| Best Choice |
|
Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboard | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Best Value |
|
Beleev Cruiser Skateboard | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Premium Pick |
|
Quest QT-NSC44C The Super Cruiser | CHECK LATEST PRICE |
Cruiser skateboards have been around for decades. They’re great for running to the store, practicing tricks at the skatepark, or just riding around town. As the name implies, cruiser skateboards are primarily designed for commuting to work or school quickly and comfortably. While cruiser skateboards share some similarities with regular skateboards, they also have some distinct differences.
Cruiser skateboard decks come in various shapes and sizes, and some will have a kicktail that enables you to easily get over obstacles in the road and do a few basic tricks. They’re usually slim in width with a shorter deck than a regular skateboard. Cruiser skateboards also have larger, softer wheels than regular skateboards so that you can better handle rougher surfaces and travel longer distances. If you’re in the market for a new cruiser skateboard, our complete review and buying guide will help you make a decision.
The Best Cruiser Skateboards
This super portable yet substantially made board is designed not only to be fun to ride but easy to carry with you on the go. It has an asymmetric double kicktail design that lets you practice all your favorite tricks. This natural-looking board is constructed from six layers of beautiful and durable Canadian maple with a sand grit finish on top to promote secure gripping of your feet and added control. It features high-quality, gravity-cast aluminum, top-mounted Paris style trucks that are both sturdy and reliable. This board measures 27.5” L x 7.5” W.
Keep in mind there have been some concerns over the long-term durability of the board, and since it doesn’t come with a warranty, this is definitely something to think about. Also, there are not as many design options to choose from compared to other boards.
- 6-ply Canadian maple deck construction
- Gravity-cast aluminum Paris-style trucks
- Kingpin angle of 55 degrees
- Measures 27.5” x 7.5”
- Brand Magneto
- Model Mini Cruiser
Super lightweight and portable
Double kicktail design for doing tricks
Classic natural looking finish with bold graphics
Some concern over the long term durability of the board itself
No warranty
Not a lot of design options to choose from
This board arrives fully assembled and measures 31-inches long and 8-inches wide. It’s composed of seven layers of beautiful Canadian maple wood with your choice of three fun and vibrant designs. It’s rated to support up to 220 pounds, making it a great option for kids or adults alike. This cruiser board is equipped with durable, tear-resistant 78A polyurethane wheels that offer a smoother and more forgiving ride. It also features 5-inch aluminum alloy trucks, steel ABEC-7 bearings, and soft PU bushings to add to the board’s overall comfort and speed. It has a fun double kicktail concave design with a swallowtail kicktail on the backside that promotes easy and convenient braking.
Although this value pick is a reliable cruiser skateboard, keep in mind that it is heavier than some other models. Also, the bearing set up can seem tight at first.
- 7-ply Canadian maple construction
- 5-inch aluminum alloy trucks
- 78A polyurethane wheels
- Steel ABEC-7 bearings
- Brand Beleev
- Model 5 pounds
Highly affordable
Stable bearings and trucks
Fun swallowtail kicktail for practicing tricks
Heavier than some models
Designs seem a little cheesy
Bearing set-up seems tight at first
This cruiser skateboard’s 44-inch longboard design is perfect for cruising around town. It’s constructed from seven layers of super flexible bamboo with a hardwood maple outer shell to give you a forgiving and stable ride. This board also features 7-inch aluminum alloy trucks with genuine ABEC 7 speed bearings for quiet and smooth rolling. It comes in a classic, natural design with bold graphics that will suit just about any style. Quest is proud to design and make nearly 100 percent of its own products, and it uses better components than a lot of board manufacturers. You will definitely notice the difference when you try this board out.
Before purchasing this board, one thing to consider is that its bigger size can be awkward for beginners and more challenging to do tricks on. It’s also heavier and less portable than many other models.
- 7-ply bamboo/maple construction
- 7-inch aluminum alloy trucks
- 44-inch longboard cruiser
- 70mm polyurethane wheels
- Brand Quest
- Model QT-NSC44C
- Weight 9.9 pounds
Super stable and smooth ride
Forgiving and springy deck
Classic, natural look
Bigger size can be awkward for beginners
Hard to do tricks on
Heavier and less portable than many other models
This cruiser skateboard is made from 6-ply rock maple with a 1-ply bamboo deck that provides stability and flexibility at the same time. This board is 28-inches long and 9-inches wide—a great size for beginners or more seasoned skaters. Weighing in at six pounds, it’s lightweight enough to easily carry anywhere, whether it’s through a store, on the bus, or the subway. It’s rated to support up to 220 pounds, making it a versatile board. It also features 7-inch aluminum alloy trucks, durable ABEC-9 bearings, and 70x51mm PU wheels to smoothly and securely get you where you need to go. We also like the fun retro design.
