Let’s face it. A single best longboard brand is not enough for different types of riders. The choice of the perfect board is hugely dependent on your riding style.
However, a number of good longboard brands are available on the market that offers quality wheels, bearings, decks, and trucks.
Some brands provide top quality at higher prices, while others offer excellent value for money. But, it is overwhelming to choose a good longboard company from an overly saturated market, especially if you are new to the sport.
To help you find a top-rated longboard maker that suits your riding style, we have reviewed and shortlisted the top 20 best longboard brands of 2023.
Our list is based on quality, user experience, durability, aesthetics, accessories, price, and customer services.
21 Best Longboard Brands Review
We have also interviewed different riders, from beginners to professionals, to get their thoughts on the longboard brands they use.
Check out our recommended longboard companies as per your riding style before you make a purchase.
1) Volador Longboards
Longboards from Volador are ideal for new riders who wish to spend quality time riding around town.
Their longboards are produced from high-quality woods to provide a smooth and stable ride. They offer a variety of unique deck styles with excellent artwork. Since the boards are made of high-quality components, you won’t face any struggle of replacing the wheels, bearings, or trucks.
While cruising, the longboards provide a stable and enjoyable ride thanks to their excellent flexibility, strength, and shock absorbency. In addition, their boards have a unique symmetrical design that prevents wheel bite no matter what angle you are riding and gives you great control.
We recommend these boards for beginners because they are easy to ride, have a good grip, and provide enough space for your feet. This brand is a decent choice for cruising, but it is not the best option for downhill riding.
2) Quest Longboards
Quest is the best option if you are on a tight budget and looking for a board that offers a great riding experience. Their products are diverse in graphics, color, and design.
Bamboo and maple wood are used to create the decks. The 44-inch plywood deck provides the ideal blend of flexibility and stiffness, as well as durability.
The bearings and trucks are made of high-quality materials and can support a maximum weight of 250 pounds. With Quest, you can perform various freestyle tricks since the board has a flex deck, lightweight trucks, and great bearings. Its wide deck provides stability, comfort, and excellent grip and support.
The downside of the brand is their boards are a little heavier and bulky, which may not be a decent option for girls and children.
3) Sector 9 Longboards
If you are new to the longboarding sport, then let me introduce you to the king of all longboard brands. Sector 9 entered the market in 1993 and remained one of the greatest in the business.
They maintain their position at the top with great dedication, constant efforts, and the best customer support. They are making cruisers, commuters, carving, downhill longboards, and classical surfboards.
Their decks are long-lasting, low cost, and come with stunning visuals and graphics. Sector 9 is an unmatched brand that produces a wide range of longboards in various styles and shapes.
This board is excellent for cruising the streets, kicking, and coasting for hours when pushed. Even riding on bumpy roads is controllable as it absorbs shocks. The board will cushion and bounce you.
4) Landyachtz Longboards
If you are asking, is Landyachtz a good longboard brand? The answer is, Yes. Landyachtz is one of the best longboard brands in the world, and its boards are versatile and pleasing for both beginners and experienced riders.
Moreover, the boards are incredibly flexible and quite durable, making them great for carving, gliding, and turning. The designs and graphics of their boards are also mesmerizing.
The Landyachtz longboards come in a wide variety of styles, allowing each rider to select one that suits them. They are one of the most popular cruiser longboards on the market.
The only drawback is that Landyachtz boards are quite pricey, but they are well worth it.
5) Yocaher Longboards
Yocaher started as a skateboard company in 1975. However, they soon understood that the longboard business would soon take over. As a result, they end up in the longboard industry.
They are now one of the leading longboard brands that are both inexpensive and of high quality. The majority of their boards are made of hardwood maple that makes them sturdy enough for downhill racing as well as cruising.
Beginners, intermediates, and advanced riders will enjoy these longboards. They’re strong and have a great balance.
The shape of their boards allows you to turn comfortably and prevents wheel bite. Since there is no flex in decks, you cannot perform advanced tricks on the board. It is only good for high speeds and downhill riding.
6) Atom Longboards
Founded in 2005, the Atom longboard is a great choice for beginners because of its classic look, which makes it simple to ride and provides excellent grip. Drop through pintails, electric boards, hybrid longboards, and all-terrain longboarding are their specialties.
It is a reliable brand that delivers excellent performances and offers amazing artwork on the decks. The quality of their boards is top-notch that too, at affordable prices.
This brand is the best for both beginners and intermediates. You can easily get a quality atom longboard without breaking the bank account.
