Longboard, cruiserboard, skateboard: Which one should you buy?

When you first step into the world of skateboarding, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. Longboards, cruisers, skateboards—they all seem similar, just boards with wheels, but in reality, their design purposes, riding experiences, and suitable scenarios are quite different.

You might wonder, “What are the differences between them? Which one is truly right for me?”

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This confusion is very common. As your trusted skateboarding buddy, I’m here to clear things up for you. After reading this guide, you’ll clearly know which board types will perfectly fit into your life and which you can skip, saving you time. Ready? Let’s get started!

What are each type of board used for?

Before we delve into the details, let’s take a quick look to give you a basic understanding:

• Longboard : If you’re looking for stability, long rides, smooth turns, and even the feeling of “surfing” on land, then the longboard is for you. It’s like a cruiser on the road, designed for speed, comfort, and long-distance travel.
• Cruiser Skateboard : Designed for city life. If you need to commute in the city, navigate crowds, or frequently carry your skateboard on the subway or to cafes, the compact and portable Cruiser Skateboard is your best partner. It’s flexible, lightweight, and a powerful tool for urban exploration.
• Skateboard : If your goal is to learn various freestyle tricks, such as Ollie, Kickflip, Grind, or to show off in a skate park, then traditional skateboarding is the only option. Born for technical control and stunt performances, it is a symbol of street culture and the advancement of skill.

Now that you have a general understanding of each board, let’s delve deeper to help you make the right decision.

Longboards – stability, distance, and a surfing feel

Imagine the morning sun shining on a wide bike path, you’re riding a longboard, gliding effortlessly, each push bringing a smooth, continuous sensation. That’s the allure of longboarding.

Longboard riding experience

The biggest advantage of a longboard is its stability. Due to its longer body and wider wheelbase, it offers excellent balance, allowing beginners to quickly get started.

Its larger, softer wheels (typically 70mm+, 78A–82A stiffness) effectively absorb road bumps, making you feel like you’re surfing on smooth water rather than bouncing on rough terrain. The unique reverse kingpin trucks design also allows for wide, smooth turns, unlike the sharp turns of street skateboards.

Who should buy the longboard?

• For riders who prioritize stability: If you are a beginner or want to enjoy a more relaxed and safer riding experience, a longboard will give you a lot of confidence.
• For long-distance commuters or enthusiasts: If you need to skate for longer distances, such as from your dorm to the school building, or if you want to skate around the park on the weekend, a longboard can make you more energy-efficient and comfortable.
• Seeking the “land surfing” feel: If you enjoy surfing or snowboarding, the unique gliding sensation of a longboard will give you a familiar sense of fun.
• For taller or heavier riders: Longboards with a wider deck provide more foot space and load-bearing capacity.

What are longboards not suitable for?

Longboards are not suitable for navigating narrow urban spaces, nor for situations where you frequently need to take them on the subway or into shops, and they are certainly not designed for freestyle tricks. If you want to learn Ollie or go to a skate park, a longboard is not the right choice for you.

Want to learn more about longboard models and find your perfect longboard? Click here to view: Longboard Category Page

Cruiserboard – the city’s choice, moving with you.

Imagine yourself cruising through city streets, easily avoiding obstacles, and effortlessly tucking the cruiser under your arm when you need to enter a store. That’s the essence of the cruiser—compact, agile, and portable.

Cruiser Ride Experience

The cruiser is the perfect blend of a longboard and a traditional skateboard. It’s a moderate length, shorter than a longboard and slightly wider than a traditional skateboard.

The wheels are softer than a traditional skateboard (typically 50-60mm), allowing for better handling of uneven city surfaces, but are also stiffer and more agile than a longboard. It’s designed to provide a light and agile ride, allowing you to navigate the city with ease, make quick turns, and easily avoid pedestrians or obstacles.

Who should buy a cruiser board?

• Urban commuters: If you need to commute short distances, such as from the subway station to the office, or moving around on a university campus, the Cruiser’s portability is unparalleled.
• Portability is a key consideration: If you need to carry the board frequently, such as on public transportation, in a locker, or in the classroom/office, the Cruiser’s compact design is very convenient.
• For beginners: If you’re looking for an easy-to-use board that lets you quickly enjoy gliding, the Cruiser board is an excellent choice.
• Casual cruising: Enjoy short rides around the city on weekends, feel the breeze on your face, and cruisers can provide just the right amount of fun.

What are cruise boards not suitable for?

Cruise boards are not suitable for very long rides, as that would be very tiring; nor are they suitable for high-speed downhill riding. Although some cruise boards have a small kicktail that allows for some basic tricks, they are definitely not designed for complex skateboarding tricks.

Ready to conquer your city with a cruiserboard? Check out our cruiserboard collection: Cruiserboard Category Page

Skateboarding – When stunts are the only pursuit

If you see street skaters effortlessly leaping over obstacles or smoothly performing a series of tricks in a skate park and feel a sense of longing, then a traditional skateboard is your destiny. It’s designed with only one purpose: to enable you to master all sorts of stunts.

