The longboard world can feel overwhelming, with countless brands vying for your attention. But finding the perfect board doesn’t have to break the bank.
I’m here to guide you through the best longboard brands, from budget-friendly cruisers to high-end downhill machines, so you can find the ride that fits your style and your wallet.
$100 Longboard Budget
A $100 budget for a longboard might seem limiting, but with a little research, you can find some surprisingly capable cruisers. Here’s what to expect and where to look:
What to Expect at This Price Point:
- Basic Construction: Expect mostly maple or bamboo construction, often with simple finishes.
- Limited Components: Trucks and wheels will likely be entry-level, focusing on durability over high performance.
- Focus on Cruising: These boards are best suited for smooth, flat surfaces like sidewalks and bike paths.
- Limited Customization Options: Don’t expect many choices in wheel size, truck types, or griptape designs.
Where to Find Affordable Longboards:
- Online Retailers:
- Discount Stores: Keep an eye out for sales at sporting goods stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods or Academy Sports + Outdoors.
$200+ Longboard Budget: What to Expect
With a budget of $200 or more, you enter a world of significantly improved quality and performance. Here’s what you can expect:
- Higher-Quality Construction:
- Materials: Expect to find boards made from higher-quality maple, bamboo, or even exotic woods like rock maple.
- Construction: More robust construction techniques, such as cross-lamination or bamboo layering, offer increased strength and durability.
- Upgraded Components:
- Trucks: Stronger, more responsive trucks like Paris, Gullwing, or Independent become readily available.
- Wheels: Larger, faster, and smoother-rolling wheels, often with higher duro (hardness) for better grip.
- Bearings: Smoother and faster bearings like Bones Reds or Zealous will significantly improve your ride.
- Increased Versatility:
- Wider Range of Styles: You’ll have access to a wider variety of board styles, from dedicated downhillers to versatile cruisers and even some freestyle-oriented boards.
- More Customization Options: Greater choice in wheel sizes, truck types, and griptape designs allows you to tailor your board to your specific needs and preferences.
- Improved Aesthetics: Expect more refined aesthetics with a wider range of graphic designs, wood finishes, and overall board aesthetics.
Where to Find Longboards in This Price Range:
- Dedicated Longboard Shops: Online and brick-and-mortar shops specializing in longboards will offer the widest selection and expert advice.
- Online Retailers: Sites like Landyachtz, Arbor, and Loaded offer a wide range of high-quality boards directly from the manufacturer.
- Local Skate Shops: Many well-stocked skate shops carry a selection of quality longboards in this price range.
Landyachtz
- Founded: 1997
- Headquarters: Ladner, British Columbia, Canada
- Price Range:
- Generally considered a mid-range to high-end brand.
- Complete longboards typically range from $150 to $400 or more, depending on the model and features.
- Known for:
- High-quality construction: Known for using quality materials like Canadian maple and bamboo.
- Innovative designs: Offers a wide variety of board shapes and sizes to suit different riding styles.
- Eye-catching graphics: Famous for their unique and artistic graphics.
- Environmental sustainability: Committed to environmental practices, including planting a tree for every board sold.
- Warranty: Landyachtz offers a limited warranty on manufacturing defects. Check their website for specific details.
Loaded Boards
- Founded: 1995
- Headquarters: Culver City, California, USA
- Price Range:
- Considered a high-end brand.
- Complete longboards typically range from $300 to $600 or more, depending on the model and features.
- Known for:
- Focus on bamboo construction: Known for their innovative use of bamboo in longboard construction, often combined with other materials like fiberglass and maple.
- High-performance focus: Loaded boards are designed for performance and often cater to more experienced riders.
- Unique shapes and designs: Offers a variety of unique board shapes and designs, often pushing the boundaries of traditional longboard construction.
- High-quality components: Typically equipped with high-quality components like Paris, Gullwing, or Independent trucks and high-performance Orangatang wheels.
Comet Skateboards
Founded: 1997
Headquarters: Ithaca, New York, USA
Price Range:
- Mid-range to higher-end.
- Complete longboards typically range from $200 to $400 or more.
Known for:
- Focus on sustainability: Comet is known for its commitment to environmental sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and processes.
- High-quality construction: They use high-quality Canadian maple wood and employ meticulous construction techniques.
- Unique designs: Offers a range of unique board shapes and designs with a focus on artistic expression.
- Support for local communities: Comet is committed to supporting local communities and artists.
Pantheon SkateBoard
- Founded: 2008
- Headquarters: Colorado, USA
- Price Range:
- Mid-range to high-end.
- Complete longboards typically range from $200 to $500 or more.
- Known for:
- Focus on downhill and freeride: Pantheon is known for producing high-performance longboards specifically designed for downhill and freeride riding.
- Innovative designs: They often incorporate innovative design features and materials to enhance performance and stability.
- High-quality components: Pantheon boards typically come equipped with high-quality components from reputable brands.
- Strong community focus: They have a strong presence in the longboarding community and actively support riders and events.
Zenit Boards
- Founded: 2010
- Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Price Range:
- High-end.
- Complete longboards typically range from $400 to $800 or more.
- Known for:
- Handcrafted in Canada: Zenit Boards are known for their meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, with each board being hand-made in Montreal.
- Focus on performance and innovation: They utilize advanced materials and construction techniques to create high-performance longboards.
- Unique designs: Zenit offers a range of unique and innovative board shapes and designs, often pushing the boundaries of longboard design.
- Emphasis on quality and sustainability: They prioritize using high-quality materials and sustainable practices in their production process.
Arbor Skateboards
- Founded: 1995
- Headquarters: San Diego, California, USA
- Price Range: Mid-range to High-end. Complete longboards generally range from $150 to $400.
- Known for:
- Sustainability: Arbor is a pioneer in sustainable skateboarding, prioritizing eco-friendly materials like bamboo, recycled plastics, and sustainably sourced wood.
- Stylish Designs: They’re renowned for their artistic graphics and collaborations with renowned artists and designers.
- Focus on Cruising and Commuting: While they offer boards for various styles, Arbor excels in creating smooth-riding cruisers and comfortable commuters.
- Quality Craftsmanship: Arbor utilizes high-quality materials and construction techniques, resulting in durable and long-lasting boards.
Choosing the Right Brand: Bottom Line
Budget:
- Under $100: Expect basic construction and limited features. Focus on brands like FreeRide, Sector 9 (entry-level models), or Atom for decent options.
- $100-$200: You’ll find significant improvements in quality and component upgrades. Consider Landyachtz, Arbor, Globe, or Madrid.
- $200+: This opens up a world of high-performance options. Explore Loaded, Pantheon, Zenit, or Comet for top-tier boards.
Riding Style:
- Cruising: Landyachtz, Arbor, Globe, and Madrid excel in comfortable cruising boards.
- Downhill/Freeride: Pantheon, Loaded, and Zenit are popular choices for high-performance downhill and freeride riding.
- Freestyle: Loaded, DB Longboards, and Rayne offer boards specifically designed for tricks and maneuvers.