7) White Wave longboards
In 2014, the White Wave longboards were introduced. It is now one of the top-selling brands on the market, with the best decks, bearings, trucks, and boards.
Three elements set this brand apart from the others among longboarders:
- Unique designs and beautiful graphics
- High quality Canadian Maple wood and Bamboo combination
- Lightweight and sturdy
While exploring this brand, we came to know that it is a budget-friendly gear with top-notch quality. In addition, we got a positive response from the riders about the White Wave Bamboo longboards. This natural-looking deck is worth riding.
8) Loaded Longboards
The next, best longboard brand we have is Loaded. This is another California based company that began operations in 2002. With their initial offering, the Loaded Vanguard, they received a fantastic response from the riders. It is still one of the best-selling longboards on the market.
Riders who desire a unique riding experience on a versatile freeride longboard will love this brand. These boards are pricey, but they are well worth the money.
The boards are of excellent quality, are quick, and give a pleasant riding experience.
Loaded Boards are easy to use, suitable for all skill levels, and provide a responsive ride while being extremely safe.
The best thing about the Loaded boards is they are easy to ride. It is suitable for all skill levels and proves a responsive ride while being extremely safe.
9) Arbor Collective Longboards
Arbor started making snowboards in 1995, followed by skateboards in 1998. After that, they entered the longboard market after seeing the riders’ growing potential. Arbor is making amazing longboards while being one of the most environmentally friendly brands.
The boards are of excellent quality, are light, simple, and pleasing to the eye. Moreover, the Arbor longboard decks are made of traditional materials like bamboo and maple. Their boards are versatile and are ideal for commuting and cruising.
This is the best gear to start with if you are a beginner because it is simple to ride on.
The Arbor Axis is designed for downhill riding and provides a comfortable downhill ride. However, these boards are a little heavier and less responsive than other brands.
10) Santa Cruz Longboards
No discussion can take place about the longboards without mentioning Santa Cruz. It is one of the oldest brands in the sport of boarding. In the 1970s, the company began producing cruiser boards.
Their boards are inexpensive, high quality, and perfect for beginners to start their journey. Amazing art on the deck is another noticeable thing about the Santa Cruz.
The size of Santa’s boards includes a kicktail for fantastic tricks, making them great for taking sharp turns without wheel bite while still riding smoothly.
For cruising and carving with ease, Santa Cruz is a top choice for many riders.
11) Minority Longboards
Minority Longboards create some of the best downhill longboards on the market. Get a Minority Longboard if you’re looking for one of the top longboard brands for downhill riding.
The price of these boards is a little higher compared to its alternative. But, if you love downhill riding, it is worth spending on this brand. Their longboards are of high quality, durable, long-lasting, stable, and efficient.
Minority Longboards are both safe and stylish. For beginners, it is easy to balance on. The board is also lightweight and sturdy, with a maximum weight limit of 220 pounds.
12) Rimable
In our best longboard brands list, next, we have is Rimable. It is another budget-friendly entry-level brand.
The majority of their collection is made up of stable boards and cruisers, and mini skateboards. So, their longboard selection is limited.
However, the Rimable offers one of the best color combinations, powerful specs, and innovative designs in their models. These days, riders prefer to have these features in a longboard, which makes them the top choice of many riders.
On Rimable longboards, you will not get the same experience as on Sector or Atom, but it’s a good longboard brand for cursing and carving.
13) Retrospec Longboards
You might be reading the name of this brand for the first time. But, the fact is it is another top-selling longboard brand on the market.
It is less popular in the boarding industry because it was originally a bicycle company. However, they are also producing excellent boards.
The quality of their boards is reliable, and we got positive feedback about the Retrospec boards from its users. Moreover, the after-sale customer support from the company is sublime.
Before counting on this brand, make sure to check the reviews and pros and cons of their boards.
14) Junli Longboard
Junli Longboards are composed of 8 ply Maple wood and are very durable. Their longboards have a beautiful design, are quite strong, and are suitable for all types of riders.
The decks are super solid and can hold the weight of a rider up to 330 pounds. The components of the Jungli longboards are also very sturdy, and you will not have to replace any of them for at least a year.
These inexpensive longboards are designed for downhill and high speeds. You can perform various tricks on the boards without snapping them. However, the cruising is a bit slower on Junli’s boards.
15) Magneto Longboards
If you are just starting your skating career and aren’t sure which brand to go with, the Magneto Kicktail Cruisers can be a good choice. They are quite inexpensive and provide a fantastic riding experience.
These boards are lightweight, durable, and have high-quality bamboo decks. In addition, the decks are wider and allow you enough space to have comfortable cruising on them.
