Longboards, cruisers and surf skates look similar but ride very differently — and there's no single sizing chart that covers them. Choosing the right one starts with being honest about what you actually want to do, because a board built for carving at speed is a frustrating daily commuter, and a cruiser built for flat-ground push feels dead on a hill. This guide walks through every type so you end up on the right board the first time.

What Are You Using It For?

Be honest about this before anything else. Most people buy a longboard for one of four reasons:

Commuting or getting around the city
Casual cruising and recreational riding
Carving and surf cross-training
Downhill and speed

These need genuinely different setups. A commuter board is long, stable and easy to push. A carving board has specific truck geometry. A downhill setup is stiff, low and built around wheel grip at speed. Don't buy a downhill board for commuting because it looks cool.

The Main Types of Longboard

Cruisers — City Riding and Short Trips

Any compact board built for getting around rather than tricks or speed. Typically 28–34 inches, wider than a standard skate deck, with softer wheels (78a–87a) that roll over rough footpaths. Easy to push, easy to stop, fits in a bag. Best for city riding, campus commuting and short trips. Not the pick for long-distance pushing or serious carving. Brands: Globe, Landyachtz, Arbor, Sector 9.

Pintail — Classic Surf-Style Cruising

The original longboard shape, designed to look and feel like a surfboard. Great for relaxed cruising and tight surf-style turns. A top-mount shape, so it carves with a lively, surfy feel underfoot.

Drop-Through — Long-Distance Pushing and Stability

A drop-through deck mounts the trucks through the deck rather than on top, lowering your centre of gravity. That makes it easier to push over distance, more stable at moderate speed and more comfortable for long sessions. Best for longer commutes, bike-path riding and anyone new to longboarding who wants stability. Trades some carve response for an easier push. Typical size 38–46 inches, wheels 70–80mm at 78a–80a.

Drop-Down — Maximum Stability

Similar to a drop-through, but instead of the trucks dropping through the deck, the deck itself curves down near the trucks. This gives even more stability and a unique low-slung feel a lot of riders compare to snowboarding. A great cruising and commuting board.

Top-Mount — Carving and Surf Feel

Trucks mounted under the deck in the standard position, giving more leverage and a more responsive, surf-influenced carve. More technical to ride than a drop-through but far more rewarding once you're comfortable. Best for riders who want to carve, or who are cross-training from surfing or snowboarding and want a board that feels alive underfoot. Landyachtz, Arbor and Loaded do this well.

Downhill and Freeride

Stiff, usually top-mount, low centre of gravity, built for stability and wheel grip at speed. Often wider with coarse grip tape and a range of wheelbase options to dial in the ride. Not a commuter and not a beginner setup. If you're interested in downhill, come in and have the conversation — it's a specialised category that needs more than a guide can cover.

Freestyle and Dance

Freestyle boards come in various shapes, usually with a flexible deck, nose and tail for flipping and tricks. Dance longboards are longer, giving you room to walk and dance up and down the deck. Both are about expression rather than commuting or speed.

A Note on Surf Skates

Surf skates are a related but distinct category. They use specialised front-truck systems — Carver CX and C7, YOW, OBFive — that pivot far more than standard trucks and generate pump and carve from hip movement alone. The motion is genuinely close to surfing, which makes them brilliant off-season cross-training for surfers and snowboarders. If that's what you're after, read our dedicated surf skate buying guide for the full CX vs C7 vs YOW breakdown.

A Note on Flex

Every longboard deck comes in a range of flex, from very flexible to stiff, and the right choice comes down to personal preference and riding style. Softer flex feels lively and surfy and soaks up rough ground; stiffer flex gives stability and control at speed. Heavier riders generally want a stiffer board than lighter riders for the same use.

Wheels for Longboarding

Longboard wheels are larger and softer than skateboard wheels. For most Melbourne riding:

Commuting and paths: 70–80mm, 78a–80a. Rolls over everything, grips well.
Carving and surf skate: 65–70mm, 80a–86a. Faster and more responsive through turns.
Downhill and freeride: 70–75mm, 80a–86a with a specific contact patch and lip profile. Talk to us before buying.

Still not sure?

If you've read this and still aren't certain, give us a ring on (03) 9421 2293 or drop into the Richmond store and we'll sort you out — we ride these boards ourselves.

Shop: Complete Longboards · Cruisers · Surf Skates · Longboard Wheels · Longboard Trucks

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