What Is the Difference Between a Longboard and a Penny Board (and Which One Should I Get)?

A longboard and a penny board both have the same number of wheels and a platform, but that is where their similarities stop. Some of their glaring differences include size, shape, characteristics of the wheels, bearings, and trucks. Longboards are best for newbies but if you are a skilled boarder hoping to get better, then get a penny board.
What Is the Difference Between a Longboard and a Penny Board

Table of Contents

Skateboarding has been around for the longest time and it is still gaining popularity from the younger generation. The traditional skateboards are also getting upgrades in the forms of new types such as longboards and penny boards making it more ideal and better suited for the modern world.

Are Longboards or Penny Boards Better?

Longboards and penny boards both serve their purpose of transporting you from one place to another. One can’t just decide on which is better because they have very different qualities which make them unique.

Here is a table to compare their pros and cons.

PROS CONS
Longboards
  • Gives you the most comfortable and stable ride
  • Has bigger wheels so the rides are smoother
  • Has longer platform
  • Has more room for your feet
  • Very little learning curve
  • Best for cruising, downhill racing, sliding, dancing, long-distance riding, and transiting
  • Best for beginners
  • Heavier and larger
  • Very bulky
  • Not suitable for tricks
  • Can be hard to transport
  • Hard to ride on rough pavements with bumps and crack
  • Not advisable to use on wet or snow-covered roads and pavements
Penny Boards
  • Small, convenient, and portable
  • Good for commuting
  • Easier to transport
  • Made from highly durable material
  • Challenging for beginners
  • Smaller platform
  • Can fit both feet
  • Not suitable for tricks
  • Limited mobility
  • Limited purpose
  • Higher level of difficulty

Are Longboards Easier to Ride Than Penny Boards?

Longboards are definitely easier to ride than penny boards especially if you have never set foot on a skateboard before.

Longboards have bigger and longer platforms which make balancing easier. The shape and size of the platform also make it sturdier and more stable when you are first starting to move forward or backward

Longboards also give you ample room for both your feet which makes your first ride easier and more comfortable.

Are Penny Boards Faster Than Longboards?

Penny boards may be smaller, more compact, and more portable but longboards have them beat in terms of speed

Longboards have bigger wheels, and these are designed to keep you cruising way faster especially on downhill slopes. Longboard wheels are also made with better bearings which helps in rolling quicker and smoother. The bigger platforms on longboards also create more room for your feet elevating your pushing potential.

Should I Get a Longboard or a Penny Board?

The answer depends on your skills as a skateboarder. Although these two types both do their job of transporting you from point A to point B, one may be harder to handle than the other.

If you are just starting out, it is advisable to get a longboard. Since it has a bigger platform, it will offer you more area for your feet. It is also more stable so you can try standing and riding it with more ease. Longboards are also very sturdy because they are usually made from strong wood such as bamboo, maple, or oak.

If you happen to be an already skilled boarder, then by all means stash your old skateboard in the closet and get yourself a penny board. This would test your abilities better. They are also cheaper, more portable, and are made with extremely durable materials so toppling over will not be a problem.

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest