Is Longboarding Easier Than Skateboarding?

A skateboard is just a skateboard for most newcomers; however, once you dig deeper into the varieties of boards around nowadays, you can discover very soon that there are options for a purpose.

There are different types of boards that you can select depending on the type of boarding you’re going to do. Moreover, the kind of board you choose will make your riding experience entirely unique and enjoyable.

To a casual onlooker, skateboarding and longboarding may seem identical; however, look more closely, and you’ll notice that they’re actually very different. In fact, there are completely different applications for these two types of sidewalk-surfing. There are also disputes as to which one is easier and which one is more fun.

In this article, we will try to discuss whether or not longboarding is easier than skateboarding, and what would be your best bet as a beginner. But first, let’s talk quickly about what differentiates a longboard from a skateboard.

Longboard Vs. Skateboard:

The word “skateboard” is a generic term that encompasses all sorts of boards in it. A longboard is a kind of skateboard that is generally longer and slightly different in shape from what most of us think of as a traditional skateboard. There are few physical differences between skateboard and longboard, such as:

Is Longboarding Easier Than Skateboarding?

Skateboards can be pretty hard and tricky to ride, and even more so if you’re a beginner. They are not easy to roll and do not offer you maximum control. Beginners usually fail to learn skateboarding – some may even think about giving up entirely. But is longboarding indeed easier than skateboarding? The answer to this question depends on a few main differences between the two sports.

Wheels:

Skateboards come with small wheels. These tiny wheels are built to be lightweight, easy to push, and fast to roll on the smooth pavement of skateparks. However, they don’t work correctly when you take the skateboard onto the street. They get stuck in gaps, vibrate, and move very slowly on uneven pavement.

Longboards have much larger wheels in comparison to skateboards. The wheels’ overall size and soft durometer help it roll above anything and provides a smooth ride.

Longboard wheels can ride on rocks, cracks, and uneven pavements comfortably. Besides, the softness of the wheels absorbs a great deal of road vibration to ensure a relaxed and steady ride. That being said, longboard harder to get going and don’t speed up as quickly as skateboard wheels.

Trucks:

Skateboards come with a narrow truck. Narrower trucks wobble a lot and turn side to side much faster. This might lead to a jittery ride that makes them seem uncontrollable and erratic. They are good for skating in the park, but uncomfortable for cruising around the town.
Longboards, on the other hand, have wider trucks. Longboard trucks provide a smoother turn and are much more stable than skateboards. The wider trucks help them to run smoothly and also easier to balance by the rider.

Deck Size:

Skateboards have a smaller deck size. Thus, the rails of the deck come directly beneath your toe and heels, making them ideal for tricks. It is much easier to do flips, tricks, and control a board that is not too big. However, they’re not the easiest to balance and not comfortable to ride for a long time.

Longboards are wider and larger than skateboards. This wideness makes it much simpler to balance. With more space at his disposal, a rider can be more comfortable and completely stretch out his feet. That’s what makes longboarding easier than skateboarding.

Furthermore, they are simple and easy to balance and more stable with the additional width and length. For beginner skaters, these kinds of boards are perfect.

Flexibility:

Skateboard features a rigid deck consisting of 7 layers of maple to provide a stable and responsive ride. It grants the rider a strong control over their trucks, making it possible for them to do tricks comfortably. But skateboards do not offer a comfortable ride and experience a lot of road vibration.

On the other hand, longboards incorporate decks that have a lot of flexibility due to different deck constructions such as bamboo, vertical lamination, and fiberglass.

When a rider stands on the board, the flex causes the board to bounce and move more smoothly on rough surfaces. It contributes to a pleasant ride where the flex helps smooth out road friction and any unevenness.

Purpose:

Skateboard has a nose and tail slope upward, and the surface of the deck bends inward. The skateboard is made for tricks, and the design tends to make that possible. Skateboards are designed to execute technical maneuvers, such as kickflips, grinds, and ollie. If you want to do some tricks in a skatepark, skateboarding is a perfect board.

On the flip side, Longboards are suitable for cruising with minimal effort for long distances. Longboards are more comfortable to balance, and you’ll not be disturbed by rocks and other small things. This makes a longboard an excellent choice for newbies.

There are so many distinct longboards available varying in width, length, shape, and purpose. Some are perfect for long-distance cruising, a few are great for dancing, many thrive at speed and downhill, and some are even good for technical tricks.

Wrapping Up:

Both skateboarding and longboarding are trendy outdoor sports, and they both promise a lot of fun. All you need to do is decide what you want from a board. However, if you’re a beginner, we’d undoubtedly recommend longboarding because it’s much easier to learn. Longboards come in various shapes and sizes, helping you get used to them and learn your moves much quicker.

Although Longboards are less responsive than skateboards, flipping, ramping, and barrel rolls are all achievable with the correct technique and practice. Besides that, the bigger and softer wheels of longboards can tackle small obstacles and rugged roads much better than skateboards.