Whether you are new to longboarding or have been longboarding for years, finding the best brands is crucial to ensure you are safe and comfortable while riding. If you’ve ever had a bad longboard, you probably know what a horrible difference it can make to your boarding experience.
By choosing one of the longboard brands on this list, you can be sure you have the best boards in the business. Owning one of these brands will also allow you to up your skills and feel confident showing off around the park or city.
Here are the best longboard brands
Here’s a quick list of all the best longboard brands. We will go more in-depth about each one, but here is a quick guide on the best brands to choose from.
Rayne
Rayne first become a well-known longboard brand in 2004. All their longboards are lightweight, waterproof, and functionally ergonomic. The decks are made with laminate fiberglass and bamboo, so they are extremely durable. They are quite a bit pricier than other longboard brands though. The concave-shaped decks are also built to withstand abuse and challenging conditions.
They make several different longboard brands including ones for downhill racing, long-distance pushing, freestyle, and dance. With the large variety of different boards, you can be sure to find one that fits your needs and styles. They also have options for more experienced riders if you have been riding for a long time and are looking for a new board to up your skills.
Top 3 Rayne Longboards
- Rayne Whip Dancer Longboard – This board is great for users who want to get into the longboarding dance style. The 44 inches gives the rider a few extra inches of the standing room which should help in cross-steps and dance moves. It’s still small enough to keep up with basic steps though such as no-complys, shuv its, and 180s.The eco-friendly material of this board will also make you feel good about your purchase and allow you to make the most out of your longboarding days.
- Rayne 36” Longboard – The Supreme 36” longboard is the top choice for downhill and free riding. It’s also great for heavier riders. It’s made with secure North American maple wood and has 70mm/78a envy wheels.This board is also a solid choice for new riders as the ergonomic radial drops and the low drop mounting design make riding extremely easy. The atlas ultralight trucks also allow for a smooth and easy ride.
- Rayne Skyline 36” – This model is the best choice for riders who want to ride downhill or freeride. It has been tested on some of the best and steepest hills in the world, so you can be sure it will give you a secure ride.Simple radial concave makes it easy for you to keep your footing and the directional shape makes it easy to keep your balance even when speeding downhills. This allows you to keep your feet locked in place and your eyes on the road.
Arbor Collective
If finding an environmentally friendly board is your number one priority, Arbor is the best brand for you. The company has been around since 1995, so they are one of the most trusted and long-lasting brands. Arbor uses traditional materials like bamboo and maple.
All the boards are lightweight, minimalistic, and look great. The boards are versatile, so they can be used for cruising and commuting. Arbor longboards are also great for beginners. Most of them are made for downhill riding, but the axis is also easy to push if you want to ride around downtown instead.
Some of the options are a bit heavier, so make sure to check the weight of the board before choosing.
Top 3 Arbor Collective Longboards
Sizzler Groundswell – This is a great choice for powering downhill or going around sharp turns. It’s made out of 7 ply Canadian Hardrock maple and has a premium palisander wood finish ply. All the wood is sustainably sourced and the by-products are used for other products, so no wood goes to waste.
The mini cruiser wheels are perfect for skating in many different terrains. Ultimately, the board is good for carving and quick commutes.Pilsner Foundation – The concave on this board is not as sharp as others, but the wide standing platform makes it extremely comfortable and functional. It is 28.75” by 8.25”. The special momentum core makes bumpy rides easy, and the board feels soft and grippy underneath your feet.
With mini-cruiser wheels, every ride is a breeze whether you’re commuting or just taking a joy ride around town.
Shakedown 34 Foundation – The 34” length of this board combined with the 9” width gives riders much more room to stand and place their feet. The shape makes this board perfect for skating in the park, street, or downhill. It has ABEC 5 bearings with spacers and 1/8” hard risers.
With the 61.0 mm size and 78A durometer, this board gives you a stable and secure ride no matter where you are.
Sector 9
Sector 9 is easily one of the top longboard companies and has been around since 1993. They make longboards for all different rides including commuters, cruisers, carvers, and downhill riders. Most of the boards are surf-inspired and have fun designs.
Even though the decks are inexpensive and have fun graphics, they are still extremely strong and durable. They have different deck materials including plywood decks, downhill decks, and bamboo cruisers.
They also have great options for heavier riders and beginner riders. The study boards make them ideal for keeping your feet firmly planted while street cruising or going downhill. They are also controllable even in bumpy rides.
Top 3 Sector 9 Longboards
- Sector 9 Lookout Complete – This board is surf-inspired and is great for commuting, cruising, carving, or downhill longboarding. It’s 42” X 9.6” and has a wheelbase of 31.50”. The 5 ply vertically laminated Taco Mold Bamboo keeps you stable and secure throughout the ride.The green Hawaii design is also stylish and very different from other longboards, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for something with more personality.
