Best Beginner Longboards of 2023

JUMP TO: SECTOR 9 HIGHLINE / VOLADOR FREERIDE / ARBOR MARTILLO / ARBOR DROPCRUISER / LANDYACHTZ STRATUS HOLLOWTECH / QUEST RORSHACK / LANDYACHTZ DROP HAMMER / LANDYACHTZ TUGBOAT / BUYING ADVICE

Author: Brent Herman

The Short Version

The Long Version

The world of skateboarding and longboarding is an ever-evolving landscape of fun and self-expression. Whether you are wanting to learn how to bomb hills, perform tricks, or simply cruise around your college campus, there is no time like the present to begin your longboarding journey.

Of course, to start riding you are going to need a longboard! But longboards are built from components – and sometimes it can be difficult to know which components are best suited to your intended style of riding, especially when starting out.

So, as a beginner, a prebuilt longboard is often a good place to start.

In this article we suggest some quality prebuilt boards that will help you more easily meet your goals with longboarding. These picks are some of the best options for those that are just starting out in the sport.

Just remember that everyone you see zipping around on a longboard and weaving through urban obstacles with ease started in exactly the same spot – as a beginner.

If you love reading this review of the best beginner longboards, then you'll likely love cruising through some of our other skateboarding and longboarding content:

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

If you are new to the sport of longboarding and want a quick tour of the major components of a longboard, then be sure to check out our buying advice at the bottom of the article.

Best Overall: SECTOR 9 HIGHLINE

DECK: 8” x 34.5”

TRUCKS: Gullwing Mission

WHEELS: 64mm 78a Nineballs

BEARINGS: ABEC 5 Greaseball

Sector 9 has been making quality longboards since 1993. We’ve selected their Sector 9 Highline as our favorite overall pick for beginners due to its classic design, quality components, and reasonable price point.

It is wide enough to give new riders stability, but not so wide that it becomes unwieldy. The same goes for the board’s length. The fact that the deck has a kicktail also lets a new rider experiment with performing tricks, or simply cruise around.

The traditionally-oriented Gullwing trucks may not offer as sharp of a turning response as reverse kingpin trucks, but for a new rider, they should offer a fun yet stable carving feeling.

The large and soft wheels paired with the ABEC 5 Greaseball bearings should make rolling over most terrain smooth and enjoyable.

Best Value: VOLADOR FREERIDE

DECK: 9” x 42”

TRUCKS: Aluminum Reverse Kingpin

WHEELS: 70mm 78a 

BEARINGS: ABEC 9

Although Volador might be considered a “budget” longboard brand, they do create products that can be well suited to certain segments of the market. For instance, beginners who are unwilling to make a larger financial commitment to their new hobby, or those that are simply trying to save some money.

The Volador Freeride offers a legitimate longboarding experience without the higher cost associated with other products on this list.

The board features a drop-through deck without a kicktail, so it is mostly designed for cruising, commuting, and some light hill riding.

The trucks are one of the areas in which the company chose to cut costs, so the turning experience could be improved by some aftermarket bushings, which is an inexpensive fix.

The large and soft wheels make for a smooth riding experience that isn’t too sticky or too slippery for most terrains. The result is a gliding sensation that is one of the things that make riding a longboard such a fun and enjoyable experience.

Best for Cruising: ARBOR MARTILLO ARTIST

DECK: 9” x 31.75”

TRUCKS: Paris Street 149mm

WHEELS: 58mm 80a Arbor Shakedown

BEARINGS: ABEC 5 Greaseball

At the very core of longboarding is that simultaneously exhilarating and peaceful sensation, found when cruising along a scenic trail or around town.

What makes a great cruising board is a stable ride that is still smooth and easy to maneuver. – and the Arbor Martillo Artist board offers all that in a single package.

The deck is fairly wide, yet on the shorter side in length. This allows for better stability as well as maneuverability, making for a smooth and easy ride whether you are learning in an open parking lot or at your local skatepark.

The 50 degree Paris brand traditionally-oriented trucks make turning responsive and quick, thereby offering more control and freedom without sacrificing stability. Plus, the fact that the deck has grooves to reduce wheel bite is especially good for beginners learning how to carve.

The wheels offer a comfortable ride, without being too large or too soft. In fact, the harder wheels are faster and open up the possibilities for some controlled sliding once the rider gets more comfortable. The Greaseball bearings should keep you cruising more and pushing less.

Best for Commuting: ARBOR DROPCRUISER

DECK: 9.75” x 38”

TRUCKS: Paris 180mm

WHEELS: 69mm 78a Arbor Easy Rider

BEARINGS: ABEC 5

Another Arbor option on this list, the Dropcruiser is great for the daily commute or the Sunday roll through the park. Though most Arbor products are great options for several longboarding applications, the Dropcruiser is especially good for navigating streets and sidewalks with style and ease.

