Commuter Gear Guide
Longboard Backpack: What to Look For and When You Actually Need One
A longboard backpack is useful if you carry your board into buildings, onto transit, or through classrooms. If you ride door-to-door and leave the board outside, you probably do not need one. Here is what actually matters when choosing a carrying solution — and when a $15 shoulder strap is the more honest answer.
When I was helping riders pick boards for their first longboard setup, carrying gear rarely came up. Most beginners are focused on deck length, wheel softness, and whether they will fall. Fair enough. But three months later, the question shifts: “How do I actually get this thing from my apartment to campus without looking ridiculous on the bus?”
That question is where a longboard backpack enters the picture. But not every rider needs one, and buying the wrong carrying bag is a different kind of waste than buying the wrong board — it sits in your closet instead of under your feet.
Do you actually need a longboard backpack?
Honestly, probably not. Most longboard riders hand-carry their board or use a simple strap, and that works fine. The riders who benefit from a dedicated longboard backpack are a specific group with a specific problem: they need both hands free while carrying a board for more than a few minutes.
Here is the simple test. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you carry your board inside buildings — classrooms, offices, apartments — after you ride?
- Do you ride public transit and need a free hand for a phone, pass, or another bag?
- Is your carry time longer than 10 minutes from where you stop riding to where you store the board?
If you answered yes to two or more, a longboard backpack solves a real problem. If you ride to a coffee shop, lock the board outside, and ride home, you do not need one. A regular hand-carry or a simple board sling will do the job.
The riders I hear from most who buy one are campus commuters and last-mile transit riders. In urban planning, we used to call this the “last mile” problem — the distance between transit and your actual destination that is too far to walk comfortably but too short to drive. A longboard solves that distance. A longboard backpack solves the problem of what happens after you step off the board and still have 15 minutes of walking ahead of you through hallways, bus stops, and crowded sidewalks.
But a longboard carrying bag adds weight and bulk before you even put the board on it. Make sure your daily routine actually justifies carrying an empty bag every time you leave the house.
Not sure which board style fits your commute? The types of longboards guide breaks down deck shapes by riding scenario — and deck shape affects how easily a board attaches to any carrying system.
What to look for in a longboard skateboard backpack
Most product listings for a longboard backpack throw around the same features: “board attachment system,” “padded straps,” “water resistant.” The problem is that none of that tells you what the bag actually feels like after 20 minutes with an 8-pound board and a laptop pulling on your shoulders. Here is what to evaluate, translated into rider-meaningful terms.
| Feature | What to check | Why it matters for you |
|---|---|---|
| Board attachment system | Dedicated strap loop, elastic bungee, or compression strap | A single loose elastic lets the board swing and hit your legs. A dedicated loop or compression strap holds the deck flat against your back. |
| Board length compatibility | Check the maximum board length rating (usually 40–42 inches) | If you ride a 44-inch dancer or pintail, most standard longboard backpacks will not fit. Measure your board before buying. |
| Shoulder strap padding | Thick, contoured padding with a sternum strap | A 6–8 lb board plus books or a laptop will dig into thin straps within 10 minutes. The sternum strap distributes weight across your chest. |
| Capacity | 25–30L for campus; 35L+ for longer trips | 25–30L fits a laptop, charger, and water bottle. Anything larger adds bulk that matters if you are also carrying a board on the outside. |
| Water resistance | DWR-coated fabric or light rain shell | Protects your stuff in a drizzle. This is not waterproof — do not expect a longboard bag to replace a rain cover in heavy weather. |
| Empty bag weight | Check listed weight before loading | Some longboard backpacks weigh 2.5–3.5 lbs empty. That is significant when you are also carrying a board. |
One detail that most buyers skip: back panel ventilation. If you walk 15 minutes in summer with a board strapped to your back and no airflow channel in the bag, you will arrive at your destination with a soaked shirt. Mesh-backed panels are not a luxury feature — they are a comfort feature that matters every warm day.
If your daily longboard commute involves mixed terrain or rough pavement, your board will already be heavier from larger wheels and sturdier trucks. Factor that into your carrying capacity calculations.
Longboard backpack vs. carrying by hand vs. a simple strap
A longboard backpack is not the only way to carry a board. It is the most expensive and most involved option. Here is how the three methods compare in practice:
Hand-carry: Free, no gear needed. Works fine if your walk from board to destination is under 5 minutes. The downside: your hand gets tired, you lose a free hand, and you cannot hold a coffee, check your phone, or swipe a transit pass. For short carries, this is the honest default.
Shoulder strap or board sling: Usually $10–$20. Lighter than a backpack, fits any board length, and keeps one hand free. Good middle ground for riders who carry the board a few blocks but do not need a full backpack. The tradeoff: the board hangs at your side and can bang into things in crowded spaces.
Dedicated longboard backpack: Best when you need both hands free and carry the board for 10 or more minutes — through transit stations, across campus, or through pedestrian zones. The tradeoff: it costs more, weighs more when empty, and takes up closet space when you are not using it.
I have talked to riders who bought a longboard backpack for a commute they do three times a week. They used it for two weeks, then went back to hand-carrying because the bag was more hassle than the problem it solved. If you only carry your board twice a week and the walk is short, a simple strap is probably the more honest answer. Save the backpack budget for a wheel upgrade or longboard maintenance gear you will actually use.
Mistakes riders make when buying a longboard bag
The most common wrong decisions I see from buyers who end up returning or abandoning their longboard backpack:
- Buying without measuring the board first. A 44-inch pintail will not fit the same bag as a 36-inch cruiser. Measure nose to tail, including any kick tail, before you start shopping.