Magneto’s longboards are easy to ride, which is why they are suitable for beginners and intermediate riders. However, even the pro riders can have a great time cruising around the town in style on these boards.
The only issue with the board that you might not like is that it is a little high, which might cause leg fatigue.
16) Globe Longboards
Globe Longboards, which began in the 1980s, quickly developed some excellent boards and dominated the market. After that, they also entered the skateboard market and made their impact there as well.
Its name spread quickly due to its high build quality and beautiful design. These boards are very good for commuting as they are easy to ride. Moreover, they are inexpensive as compared to the alternative available on the market.
The Globe Geminon Drop Down Longboard is one of their best-selling board. It is an ideal combination of speed and stability.
17) SCSK8 Longboards
If you are on a tight budget and looking for a brand that can offer you a perfect all-rounder longboard, SCSK8 is a great option for you.
SCSK8’s boards come fully assembled and ready to ride out of the box. Furthermore, the bearings, trucks, and wheels may require some changes in order to achieve maximum efficiency.
When it comes to the look of the boards, they offer various colors to choose from in different sizes and graphics. These boards are always catchy in the crowd and will never let you down when riding.
These boards offer you a great speed, and even on the rough surface, it has a stable ride due to their 70mm PU wheels. For beginners, it is without a doubt one of the best options.
18) Rayne Longboards
Rayne is a Canadian longboard brand, and they are in the business since 2004. The company is known for producing some of the highest-quality bamboo boards. The majority of their decks are made from bamboo and fiberglass.
Their main concept is that a good product does not require an introduction and will sell itself. Furthermore, Rayne is collaborating with some of the world’s best skaters to develop new boards.
They have a wide range of products in their portfolio, from cruisers and dancers to smooth downhill boards.
However, the price of their boards is on the higher side, but they are worth it. They use a laminate and bamboo structure for all of their boards. These longboards are extremely durable and super lightweight with intense concave decks.
We recommend these boards to intermediate and experienced riders. The Rayne boards are not the option for newbie riders.
19) APOLLO Longboards
The APOLLO Longboards are getting popularity among the new riders because of their high-quality boards. You may be unfamiliar with this brand, yet it is one of the best-selling longboard brands on the market today.
These longboards are made in Germany using premium quality materials. The board’s deck is made up of five layers of Canadian maple wood with a bamboo bottom layer.
The APPOLLO longboards are best for both beginners and experienced riders. However, the wood is not sturdy enough and cannot hold heavy riders.
20) Playshion Longboards
Playshion is a newer company that has been making high-quality beginner longboards since 2013. Longboards from this brand are both affordable and stylish.
Their boards are strong, sturdy, and have great flex. The build quality is superb as a deck comes with the 8-ply hardwood maple that can hold up to 250lbs. Despite having 8-ply woods, it is quite lightweight for little users as well as adults.
When it comes to the performance on the roads, these boards have outclassed many top brands. It has steel bearings that are quieter and stronger and provide excellent performance. So, these steel bearings reduce friction during rotation, resulting in a stable ride.
The Playshion Longboard is all in one. It offers you great cruising, carving, freeride, downhill riding, sliding, and freestyle. Despite the fact that this brand has a lot to offer, it is targeted more at beginners than intermediate riders.
21) Madrid Longboard
Madrid is in business since the start of the skateboarding sport. They entered the industry with quality skateboards, and then they also introduced themselves in the longboard market.
The quality of their boards is still top-notch. That is why many riders still prefer to have Madrid’s longboards under their feet. Their boards come in various eye-catching designs that are appealing to the crowd.
You can get a smooth riding experience with these veteran boards. In addition, Madrid’s longboards are suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.
Well, these were the top longboard maker in today’s market. However, you must check out the list of longboard brands to avoid before buying.
The Different Types of Longboards
There are five types of longboards: street, cruiser, downhill, dancing, and freestyle. These are the most common types, but there are many more. All of them are good boards, but it is important to know the differences between them so you can get the one that is right for your needs.
1) Street Longboard
The Street Longboard is the most versatile and can be used on just about any skateboard surface.
It is designed for ease of transportation and has very low-quality trucks and a plastic deck. This is the type of board most often rented by beginners.
It’s the “safe” choice and usually the least expensive option. Street Longboards are also popular as “conventional” or “standard” boards.
Many beginners buy a set of street longboarding wheels and boots to get started.
2) Cruiser Longboard
The Cruiser Longboard is made for cruising on all surfaces. And then there’s the “cruiser” part which means you can cruise on pavement, sidewalk, dirt, or even grass.
