Skateboarding and more specifically longboarding is a fantastic, exhilarating hobby that can easily become a passion. It’s fun, exciting and challenging for anyone, especially a beginner. To help you learn quicker and get more out of longboarding with less falls and scrapes you’ll need to use some of the best equipment that you can afford. That’s why we’re here. We’ve put together a list of the best longboards for beginners that we think will suit new riders perfectly.
We’ve chosen the boards that we think are the right weight and size and have an easy learning curve, whilst also not destroying your wallet. They are all great options which we highly recommend so go ahead and buy the one that you like the best.
Contents
- 7 Best Longboards for Beginners
- Atom Drop Through 41 Inch
- Yocaher Punked Stained Pintail Complete Longboard Skateboard
- Ten Toes Board Emporium Zed Bamboo Longboard Skateboard Cruiser
- Loaded Boards Icarus Bamboo Longboard Skateboard Complete
- Atom Longboards Atom All-Terrain Longboard – 39″, Woody
- Sector 9 Bamboo G-Land 9.75×44 Complete Longboard Skateboard
- JUCKER HAWAII KAHA Longboard
- Conclusion
7 Best Longboards for Beginners
Atom make some of the best longboard skateboards on the market. They have a huge range of products and have even developed a few electric longboards that are good enough to have made it onto our list of the 10 Best Electric Skateboards under $1000. So for our first recommendation we thought we’d go with a longboard brand we know and trust.
The Atom Drop Through 41 Inch uses a drop through design. This is where the trucks (the metal things the wheels are attached to) are dropped through the deck to give board a lower center of gravity and therefore more stability. This type of board is perfect for beginners as it should be easier for you to get used to riding.
The Atom Drop Through also features a strong and stable full maple laminate deck. The deck has enough flex to help with your balance and provides a nice amount of shock absorption. It’s also got a good grip tape attached to it to help you stay in place on the board when riding. The axles are also nice and wide, at 245mm. This gives you even more stability and control when learning to turn.
Overall, this is a well made, simple board that does everything that a beginner would need. The bearings could be a little better but for beginners that shouldn’t be a worry. It’s also quite well priced, you can usually find this for less than $100. If you’re looking for a great all round beginner longboard then this is a fantastic option.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
The next board is a Yoacher. This is the Punked Stained Pintail model. It claims to be an ideal beginner longboard for new riders and we think that claim is pretty accurate. For less than $50 you’ll able to buy this board.
It’s relatively well made, using a 9 ply maple deck and a premium grip tape. This gives you a nice footing and a medium amount of flex in the board. You’ll get a good amount of control and the flex will help with your balance over any bumps.
The wheelbase is 27 inches so it isn’t the longest longboard which does reduce the stability a little, but this shouldn’t be noticable. Instead it makes it a great beginner cruiser. The pintail teardrop-shaped deck is one of the most suitable for beginners as the shape prevents the wheel from contacting with the board while still providing ample foot space.
If you’re on a bit of a budget and still looking for a good longboard for learning then this is a great option. It also comes in many different colors and styles.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
What really stands out with the Zed longboard skateboard from Ten Toes, is the range of styles and colors that they have on offer. There are 12 to choose from, all of which were designed in-house at their Los Angeles based HQ. All of the boards look absolutely fantastic, with a style to match everyone’s taste and more. Even the simplest design feels like a classic, vintage board with a true Americana style.
It isn’t just the styles that make these boards perfect for beginners but also the build quality and features. The Zed is a 44 inch longboard made with a beautifully designed bamboo and Canadian maple deck. It’s 8 ply which means that the construction is strong with just the right amount of flex.
The board also includes a set of lightweight, sturdy aluminum trucks that come complete with riser pads to reduce vibrations and give you a stable and surf-like ride.
Overall, the Zed is a brilliant all round board. The effort and attention to detail is obvious to see, even in pictures and the board performs just as well as it looks. But what really makes this a great beginner’s longboard is that it costs less than $60! Perfect for those of you that just want a taster of what this hobby has to offer without a big upfront cost. This has to be one of the best value longboards we’ve ever seen. This is our favorite best longboard for beginners.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
With the Loaded Boards Icarus we’re taking it in a slightly different direction. If you’re sure about longboarding as a hobby then investing in a very good first board might be a great idea. With the Icarus by Loaded Boards you’re looking at one of the best longboards on the market. It’s a performance longboard that has been created to be a carving, commuting freeride and alternative transportation machine.
It uses a drop through mounting design that allows for much easier pushing and help improve stability. The deck is made from a vertically laminated bamboo and fiberglass. This adds enough flex to keep the ride responsive but comfortable. The Icarus even has a cork bottom to help reduce vibrations by damping them. The shape and design of the Icarus are well thought out and you can tell every attention to detail has been considered. For example, the shape of the board creates a large clearance for the wheels which means when you start getting good you’ll be able to make deep carves and tight turns with no problems.
Not only is the deck of brilliant quality and design but so are the wheels and bearings. The Icarus has Orangatang 80mm wheels which give an amazing amount of grip whilst being incredibly fast and smooth.
There isn’t much we can fault the Icarus on as a board. The only problem for some people will be the steep price. But if you know you’ll stick with it then the Icarus will probably be one of the best investments you ever make.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Look at that, another Atom makes the list! This time it’s an all terrain longboard that specialises in just about everything. This longboard is just as comfortable on a dirt trail as it is a standard tarmac road and anything in between.
