Practical Buying Guide
Longboard Accessories That Actually Matter (And When You Need Them)
Most new riders buy too many longboard accessories upfront and not enough helmet. This guide walks you through the gear, tools, and parts worth buying — organized by what actually solves a riding problem, not by what fills a shopping cart. If you are still picking your first board, start there. If you already have one, keep reading.
How to decide which longboard accessories are worth buying
An accessory is worth buying if it solves a problem you already have or will have within your first one to three months of riding. That is the only test I use. Not “does it look cool,” not “does the forum say I need it,” not “is it on sale.” Does it fix something that is currently broken, uncomfortable, or unsafe in your actual riding?
Board choice depends on riding style, body size, route surface, and budget — and so does accessory choice. A campus rider covering half a mile on smooth sidewalks has different needs than someone commuting two miles over cracked asphalt. Before you add anything to your order, ask yourself: what problem am I solving right now?
Everything in this guide falls into three categories: safety gear (buy before your first ride), maintenance tools (buy within the first month or two), and upgrade parts (buy after you have been riding long enough to know what you want to change). That order matters. If you are browsing complete longboards that ship assembled and ready to ride, add a helmet to your cart before you add anything else.
Safety gear you should buy before your first ride
Helmet — non-negotiable
A certified skate helmet is the single most important longboard accessory. Look for dual-certified models (CPSC and ASTM F1492) that are designed specifically for skating, not a multi-sport bike helmet. A typical skate helmet costs $25–$40, which is less than the medical bill for a single concussion. What this means for you: do not ride without one, period. This is not a suggestion for beginners — it is a baseline for everyone.
Slide gloves — useful earlier than you think
Slide gloves are not just for downhill riders. If you are learning foot braking and want to transition to glove-down stops on mild slopes, gloves give you a safe way to put your hand on the pavement without shredding your palm. They also protect your hands if you fall forward, which is one of the most common beginner bail patterns. A basic pair runs $20–$35.
Knee and elbow pads — scenario-dependent
I had a buyer message me once saying she fell, scraped her knee, and wondered if her board was too hard to control. It was not the board — she had never practiced stopping on a mild slope. After our conversation, she bought knee pads and spent a weekend in a parking lot learning foot braking. She sent me a video three days later. No fall. The pads gave her enough confidence to practice the thing she was avoiding. If you ride near vehicle traffic, practice slides, or are still building confidence on any slope, knee pads are worth the $20–$30 investment.
Wrist guards — for specific riders
I have a small scar on my right wrist from my first year of riding. Wrist guards would have prevented it. That said, some riders find them restrictive for pushing because they limit wrist flexion. If you are nervous about falling forward on flat ground, they help. If you are riding daily and need full wrist movement for balance, try them before committing to every ride.
For a deeper look at beginner riding technique and the types of longboards that pair well with different safety setups, check our longboard type guide.
Maintenance tools every rider needs eventually
You do not need all of these on day one. But within the first few weeks of regular riding, each one solves a specific problem.
Skate tool (T-tool)
A skate tool combines the three wrench sizes you need to swap wheels, tighten trucks, and adjust kingpin nuts. Most complete boards do not include one. You will need it the first time you want to change how your board turns or rotate your wheels. Typically $10–$15. What this means for you: buy it now so you are not borrowing one from a neighbor at 9 PM.
Bearing lubricant
Here is what most people get wrong about bearings: your new board does not need oil on day one. Bearings ship with factory lubricant that is usually more than enough. After two to four weeks of riding on dusty or wet pavement, though, you will hear them slow down. That is when you clean them with isopropyl alcohol and re-lubricate with speed cream or a dedicated bearing lubricant. One important warning: WD-40 is a solvent, not a lubricant. It will clean your bearings and then leave them drier than before. Use it to clean, then follow with actual bearing oil.
Allen key set and replacement hardware
Some boards ship with a basic Allen key; many do not. You need one for truck bolt adjustments and hardware checks. Replacement bolts and nuts cost almost nothing — a few dollars for a full set — and a loose truck bolt can ruin a ride in a way that is hard to diagnose if you do not have spares on hand. Cheap insurance.
You can find bearing lubricant, cleaning kits, and replacement hardware in our longboard maintenance parts section.
