Skateboard vs Longboard vs Cruiser – What Are The Differences?

Are you considering buying a skateboard but couldn’t make a clear choice? Or do you have one but want to compare it with another type? Yes, you need to know the difference between skateboard vs longboard vs cruiser. Every type provides the same utility of riding from one place to another but wait! You need to understand that every type is made with a different specialty.

After riding and testing through different obstacles, we observed major differences in trick skating. Otherwise, they all have one deck, four wheels, and a pair of trucks. Although the major difference is between the Shape and the Size, the real difference lies in the performance in numerous skating disciplines.

However, if you are a beginner, don’t get yourself confused with the statements. You will eventually understand the difference after going through the article. Additionally, you will enjoy the ride and tricks of any type you have purchased, but first, you need to learn the basic difference between them. We have tried to summarize all of them for your detailed understanding.

Skateboard vs Longboard vs Cruiser: What are the main points of difference?

People call anything a skateboard with a wooden deck, two trucks, and four wheels. However, numerous types of skaters have developed over time, with some points of difference. Cruisers are longer than normal skateboards; similarly, cruisers can also have a long deck up to 38 inches.

There are numerous differences among these three types. However, the basic difference between skateboards, longboards, and cruisers is their riding nature. Skateboards are more often used for performing tricks and are difficult to ride for beginners.

In contrast, longboards have a more lengthy deck and are easy to ride for beginners. Similar to longboards, cruisers are easy to ride and are designed for short distances. We’ll try to discuss every type in detail and then will point out some points of difference. So, let’s start with the skateboard.

Skateboards

You’ll hear “skateboard” for anything with a wooden slant, a pair of trucks, and wheels. Additionally, people usually use this term for almost every type of skateboard like penny board, cruisers, longboard, or wave boards. However, the article will use this term specifically for regular skateboards.

Deck Shape:

A regular skateboard is specifically made for performing and mastering skating tricks. Most skateboards have a Popsicle shape, but it is unnecessary. The regular skateboards mostly have a rectangular shape with rounded corners and a kicktail pattern on both ends. These kicktail shapes are great for deck flipping and jumping on rails, stairs, and other objects.

In addition, most regular skateboards have a concave deck pattern that influences the deck’s feeling and response. With this pattern, you may grind, slide and flip over the stairs, rails, and skate park tricks when combined with the decent length, width, and kicktail.

Size:

Regular skateboards have a length of between 28 inches and 32 inches, and the width of the skateboard varies from 7 inches to 9 inches. Your size selection depends upon different factors and the riding purpose. If you are a bowl or vert skater, select a wider deck of 9 inches. Similarly, if you buy a skateboard for street skating, go for a narrower deck of 7 inches.

In addition to the deck size, wheel size and the truck size are also important to discuss. Trucks size of the regular skateboard is a bit short than the other types because skateboards are developed to provide practice for detailed tricks. Truck size may vary from 129mm to 159mm. Similarly, the wheel size is also shorter than the other two vehicles. The wheels Size of skateboards is between 48mm and 58mm.

Purpose:

Skateboards are specifically used for performing tricks. Unlike the longboards and the cruisers, you can’t use a skateboard for transportation. It is because wheels are hard and smaller in the case of skateboards, and transportation needs bigger and softer wheels for ease.

One of our teammates replaced the wheels with softer ones, and he was quite easy with it. However, we don’t recommend it if you are new because it becomes difficult to control the skateboard while loading objects on it. Additionally, you can’t transport objects on relatively smaller decks.

Price:

Regular skateboards are widely sold types of skateboard family due to their versatility and trick adoption. Additionally, these are great for putting art pieces through paintings. Mentioned abilities may increase the price, but regular skateboards cost between $35 and $180. Additionally, the price depends upon the company and the material quality.