This makes it perfect for commuting, cruising around town, or an all-purpose touring board. It is not a good choice for beginners, but it is a great all-around board for advanced riders.
3) Dancing Longboard
The dancing longboard has the same qualities as the cruiser but it is designed with a “dance floor” performance in mind. This makes it super lightweight and very maneuverable.
It has a softer wheel and truck package and a thicker, stronger deck than the cruiser. This gives it more “pop” and makes it easier to do tricks.
Dancing longboards are also often referred to as “urban” or “street” or “gravel” boards.
4) Downhill Longboard
The downhill longboard is for riding technical terrains such as stairs, railroads, and other obstacles.
It is the most difficult type of longboard to master, but you will be able to ride almost any surface with confidence once you do it.
A downhill longboard has a much higher center of gravity. It is extremely difficult to control when riding on smooth pavement. It has the stiffest trucks and most robust wheels of all types of longboards.
Also, its deck is a combination of several layers of bamboo, epoxy, and nylon, which makes it lightweight and very durable.
This type of board is the most expensive of all the types, and it is also the longest lasting.
5) Freestyle longboard
The freestyle longboard is best for flat ground cruising and park shredding.
It has slightly softer trucks and wheels than the cruiser or the DH version. This makes it easier to learn to ride and much more fun to use.
Freestyle longboards usually have very thin decks, which are more flexible than the thicker decks on the other boards.
This gives the rider a more “sporty” feel and a higher center of gravity, making tricks much easier.
Freestyle decks are often made of polyethylene or similar materials.
What To Look For In A Longboard Rental Company?
The first thing you should look for in a longboard rental company is whether or not they offer demo boards. A good company will offer a complete set of longboarding equipment (deck, wheels, boots, etc.) so you can test out the equipment before you buy it.
Some companies will give you the option to rent only the equipment you don’t already have (like wheels), while others will require you to purchase the complete package.
Whichever option you choose, make sure you understand what is and isn’t included in the package.
When you are ready to return the equipment, make sure the company has a clear and easy-to-follow return policy. Many companies will charge a restocking fee, but some do not.
It’s always best to ask questions upfront and do your research to know what you are getting into.
What to Consider While Buying a Longboard Brand?
When buying a longboard brand, you need to consider the brand, size, shape, and materials used in manufacturing. And the most crucial factor is the longboard’s quality.
There are hundreds of brands on the market, but only a handful of them offer high-quality products.
If you are new to the world of longboarding and you don’t know what to look for when buying a product, we will help you understand what to consider while purchasing the best longboard brand.
1) Shape of longboard
The shape of a board is very important. If you are looking for speed, go for an oval-shaped board. It will give you more surface area, and that means more traction.
If you are looking for maneuverability, a square or diamond-shaped board will work best.
Choose wisely because the shape of your board will determine how fast and how far you can go with your riding.
2) Length of longboard
The length of your board should be between 14 and 18 inches. Anything less than this, and you won’t have enough leverage when pushing off the ground to do any real stunt maneuvers.
Larger boards will make it difficult for you to get on and off the bus.
Also, longer boards require more skills and time to learn. You need to know how to carve, turn, slide, jump and grind. All of these maneuvers are much easier to perform on a shorter board.
3) Width of longboard
This is the most important factor to consider when buying a longboard. The wider your board is, the more stable it will be. A wider board will give you more confidence and control when riding.
Naturally, a wider board will be slower, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ride it like crazy. Wider boards give you more room to carve, turn and slide, which makes tricks easier to pull off.
4) Weight of longboard
The heavier your board, the more momentum you will have and the farther you can travel. Don’t go for maximum weight because it will make your board very difficult to ride.
However, don’t go for minimum weight either because a lighter board will feel flimsy and uncomfortable to ride. Try and find a happy medium where your board feels just right in your hands.
Also, make sure your longboard is well-balanced, or else you will tire out much faster.
5) Materials used to make longboard
There are several materials used to manufacture longboards, such as Wood. Most longboards are made from a single piece of wood.
The top deck is made of hardwood like maple or poplar. The underside of the board is usually made from softer wood like pine or redwood.
The wheels are made from durable plastic-like polyurethane or polyethylene. The trucks should be made from aluminum or steel.
what Size Longboard Should I Get?
It depends on how tall you are! Most of the time, when people ask me this question, they actually want an answer like, “Get the one that is closest in size to your foot.” That’s a dumb answer.
