Looking for the best longboard for beginners? Our guide covers everything you need to know to find yourself the perfect fit to start shredding the pavement.
Longboarding is one of those perfect sports/hobbies that’ll give you high-speed thrills, rushes of adrenaline, and a great opportunity for activity and exercise. However, longboarding can be tricky for beginners and people who have never skated before. Usually, it takes a bit of time to develop the right skills, but just as importantly to kick off your longboarding adventure, the type of investment you decide to make into a longboard is crucial for a decent and smooth start as you learn to fine-tune your skills. If you’re wondering, what is the best longboard for beginners? We are here to help you answer that question.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LONGBOARD FOR BEGINNERS
The keys to success, when you’re looking at finding the best longboard for beginners, are mainly understanding how longboards work and what they’re made of. You’ll have to decide what type of longboard is right for you, we recommend you look at buying a cruiser board as your first – just to give you time to learn the ropes and get a handle on everything before you start tearing up massive slopes. This is by no means saying that you can’t go out there and buy a hardcore downhill board right off the bat, but as they say, sometimes it’s best to learn to drive stick in a Corolla before buying the Ferarri.
Once you’ve decided on the type of longboard that suits you best, maybe a cruiser like we recommend, it’s important to consider the components of the longboard. Longboards are made up of a deck, trucks, wheels, and bearings, that can vary in quality and suitability for your needs. It might be less important to do an in-depth dive into all these pieces when you are looking for the best longboard for beginners and you are just starting out, but they are still worth considering.
The deck is the actual board you stand on and can be made of different materials such as bamboo, maple, or fiberglass, each with its own unique properties. The trucks connect the wheels to the deck and come in different sizes and materials as well. The wheels and bearings are also important components to consider, as they affect the board’s speed, maneuverability, and overall ride quality. As we mentioned earlier, when it comes to the best longboard for beginners, it may be best to go for a mid-range quality board, as you can always upgrade later on when you have a better understanding of your preferences.
BEST LONGBOARD SHAPE FOR BEGINNERS
The shape of longboard you buy often comes down to personal preference on look and functionality. And let’s be honest, there is an incredible amount of variety out there when it comes to board shape. So much so that it might be overwhelming for some new riders to know where to begin. So, to help you out a bit, we’ve gone ahead and chosen some of the best beginner longboards guaranteed to provide you with a great ride and appropriate stability at a great price – perfect for any beginner or newcomer to longboarding! And if you’re a newbie, we even have some great tips that can teach you how to longboard.
Without further ado, here are the contenders for the best longboard for beginners.
QUEST SUPER CRUISER
- 7-ply super flex bamboo and hardwood maple deck
- Aluminum trucks and high-performance configuration
- 70mm 80a polyurethane wheels
- ABEC 7 bearings
- Deck length: 44”
First out of the gates is the best longboard for beginners who want a low-cost, top-mount cruiser. The Quest super cruiser is affordable, stylish, well made, and has genuine quality components. With a bamboo deck of super flex artisan bamboo that looks stylish and provides a sturdy board, the super cruiser is a top pick for all beginners. However, this board is only made for cruising around town and will most likely struggle to perform on downhill slopes for high speed skating or sliding.
The Super Cruiser comes with a pretty sick price tag too, which is why you’ll also find it in our guide for the best cheap longboards. On top of that, it’s a featured board on our 5 best longboard cruisers list, making it our best longboard for beginners list topper and a choice that won’t break the bank- definitely check them out.
ATOM DROP THROUGH
- Full maple laminate deck
- ABEC 9 bearings
- Atom wide lip 70mm 78A – Super High Rebound Wheels
- Durable grip tape
- Deck length: 42”
The best longboard for beginners who want an affordable drop through deck comes in the form of the Atom Drop Through. It has a very durable, stable, and comfortable deck that guarantees a smooth ride for all new skaters. With great steadiness, this board is perfect for quiet cursing and practicing for beginners. However, it can also handle a bit of downhill skating due to its sturdy and stable design. With high end ABEC 9 bearings, it is also going to provide a bit more speed.
Straight up it’s the best longboard for beginners who are keen on getting some speed while riding. While very high quality, it does retail for a slightly higher price when compared to the Quest super cruiser.