Major Features of Skateboards

• Length range: 28”-32”
• Width Range: 7” – 9”
• Deck Shape: Popsicle
• Deck Design: Concave
• Wheel size: 49mm – 59mm
• Trucks size: 130mm – 160mm
• A bit lighter than the longboards and cruisers
• Smaller and harder wheels
• Mostly both ends have a kicktail pattern
• Easily customizable

What is the best use of regular skateboards?

While compared to longboards and cruisers, regular skateboards are lighter objects with suitable lengths and widths performing different tasks. The basic use of the skateboards is to perform and learn different tricks like flipping, jumping, and rolling in streets, stairs, rails, and other similar objects.

The structure makes it possible for skateboards to accomplish tricks and other stunts. Additionally, the skateboards are suitable for technical tricks and require more specialization in riding the board. Moreover, the board with narrower dimensions is great for street skating. Similarly, wider boards are an excellent addition to your bowl and vert skating experience.

Longboards

Like regular skateboards, longboards have their legacy fin skateboarding. These are the lengthy types of skateboards, mainly constructed for long distances and to transport objects from one place to another. Additionally, the longboards are perfect for downhill riding and similar racing games, but the Shape of the longboards matters in this regard.

Size:

The name of the longboard shows the main characteristic of these types of skateboards. Longboards are lengthier than skateboards and cruisers, with a length range of 33 inches to 42 inches. Similar to their length, their width is also more than the other, with width range of 8.5 inches to 10.25 inches. Undoubtedly, the width provides more stability in downhill riding or racing.

Similarly, truck size is much bigger than the regular skateboards, varying from 149mm to 215mm. The higher truck size and angle maintain the right stability during the speedy rides. Moreover, the wheel size is much bigger than the regular skateboards. You can select the wheel with the variation of 65mm to 80mm for a smooth ride.

Longboards come in different shapes and lengths. Different shapes are designed for different riding styles. However, the major use of skateboards is for long distances due to their simple and easy-to-control design. Design and the mechanism allow skateboards to get to the optimum speed, which can become dangerous, but more width provides more stability in carving.

Wheels:

The wheels of the longboards are bigger and softer than the regular skateboards. It means that you don’t need to worry about rocks, pebbles, or rough patches. As a result, the longboards provide a smoother and more comfortable ride against regular skateboards and cruisers. Due to these abilities, riding on the longboards resembles surfing due to its smooth and silky ride.

Due to the bigger wheel size, you may observe a slow acceleration at the start, but it turns out to be a speedy option after it gets to the optimum ride level. And once it gets speed, the longboards pick and maintain the momentum and provide thrilling speed for a continuous time. However, higher speed comes with the great threat of injury, and a slight mistake in maintaining the balance may injure several body parts.

Shape & Material:

Longboards have different shapes for different purposes, and you can expect from a drop deck design to a straight deck design. Similarly, the shape and design of the longboard are also a concern for beginners because the drop-down shapes are good for beginners. The Shape helps you maintain balance and stability while riding at high speed.

Additionally, you can expect different trucks than regular skateboards. Unlike cruisers and regular skateboards, trucks in longboards are wider and bigger. However, they have a sharper angle than the cruisers or regular skateboards to bear more tension during the ride.

Moreover, longboard trucks need more height to perform a quick and best approach to riding.Reverse kingpins in the longboards make them different and carvy from the regular skateboards. Trucks in longboards are stronger than regular skateboards. In concluding argument, we can distribute the longboard deck into different shapes like drop-down, drop deck, drop through, top mount, and double drop.

Purpose:

You can use the longboards for numerous purposes and select the Shape accordingly. However, the major purposes of the longboards are carving, transportation, covering long distances, and downhill racing. We recommend you choose the drop-down for a long and straight run. A straight deck with bigger but softer wheels provides stability on uneven terrains.

Additionally, use the maximum length and width for transportation because parcels need a place and your feet. The main purposes of the longboards are freestyle skating, downhill racing, slide dance, etc. Additionally, if you want a skateboard that stays with you for a long time, choose longboards. That’s why longboards are the most expensive option among these three types.

