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53% OffLongboarding has recently exploded in popularity as a fun, flowing riding style separate from traditional skateboarding. The oversized decks, soft wheels, and carving trucks provide a smooth ride, making longboards a popular transportation method.
There are two main longboard riding styles – cruising and carving. Cruising involves relaxed riding along mostly flat areas while carving utilizes deeper turns and maneuvers. The right longboard can optimize your experience for either style.
In this guide, we’ll review the key features to look for in carving and cruising longboards. We’ll also recommend our picks for the 5 best longboards for carving and the 5 best for cruising currently available. Let’s ride!
Factors to Consider for Carving and Cruising Longboards
Certain longboard characteristics make them better suited for carving vs cruising purposes:
Deck Style and Shape
Low-riding drop-through decks place your feet closer to the ground for stability when carving at higher speeds. Traditional pintail shapes excel for cruising with higher clearance.
Deck Flex
Stiffer decks provide more precision for carving, while flex offers shock absorption, which is important for cruising comfort.
Deck Length
Longer decks, around 42″, provide stability for fast carving. Shorter cruiser styles, around 32″-38″, are more nimble with quick turning.
Trucks
Reverse kingpin trucks are engineered for tighter carving and stability. Standard skate trucks allow a looser feel, preferred for relaxed cruising.
Wheels
Larger soft wheels, 70mm+, are ideal for cruising’s smooth ride. Smaller hard wheels grip better for sharper carving.
Wheel Durometer
Softer durometer wheels absorb vibrations on cruising rides. A harder durometer is better for sliding during deeper carves.
Top Tips for Carving on a Longboard
Carving on a longboard involves deep, swooping turns using weight shifting and body angling:
- Initiate turns by rotating your shoulders and angling your knees in the direction you want to turn.
- Shift weight to your front foot to carve the toeside. Weight back foot to carve heelside.
- Use momentum and pumping motions to maintain speed throughout the carve.
- Foot placement impacts turn sharpness – wider stance for wide carves, angled forward for tight cross step carving.
- Learn controlled slides, like shutdown slides, to shave off speed from carves.
- Always wear safety gear like slide gloves and a helmet, especially when learning.
5 Best Longboards for Carving
Here are our top picks for carving-focused longboard decks for 2023:
Loaded Tesseract Longboard
This versatile drop-through deck excels at high speed carving thanks to the cambered profile and responsive bamboo construction.
Style: Drop-through downhill deck
Material: Bamboo and fiberglass
Trucks: Paris V3 180mm, 50 degree
Wheels: Orangatang stimulus, 70mm, 80a
Landyachtz Ripper Longboard
The micro-dropped platform and grippy Hawgs wheels make the Ripper ideal for tight technical carving across parks and bowls.
Style: Pintail downhill deck
Material: Maple laminate
Trucks: Bear Grizzle 852, 180mm, 52 degree
Wheels: Hawgs mini monster, 63mm, 78a
Sector 9 Meridian Longboard
With its drop-through mounting and adjustable Gullwing Sidewinder trucks, the Meridian delivers ultra-responsive carving capabilities.
Style: Drop-through downhill deck
Material: 8-ply maple
Trucks: Gullwing Sidewinder II
Wheels: Sector 9 Skiddles, 69mm, 78a
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5 Best Longboards for Cruising
Here are the ideal longboard decks for relaxed cruising around town or campus:
Volador Maple Cruiser Longboard
Volador’s compact maple cruiser excels at casual commuting with its lightweight build and soft wheels that absorb sidewalk cracks.
Style: Cruiser deck
Material: 8-ply maple
Trucks: 7-inch aluminum
Wheels: Pu cast, 70mm, 80a
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Retrospec Zed Bamboo Longboard
The combination of flex, lightweight bamboo, and 70mm wheels makes the Zed perfectly suited for effortless cruising around neighborhoods or boardwalks.
Style: Cruiser deck
Material: Bamboo and maple
Trucks: 7-inch aluminum
Wheels: Retrospec wheels, 70mm, 78a
White Wave Bamboo Longboard
White Wave’s pintail bamboo cruiser provides shock absorption and an elegant look for smooth cruising along beach paths or park trails.
Style: Pintail cruiser
Material: Bamboo
Trucks: 7-inch aluminum
Wheels: White Wave, 70mm, 80a
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FAQs About Longboards for Cruising and Carving
What type of longboard is best for cruising?
Compact cruiser styles with flex bamboo decks, 70mm wheels, and standard trucks work best for casual cruising.
What kind of longboard is best for carving?
Look for stiffer drop-through or drop-down decks, reverse kingpin trucks, and small soft wheels ideal for gripping through turns.
Can you do tricks on a cruiser longboard?
Cruiser boards are primarily for flatland riding, but some have kicktails to allow ollies and simple tricks.
How tight should trucks be for carving vs cruising?
Carving requires tighter truck tension for stability, hitting higher speeds. Cruising works best with looser trucks, allowing deeper turns.
How long should a longboard be for each style?
The optimal longboard length is around 38″-42″ for cruising and over 40″ for carving.
I’m the founder of HoverboardsGuide.com, a comprehensive website dedicated to electric scooters and hoverboards. With a deep-rooted passion for electric gadgets, I’ve accumulated extensive experience in this field. I aim to assist users in selecting the best gadgets and providing reliable guidance.
I’ve tested and reviewed numerous models, gaining in-depth knowledge about their features, performance, and overall quality. Feel free to reach out to me with any queries, as I’m dedicated to addressing your concerns promptly. Join me on this exciting journey of exploring the world of electric rides and making informed decisions
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