- Cascade 95 – The cascade 95 was made by an artist and photographer, Travis Burke. He was always passionate about surfing and skateboarding while he was growing up in San Diego, California. This 30.5” X 8.375” was specially designed by him to help people showcase their skills.
It’s ideal for riding through parks and cruising. It has a double kick, die-cut grip tape, and a two-toned swirled urethane design. The wheelbase is 14.25”, so you get a little bit thicker wheels for a more stable ride. - Snapper Basin Bintag – Like the Cascade 95, this board was designed by Travis Burke. It’s best for freerides and commuting styles. It has 38” X 9.25” with a wheelbase of 29.0”. The main feature includes 8 Ply Maple, zebrawood veneer with die-cut maple inlay, and sharp rails for extra grip and control.It also has 65mm 78a Nineballs, ABEC 5 Greaseball bearings, 1.125” truss head steel bolts, and ERG Grip Tape.
Loaded Boards
For those looking for free riding boards, Loaded Boards is one of the best longboard brands. The brand started in 2002 and has since been voted some of the best longboard wheels on the market. The boards are more expensive than other options but are worth every penny. The boards are top-notch quality, fast, and provide a good quality experience.
Most of the boards from this line have top bearings and wheels. The drop-through truck mounting for stability makes the board much easier to push, especially for new riders. All the boards are also very lightweight and durable.
High-speed downhill racing is also possible with these boards because of the bamboo and fiberglass.
Top 3 Loaded Boards Longboards
- Loaded Boards Dervish Bamboo – This loaded board is a performance longboard created for carving, pumping, freestyle, freeride, and urban commuting. The design is also functional with large cutouts to maximize wheel clearance for deep carves and tight turns.The bamboo and fiberglass provide a lively and energetic flex perfect for hard carving and pumping. The orangatang wheels you can choose from are between 75mm, 80a for optimal roll speed, or 75mm, 83a for just the right balance of grip and slide.
- Loaded Carver Bolsa – For the most comfortable, compact, and agile ride ever, make sure you buy the loaded carver bolsa. They have orangatang wheels and bushings for a premium hard-carving surf skate experience. This board is 31” by 9.4”.
The deck weight is only 3 pounds, so it’s easy to carry around if you can’t ride in certain parts of the city or if you need to get on the bus or subway. It also comes in 2 different designs so you can pick the one that better suits you. - Coyote – This is one of the most popular options for high schoolers or secondary school riders because it can easily fit right into a locker. They are perfect for freeriding, freestyling, and cruising the streets. They are also extremely affordable, which makes them easy to buy as a gift or for yourself.
The coyote showcases some amazing graphics as well. The board is 30.75” by 8.375”. The wheelbase is 17.5” and the weight is only 2.8 pounds.
Santa Cruz
Around since the 1970s, Santa Cruz is one of the oldest board brands in the business. They are one of the more inexpensive board brands, so you can be sure you are saving your wallet and money. Santa Cruz boards are great if you’re just getting into boarding because they will allow you to learn on an affordable board and then upgrade as you increase your skill levels.
No matter which board you choose from this brand, you will get a sturdy and smooth longboard perfect for learning to ride or increasing your skills.
Top 3 Santa Cruz Longboards
- Santa Cruz Lion God – This offers a great deck size of 10” X 40” with drop-through construction technology. It comes completely preassembled, so you don’t have to worry about trying to get the wheels and trucks on yourself.
It’s a perfect board for tricks and carving. Definitely choose this longboard if you are trying to get into the business of boarding without breaking the bank. - Santa Cruz Pintail – This is a great basic board for beginners or more advanced boarders who want to add another board to their collection. It has 60 mm Slimeballs OG Slime Wheels and bullet 180 mm RKP trucks. The nose length is 2.4 inches or dimensions of 33 inches by 9.2 inches by 21 inches.The red and black color is chic and fun. Overall, this is a sturdy and stable board that can take you across town or through many different terrains. The artwork on the bottom is also great for showing off your talent.
- Santa Cruz Skate Land Shark Rasta – This board only weighs 1 pound which makes it one of the best boards to commute with or bring around town because you can easily tuck it under your arm or throw it into your backpack.The wheels are sturdy and stable at 65 mm. The deck offers a flat-concave deck perfect for riding and keeping your feet firmly planted even when there might be rocks or cracks under you. It has a 16.5-inch wheelbase with a 2.7-inch nose and a 4.3-inch kicktail.
