Do you want to start skating but don’t know which board is right for you?

More specifically, should you buy a skateboard or a longboard, and what are their differences? 

Skating can be a hobby, sport, a mode of transportation—you name it. Skateboarding and longboarding have been around for a while, and there are so many factors to consider before landing on the right board for you. 

We’re going to run through everything you need to know about skateboarding and longboarding—from their differences to their upsides and downsides. 

Let’s roll. 

The Difference Between Longboards and Skateboards

To understand their differences, we need to understand their rise to popularity and why people love them so much. 

Traditional skateboards came along before longboards. They were created in the late ‘50s — although, back then, skating was referred to as “sidewalk surfing.” 

It’s easy to see why this was skateboarding’s original name, as skateboards look like miniature surfboards on wheels. 

After the skateboard boom, the longboard was created. Why? Because people wanted to enhance the feeling of surfing when weather wouldn’t permit being out on the water. 

Now that you know why they were created, let’s get into how the boards differ. 

Size

It’s in the name. Longboards are both longer and wider than skateboards. 

Longboards typically range anywhere from 38 to 60 inches in length, while skateboards hover around 28 to 34 inches. In terms of width, longboards are normally 9 to 11 inches wide, with skateboards usually between 7 to 10 inches. 

Wheels

If longboards are the big brother of skateboards in terms of size, it’s safe to assume that the same thing applies to their wheels. 

It does! The longboard wheels are larger and softer, as are their reverse kingpin trucks (the part that keeps the wheels attached to the board). Soft wheels are meant to grip the road and absorb shock from any bumps or cracks you might roll over so that your ride is a smooth one.

Skateboard wheels and trucks are much smaller and rougher. This makes it easier to do tricks and control yourself even at high speeds. 

Shape

Longboards will look the most similar to surfboards—their curvatures closely resemble each other—but the longboard’s shape can vary between a classic surfboard body that covers the wheels and a concave, cut out shape that exposes the wheels. 

The skateboard has some of the same features but is the smallest of the trio, with a curved nose and tail, and popsicle-shaped body. 

The Pros and Cons of Longboards

Before we get into the list, let’s make one thing clear: longboarding vs. skateboarding comes down to preference. We’re simply here to tell you which one is best for what, but there is no bad decision. 

As with any new hobby, skating takes practice.

Now let’s finally look at some pros and cons of longboards and skateboards. 

Pro: Cruising and Transportation

Longboards are built to cruise.

The longboard’s large, grippy, soft wheels absorb shock from rough or imperfect terrain.  

 While each push may exert more energy, you can cruise for longer. Not to mention, the width of the board will make for a much more comfortable ride as compared to a skateboard.

Keep in mind that you probably shouldn’t take longboards on extremely rough surfaces, but they will give you a smoother ride than skateboards. 

Con: Tricks and Maneuverability

The length and width of the longboard make it extremely difficult to practice any traditional  tricks that are done on a skateboard. It’s just not what they do. 

Remember, longboards are equipped with trucks and wheels that are supposed to help you glide and cruise long distances. This isn’t to say you can’t learn or perform tricks with a longboard — but probably not the ones you can do on a skateboard. 

In terms of maneuverability, longboards are a little harder to control. Their wide frames are designed for “carving”, which are long, sweeping turns that are made on longboards by leaning on one side of the board.

Pro: Great for Beginners

If you’ve never owned a board before or are still learning, the longboard is an awesome choice. It’s easier to balance and adapt to the feeling of being on four softer wheels and the bigger frame makes for a smoother ride. 

The reason we recommend longboarding for beginners is that it’s easier to master than skateboarding.

Skateboarding is chalk full of difficult technicalities that require time and patience to learn. On longboards like Rift or Tidal, their concave, drop-through deck shapes keep you level and low to the ground, which enhances balance and a stronger sense of security. 

Because of the added stability, it makes learning to cruise and carve—longboarding basics—a breeze.

The Pros and Cons of Skateboards

There are tons of benefits and disadvantages to this ever-popular pastime inside and outside the skate park. Let’s go over them.

Pro: Endless learning opportunities

Skateboard decks are designed for tricks.

You’ll never get bored learning how to master skateboarding. There will always be new techniques and tricks to learn like manuals, flip tricks, vert, grinds, etc. and so many types of skateboards to discover.

We’re not saying longboards aren’t fun. They are. However, skateboarding offers far more versatility and challenges. 

Skateboarding is definitely more popular, and you’ll likely find a lot more people in your town with skateboards than longboards. Not to mention, who wouldn’t want to learn to do the tricks Tony Hawk and other skateboarding greats can do?

Pro: Transportability

Because of their shape and size, skateboards are typically easy to carry around, making them suitable for commuters, students, and really anyone who’s on the go.

Cruiser skateboards like Quip, are smaller boards that can come in sizes ranging from 22.5” to 27”.With skateboard decks this compact, you can bring them anywhere and quickly stash them in your bag or backpack as you need.

Regular skateboards like Alameda are also portable and built for hopping on and off with ease.

Con: Learning and Adaptability

Admittedly, skateboarding is a lot harder to master than longboarding. 

We may also be generalizing a bit as this can depend on the person, but the facts are there: skateboards are smaller and can take longer to learn how to control. 

Learning to shred on a skateboard takes time, as does longboarding. You’ll undoubtedly fall a few times before learning to pick yourself back up

So, Longboard or Skateboard?

You’ve heard the argument for both sides, but don’t rush into a decision. Both are great options, just be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each before making a purchase.  

At Retrospec, we’re here to make your decision-making easier and get you outdoors as soon as possible!

Whether you choose a longboard or skateboard, you’re going to love skating. Good luck — and we’ll see you on the pavement!