Price:

Usually, it is considered that longboards are more expensive than regular skateboards and cruisers. However, the quality, material, and performance justify the high price of the longboard. You can expect a price range between $145 and $420 for a good longboard; if you are new to skateboarding and want to purchase a longboard for learning purposes, then we recommend spending around $230.

Major Features of Skateboards

• Length range: 33”-42”
• Width Range: 8.5” – 10.25”
• Deck Shape: Multiple (drop-down, drop deck, drop through, top mount, and double drop)
• Deck Design: Long and wide
• Wheel size: 64mm – 80mm
• Trucks size: 150mm – 214mm
• A bit heavier than theregular skateboards and cruisers
• Bigger and softer wheels
• Suitable for downhill racing

What is the best use of longboards?

Longboards are heavier objects than regular skateboards and cruisers. It may restrict you from performing the tricks like rolling, tripping, or jumping, but the structure of the longboards is excellent for speed. Bigger wheels combine with wider trucks to give you great control to practice the downhill racing skill.

Additionally, the wider deck helps you maintain the balance in speedy rides and provides stability on your long rides. Moreover, the drop-down deck shape makes it easier for beginners to practice their balancing ability and posture maintenance. When we conclude the argument, we can say that the longboards are greater in speed riding, downhill racing, and the transportation of objects for longer distances.

Cruisers

This type of skateboard is like a hybrid between long and regular skateboards. Their length is between the other types, and the deck style has different characteristics. Deck has a pointed nose and an arrow line tail, making it possible to cut through the air and boost your speed. However, unlike the longboards, cruisers provide great acceleration and speed maintenance.

Size:

Like the other types of skateboards, cruisers also have different sizes. The length of a cruiser may vary from 22 to 38 inches, making it a versatile option for every type of skateboarder. Similarly, deck width varies from 8.1 inches to 9.75 inches. However, it differs along the deck because the cruiser’s deck is wider near the nose and narrower near the tail.

Similarly, the wheel size varies and is bigger than the regular skateboards but smaller than the longboards. The wheel size remains between 60mm to 65mm. Developers also engineered the wheel size according to the deck shape, which supports the cruising speeds. Moreover, the truck size of the cruiser is also different from the other types. Trucks’ Size can vary from 139mm to 169mm, according to deck size.

Shape and Material:

Cruisers come in different sizes, but you can expect majorly same pattern for every Size. Deck material is the same as regular skateboards; companies mostly use maple wood to develop the deck. Most cruisers have directional shapes with pointed noses and a straight tail with a kicktail shape. You can use the kicktail to perform jumps, do manuals, Ollies, and other directional tricks.

Additionally, the cruiser’s Shape is unique, and you find a wider deck close to the nose that becomes narrower along the tail.With the kicktail and this wider deck style, you can easily lift the front side and move the cruiser on tracks and different objects. The Shape also helps you maintain the zigzag terrains in street skating.

Furthermore, the wheels are equipped with rubber tape for bearing the additional shocks of pebbles and uneven terrains. This tape makes your ride more comfortable in cruising and the long rides or even street riding. The rubber tape makes the wheels softer and grippier, making the cruiser more controllable in street riding or cruising.

Purpose:

Cruisers are made according to a special purpose like every other skateboard type. The cruisers were developed to provide normal rolling and to commute around your home. Similarly, teens use cruisers to go to their schools because they are easy to control on the streets and light enough to carry with them to school.

Unlike the longboards, cruisers aren’t suitable for downhill racing or carving because of the structure and the wheels, which are shorter than the long boards and slightly bigger than regular skateboards. Additionally, they are taller than regular skateboards, supporting quick acceleration and momentum. Moreover, the concave deck and the kicktail allow you to perform some basic tricks in the streets or in the skate park.

Price:

Unlike the other types of skateboards, cruisers are the less expensive options of the discussed types. However, it depends upon the deck material, and the price may go up if the deck is made with maple wood. More than half of the population of cruisers are made with plastic material which is way more inexpensive than maple wood.