- Choosing style over strap security. A bag that looks good but uses a single loose elastic strap will let the board swing and bounce against your legs while walking. Look for a compression strap or a dedicated loop that locks the deck in place.
- Forgetting to test with weight. Try the bag on with your actual board and a loaded pack — laptop, water bottle, whatever you carry daily. Some straps feel fine empty and dig into your shoulders once there is real weight on them.
- Ignoring ventilation. If your summer commute includes 15 minutes of walking with a board on your back, a bag with no airflow channel will leave your back soaked. Mesh panels matter more than you think.
- Assuming a carrying backpack works for air travel. A longboard backpack is built for walking commutes, not for protecting your board in a cargo hold. If you need to fly with a board, you want a padded travel bag — a different product entirely.
Most of these mistakes come from the same place: buying based on a product photo instead of thinking through the actual daily routine. Before you buy a longboard bag, walk through your commute in your head. Where do you stop riding? How far do you walk? What else are you carrying? The answers narrow the options fast.
Browse complete longboards to check exact board dimensions — that tells you what your carrying bag needs to handle.
Which riders benefit most from a longboard backpack?
A longboard backpack is not a universal accessory. It solves a specific carrying problem for specific riders. Here is who benefits most — and who does not.
Campus commuters
You ride to class, then carry the board through hallways, up stairs, and into lecture rooms. You need both hands free for your phone and your bag. A backpack with a secure board strap solves this daily. If your campus is flat and your walk from bike rack to classroom is under 5 minutes, a simple strap might be enough.
Last-mile transit riders
You ride the board from home to a bus stop or train station, then carry it onboard. Inside transit, you need a free hand for a pass, a pole, or another bag. A longboard backpack lets you board without awkward juggling. This is the use case where a backpack earns its cost fastest.
City mixed-mode riders
You alternate between riding and walking through pedestrian-only zones, outdoor markets, or crowded sidewalks. The board goes on your back during walking segments and comes off when you ride. If you do this daily, a purpose-built longboard backpack is worth it. If it is a weekend thing, a strap works.
Riders who probably do not need one: If you ride to a destination and leave the board locked outside or in a rack, a backpack is extra weight you carry for nothing. If your carry is under 5 minutes and you only need one free hand, a shoulder strap at $10–$20 does the same job without the bulk.
The right carrying solution depends on how you ride, not on what looks convenient in a product photo. The same logic applies to the board itself — the beginner longboard guide walks through how to match a board to your actual daily route.
Can you use any backpack as a longboard backpack?
Technically, yes. You can strap a board to almost any backpack with a bungee cord or a Velcro strap looped through the shoulder straps. I have seen riders do this on campus with a standard Jansport and it works — for a while.
The problem is weight distribution. A regular backpack is not designed for 6–8 pounds of deck hanging off the back panel. The bag sags, the shoulder straps pull backward, and the board swings when you walk. After a week of daily use, most riders either damage the bag or get tired of adjusting the board every 50 steps.
Purpose-built longboard backpacks solve this with reinforced anchor points and a board cradle or compression system designed to keep the deck flat against your back. The difference is noticeable on the first walk — the board does not swing, and the weight sits closer to your center of gravity.
My honest take: if you carry your board occasionally — twice a week, short distance — a DIY strap on a sturdy backpack works fine. If you carry daily for 10 or more minutes, the purpose-built option saves you frustration and shoulder pain. The cost difference is usually $30–$50, and the daily comfort difference is real.
Common questions, answered straight
Will a longboard backpack fit a 44-inch board?
Most longboard backpacks are rated for boards up to 40–42 inches. If you ride a 44-inch dancer or a longer pintail, check the manufacturer’s maximum board length before buying. Above 42 inches, a shoulder strap or a purpose-designed sling usually works better than a backpack attachment system.
Is a longboard bag the same as a skateboard backpack?
No. A skateboard backpack is usually sized for shorter decks — 28 to 32 inches. A longboard backpack has a longer attachment system and often a larger main compartment. Do not go by product name alone; check the board-length rating. If your board is 36 inches or longer, you need a longboard-specific carrying system.
How much should I spend on a longboard backpack?
Most functional longboard backpacks fall between $40 and $90. Below $40, strap quality and shoulder padding usually drop enough to matter on a daily commute. Above $90, you are often paying for brand name or design aesthetics rather than better carrying performance. The sweet spot for most campus and transit riders is $50–$70.
Can I wear a longboard backpack while riding?
You can, but it changes your balance and center of gravity. For beginners, this is worth avoiding — the added weight shifts how the board responds, especially during turns and foot braking. For experienced riders on short stretches, it is manageable but adds fatigue over longer distances. Most riders put the board on the backpack only when walking.
Do I need a longboard backpack or just a carrying strap?
If your carry time is under 5 minutes and you only need one free hand, a simple shoulder strap is cheaper, lighter, and works with any board length. If you carry for 10 or more minutes, need both hands, or walk through crowded spaces like transit stations or campus buildings, a backpack is the better choice. Think about how often you carry, not how often you ride.
Once you have the carrying solution sorted, make sure the board fits your ride
A longboard backpack handles the walking part of your commute. But the riding part depends on having a board that matches your route, your distance, and your experience level. If you are still figuring out which board fits your daily routine, start with what matters: deck length, wheel softness, and how far you actually ride.
Browse complete longboards built for commuting and campus travel →