Longboards, cruisers and surf skates are distinct categories that look similar but ride very differently. Choosing the right one starts with being clear on what you actually want to do with it — 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.

What Are You Using It For?

Before anything else — be honest about this. 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 require 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.

Cruisers — City Riding and Short Trips

A cruiser is any compact board built for getting around rather than tricks or speed. Typically 28–34 inches long, wider than a standard skateboard deck, softer wheels (78a–87a) that roll over rough surfaces. Easy to push, easy to stop, fits in a bag.

Good for: city riding, campus commuting, short trips, anyone who wants a board that's functional and easy to ride. Not the right choice for long-distance pushing or serious carving.

Brands: Globe, Landyachtz, Arbor, Sector 9.

Drop-Through Longboards — Long Distance Pushing and Stability

A drop-through deck lowers your centre of gravity by mounting trucks through the deck rather than on top of it. This makes the board easier to push over long distances, more stable at moderate speeds and more comfortable for extended riding sessions.

Good for: longer commutes, bike path riding, anyone who wants to push without burning out, riders new to longboarding who want stability. Trades some carve response for lower ride height and easier pushing.

Typical size: 38–46 inches. Wheels: 70–80mm, 78a–80a for path and road riding.

Top-Mount Longboards — Carving and Surf Feel

Top-mount boards have trucks mounted under the deck in the standard position, giving more leverage over the trucks and a more responsive, surf-influenced carve. More technical to ride than drop-through but significantly more rewarding once you're comfortable.

Good for: riders who want to carve, riders cross-training from surfing or snowboarding, anyone who wants a board that feels like it's alive underfoot. Landyachtz, Arbor and Loaded do this well.

Surf Skates — Cross-Training and Carving

Surf skates use specialised front truck systems — Carver's CX and C7, YOW's Meraki, OBFive's own system — that pivot differently to standard trucks and generate pump and carve from hip movement alone. The motion is genuinely close to surfing. Skate for a week on a good surf skate and your surf timing and weight transfer improve.

Carver CX: more skateboard-like feel, suits technical riders and tighter spaces. Carver C7: deeper pivot, more pump, closer surf feel, better for open carving and riders coming from a surf background. YOW: similar pivot feel to C7, strong build quality, good shape range.

Good for: surfers off-season, snowboarders wanting board sport cross-training year-round, skaters who want something completely different to a standard setup.

Downhill and Freeride

Stiff, usually top-mount, low centre of gravity, built for stability at speed. Not a commuter. Not a beginner setup. If you're interested in downhill, come in and have the conversation — it's a specialised category that needs a more specific discussion than a guide can cover.

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.

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

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