Penny boards are most commonly categorized as cruisers, also made from plastic. However, the price also depends upon the brand which you are purchasing. Highly demanded brands come at more prices than the normal ones. You can expect a price range of $35 to $90 for a cruiser, which is way less price than the longboard and even some regular skateboards.

Major Features of Skateboards

• Length range: 22”-38”
• Width Range: 8” – 9.5”
• Deck Shape: Directional (pointed nose and kicktail end)
• Wheel size: 59mm – 64mm
• Trucks size: 140mm – 170mm
• A lighter option among all
• Suitable for street cruising
• Quick acceleration and momentum

What is the best use of cruisers?

Cruisers are hybrid skateboards and longboards that enhance your riding skill easily and allow beginners to master the riding. However, the cruisers are great at covering short distances and street hovering. We don’t recommend you to take it to the long distances or the downhill racing because of irrelevant structure.

However, you can use it as a great learning vehicle, and you can perform multiple but basic tricks on the cruiser. You can use the cruiser to roll around the streets and commute with extra comfort. Additionally, you don’t need to push it too hard to accelerate the wheels because of the right wheel size. The cruisers are the most suitable vehicles for teens to take to school.

Skateboard vs Longboard vs Cruisers: Three major Differences

We have concluded three major differences among these three skateboard types.

The difference in Size:

Size is the biggest factor of difference between these three skateboard types. Regular skateboards and cruisers have a tie in the smallest Size among them. It is because cruisers have a length range of 22 inches to 38 inches and 8″ to 9.5″. However, regular skateboards have a length range from 28 to 32 inches. We made this statement because cruisers can be smaller, but that will benefit kids or teens.

On the other hand, longboards have long decks with a range of 33 inches to 42 inches. Similarly, the width of longboards varies from 8.4 inches to 10.5 inches. In addition, longboards have a bigger wheel size that ranges from65mm to 80mm. On the other hand, regular skateboards and cruisers have wheel sizes ranging from 48mm – 58mm and 60mm -65mm, respectively.

The difference in Shape:

A major difference in the Shape leads to a change in performance and preference for the boards. Cruisers have little concave structure, which is mellower than their regular counterparts. Similarly, they have kicktail ends and pointed noses for tricks, but some cruisers have a flat design.

On the other hand, longboards have different shape types, but in general, they have an angled nose and tail and are completely flat to provide a higher degree of stability. Some longboards are also drop-down deck structures for maintaining balance and stability. In contrast, regular skateboards have a concave structure with a Popsicle shape. Most regular skateboards have kicktail on both ends for performing advanced tricks.

Performance and Flexibility:

Skateboards have firm wheels and other structures that feel quite hard while riding and, somehow, uncomfortable against the longboard or the cruisers. However, they are more responsive due to the kicktail ends and concave structure. You can control them with a higher degree of positioning. In contrast, longboards provide more stability and comfort while riding.

Additionally, longboards are developed for longer distances. That’s why they cannot turn sharply, and you need a bigger diameter for them to turn. Longboards have less acceleration but possess the right momentum to catch up with speed. On the other hand, cruisers are great for street surfing which is very sharp to turn and have suitable comfort due to soft and bigger wheels.

What skateboard type suits me?

Well, if you buy a skateboard for performing tricks, go for the regular skateboards. If you want to cover short distances but want to feel a comfortable ride with simple tricks, then go for a cruiser. Similarly, if you want to cover longer distances, are willing to do speedy rides, or transport things a long way, we recommend you to buy a longboard.

Here is video comparing Skateboard, Longboard and Cruisers:

Conclusion

Skateboard vs longboard vs cruiser, beginners may think about what they should buy. However, every type has its use. The thing is that you can ride them and transport yourself from one place to another. However, some differences may affect your use, but read the article to acknowledge the best information. Thank you!