Atom
Atom has been around since 2005 and specializes in drop-through pintails, hybrid longboards, electric boards, and all-terrain longboarding. Most atom longboards have great artwork which lets you ride in style and confidence.
They are a dependable brand with great performance. They aren’t the cheapest in the business, but they are a great value for money. They also have drop-deck and drop-through longboards. They are some of the best longboards for beginners because they are stable and durable. Keep in mind that some of these boards are a bit stiff until broken in. Some of the bearings are also not the best quality, so you might want to replace some of them to get a better and smoother ride.
Overall, the boards are great for turning, picking, and smoothing. It carves really well and is amazingly smooth. They have great all-terrain longboards, great performance, and multipurpose boards. They can also hold up to 300 pounds.
Top 3 Atom Longboards
- Atom Drop Deck Longboard 39 inch – This board is amazing but weighs 7 pounds. The deck has 9 ply maple laminate and is 35 mm drop. The standard kingpin trucks are a stable 35-degree base with 6-inch aluminum hangers with steel axles.The wheels are 62 mm with a diameter of 51 mm wide. They have a high rebound with a durable 80 grit silicon carbide. The deck is soft and cushiony which gives you a stable ride.
- Atom Drop Through Longboard 40 inch – The deck on this board is a maple and bamboo hybrid. It’s 40 inches long, so you get some extra space that other decks won’t be able to offer you. The bearings are ABEC 9 with high-speed lubricant and it has navigator drones with a 40-degree base and 180 mm hangers.The wheels are atom area 51 and they have a 70 mm diameter with 51 mm wide wheels. These allow you to have maximum stability and also keep the board durable. The grip is a coarse 46 grit.
- Atom Drop Deck Longboard 41 inches – This deck length is 41 inches, so you get plenty of riding space. This board is 10.14 pounds though, so you definitely have some extra weight compared to other boards. It might not be the best choice for commuters or those who have to carry the board around.The deck is full maple laminate. The Reverse ling pin has 245 mm axles and the lip is wide with 70 x 51 mm super high rebound urethane wheels. The ABEC has high-speed lubricants with 9 bearings. It also has high-quality 80S grip tape.
Yocaher
Yocaher brand is another brand that’s known for being affordable, but still really nice quality. Most of the options are crafted from hardwood maple and are strong enough for downhill racing and cruising.
The different features and longboards sizes mean there are choices for beginners, intermediate riders, and pro riders. They are some of the sturdiest boards around and give the rider an amazing balance. They are also stable enough to hold riders up to 275 pounds.
All the boards slide effortlessly and many of the decks have no flex, which makes them perfect for high downhill riding. Riders can also learn to dance, weave, lean, or slide very easily on them.
Top 3 Yocaher Longboards
- Yocaher Professional Speed Drop – This board has a concave drop-down shape and the deck is made out of 9-ply Canadian maple. The weeks are 70 mm by 52 mm with 78A hardness. They have heavy-duty trucks at 9.675” and a 175 mm hanger with aluminum alloy.This board is great for high speeds and has amazing support for hard turns. You can use it for cruising, commuting, carving, or going downhill. The drop-down deck lowers the center of gravity and increases maneuverability. It also slides effortlessly which reduces the work you need to put in while skating.
- Yocaher Checker Complete Pintail Skateboards – This board comes fully assembled and ready to ride which means it’s great for beginners and those who might not have time to assemble the skateboard. The wheels are a speed cruiser 70 mm by 52 mm with 78A hardness. The trucks are made with an aluminum alloy so they are extremely stable.They come in many different colors including red, purple, yellow, and bright green. If you prefer to have a neutral color, you can always go with brown or black.
- Yocaher Kicktail Concave – This board comes in many different colors and designs for those who don’t want a boring and plain board. The deck is 40 inches by 9.75 inches with 7 ply maples. It has a medium concave and is medium flex. The wheels are q-ball and are 70 mm x 52 mm. The wheels are pretty solid and sturdy with 78 A hardness.The bearings are ABEC 7 Chrome. The best part is it comes assembled, so you can take it out of the box and start riding it immediately after getting it in the mail.
Helmet and Protective Gear for Longboarding
Even though you might have longboarders in town or at the park without protective gear, it’s never a wise idea to ride around without the right year. One wrong fall or move can badly damage you and your board and it’s not worth the risk. Since longboards tend to pick up speed pretty quickly, ensuring you have all the right gear will help you ride safer and with more ease.
Not every longboarder will wear the same gear, but you should have at least the following to keep yourself safe:
Helmets: this is the most important because it protects your head and skull. A good helmet will protect you from concussions and other serious brain injuries.