Parts you’ll want to swap once you know your riding style
This is the section most people want to read first. Resist that urge. Ride your stock setup for at least a month before swapping anything — you need a baseline to know what you want to change.
| Part | When to upgrade | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels | First upgrade for most riders | Softer wheels (78A–80A) absorb vibration on rough pavement; slightly harder (80A–83A) roll longer on smooth surfaces. Size matters too: 70mm is a versatile starting point. Match the wheel to your surface, not to a brand name. |
| Grip tape | When it stops gripping | Re-gripping a deck costs $5–$10 and makes a beat-up board feel new. If your shoes slide on the board, replace it. If it is just dirty, clean it with a soft brush first. |
| Bushings | When your turns feel wrong | The cheapest upgrade that changes how your board carves. Softer bushings give lighter riders easier turns; stiffer bushings add stability at speed. Ride the stock ones for a month before deciding. |
| Risers / shock pads | Rough pavement or larger wheels | Small, cheap pads that sit between your trucks and deck. They absorb vibration and reduce wheel bite if you go up in wheel size. |
| Bearings | Only when they wear out | Ignore ABEC ratings — they measure tolerance for industrial machinery, not longboard performance. Focus on sealed vs. open bearings instead. Sealed bearings keep dirt out and need less maintenance. |
I once had a buyer named Marcus write to me three months after purchasing a drop-through board. He said it felt too soft now — he wanted to ride faster and steeper. He had changed; the board had not. The honest truth is that most riders outgrow their first setup within 6–18 months. If you already know you want more speed, browse longboards built for cruising and commuting and start with a board that has room to grow.
Another buyer contacted me frustrated that his board was painfully rough on his city streets. The board was fine — the wheels were too hard for his pavement. A set of softer wheels and a pair of riser pads would have solved it from the start. That is why surface matters more than specs on a page.
Accessories you probably don’t need yet
One of the most common mistakes new riders make is buying the most expensive option before they know what they need. Here is what to skip for now:
- Racing helmets — A standard certified skate helmet covers you unless you are regularly hitting 25+ mph downhill. You probably are not.
- Precision trucks — Cast trucks are fine for commuting and cruising until you have a specific performance complaint. Precision trucks are a $150+ upgrade for a problem you do not have yet.
- Upgraded bushings before riding stock ones — You do not know what “too soft” or “too stiff” feels like until you have ridden your stock setup for a few weeks.
- LED light kits and board-mounted speakers — Fun, but they do not affect how you ride or how safe you are. Save the money for a better set of wheels later.
- Carry straps and board bags — Useful for some commuters, but figure out your route first. If you end up riding a different way than you planned, the bag might not fit the commute.
How to build your accessory kit by riding scenario
Here is the quick-decision version. Match your situation, buy only what it lists for month one, and wait to see what you actually need.
Campus rider (under 1 mile, flat pavement)
Helmet + skate tool. That is it. Your board ships ready to ride, and on smooth campus sidewalks, stock wheels and bearings are fine. Buy the tool so you can adjust truck tightness once you figure out how loose you like your turns.
City commuter (1–3 miles, mixed pavement)
Helmet + skate tool now. After your first month, add bearing lubricant and consider softer replacement wheels (78A durometer, around 70mm) if your route includes cracked sidewalks or brick. What this means for you: the rougher your route, the more a wheel upgrade matters.
Weekend cruiser (parks, smooth paths)
Helmet + slide gloves if you want to learn slides. On clean park pavement, your stock setup will feel good for a long time. Gloves let you start practicing glove-down stops on gentle hills without wrecking your hands.
Beginner still learning
Helmet + knee pads. Nothing else until you have ridden at least ten times and can name what bothers you. Do not buy upgrades to solve a problem you have not identified yet. If you are still choosing your board, our beginner longboard guide covers deck shape, wheel size, and what to skip.
Common questions, answered straight
What accessories do I need with a new longboard?
Helmet first. Skate tool second. Everything else can wait until you have ridden enough to know what you want to change. Most new riders overbuy accessories and underbuy safety gear.
Do I need to buy bearings separately?
No. Complete boards ship with bearings installed and ready to ride. You only need replacements if your bearings wear out, rust, or start making noise after months of use.
Is longboard safety gear really necessary for casual riding?
A helmet is necessary regardless of speed or distance. Knee pads, wrist guards, and slide gloves depend on your riding scenario and how confident you feel on the board. For most casual riders, a helmet and nothing else is the right starting point.
How much should I spend on longboard accessories?
A helmet ($25–$40) and skate tool ($10–$15) cover the first month. After that, budget $30–$50 for eventual wheel or bushing upgrades once you know your riding style. Total first-month accessory spend should be under $55 for most riders.
What maintenance does a longboard need?
Check truck tightness weekly. Clean and lubricate bearings every few weeks if you ride in dusty or wet conditions. Replace grip tape when it loses grip. Rotate wheels if they wear unevenly. That covers 90% of longboard maintenance for everyday riders.
Ready to start riding?
If you are still choosing your first board, our beginner guide walks you through deck shape, wheel size, and what to skip. If you already have a board and want to start maintaining or upgrading it, browse the parts we keep stocked.