If you live in an area where the roads are patchy or you’re near some enticing looking dirt trails that have been calling you to ride down them for what seems like forever, then this is the board for you. The wheels are the stand out feature, they’re MBS 100mm x 65mm all terrain wheels that have been cast with a 78a super high rebound urethane for a perfect blend of on road speed and off road tractions. They’re beefy and solid and really do work well.
The deck is just as good, it’s quite solid and has a lot less flex that any of the other boards, so you can really feel the bumps, but you want something sturdier if you’re going to be taking on dirt trails. The deck is made from maple and has a super coarse 46 grit off road grip tape.
This board is about as specialised as they come, it’s perfect for racing down rough hills and then onto the road. You’re not going to be able to do tricks as each truck weighs around 2.5 lbs so maneuvering the board isn’t easy. But that’s not what it’s made for. It’s a downhill board that’s perfect for off road riding and is one of the best for beginners to pick up this hobby.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
The Sector 9 G-Land is another quality pintail style longboard that’s perfect for beginners and people just getting back into longboarding. It’s got a lovely design, with a clear grip tape so you can see the fantastic wooden finish and the Sector 9 artwork.
The deck is made from 5 ply vertically laminated bamboo which gives it a strong, rigid feel. It has a good amount of flex for beginners, providing a comfortable and controllable ride without giving up too much responsiveness that you’ll feel like you aren’t in control.
The G-Land also has 10 inch Gullwing reverse pivot charger truck, 70mm 75a center set TS wheels and ABEC 5 bearings. All these components are original Sector 9 components so you know they’ll be very durable and make riding an absolute breeze.
Overall, this is a great board that radiates pure quality. It’s well priced but will still cost around 3 times more than the Ten Toes Zed for example. We think it’s well worth it and can see this being a regular in your quiver for many years to come.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Like the previously mentioned Sector 9 G-Land, the Jucker Hawaii Kaha longboard is a fully bamboo cruiser aimed at serious beginners. The deck has some nice appropriate artwork on the bottom with a clear grip tape on top to show off the wooden finish. What’s a bit different about the Kaha is that it has an additional layer of maple in the deck to make it less flexy. This gives you a much stiffer deck that can be perfect for slightly heavier riders or anyone that likes a more responsive ride.
Not only does the Kaha have a great deck but it also has a great set of wheels and trucks. The trucks are nice and wide to give you additional stability and speed, whilst the wheels are rated at 78A which means they’re quite soft. Soft wheels mean that the ride will be smooth on tarmac and rough asphalt alike.
Overall, the Jucker Hawaii Kaha is a great introductory longboard. In fact it’s a great longboard for anyone. It has a smooth ride, a classic look and great durability. This board is the perfect cruiser board for any rider at any skill level.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Conclusion
There we have it. The 7 best longboards for beginners currently on the market. If you’re looking for the best value longboard we’d suggest picking up the Ten Toes Zed, for the price you will struggle to find such a versatile and well built board. If you’re look for pure quality then the Loaded Boards Icarus is a good option and so are both of the Atom boards. For cruising the the Sector 9 and Kaha are just what you need.
We hope this has helped you find the perfect longboard for learning on. If you need to know more or want to ask us some questions then comment below or connect with us on Facebook.
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Lots of options for beginners. How long time this skateboard can be lasting?
I really appreciated your article and feel confident enough to make a decision based on it.
However, I am looking to purchase a beginner longboard for my twelve-year-old grandson. He has a friend with a Landyachtz longboard. Do you have an opinion on how that brand compares to items in your article?
Thank you so much for your time!
Hi Debbie, thanks for the comment!
Landyachtz are a good brand, they’re well made, perform well and look good. They’re a mid to upper end board so if you don’t mind spending a little more than say, the Ten Toes, then you’ll be getting a great board for your grandson!
Hope that helps, if you need anything else let us know!
Does Koastal make a good longboard? I love the way they look soooo classic, I can’t find any reviews for them.
Thank you,
Brian
Hi Brian, we have not had the chance to review them yet, but fully agree that they look really classic and the overall first impression is a very good one and at least on Amazon they have good reviews. Sorry for not being able to help further with this one.
How do I know what size to get my 10 year old daughter? She’s never owned a longboard before, so I’m completely clueless on what size to get her?
Hi Joie,
for the length, something under 30 inches should be fine, as longer boards are more difficult to control. The deck should be wide enough (around 8.5 inches approx.) so she can stand comfortably.
Hope that helps!
I guess I have two questions:
1) Where would I be able to find atom boards in Europe? I live in the Netherlands and import taxes are steep from the US. I’ve been trying to find Atom boards online with no success. Could only find the Loaded boards.
2) do you guys happen to know if Globe makes good boards
Thank you!
Ella
Hi Ella, thanks for your questions!
1) You are right, it is quite difficult to get those in Europe lately. We are only aware of shipments from the US, so not sure if they are even sold in Europe (anymore).
2) For Beginner up to Intermediate boards Globe makes pretty good boards. For advanced/pro boards there are better options though. Check out also our post on the best longboard brands. Hope that helps!
Hello,
Your article was very helpful for me to understand a little more about longboards (Thank you!).
Now, my question is what size and length should I get for my 12yr old daughter who is 168cm in hight who is a complete beginner? If you could recommend a brand, I would be ever so thankful lol.
Appreciate for your help,
Lisa (Montreal, Canada)
Hi Lisa,
thanks for the kind words, glad you liked our article. Anything under 90cm length should be fine, as longer boards are more difficult to control. The deck should be wide enough (around 25 cm approx.) so she can stand comfortably. In terms of brands, all of the brands mentioned above are good choices.
Hope that helps!