Skateboards vs. Longboards

Skateboards Vs Longboards – Everything You Should Know

Longboarding and skateboarding might seem similar when it comes to the untrained eye, yet when you look closer you will find that these boards are really quite different. These two types of sidewalk-surfing are in fact starkly different. In this article, we will discuss these differences in detail.

The Origins Of The Longboards And Skateboards

The history behind skateboarding began as far back as the 1950’s as the side-product of surfing. This started with a surfer group that was looking for a replacement for the days that were not ideal for surfing and created the very 1st generation of the skateboards when they installed wheels onto wooden planks. At this stage, the very first skateboards were nothing like we know them today, but as the years went by these boards were perfected into shapes that we are familiar with now.

Longboarding, on the other hand, came about at a much later stage and only started to gain popularity in the last few decades. In the era of the 1990’s a longboarding culture exploded when snowboarders and sea-surfers came together to achieve a real feeling of surfing on land.
The beginning phases of the longboard started with roller-skate wheels installed onto surfing or snowboards, where they gradually shaped into the designs we know today. The idea behind these boards was to keep the shape of original surfboards, with added soft and flexible wheels to recreate an experience of riding on waves. The longboards quickly grew in popularity due to their versatility in size and shape and the ability to use them on different terrains.

The Shapes

Longboards are generally a lot longer when compared to skateboards. On average they measure 33 to 60 inches in length and 9 to 10 inches in width. The skateboards, on the other hand, are only 28 to 32 inches in length and 7 to 10 inches in width.

When considering the difference in shapes, skateboards may come in a variety of designs, yet the shape generally stays the same. The deck typically curves upwards on each end. The longboards have narrow and long decks and are available in many sizes and shapes.

Wheels And Trucks

The trucks on the skateboards are a lot more rigid. In general, the trucks on a skateboard are narrower using the traditional kingpin (TKP). The trucks on the longboards are a lot more flexible and contribute to the versatile flexibility of these boards. These trucks are also why longboard-riding is comfortable and smooth.

The wheels on the longboards are softer and bigger. This is what makes them suitable and faster for just about all types of surfaces. These wheels also buffer any obstacles on a surface such as cracks or peoples, which contributes to a more comfortable ride. The skateboard wheels are smaller which makes them perfect for tricks and balance.

Moving The Boards

Both the longboards and skateboards get their initial thrust in the way of pushing off from the ground using one leg. The skateboards are ideal for tight turns and ramps, and their lighter weight is what makes them suitable for flips and leaps. It is these same features which make them less comfortable and stable. Longboards were created for transportation, where riders are able to cruise comfortably for miles on end on smooth terrains.

The Purpose

If you are weighing your options about whether to invest in a longboard or skateboard, you first need to ask yourself: “What do you need or want it for?” Even when it comes to all their differences and similarities, longboarding and skateboarding are dramatically different in regard to their purposes.