There have been some concerns with some boards getting scratched during shipping, so be sure to inspect your board upon arrival. Also, the sand grit grip is more aggressive on this board than on other models.
- 7-ply rock maple/bamboo combo deck
- 7-inch aluminum alloy trucks
- 28 inches long and 9 inches wide
- Supports up to 220 pounds of weight
- Brand Sanview
- Model Insect
- Weight 6.1 pounds
Flexible and stable ride
Kicktail for practicing tricks
Affordable price point
Some concern over boards arriving scratched
Sand grit grip is more aggressive than on some other models
Limited styles and color options
This cruiser skateboard is made of an injection-molded, highly flexible, and super durable plastic modeled after the classic 70’s style street cruisers. It measures 22.5 x 6 inches, making it a fun and easily portable mini cruiser. This board is equipped with ultra-smooth gliding and super flexible polyurethane casted wheels, and lightweight and precise ABEC-7 carbon wheel bearings for a high-speed yet uber-comfortable ride. Weighing less than four pounds, this is one of the lightest, most compact cruiser boards on our list. Best of all, it comes in various colors, and it’s strong enough to support up to 220 pounds.
While many might appreciate its compact size, its size may also make it harder to control than larger models—larger individuals may not feel safe or supported on this board. Also, the board’s single kicktail limits the number of tricks you can do.
- 22 x 6 inch board
- Constructed from super durable injection-molded plastic
- Weight limit of 220 pounds
- Single kicktail design
- Brand Retrospec
- Model Quip
- Weight 4.5 pounds
Super lightweight and compact
Available in lots of fun colors
Constructed from super durable, yet very flexible material
Compact size may make it harder to control than larger models
Single kicktail limits the amount of tricks you can do
Larger individuals may not feel safe or supported on this board
This board offers the ultimate stability, making it an excellent choice for the beginner rider or the larger and taller rider who doesn’t feel adequately supported on a smaller cruising board. It measures 30.5 inches long and 9.75 inches wide, making it the largest board on our list. Its deck is also constructed from an impressive eight layers of maple wood to provide a sturdy and secure cruising experience. It’s equipped with a single kicktail to make it easier to control and quick to brake when you need to. Set on 65x51mm poured polyurethane wheels with carbon steel ABEC-5 bearings, 88A urethane bushings, and heavy-duty 6-inch aluminum trucks with 12mm angled riser pads, this cruiser can provide a super smooth and stable ride.
Because of this board’s wheel base width, it has a wide turning radius. Also, it has a stiffer wheel bearing compared to some smaller cruising boards.
- 30.5 x 9.75 inch 8-ply maple wood deck
- 6-inch aluminum trucks
- 65x51mm poured polyurethane wheels
- Carbon steel ABEC-5 bearings
- Brand Kryptonics
- Model Super Fat
Super stable
Great for taking pets around town
Heavy-duty construction is durable and rugged
Wide turning radius due to width of wheel base
Stiff wheel bearings compared with some smaller cruising boards
Takes more effort to push than some smaller, lighter models
Best Cruiser Skateboards Buying Guide & FAQ
With such a wide range of styles, sizes, and prices, the market for cruising skateboards can seem overwhelming. Some are short, skinny, and super fast, while others are much longer, wider, and provide a more comfortable, slower ride. When deciding which one is right for you, there are a few key features to look for.
Now that you’ve seen some of our top picks for great cruising skateboards, our handy and comprehensive buying guide is here to outline what you need to be looking for when purchasing a high-quality, reliable skateboard.
What to Consider When Buying a Cruiser Skateboard
The first thing to be aware of when selecting the cruiser skateboard that’s ideal for you is the skateboard deck construction and size: this can vary widely based on the type of board you’re looking at. A good quality mini-cruiser might come with a super durable and flexible injection-molded plastic deck that is super narrow. In contrast, other cruising boards will come with 7-9 layers of maple wood or a combination of maple and bamboo, or even fiberglass construction that will determine how stiff or flexible the deck is while riding.
The next thing to consider is the construction, set-up, and size of the trucks that your board is mounted on. Trucks dictate how your board grinds and turns—good quality trucks will be made out of rust-resistant and strong aluminum alloy or some other metal. The width of the deck will determine the trucks’ axle widths. Avoid plastic trucks, as they’re cheap and unreliable.
Wheels are another essential component to check when buying a high-quality cruising board. They’re made from hard but rubber polyurethane, allowing them to absorb small vibrations while still being strong enough to roll over small pebbles and gravel without being damaged. How hard or soft they are will depend on where you plan to ride—choose a harder wheel if you’re planning on only riding on smooth, hard surfaces, like a skatepark. If you’re looking to use your board on rougher surfaces, like roads, sidewalks, and parking lots, go with something softer. Larger wheels let you go faster, while smaller wheels help you go slower and have more control, and are better for doing tricks on. Avoid plastic wheels.