Gloves: might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to longboarding, but they are crucial. If you fall, you are more than likely to push your hands out in front of you to stop from falling. Without gloves, you can get nasty concrete burns.
Elbow and knee guards: they provide extra support when riding so that you don’t cut open and burn your elbows and knees since these are some of the first parts of the body to hit the ground while riding.
If you are focused on doing tricks or trying to make it into competitive longboarding, you might even want to get more protective gear such as spine protectors, eye shields, and grip soles. Most longboarders don’t use these items, but beginners could really benefit from having the most amount of gear possible.
Longboard Deck Shapes
There are many different kinds of longboards, but most people stick to the same shape when they are looking to buy boards. Some people also like to try different shapes before choosing one. Below are the most common 8 shapes and why people choose to buy them:
- Directional Longboards – These boards are only meant to go in one direction, forward. The most popular directional board is the Pin Tail. Carvers, cruisers, and downhill boards are usually one-directional as well. Always check to make sure before buying though.
- Twin/Symmetrical Longboards – These boards look and feel the same regardless of which way the board is facing. An asymmetrical board is the best option if you are doing 180 slides such as in freeriding and freestyle.
- Longboard Deck Concave – Concave means the edges or rails of the longboard deck are higher than the board’s center. The amount of concave depends on the board, so always check carefully before buying to see the concave direction and magnitude.
- W-concave longboards – Similar to regular concave, the W-concave keeps your feet firmly planted on the board. It’s basically like having two concave sections right next to each other. The feature is usually only found on more expensive boards.
- Drop Through – This means the trucks are mounted through the board. This lowers the deck height by the thickness of the board. This increases stability and reduces fatigue while the person is riding. It also is perfect for freeride and downhill riding styles.
- Drop Deck Longboards – These decks are considered weird-looking by many, but they are the best boards for reducing fatigue and increasing stability during braking and pushing. It also lowers the center of gravity and is specially molded for construction to mount their trucks.
- Double drop – These boards have the drop deck style and the drop through trucks. This is the most stable deck shape, so it’s great for beginners. Unfortunately, since it’s harder to construct, it can also be one of the most expensive board brands. It’s also only found on the downhill boards.
- Kick Tail longboards – These are what you see on both ends of regular skateboards. They allow you to lift one end of the board off the ground while you perform tricks, and they allow you to make quick turns as well. These shapes are great for cruiser boards or for dodging people and things on the road.
Other Longboard Brands Worth Considering
Although the 7 brands in this post are the best, there are some other brands you can check in to see if they offer better deals or have better options that you want.
Landyachtz – This company has been in the business for 22 years and is well-known by many longboarders. They are focused on extreme safety, durability, and stability. They have improved the quality of longboards and skateboards industry-wide, so you can be sure they are reputable and have some of the best boards around.
They are also focused on innovation and changing the design of the boards based on reviews and what people ask for. If they find a problem with even one component, they will change the entire board until customers are satisfied.
Volador – This is one of the best brands for beginners. They are best for city rides and cruising around town rather than going downhill or across more bumpy terrain. Their decks come in many different styles, and several have unique artwork so you can always tell your board apart from others.
All the longboards are made with sustainable wood and are known to be extremely high quality and stable. They also have the perfect cruising styles that can take you anywhere you need to go.
Playshion – Playshion has only been around since 2013, but they quickly made a name for themselves in the longboard industry. They make great boards for beginners that are multifunctional, sturdy, strong, and versatile. Overall, they have a great performance and a smooth ride.
The special bearings are stronger and quieter than other bearings because they are made out of steel. They also reduce friction and have an extremely smooth ride.
Junli – All the Junli longboards are durable and made out of 8 ply Maplewood. They make study designs, some of which are even perfect for heavier riders of up to 330 pounds. They are built with extra stability and extra trucks, so even beginners will feel comfortable and confident on these boards.
Compared to some other brands, they are more affordable, but still with some of the best quality. The boards are also lightweight and shock absorbing.
Magneto – If you are looking for affordability, the cruiser longboards by Magneto are some of the best ones you can get. Magneto longboards are of great quality, durable, and lightweight. They are easy to use, so they can be a great option for beginners or intermediate riders. The longboards are versatile and have sleek designs, so you can find one that fits your style.
All the longboards come with good bearings and soft, smooth, and grippy wheels. They will give you a smooth ride on rough roads.
Conclusion
Choosing the best longboard for you can be difficult if you don’t know the right brands or aren’t sure what to buy. Hopefully, this article gave you some insight into which boards are the best for you depending on your skill level and how often you ride your longboard.
Remember to always choose a brand that will support you and keep you safe and stable. With any of the brands in this article, you can’t go wrong.