As I mentioned in my previous post I just ordered my first longboard. I received loads of help while going through the decision-making process, so I’ll try passing down that wisdom to you.
- Research, research, research.
I cannot stress this point enough. Ask your friends. Watch reviews or demonstrations on YouTube. Browse the forums. I found this thread to be an extremely good starting place, but feel free to check around for other threads pertaining to your needs. - Know what you want.
While there is nothing wrong with buying a pre-made board at your local skate shop (e.g. Zumiez), you should build your board specifically towards your needs. If you’re willing to put down the money to buy a longboard, you might as well enjoy the ride. - Consider the $ factors.
If you are able to drop unlimited money down on a board, great! Unfortunately, most of us are on a budget. How much money are you willing to drop down? Will you be able to use your board for its full capacity? If you order online, most places do not have free shipping. For example, MuirSkate, Stoked Skateboards, and Daddies Board Shop all offer free shipping on orders past a certain price. Full setups are often cheaper than purchasing each part separately. Stick to your budget and remember, the best board for you isn’t necessarily the most expensive.
Hopefully that helps you get started. To leave you off is some advice from a long-time longboarder, Tyler Mahool:
Start out with good gear…Because if you don’t know what you wanna buy and you end up getting something you don’t like, then you’re not gonna stick with it because it’s not suiting the purpose you want to fulfill. You’re not gonna get a downhill board to commute, you’re not gonna get a commuting board to try and bomb hills at 50 miles an hour. It’s just not going to work. And keep at it, even if you fall a couple of times. And find more advanced skaters to skate with, because that’ll push you to it further.
New-Boarding 