Buying your very own longboard is exciting, to say the least. The only issue you may face when looking for one to buy is getting easily overwhelmed with all the options out there. Unfortunately, you cannot just pick a board at random and hope for the best because having the right board is important for your overall boarding experience and progress.
1- Experience
Your level of experience with longboarding is an important thing to factor into your choice of boards. Getting a board that is more suited for a well-experienced skateboarder when you are just starting, will do nothing except de-motivate you and make your progress that much harder and slower. Never mind the fact that such boards can be quite expensive. Picking out a board that will suit your boarding levels will make sure you are able to work with it easily.
2- Size
The size of the board will affect your balance and the board’s overall stability. If you want to exert less effort taking off and braking, then buying a smaller board is good, but if you want more stability and balance while boarding, then a bigger board is what you should be looking for.
3- Riding preference
If you are just starting to board as a hobby, you might not have known that there are different types of boards for each riding style. Whether you are into blazing downhill or carving your way through the streets, you will find good longboards for your style and preference. Each type of longboard is suited towards specific riding styles, so you need to make sure that you put that into consideration.
4- Shape
Luckily, all longboards fall into two shapes. Either they are directional or twin/ symmetrical. This is important to think about because depending on the activities you plan on doing while boarding, you will need a specific shape. For example, if you plan on performing stunts, which turn the board 180 degrees, then it is better to get a symmetrical board, which is the same shape no matter what direction it is facing. On the other hand, a directional board, as its name suggests, is better if you plan to have it facing forward at all times to maintain balance and stability. Beginners and experts alike can use both of these shapes.
5- Board deck
If you were wondering why the shape of the board deck gets to have its very own section, the answer would be because it is of the utmost importance. The shape of the deck does not just affect the balance and stability when you are on the board, but it also factors into how you get on the board itself.
Longboards differ in shape, deck, riding styles, and more importantly, range from being relatively cheap to very expensive. If you are only trying out boarding you should look for something more beginner and budget-friendly so that you do not regret buying it later. If you are into boarding and want something that is high quality and will last a long time, then do not be scared to invest in a pricier longboard.
