There is an overly saturated market for all board sports when it comes to their maker choices. And longboards are no different from this. The choices are quite cluttered, and at times confusing when it is about determining the best longboard maker.
Different types of longboards are available that suit different kinds of riding styles. A downhill longboard may not be appropriate for freestyle longboarding and vice versa.
The most important thing to consider when looking for a longboard is safety that should never be compromised. A longboard via a reputed and good maker ensures its safety and carries the legacy of the maker. Hence, you should always get the longboard whose maker you can relate to and trust.
Besides, knowing the history of each longboard maker can be very interesting. It can remind the riders how much hard work and development has gone into the longboard beneath their feet.
Below we will help you in sorting the wheat from the chaff by highlighting the best longboard makers for whatever riding style you are into. Take a look.
Quest
Quest is one of the reputable longboard makers for cruising. Created by Mars Company in California, their boards are economical but offer superb performance.
Their longboards are diverse in graphics, design, and color with great style. Each product is balanced, stable, aesthetically pleasing, and its wheels absorb shock well. They are great for riding on the boardwalk, going to class, or casual cruising around the town.
The boards are made from hardwood maple deck or bamboo, which is perfect for rocky riding. Equipped with quality and authentic trucks and bearings, you’ll be able to ride an excellent cruise and perform insane turns with Quest.
We recommend checking out the Quest “Totem Longboard Skateboard, 36”, Natural that is ideal for all kinds of journeys, adventures, and explorations. This longboard is a strong performer in terms of quality, durability, and style.
Loaded Longboards
Founded in Culver City, California, in 2002, Loaded longboards is another huge longboard maker that has worked closely with the riders to offer some of the top products for freestyle and dancing. The company is more focused on the trick boards domain, so if you are into that, Loaded has a broad lineup to present.
Among other well-known makers, this company has quickly stood out from its competitors with its unparalleled carving ability and flexible bamboo decks. They are particularly known for merging environmentally friendly practices and materials to craft longboards that feel and look beautiful beneath the rider’s feet.
Today this longboard maker has quickly risen to attain the position of top longboard names out there. We recommend getting the Loaded Boards Dervish Sama Bamboo Longboard Skateboard Complete. It features large cutouts to ensure maximal wheel clearance while performing deep carves and tight turns. It offers an excellent riding experience and is lightweight and durable, perfect for high-speed downhill racing.
Arbor Collective
One of the most environmentally friendly makers, Arbor produces a line of longboards that are excellent for the price. The company’s name Arbor is not merely a show, it donates a part of every product they create to a group that promotes sustainability and protects forests.
However, initially, Arbor was started as a snowboard company back in 1995. It is based in Venice, CA. With the gradual increase in the popularity of longboards, the makers elevated their snowboard-making experience and started creating a new line of longboards that were capable of moving downhills just like a snowboard across the snow.
Arbor uses traditional materials such as maple and bamboo for crafting their longboard decks. The end products are lightweight, high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and minimalistic. Their boards are versatile and great for cruising, tricking, and commuting.
The Arbor Performance Complete Bamboo Axis is a drop-through that is created for mellow downhill, relaxed commutes, and easy cruising around the town. A best seller with a good rating, this longboard is for the riders who like good all-around longboards.
Landyachtz
Landyatch is a top longboard maker that doesn’t hold the title for nothing. It is amongst the top for many reasons. Since the time it was founded in Vancouver in 1992, the company has delivered nothing but quality decks and innovative builds. The founders, Thomas Edstrand and Michael Perreten grew up as keen skateboarders. With time they discovered that skateboarding just was not as fun anymore. It’s when one of them visited California and came to know about the longboards there. He brought the idea back and started to create his own boards immediately.
The founders through, trial and error, created a board and a short while later, both of them formed a company by the name of Landyachtz. This longboard maker was the first one to experiment with lowered longboards that had trucks above the foot platform.
From gnarly speed longboards for the downhill pros to cruiser pintails for the novices, their lineup includes longboards for all modalities. The company has also expanded to their own longboard trucks and wheels company, Bear and Hawgs, respectively.
One of their most known longboards is the Landyachtz Totem Paradise Complete Long Board that works excellent for a snappy flex featuring its shorter pintail and wheelbase for a responsive ride and tighter turning. It is amazing for a casual weekend cruise or commuting.
One of their other best sellers for smaller riders that like a more agile ride is the Landyachtz Drop Cat Complete Longboard.
Sector 9
From humble beginnings in San Diego, CA, in 1993, Sector 9 has become one of the best longboard makers today. They began with simple skateboards and cruisers, and today they produce all sorts of boards, from downhill slayers to minis.
The longboards aren’t where they have stopped, they make amazing gear as well, like downhill helmets and slide gloves. Their team is big! Plus, they have even got a sub-team of over thirty downhill longboarders.
Their decks are durable, inexpensive, and feature stunning graphics and visuals. Sector 9 is unbeatable in terms of safety, quality, and performance and offers different boards in plenty of shapes and styles.
We recommend the Sector 9 Chop Hop NOH Complete Longboard, 8.625” x 30.5”. It is a great board with a durable and stable deck, making it a great option for avid riders.