Deck Shape Guide
Kicktail Longboard: What the Tail Actually Changes About Your Ride
A kicktail longboard has an upturned end—usually the back—that lets you lift the front wheels off the ground for quick turns, curb hops, and tighter navigation. Whether that tail shape actually helps your riding depends on where you ride, how far, and your height. Here is what to know before you pick one.
What a kicktail does on a longboard deck
A kicktail is the upturned end of a longboard deck. Its job is straightforward: when you shift your weight to the tail and press down, the front wheels lift off the ground. That lift lets you change direction quickly, hop over curbs, or make sharp turns at campus intersections without stepping off the board.
On a longboard, the kicktail is less aggressive than on a street skateboard. The deck is longer and heavier, so you get leverage for lifting the nose, but you are not popping ollies or kickflips with it. Think of it as a navigation tool, not a trick platform.
The tail’s angle also changes how the rear truck responds when you are riding. On a flat-tail board, your rear foot sits more evenly over the truck. On a kicktail longboard, the board is already angled slightly before you press down—which means quicker response underfoot but a different feel during normal cruising. If you are comparing this shape against other deck profiles, our Types of Longboards guide covers the full range and what each is built for.
Kicktail longboard vs pintail vs flat tail: what changes for your ride
This is the decision that matters most, and it is not about which tail shape is “better”—it is about which one matches your actual route.
| Tail shape | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Pintail | Straight-line cruising, carving on open paths | No nose lift; harder to make sharp turns |
| Flat tail / square tail | Commuting stability, drop-through setups | Some rear leverage but less kick angle |
| Kicktail longboard | Campus navigation, city turns, curb hopping | Slightly less stable at speed than flat or pintail |
| Double kick longboard deck | Freestyle maneuvers, short city hops, manuals | Least stable for long-distance cruising; shorter usable standing platform |
A pintail is the classic cruising shape—smooth on open paths, no tail leverage, and no need for one if your route is mostly flat and straight. A flat-tail or square-tail gives you some rear leverage but less angle; you see these on drop-through commuter boards where stability is the priority.
A kicktail longboard trades a bit of straight-line stability for the ability to make 90-degree turns and pop over small obstacles. If your ride involves crowded sidewalks, intersections, or frequent stops, this is the shape that earns its place.
A double kick longboard deck—upturned on both nose and tail—is the most maneuverable option. But it is also the least stable at any real speed, and both kicks shorten the usable standing area. This shape starts to blur the line between longboard and skateboard, so if tricks are your real goal, our longboard vs skateboard comparison breaks down where one ends and the other begins.
Does your riding style actually need a kicktail?
Here is where most buyers go wrong: they pick the tail shape based on how it looks instead of how they actually ride.
Campus riders
If your daily route involves curbs, crowded paths, and frequent stops, a kicktail longboard is genuinely useful. You can lift the nose to hop obstacles without stepping off, and make tight turns around pedestrians. This is the scenario where the kicktail earns its place on the deck.
City commuters (1–2 miles)
If your commute involves intersections with traffic lights and tight sidewalk turns, the kicktail helps with quick direction changes. The longer deck length still gives you more stability than a cruiser for that distance. You get maneuverability without sacrificing the ride feel over a mile or two.
Weekend cruisers on flat paths
The kicktail adds almost nothing here. A pintail or drop-through will feel more stable and comfortable for straight-line carving on open pavement. You are paying for a feature you will not use.
Height matters more than people expect. Taller riders—5’10” and above—usually have enough leverage on a 38–42 inch kicktail longboard to engage the tail comfortably. Shorter riders may find the tail hard to activate on boards longer than 38 inches. If you are under 5’6″, start around 36–38 inches.
For riders still figuring out which shape fits their style, our Beginner Longboard Guide walks through the first-board decision in more detail.
Deck length, kick angle, and wheelbase: specs that matter more than the tail shape alone
The kicktail itself is only one variable. Three other specs determine whether the board will actually work for you.
Deck length
The common kicktail longboard range is 36–42 inches. Longer boards are more stable at speed but harder to use the tail—you need more leg force to lift a 42-inch deck than a 36-inch one. Shorter boards are more responsive but less forgiving over rough pavement.
Kick angle
A steeper tail angle makes lifting the nose easier, but it also changes how the board sits when you are cruising normally. A board with a steep kicktail will rock slightly when you are standing on flat ground. A moderate kick angle is the better middle ground if you plan to cruise most of the time and use the tail occasionally.
Wheelbase
This is the distance between the trucks. On the same deck length, a longer wheelbase means more stability but less tail leverage. A shorter wheelbase gives you snappier turns but more wobble at any real speed.
In practical riding terms: if you plan to use the kicktail regularly for curbs and tight turns, prioritize a 36–40 inch deck with moderate kick angle. If you want the option but will mostly cruise, go 40–42 inches and accept that the tail is more of a backup feature. Browse longboards to compare deck lengths and setups side by side.
Common mistakes when choosing a kicktail longboard
After going through buyer conversations over the past few years, these come up the most:
- Buying a kicktail because it looks like a skateboard. If your real goal is comfortable commuting, a drop-through with no tail will do that job better. The kicktail does not make a longboard ride like a skateboard—it makes it maneuver like one.
- Assuming the kicktail lets you ollie. Longboard decks are heavier and longer than street decks. The tail is for lifting and turning, not for getting airborne. If you want actual air tricks, you need a different board. Our best longboards guide covers which shapes match which riding goals.
- Ignoring deck flex. A flexy kicktail longboard absorbs the tail’s leverage, which makes it harder to pop the nose up. Heavier riders—roughly 180 pounds and above—should look for stiffer decks if they plan to use the tail regularly.
- Picking a double kick without checking the standing platform. Both kicks shorten the usable deck area. If you have larger feet (size 11+), a double kick on a 36-inch board may leave you with less room than you expect. Measure your stance width before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a kicktail longboard good for beginners?
It depends on the riding context. For campus or city riders who will eventually want to hop curbs and make tight turns, yes—a kicktail is a practical shape to grow into. But if your main goal is comfortable cruising and you are still building balance, a flat-tail or drop-through is more stable as a first board. Our beginner longboard guide walks through the first-board decision in detail.
What is the difference between a kicktail longboard and a regular longboard?
The tail shape. A kicktail has an upturned end that lets you lift the nose for turns and obstacle clearance. A regular longboard—pintail, drop-through, or flat-tail—prioritizes stability or carving comfort over tail leverage. Neither is better; it depends on whether your route requires the maneuverability a kicktail provides.
Can you do tricks on a kicktail longboard?
Basic maneuvers like manuals, shove-its, and curb hops—yes. Actual street tricks like kickflips and ollies—not really. The deck is too long and too heavy for that kind of lift. If tricks are the primary goal, a skateboard is the right board to look at.
How long should a kicktail longboard be?
36–42 inches covers most riders. Shorter riders (under 5’6″) should start around 36–38 inches so the tail is actually reachable. Taller riders can use 38–42 inches and still have enough leverage to engage the tail. Longer than 42 inches and the kicktail starts to become more decorative than functional—you will not get enough press to lift the nose efficiently.
Ready to find the right board shape?
If a kicktail sounds like the right fit for your route, browse our longboard lineup to find the deck length and setup that matches how you ride.