The skateboarding riding experience

Traditional skateboards are typically popsicle-shaped with kicktails at the front and back, paired with stiff wheels (99A+) and standard kingpin trucks, providing extreme lightweight, agility, and responsiveness. It responds instantly to every subtle movement of your foot.

This type of board is designed for technical control and trickery, so you’ll clearly feel every crack and bump in the road while riding, as it wasn’t designed for comfortable cruising.

Who should buy a skateboard?

• Stunt enthusiasts: If you want to learn various street and park stunts such as Ollie, Kickflip, Heelflip, and Grind, then skateboarding is your only choice.
• Skate park regulars: If you want to practice various lines (smooth tricks) or challenge yourself in the bowl and U-shaped ramps at a skate park, skateboards provide all the necessary tools.
• Pursuing technological advancement: If you enjoy mastering new skills through repeated practice and aspire to be part of street skateboarding culture, skateboarding will take you into a whole new world.

What is a skateboard not suitable for?

If your priorities are commuting comfort, long-distance gliding, or simply relaxing around town, then a skateboard might disappoint you.

Its learning curve is much steeper than longboards and cruisers, requiring significantly more patience and perseverance. Frankly, if you’re not yet familiar with an Ollie or Kickflip, you should probably consider a cruiser or longboard first.

Ready to dive into the world of street skateboarding and challenge yourself? Explore our skateboarding section: Skateboarding Category Page

Face-to-face comparison – quick decision form

Sometimes, a table can speak louder than a thousand words. Below is a quick comparison of key characteristics of longboards, cruisers, and skateboards, hopefully helping you find the answer faster:

If you’re still hesitant after looking at this table, don’t worry, we have more specific scenario matching options to help you make a final decision.

“Which board is right for me?” — Matching your lifestyle

Instead of getting bogged down in the parameters, think about what you really want to use it for. Here are some common scenarios where we help you match templates:

• If you want to commute to class or work → for short distances and frequent carrying, choose a cruiser; for medium to long distances, on flat roads, and where comfort is important, choose a longboard.
• If you want to enjoy a leisurely weekend ride on the streets → If you prefer open roads and smooth, long-distance gliding, choose a longboard; if you prefer weaving through city streets and experiencing agility, choose a cruiserboard.
• If you want to learn stunts and go to a skate park → without a doubt, choose skateboarding.
• If you’re looking for the most stable and easiest-to-use board, a longboard is your best choice.
• If you need a board that you can take on the subway and easily put in a locker, then the Cruiserboard is the best choice.
• If you want to experience downhill gliding or simulate surfing, a longboard is for you.
• If you want to learn street skateboarding like in the video → skateboarding is the only way.
• If you’re buying a gift for a teenager/college student → consider their commuting needs and leisure preferences; a cruiserboard or longboard would be a good choice.
• If you have absolutely no idea what you want → starting with a cruiserboard is a great option, as it’s the most versatile for city riders; if you have access to open roads or parks, a longboard is also an excellent starting point.

5 common misconceptions to help you avoid buying the wrong board

As a skateboarding enthusiast, I’ve seen too many beginners buy the wrong boards because of these common misconceptions. Today, we’ll debunk these mistakes one by one to ensure you make the right choice.

1. “Longboards are just large skateboards” —Wrong! They not only differ in size, but more importantly, their frame types, wheel stiffness, riding mechanisms, and uses are completely different. Longboards are designed for cruising and sculpting, while skateboards are designed for stunts.
2. “Cruiseboards are just mini longboards” —mostly wrong! While both can be used for cruising, cruiseboards emphasize speed, portability, and maneuverability in the confined spaces of city streets. Longboards, on the other hand, prioritize comfort and stability over longer distances.
3. “Skateboarding is too difficult for beginners” —partly true. Compared to longboards and cruisers, skateboarding does have a steeper learning curve. But with determination and practice, any beginner can learn. The key is, what is your goal? If it’s to perform tricks, then it’s worth the challenge.
4. “I should buy a skateboard because it’s more versatile” —this is a mistake for most beginners. Skateboards are more specialized (focused on tricks), not more versatile. If you don’t plan to do tricks, the hard wheels and instability of a skateboard can be very frustrating.
5. “Longboards are only for advanced players” – quite the opposite! Due to their size and stability, longboards are the easiest to balance, making them ideal for complete beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

To further clarify your thoughts, here are some frequently asked questions about choosing a motherboard:

Make your choice and begin your journey!

Now you’ve grasped all the key differences between longboards, cruisers, and skateboards, and understand which board type best suits your needs. Whether you want to glide gracefully on the road, weave nimbly through the city, or conquer all sorts of tricks in the skatepark, BuyLongboard has the perfect option for you.

It’s time to make your decision! Explore our longboard , cruiser , or skateboard collection to find the board of your dreams.

And if you try it out and don’t think it’s a good fit, don’t worry, our 30-day no-questions-asked return policy gives you peace of mind. All our complete boards come with free shipping within the US and a one-year warranty on the deck and hangers. Start your skateboarding journey now!