The low-set deck is designed to be extra stable thanks to the drop-through design. The deck is quite wide and fairly long, giving the rider a comfortable and stable platform for longer rides. The lack of a kicktail makes performing tricks difficult, but adds to the symmetry and balance.

The wide Paris trucks make turning a dream and the large Arbor Easy Rider wheels should be soft enough to roll over most terrains with grace, but without feeling too soft or gummy.

The softer wheels will also absorb more of the vibration from the ground, which will make longer commutes less taxing on your feet!

DECK: 9.25” x 45.5”

TRUCKS: 180mm Gen 6 Grizzly

WHEELS: 63mm Landyachtz Fatty Hawgs

BEARINGS: Landyachtz

Just a glance at this board lets you know that it is a board for creative and unique applications, like performing technical moves and tricks.

While performing tricks is more of an advanced way of longboarding, if you know that doing tricks like shuvits is your ultimate goal, then the Landyachtz Stratus Hollowtech is the board for you.

The maple and fiberglass deck is the longest on this list, but it is also quite light and flexible. The long length and low weight makes this deck the ultimate platform for performing tricks.

The components are also designed to help minimize weight. The Gen 6 Grizzly trucks are wide enough to provide some stability without adding unnecessary weight or getting in the way of your movement. The 63mm Landyachtz wheels are on the smaller side, which again reduces weight and adds maneuverability, all while still allowing for a smooth and fast cruise. 

This board is probably the most advanced board on this list – and it comes with a price tag that is representative of the advanced technology that it features. That being said, if your goals are to perform tricks and dance on your longboard, a superior design like this will ultimately make it easier to learn and perform your moves.

Best for Kids: QUEST RORSHACK

DECK: 6” x 34”

TRUCKS: Aluminum

WHEELS: 70mm

BEARINGS: ABEC 5

Let’s be honest, sometimes the interests of kids (and some adults) change with the weather. For that reason, it makes sense not to sink too much into a child’s first longboard.

With that in mind, it is also important to make sure that the board you buy is safe and functional. The Quest Rorshack is ideal for kids due to its lower price point as well as its shorter length and narrower width.

The deck is made from a combination of maple and bamboo, making it durable but with some degree of flex. The components include reverse kingpin aluminum trucks as well as 70mm polyurethane wheels for a steady and easy riding experience.

This board is ideal for cruising and learning to ride, but it could also be used for some tricks and milder hills.

Best for Speed: LANDYACHTZ DROP HAMMER

DECK: 10” x 36.5”

TRUCKS: 181mm Bear Grizzly

WHEELS: 70mm 78a Hawgs Mini Monster

BEARINGS: Landyachtz Space Balls

If you are interested in longboarding due to your need for speed, then look no further than the Landyachtz Drop Hammer.

Landyachtz is known for their expertise in the world of longboarding and the Drop Hammer is a modern classic. While it is not the best for extremely steep downhill riding, it is more than good enough to handle hills and offer a steady and controlled riding experience at high speeds.

The deck is 10” wide and 8 plies thick. This larger size adds weight, which is actually a good thing at higher speeds when maintaining balance and stability is most important. The symmetry of the board makes it more versatile since it doesn’t matter what stance you are riding in.

The Bear Grizzly 181mm reverse kingpin trucks are a tried-and-true option for freeriding and downhill longboarding. Whilst the Space Balls bearings are quiet, durable, and (most importantly) fast!

The large and soft Hawgs Mini Monster wheels also make this board great for commuting and easily traversing the various types of ground you might encounter in an urban environment or a college campus.

Best for Stability: LANDYACHTZ TUGBOAT

DECK: 9” x 30”

TRUCKS: 155mm Polar Bear

WHEELS: 60mm 78a Fatty Hawgs

BEARINGS: N/A

Falling, wiping out, taking a spill…. Call it what you will, but coming off your board is nearly unavoidable when it comes to learning how to ride a longboard.

Nonetheless, there are some factors that make you more or less likely to do so. So, if you are a larger, or particularly unbalanced individual, you may want to start off with a more stable board that makes it easier for you to learn in a safer way.

The Landyachtz Tugboat is a great option that offers superior stability and strength while still allowing for the fun stuff like speed and carving. The deck is wider and shorter than others on this list, making it easier to maneuver. The deck is also designed to help prevent wheel bite with its divitted wheel wells.

The trucks have standard kingpins for steadier, less sensitive turning which is great for those that are just starting out and are less comfortable with overly-responsive trucks.

The wheels are not as large as some on this list, but are still plenty big and soft enough to keep you rolling over rough ground without too much trouble – and they will excel on smoother terrain like asphalt and new skatepark concrete.