YOCAHER PUNKED STAINED PINTAIL COMPLETE
- Very affordable
- 70mm 78a polyurethane wheels
- ABEC 7 bearings
- Deck length: 40”
- Classic pintail deck design
The Yocaher Punked is the best longboard for beginners who are looking for an inexpensive classic pintail board to throw around when you are just starting out. The unique pintail design of the board will prevent any wheel bite from occurring which means less falling for the rider on sharp corners and turns. The large 180mm trucks give the board a sturdy feel and ride perfect for anyone who’s trying to work on their balance.
The ABEC 7 bearings provide a smooth and comfortable ride. While there are more quality complete board setups to be used, none can match the price and value for money you get from the Yocaher Punked Stained Pintail.
If you like this style, be sure to check out our best pintail longboards article featuring the 5 best.
KROWN FREESTYLE ELITE
- Canadian maple construction
- 71mm 78a polyurethane wheels
- Deck length: 36”
- High quality King Pin trucks
- Wide base for balance
Here we have the Krown Freestyle Elite which also has the potential to be the best longboard for beginners looking for a low-cost drop through freestyle longboard. With its 8-ply maple deck, sturdy trucks, and soft bushings, this board provides a smooth and comfortable ride for cruising the town.
One of the best things about the Krown longboard is its compact size, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. And while it may not be the fastest board out there, its bearings still offer reliable performance for new riders. Plus, the Canadian maple construction ensures that this board is built to last. Shout out to our Canadian shredders!
So whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking for a budget-friendly cruiser, the Krown longboard is definitely worth checking out. Its wide base also provides excellent balance for new riders who are still getting their steeze. So kick back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
SECTOR 9 SIDEWINDER SERIES
- Sturdy base design
- Deck length: 36”
- Sector 9 ABEC 5 bearings
- 69mm 80a “9-Balls” wheels
- Made of high quality components
Want the best longboard for beginners that can do it all and is also a top-of-the-line cruising longboard? Perfect for beginners to find their feet, the Sector 9 Sidewinder Series drop through can also adapt to perform on slopes for free riding and even a bit of sliding if needed. With great stability and smoothness, this board is perfect for bombing down hills. The high-quality sidewinder trucks also provide a great amount of control in tight and intense turns.
The unique design also helps to prevent wheel bite. While more expensive than most of the other boards mentioned, this sector 9 longboard is a standout – perfect for welcoming any new longboarders. It’s a little pricey for a beginner board, but we have selected Sector 9 as one of our top 10 longboard brands, so you can’t go wrong with this one if you’re starting out. In terms of brand quality and versatility, the Sidewinder from Sector 9 tops the list for the best longboard for beginners if you don’t mind the price tag.
We love the Sidewinder Series and deem it to be in the top 5 best Sector 9 longboards. Check out that full list for more great boards from Sector 9!
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In conclusion, choosing the best longboard for beginners requires careful consideration of various factors such as deck length and material, wheel size, and truck quality. We have included some of our top picks available on the market and recommend looking for a board with a stable and comfortable ride, reliable bearings, and durable construction like the ones mentioned.
It’s also important to choose a board that feels right for your style and preference, whether you’re cruising, carving, or commuting. Ultimately, the best longboard for beginners is the one that you feel most comfortable and confident riding. So take some time to explore your options, test a few boards, and find the perfect ride for you. Happy cruising and welcome to the sport!
Thank you for reading our best longboard for beginners 2023 buyer’s guide!
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Before you head out, part of buying your first board should also include buying your first helmet and various protective wear. Helmets are critical for every rider, especially beginners. We have written articles declaring the best longboarding helmets, as well as the best shoes for longboarding, both of which are excellent resources for beginners. Another great resource for starting out with longboarding is our guide to Longboarding Etiquette: 5 Easy Steps To Share The Road.
Longboarding is a great hobby or sport to get into and you’ll always be guaranteed to have a great time. With the right type of board and setup, you’re already halfway there! All it takes now is to get out there and have some fun. Make sure to always look after your board and to use your board for the type of skating it was designed for. Hopefully, this has given you some direction in what to look for and buy, enjoy!