Longboard vs skateboard: what's the difference?
Longboard or skateboard — they look alike, but they ride completely differently. Below we explain the difference honestly: deck, wheels, ride feel and what each board is built for. So you know which type suits you.
The difference in one sentence
A skateboard is short, stiff and built for tricks, ollies and the skatepark. A longboard is longer, smoother and built for cruising, carving and distance — comfortable rolling instead of jumping. Both roll on four wheels, but their shape, wheels and ride feel differ fundamentally.
Longboard and skateboard side by side
| Feature | Longboard | Skateboard |
|---|---|---|
| Length | ± 90–110 cm (35–44 inch) | ± 78–83 cm (28–33 inch) |
| Deck shape | Pintail, drop-through or top-mount, often with flex | Popsicle, stiff, symmetrical nose and tail |
| Wheels | Big and soft (70 mm, ± 78A) — grip and comfort | Small and hard (50–56 mm, ± 99A) — fast on concrete |
| Ride feel | Stable, flowing, predictable | Agile, technical, reactive |
| Built for | Cruising, carving, dancing, commuting, distance | Ollies, flips, grinds, skatepark and street |
| For beginners | Accessible — big, stable deck to learn on | Steeper learning curve — small deck, less margin |
General guidelines; exact sizes vary per board. Hammond builds longboards only — the skateboard column is purely for comparison.
The deck: length, shape and flex
The biggest difference is in the deck. A longboard deck is longer and has a bigger wheelbase (the distance between the truck mounts), which makes it sit calm and stable under your feet. Many longboards deliberately have some flex — a slight spring that makes carving smooth, as if you're surfing on land. A skateboard deck is short and stiff with a raised nose and tail (the 'kicks'), needed to ollie and flip. Hammond builds its decks from 8 plies of Canadian maple, in lengths from 89 to 102 cm, with mounts ranging from drop-through (low centre of gravity, extra stable) to top-mount (more turning power for carving).
The wheels make the difference
Wheels determine how a board feels. Longboards roll on big, soft wheels — Hammond uses Surf Highway 70 mm wheels around 78A — that roll over road imperfections, cracks and gravel and hold speed. Skateboards have small, hard wheels (around 99A) that are tight and fast on smooth skatepark concrete, but pass every vibration of the street straight up. If you want to roll comfortably through the city or along the coast, big soft longboard wheels are far nicer.
What do you use each board for?
Choose a skateboard if you want to learn tricks, hit the skatepark or skate technical street. Choose a longboard if you want to cruise, carve, cover longer distances, commute to work or school, or chase that surf and snowboard feel on asphalt. For most people who 'just want to roll', a longboard is the more comfortable, stable choice — certainly as a beginner.
Which one should you choose?
Is it all about jumping, flipping and the park for you? Then a skateboard is your board. Is it about flowing rolling, steering and distance — with more stability and comfort? Then a longboard is the right choice. Torn between riding styles within longboarding (carving, cruising, dancing, freeride)? Take our finder quiz or read the buying guide.
We make longboards
Hammond has been building longboards for years — not skateboards. Every board is made from 8 plies of Canadian maple, mounted ride-ready with trucks, Surf Highway wheels and Abec-5 bearings, and sold straight from the makers with no middleman. Four models, each strong in its own riding style: the B-35 for compact cruising, the B-40 for stable dancing, the Piper 40 for carving and the Ding-Dong for freestyle.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a longboard and a skateboard?
A skateboard is short and stiff, with small hard wheels, built for tricks and the skatepark. A longboard is longer and smoother, with big soft wheels, built for cruising, carving and distance. The longboard sits more stable and rolls more comfortably; the skateboard is more agile and technical.
Is a longboard easier than a skateboard for beginners?
For most beginners, yes. A longboard's longer, more stable deck and big soft wheels give more balance and forgive small mistakes, while a short skateboard deck reacts faster and has a steeper learning curve. If you want to learn to roll, steer and commute, a longboard is more accessible.
Can you do tricks on a longboard?
Yes, but different ones than on a skateboard. A longboard suits slides, dancing steps, cross-steps and — on a freestyle model with a raised nose and tail like the Ding-Dong — manuals, shovits and spins. Classic street tricks like kickflips and grinds belong more to a short skateboard.
Does Hammond also sell skateboards?
No. Hammond makes and sells longboards only. This page explains the difference so you make the right choice: for tricks in the skatepark you need a skateboard, for cruising and carving a longboard.
Which longboard should I pick if I come from skateboarding?
If you come from skating and mainly want to cruise and carve, a more agile top-mount like the Piper 40 is a familiar step; if you want maximum calm, the drop-through B-40 gives the most stability. Take the finder quiz for tailored advice.
Ready to roll?
Browse the four Hammond longboards — ride-ready, straight from the makers, free shipping in the Netherlands.
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