include a concave tail that makes it easy to pop your foot down and perform tricks such as no complies and ollies.
Some carves have tails that are more square than round or pointed. It varies between brands and models, however. It requires more stomping power to get a carver into the air than a standard cruiser or pintail longboard.
7. Downhill Longboards
As the name suggests, downhill longboards are specifically designed for safe and speedy downhill riding. Downhill longboards are designed with more emphasis on practicality than style. That is because riding a longboard down a steep hill can be quite dangerous, so you need a board that is as practical as possible.
They often measure 9” wide and feature a narrow nose and tail. That is how downhill longboards sometimes manage to support narrower wheelbases than cruisers or carvers.
Many new shapes are being invented for downhill longboards, some are more traditional shapes and have a straight back while the front is slightly pinned in shape. In my opinion, many new board designs will be used in the future for downhill riding.
A great starter downhill longboard is the Rayne Supreme 36″ Drop-Through longboard, the board shape is standard and the design is super cool.
8. Kicktail Longboards
Kicktail longboards are quite common, especially among riders that like to perform tricks. It’s quite difficult to perform most tricks without a kicktail longboard. A kicktail is a tail that is concave enough that you can easily kick down and pop up.
They are more akin to the concave tail that you find on most traditional street deck skateboards. Tricks such as ollies and no complies are nearly impossible with a kicktail longboard. The more concave the kicktail is, the easier it will be for you to pop and catch air.
The Sector 9 Eden Ft. Point Complete longboard is a great example of what I mean by the concave tail. Some kicktails also have a concave nose which helps with popping ollies.
9. All-Terrain Longboards
All-terrain boards are the newest type of longboard that you will find on this list. They are meant to roll well on concrete, asphalt, dirt, and even grass. The wheels that you will find on all-terrain longboards are quite different than the wide, soft wheels that you may be used to.
Instead, all-terrain longboard wheels are more akin to miniature tires. They are uniquely shaped and textured to offer as much grip for dirt as they do for concrete. The wheels are made of high-rebound urethane which helps them withstand the differences in terrain that they will experience.
All-terrain longboards are often made of carbon fiber instead of wood so they can withstand different conditions. Most all-terrain longboards are electric which comes in handy when you ride on tough dirt and grass.
The MBS All-Terrain Longboard is one of the top choices for off-road longboarding as it offers high-quality all terrain wheels and a drop deck to provide you with the best possible balance when going down bumpy trails.
10. Electric Longboards
Okay, so picture this, you’re cruising down the street, wind in your hair, feeling like the coolest kid in town. But here’s the kicker – you’re not on a regular longboard. You’re on an ELECTRIC longboard! That’s right, you’ve got all the thrill of longboarding, but with the added power of an electric motor to give you a boost. It’s like having your own personal hoverboard (well, sort of).
An electric longboard is just like a regular longboard, but with an electric motor attached. You control the speed and direction with a handheld remote, so you can zip around town without ever having to take your feet off the board. It’s perfect for commuting, cruising, or just having fun by going on some joy rides.
Electric longboards come in many different shapes and sizes, you will have little trouble finding one that fits your style.
The MEEPO V5 Electric board is what I recommend for anyone, its a great long-lasting electric longboard that suits beginners to pro riders. It has a cool carry handle cut out which makes it great to hold when you pop into your local coffee shop.
Types of Longboarding Riding Styles
1. Downhill
@liam_lbdr_ beat it to death @prismskateco #downhillskateboarding #10MillionAdoptions #FindYourEdge #longboarddancing #foryou #fyp #longboard #skatetok #downhill #yosemite ♬ Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) – Kate Bush
Downhill longboarding is among the most difficult riding styles. The inertia and constant increase in momentum make downhill longboarding an intimidating task. While it is quite fun, downhill longboarding is dangerous unless you are on a closed and inactive road.
The majority of the most popular professional longboarders are known for downhill longboarding. Riding downhill requires you to adjust your foot placement and stance on short notice as you turn around corners.
Speed wobble is the biggest risk in downhill longboarding and occurs when your front or back wheels wobble while the opposite wheels don’t. Downhill longboarding is only recommended for riders that have lots of cruising experience.
2. Cruising
Cruising is the most common and basic type of longboarding. This laid-back riding style involves pushing, pumping, and rolling. Cruising is so common because anyone can do it on flat ground.
While you can incorporate tricks into cruising, it isn’t necessary and many riders don’t. Choose as big and soft of wheels as possible for cruising compared to the slightly tighter and harder wheels that are ideal for downhill longboarding.