BUYING ADVICE FOR BEGINNER LONGBOARDS

When it comes to longboards, there are several individual components to consider. For a newcomer to the sport, the sheer number of options when it comes to decks, trucks, wheels, and bearings can be intimidating.

This section of the article aims to demystify some of the technical jargon involved with the sport and its equipment, so that you know what to look for when buying your first longboard.

Deck Size & Thickness

The deck of a longboard is the part that you stand on and is perhaps the most important factor when it comes to what is possible when riding. Most longboards are between 35” and 40” in length, but the number of plies that they are made up of, and the shapes of longboards decks vary greatly.

Generally, if you are taller, you will have an easier time with a longer board. However, many people figure out what best suits them through experimentation. If you are a heavier rider, you should probably opt for at least 7 plies in thickness. Some flexibility in a deck is a good thing, but stability and durability is more important, especially for beginners.

Deck Shapes

KICKTAILS: Longboards with kicktail decks are designed with the tail sloping upward. This makes it easier to perform tricks that require pushing down on the tail. Kicktails are best for tricks like ollies, shuvits, and manuals. 

PINTAILS: Pintails are decks that have a tail that come to a point and are not slopped upward. Pintails make great cruising boards that allow wide turns and sharp carving.

DROP THROUGH: Drop through decks have almost no discernible nose or tail because the trucks are almost at the very end of the board. Drop through boards are designed for hills and high speeds.

Truck Mounting Styles

TOP MOUNT: This is the style most similar to traditional skateboards. As the name implies, the trucks are attached to the deck by bolts that pass through the plies of the deck to the underside of the board. 

DROP THROUGH: Drop through decks are designed with slots that allow the base plate of the truck to be on top of the deck instead of the bottom of the deck like with traditional top mount decks. This lowers the height off of the ground for the longboard. Why does this matter? Well, when the riding platform is lower to the ground, it grants more stability for the rider, especially at high speeds.

DOUBLE DROP: Double drop decks feature slots designed for drop-through truck mounting as well as a lowered riding platform that sits below the base plate of the truck. These boards are great for performing downhill slides and are more capable of standing up to high speeds without speed wobbles than other deck styles.

Trucks

The trucks of a longboard are what attach the wheels to the deck and allow you to turn. They are made up of a metal axle that goes across the width of the board with wheels on each side, bushings that are usually made from urethane that allow the truck to turn, and a metal base plate that actually attaches the trucks to the deck.

There is a metal bolt called a kingpin that is attached to the base plate which holds the bushings. There is a nut on the top of this bolt that can be loosened or tightened to give more or less turning ability to the rider. 

TRUCK TIGHTNESS (KINGPIN ADJUSTMENT): The nut on the top of the kingpin bolt is adjustable because of personal preferences as well as other factors such as where you are riding your longboard. For example, if you are cruising around a parking lot doing wide turns, you would most likely want your trucks to be looser than if you are hitting high speeds going down a steep hill. 

REVERSE KINGPINS: Some longboards feature “reverse kingpin” trucks. This simply means that the trucks face the opposite way that they usually do on traditional skateboards. The purpose of this is to give more responsive turning at lower speeds and more control at higher speeds.

Wheels

WHEEL MATERIAL: Longboard wheels are almost always going to be made of urethane. This is a type of artificial rubber material that makes everything from gripping the pavement to doing high-speed slides possible on your longboard.

WHEEL SIZE: Longboard wheels are larger than regular skateboard wheels and are usually softer as well. The number that you most often see is the diameter of the wheel given in millimeters.

WHEEL SOFTNESS (DUROMETER): The softness of longboard wheels is measured on a scale called the durometer scale. This measures how stiff rubber-type materials are. Longboard durometer scores are noted by a number followed by “a”. For example, a common durometer for a longboard wheel is between 65a and 80a. 

The higher the durometer of a wheel, the harder the wheels are. Softer wheels are great for ensuring a smooth ride over rough surfaces, but harder wheels are generally faster and better for sliding. The softest longboard wheels are around 65a, while the hardest wheels are 101a. If having a superbly smooth ride is most important to you, aim for wheels around 65a. If you are all about bombing hills and laying down serious slides, you will want wheels around 80a.

Bearings

The bearings are small circlets that contain ball bearings that go inside the wheels of your longboard. These are incredibly important to providing a smooth and fast ride. There are 2 bearings in each wheel on the board. One in the front side and one in the back.

Skateboard bearings are rated on the same scale as bearings designed for several different purposes. This scale is called the ABEC scale. ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee. 

ABEC RATINGS: Most skateboard bearings are going to be ABEC 5 or ABEC 7 rated. This number is not incredibly valuable to skateboarding. Some people believe that the higher the ABEC rating, the faster the bearing, but this is not necessarily true. As long as the bearings are designed for skateboarding and are properly maintained by keeping them clean and lubricated, most brands should get the job done.

MORE INFORMATION

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