Why? Because it assumes a couple of things about the person asking the question. The first thing it assumes is that the person asking knows what size longboard he or she needs.
Let’s face it; most people don’t know what size board they need until they see a few samples. This is why I give people a simple way to determine what size board they need by measuring their hands and feet.
Another thing it assumes is that the person asking doesn’t have access to a good set of longboard samples. But almost everyone does, at least somewhere in their hometown.
All they have to do is visit their local skate shop, and they’ll be amply supplied with dozens of longboard samples.
What Kind of Longboard Should a Beginner Get?
There are many different styles and brands of longboards available, so finding the right one for you can be a bit confusing.
So, if you are a beginner, it is best to go with what I consider to be the “Essential Longboard.” This basic longboard comes in four pieces; a deck, two wheels, and two trucks. You can get this longboard at a very low price, depending on where you buy it.
The reason I recommend this board as the first one you should buy is that it gives you a great understanding of how a longboard works. And also because it comes with all the essentials, no extras to get in the way of getting you started.
If you decide to keep riding longboards after learning how to ride this one, you will be much more prepared because you already know the bare necessities.
I don’t recommend you spend a lot of money on your first board; spend what you feel is right.
Just make sure you get something that has at least three or four pieces of good quality, so you don’t have to keep replacing parts.
Which Type of Longboard is Easiest to Ride?
The type that is easiest to ride in longboard is the type that has a “soft nose.”
When I talk about a “soft nose,” what I mean is that part of the nose of the board that contacts the deck when you are standing over it.
The reason this is important is that if the nose of your board is too hard, then it will be uncomfortable to ride, and you’ll have a difficult time getting the most out of your board.
However, if the nose of your board is too soft, then it will be easy to steer and turn, and you’ll be able to get the most out of your board.
What makes a nose “too hard” or “too soft”? If you look at most longboards (except for some cheap ones), they have a little indentation in the center of the nose.
This indentation is called the “tapered nose” and it is there to make the nose easier to hold on to when you are standing over your board.
Let’s Take an Example
Take the case of a guy who has his feet spread far apart and is standing very close to the board.
In this situation, if the nose of the board is too hard, he won’t be able to easily grab hold of it with his fingers, so he’ll have a difficult time staying upright.
However, if the nose is too soft, then he’ll be able to easily grab hold of it and stay balanced even though his feet are widely spaced.
The “tapered nose” is there to help you keep your balance, but it also makes the nose “too hard” or “too soft,” depending on your personal preference.
If you are more interested in speed than comfort, you should go for a board with a very hard nose. On the other hand, if you are more interested in comfort, then you should go for a board with a very soft nose.
Personally, I ride a board that is just right (very comfortable) because it has a nose that is neither too hard nor too soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which longboard brands have won the battle of longboards?
There are a lot of brands that have been in the market for a long time and have won the battle of longboards. Some of these brands include Santa Cruz, Arbor, GNU, and Yocaher.
Do longboards need grip tape?
Grip tape helps keep your hands and feet in place for a solid grip. This sticky material offers more stability in wet conditions when skaters have less control. Without it, your board can slide around when you have a lot of weight on it. It also helps increase traction so you don’t have to push as hard with your feet.
Is longboarding good exercise?
Yes! It strengthens your legs, core, and arms. Longboarding can help with weight loss and improve balance and posture. Longboarders are often lean, mean, muscle-bound men (or women) of action. They also enjoy a low-impact, low-stress lifestyle that is good for the body and the mind. On top of that, longboarding is FUN!
Are electric longboards cheating?
Electric longboards are not cheating because they are quite similar to traditional longboards. They both use the same principles of stability and balance with the only difference being that electric board’s charge as they go. However, some people think differently and they believe electrical longboards are cheating.
Final Words
There are a number of quality brands available on the market, so it can be overwhelming to choose the best longboard brand for you.
However, Your riding style and your priorities are the main determinants of which brand is the best choice for you. It’s up to you to find out what brand suits your riding needs and preferences the best.
If you’re new to the sport and don’t have much experience, starting with an entry-level longboard is the best way to start. Entry-level longboards will typically have a softer flex and are easy to ride.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move up to a more performance-oriented longboard that has a stiffer flex.
Remember, your riding style and priorities are the most important factors to consider when choosing a longboard brand.
Do you have any questions or any personal preferences you would like to add? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Steven Settles is an ISCET-certified master in appliance repair. He has aced the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam, showcasing his exceptional diagnostic and repair skills. With an in-depth understanding of the latest repair technologies and a keen eye on evolving industry standards, Steven is a go-to expert for any appliance issue.