- Be sure to look for polyurethane bushings instead of plastic ones to ensure a safe ride.
- While colored grip tape is fun, black grip tape tends to be more durable and longer-lasting.
- Allen key hardware also tends to be more substantial and longer-lasting than Phillips head hardware.
Popular Types of Cruiser Skateboards
As you’ve probably noticed, and as we’ve mentioned a few times already, the term “cruiser skateboard” encompasses a wide variety of board styles, sizes, and make-ups. The best board for you depends on how you plan to use it, your skillset, comfort level, and body weight and size. Let’s see which one might suit you best.
Top Mount Cruiser
This type of cruiser skateboard is the most common and features a traditional set-up in which the deck of the board is top-mounted on the trucks. It’s ideal for newer riders hoping to learn the basics on a straightforward and forgiving board.
These boards’ decks come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and constructions, with features like different amounts of flex, kicktails, and different nose configurations. The best way to narrow down which kind of top-mount cruiser you want is to just head to your local board shop and try some different ones on for size.
Drop Deck Cruiser
A drop deck board is designed with a lower center of gravity and is more stable and easier to push. Drop decks are further broken down into three separate styles: a standard drop deck features the deck mounted on top of the trucks, like in a top mount cruiser, but the deck itself drops down to be lower for less height and more control.
A drop through deck means the truck is actually dropped through a mounting hole in the deck itself to provide a slightly lower center of gravity but still give you a flexible and bouncy ride. Finally, the double drop deck is the lowest of the three, giving you a very low center of gravity that requires almost no effort to push at all.
Surf Skate Cruiser
As the name implies, this type of cruiser is an excellent option for surfers who skate or skaters who surf. It utilizes a unique pivoting truck setup that allows the board to pump, carve, and wiggle, similar to how a surfboard does on the ocean. These board options are great cross-trainers for surfers who can’t get in the water as often as they want.
With a truck system that’s so flexible and agile, the deck’s size becomes a big player in dictating the board’s overall performance. Longer decks tend to give a slower, floatier carve, while shorter decks allow you to get a snappy, quicker carve.
Mini Cruiser
These super compact and skinny cruisers were all the rage in the ’70s. They can have decks made from wood, but most commonly, they’re constructed from super rugged and flexible blow-molded plastic in a wide variety of colors. Also known as penny boards, these boards are usually under 32-inches in length and offer a super tight turning radius and an incredibly responsive ride. They’re great for rocking around campus or running to the store.
While these boards are usually rated to support up to 220 pounds, their narrow and short decks make them tough to use for riders who have larger feet or are very tall and broad—the bigger you are, the harder this board will be to control.
Filmer or Old School Cruiser
These boards are the original, top-mounted boards with small wheels and wide trucks capable of rolling over the toughest of terrains. They offer a butter smooth roll and a stable, low-to-the-ground deck that’s easy to propel and will go far between pushes.
Best Cruiser Skateboards FAQs:
You might still have some lingering questions surrounding the cruiser skateboard. Whether you’re unsure how the ride is, or if you’re wondering how they compare to other boards, we have the answers to your questions below.
A good cruiser skateboard will be compact and lightweight enough to carry around easily either on the bus, subway, or into a building without being overly cumbersome. Quality cruiser skateboards are set up and configured in such a way as to give you a super comfortable and forgiving ride that’s easy to control and great for going shorter distances.
This all depends on what you’re using the board for; if you’re looking to get out in nature and travel far, a longboard provides a very stable and smooth ride over long distances. Cruiser skateboards are a better choice for people who want to travel short distances quickly and bring their board with them wherever they go.
Cruisers tend to be the better type of skateboard for beginners. Skateboards are designed for practicing tricks and skills, and as such, they have stiffer decks and harder wheels, and a more responsive truck set-up. Cruiser skateboards have softer, larger wheels for easy and smooth propelling over rougher surfaces and more flexible decks that are more forgiving.
Our Top Pick
After reading through our buying guide, it’s easy to see why we chose the Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboard as our top pick for the best overall cruiser skateboard. It’s got it all in terms of design, functionality, quality, and price. It’s a portable yet substantially made board designed not only to be fun to ride but also easy to carry with you on the go. It’s a great choice if you like to skate everywhere.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’re well versed in cruiser skateboard options and culture, you can make your final decision. Whether it’s the Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboard, the Beleev Cruiser Skateboard, or something completely different, any of these cruiser skateboards will be an excellent option.
Sources:
- Longboard – Wikipedia
