Everyone can agree that longboarding is a cool sport. But it is no secret that it is also an extreme and, at times, very dangerous sport. This is why even professional longboarders make sure that every time they are out boarding and doing their insane tricks, their bodies are well protected by their many gears.
Should I Wear a Helmet While Longboarding?
Helmets are one of the most essential protective longboarding gears. Since it is a high-intensity sport, it follows that it involves substantial risks of injury.
If you are on the lookout for the perfect helmet, here are the three categories to choose from depending on your longboarding activities:
- Standard Skateboarding Helmet: This is the helmet most boarders use. While it is lightweight and provides protection for your head, it will not protect your face, jaw, or eyes during a fall.
- Full Face Longboard Helmet: As stated in its name, this helmet provides full-face protection. Because it has a full-face visor, boarders can still have a clear view of their path even when they are longboarding at great speeds . This is best used for downhill longboarding.
- DOT or SNELL Helmets: These are helmets that are approved and certified by the Department of Transit and SNELL Memorial foundation. These are also often used by motorcycle and dirt bike enthusiasts because they offer the highest level of protection.
Whether you are a professional or a newbie, you should always wear a helmet to protect your head and to prevent potential severe brain injury.
What Are the Best Shoes for Longboarding?
While a longboarding outfit is pretty easygoing, you should probably spend a little more thought on choosing your shoes. Since activity essentially depends on the movement of your feet, you should choose shoes that would allow for wear.
Here are some features to check if you are going to buy a new pair of skate shoes:
- Thick and flat rubber outsoles
- Durable upper material preferably made of suede, canvas, or rubber
- Has to be at least double stitched for strength
- Provides good ankle and heel support
- Roomy and comfortable interior
- Soft and has a polyurethane padding insole
Are Vans Good for Longboarding?
Vans shoes are one of the most famous skating and longboarding shoes. Although they were not originally made to be skate shoes, the company eventually decided to dedicate the brand to designing skate shoes. However, not all Van shoes are good for serious longboarding.
If you’re eyeing this brand, make sure to choose the pro model. They would offer more flexibility, heel, and arc support, and they were designed to have a special insole cushioning system called the ULTRACUSH. Aside from that, the pro model has waffle thread outsoles that will help you stick to your board while also allowing you to move around in and out your board comfortably.
Some of the best Vans shoes for longboarding include:
- Vans Unisex Authentic Canvas Shoes
- Vans Pro Skate Collection:
- Vans Old Skool Unisex Shoes
- Vans sk8-HI Skate Shoes
- Vans Authentic Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans Slip-On Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans Rowan Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans Half Cab Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans Era Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans AVE Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans Berle Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans Epoch Sport Pro Skates Shoes
- Vans Gilbert Crockett Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans Saddle Sid Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans Kyle Walker Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans TNT Advanced Prototype Skate Shoes
- Vans Chukka Pro Skate Shoes
- Vans Chima Pro 2 Skate Shoes
Are Converse Good for Longboarding?
Like Vans, Converse shoes are known to be a classics choice for longboarding. However, you should also be particular about the styles you buy because not all Converse shoes are made for skateboarding or longboarding.
The Converse CONS is a line that the shoe company designed specifically for the skateboarding population. The line features the CONS Traction Rubber, a rubber backing and sole technology that can only be found in the shoes under this line. These special rubber soles offer superior grip, flexibility, and durability.
The shoes under the CONS line also have special insole cushioning that is far more comfortable than your regular Chuck Taylor All-Stars. The CONS line also offers features including rubber toecap, elasticated tongue, and ankle support.
Can Longboarders Wear Thrasher?
Longboarders can definitely wear Thrasher. Actually, longboarders and skaters can wear whatever they want.
Thrasher started out as a magazine wholly about and for skateboarding. As it gained popularity, the company decided to produce merch like clothes along with other items and memorabilia. People who bought and owned these merch wore them like a declaration that they were proud members of the skate culture.
Clothes should have been a non-issue in the skateboarding world but in the past, people who were not serious boarders have been called posers for donning clothes from the clothing line. More recently, people are calling out these gatekeepers to let people wear Thrasher merch, skaters or not.
Can You Longboard in Sandals?
It is not advisable to wear sandals while longboarding. While you can probably cruise, it will not be comfortable, and you will probably end up with chaffed skin.
If you want to be serious with the activity, it’s best that you buy yourself a new pair of skate shoes. Proper footwear is one of the keys to your longboarding success. And while you’re at it, avoid flip-flops at all cost!
What Are Longboard Gloves for?
Longboard gloves were made to protect your precious hands as you slide through the pavement when you are cruising downhill. While sliding, your hands will be dragged across the pavement to help you navigate through sharp turns and quick turns.
There are different longboard gloves depending on your skill level and the difficulty of the downhill slide. They are also made of different materials (mesh, wicking fabric, leather, and kevlar), different features (anti-vibration, carbon fiber knuckle guards, and terry thumb panel), and styles to fit your personality.
Whether you are a pro or a noob, you may want to get ahold of a pair of gloves to ensure your protection and safety during any ride.
How Do You Use Longboard Gloves?
As you cruise downhill, the proper sliding technique has to be done with the help of your slide glove. All slide gloves will be equipped with a palm puck, also referred to as a sliding puck, and this will protect your hands. The palm puck has to be safely placed toward the heel of your hand.
Here’s how to use your gloves while sliding:
- As you are nearing a slide and making either a left or right turn, grab the opposite side of your longboard and crouch down.
- Put your slide gloves on the cement making sure that you are applying pressure on the bottom of your hand and make the turn.
- Do not put your hands too far out or too close to the board.
Make sure that your puck is towards the heel of your hand and not directly in the center because this will cause you to grasp the puck, dragging your fingers in the process.
How Do You Make Longboard Slide Gloves?
Although there are a lot of brands of slide gloves in the market nowadays, you can DIY your own slide gloves in the comfort of your home. After all, the first pair of slide gloves were made from regular gardening gloves with cutting boards glued to them.
Here’s how you can do it too:
Step 1: Decide on what you will use your glove for. Will you be using it for crazy slide or just casual slides? You have to decide so you can get the best material for the job.
Step 2: Decide the layout for your Velcro. You have to decide on the placement of the Velcro on the underside of the gloves, wherein the puck will be attached.
Step 3: Sew in the Velcro. Take your time to make a nice and proper stitch on the side in which you will be sewing in the Velcro. If you are not confident with your thread and needle skills, ask someone else to do it.
Step 4: Make your pucks. There is no standard shape for your pucks so you can do whatever shape you want as long as you measure the palm puck and the finger pucks correctly.
Step 5: Attach the other pair of Velcro onto your puck. Glue in or attach the other side of the Velcro to one side of your pucks.
Step 6: Stick the Velcro together. Attach the Velcro sewn in your gloves and the Velcro attached to your puck together to complete your slide gloves.
Enjoy sliding!