3. Trickster
@desgnarlais These are the 5 EASIEST TRICKS to learn on your longboard. Link in profile for the full YouTube video 💯🛹 #longboardtricks #longboardtrick #longboard ♬ Stuck In The Middle – Tai Verdes
As the name suggests, trickster longboarding is focused on performing tricks. While there are fewer tricks in longboarding than in skateboarding, there are many great tricks to learn. Whether it be a ghostride or boneless, there is no shortage of creative longboard tricks.
The Tik Tok above shows you 5 simple tricks you can try learning today!
This riding style works with almost any longboard setup. However, you will have the best luck landing tricks if you have a longboard that is quite concave. That will provide the tail shape that is necessary to pop and catch air.
Read our related post on 9 Longboarding Tricks for Beginners here.
4. Carving
@loadedboards The art of the carve. Learn the secrets with the Loaded Challenge Series! Visit our site to participate! #LoadedBoards #Longboarding ♬ Take My Breath Away (Love Theme from “Top Gun”) – Berlin
Carving on a longboard is like surfing in many ways. It involves shifting and effectively carving a snake-shaped path. Carving is common in skateboarding bowls, but it’s typically done on flat ground for longboards. You can carve a bowl with a longboard in some cases, but that’s best done with steep concaves.
5. Freestyle
@odysseyboardco Some longboard freestyle bangers 💥 #longboarddancing #longboardinglife #tiktoksg #fyp ♬ original sound – Odyssey Longboards 🛹🌊
Freestyle is a unique, challenging, and ultimately rewarding type of longboarding. This flat-ground longboarding style involves performing a string of tricks in a row. It incorporates many of the classic freestyle tricks that Rodney Mullin used to do before he proliferated street skateboarding.
It is slightly different than trickster longboarding, however. The key difference is that freestyle is more about the succession of tricks in a row as opposed to the tricks themselves.
6. Dancing
@lotfiwoodwalker Hipping and hopping 🕺🏻🛹🌪️ #longboarddancing #longboard #longboardtricks #longboarding ♬ Rapper’s Delight (Long Version) – The Sugarhill Gang
Dancing is essentially the next step up from freestyle longboarding. It has become wildly popular in the last few years thanks to many influence longboarders on social media that have highlighted this style. It is quite a forgiving style as it’s up to the rider to choose and even create tricks.
Longboard dancing is the perfect happy medium between trickster and freestyle longboarding. Dancing has become one of the top longboarding styles alongside cruising and downhill riding.
7. Racing
Racing is a competitive type of longboarding that goes together with riding downhill. This thrilling longboarding style is fun but can be dangerous. You should only attempt racing if you are comfortable with downhill longboarding.
It’s no different than traditional downhill longboarding besides the fact that you compete with others. Longboard racing is all about your ability to adjust and adapt to the curves and terrain of the course.
8. All-Terrain Rider
All-terrain longboarding requires a special setup that can handle several types of terrain. It often involves rolling off of concrete onto dirt and even grass and continuing to ride. Finding flat enough dirt trails is ideal! This fun and somewhat new longboarding style are all about maintaining momentum when switching between different surfaces.
You shouldn’t attempt all-terrain longboarding unless you have a board that is meant for it. Otherwise, you could easily damage and compromise your wheels, trucks, bearings, hardware, and grip tape. There are 2 great options on the market, the Atom All-Terrain longboard, or the MBS All-Terrain Longboard.
What’s the Most Popular Type of Longboarding?
Cruising is the most popular type of longboarding because it is the most accessible. You don’t need to have lots of experience with skateboarding and longboarding to go cruising. Many people simply use longboards as a fun and unique form of transportation.
That is why you often see longboarders on the sidewalk riding with a backpack trying to get to work or their favorite coffee shop. It doesn’t require a lot of skill beyond basic knowledge about foot placement and how to shift your weight.
What’s the Best Type of Longboarding for Beginners?
Cruising is the best type of longboarding for beginners because it is the easiest. Beginners should never attempt downhill longboarding before they understand the basics of cruising. Downhill longboarding and racing can be quite dangerous if you don’t know the fundamentals, such as stance and foot placement.
Cruising is also great for beginners because it works almost anywhere. Whether it be the sidewalks in your neighborhood or the flat ground section of your local skatepark, cruising works in most environments. Keep your back foot on or near the tail and your front foot in the center of the board or close to the front truck.
Make sure that your feet are parallel and facing outward. This will give you as much control as possible and make it easier to shift your weight and turn when you need to.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a longboard may feel like a challenge, but I really want to help you understand the differences between the board types and the riding styles.
Knowing the type of rider you want to be really makes choosing your board type so much easier. The best part is even if you still don’t know exactly what your style is you can always play it safe by getting a simple cruiser board and cruising around until you find out what you enjoy.
I hope I have answered some of the questions you may have had, if not please ask us in the comments below! We will make sure to answer them.
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.