THE BEST CRUISER SKATEBOARDS - 6 QUICK SUGGESTIONS
Here's why you should buy a skateboard!
- Landyachtz Dinghy
- Lush Fuel
- Landyachtz Tugboat
- Landyachtz Dinghy Blunt
- Loaded Omakase Short Longboard
- Lush Nomad
If you want to know more, here's a list of the questions we get asked the most by skaters like you!
- What is a cruiser skateboard?
- Are cruisers easier to ride than skateboards?
- Should I get a cruiser board with a kicktail or without?
- What about Penny Boards?
- Does cruiser wheel size make a difference?
- Are mini cruisers good for beginners?
- Should I get a longboard or a mini cruiser?
- What size cruiser board should I get?
Landyachtz Dinghy
Available in a slew of different graphics, the Landyachtz Dinghy is the benchmark mini-cruiser by which all others are measured.
There are a few different shapes of Dinghy. To make things easier to understand, we've grouped them into two categories - Dinghy Classics (under 8.5"), and Dinghy Blunts (8.5"+). If you have bigger feet, maybe check out the Dinghy Blunt lineup instead of the Dinghy Classic.
The shapes we're talking about here are:
>Dinghy Classic - 28.5" x 8", 14.6" Wheelbase
>Dinghy Coffin - 28.2" x 8.3", 14.5" Wheelbase
The deck
The Landyachtz Dinghy range are all pressed from Canadian Maple, they all feature a solid kicktail and a smaller nose, and wheelwells to keep wheel bite at bay. If you're used to a regular popsicle skateboard, the Dinghy will feel instantly familiar under your feet. Landyachtz are known for high-quality wood, and the Dinghy lineup is no exception.
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
Like all Landyachtz boards, the Dinghy Classics are set up with full aftermarket wheels, trucks and bearings by Hawgs Wheels and Bear Trucks and bearings. The Hawgs Fatties are spot on at 63mm, and feature a nice wide footprint for a bit more stability, rollover and grip. Bear Trucks are a primo cruiser truck, all you really need on a board like this, and Bear's built-in bearings finish the package off. No corners cut here!
How does it ride?
The Landyachtz Dinghy Classic is a great choice for younger skaters, smaller adults, or those who prefer a super-small, light, carryable and nippy setup for getting around on. Slightly bigger than a Penny, they're a lot more skateable and a great example of how a complete cruiser board can be more than the sum of its parts. If you're in the market for a smaller mini-cruiser, you can't go wrong with a Dinghy!
| The Landyachtz Dinghy is good because... | A Landyachtz Dinghy might not be right for you because... |
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Lush Fuel
The Fuel is a really nice, slightly larger cruiserboard, aimed at kids and smaller adults.
The deck
The Lush Fuel is only 0.5" longer than the D-Street Atlas, but it feels much bigger than that underfoot as it has a flat nose and wider, fuller shape. A longer wheelbase and mellow concave create a more fogiving ride compared to a lot of other boards this length, and a proper skateboard kicktail make this a fully functional cruiser skateboard if ollies are your thing. Wheel wells and a classy woodgrain graphic finish the deck off.
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
Like a lot of Lush boards, the Fuel is available in two build options, so you can choose to suit your budget. Both the Pro and Elite setups are stacked out with aftermarket parts from Cult Wheels and Sabre Trucks.
The Elite build is rolling on the legendary Cult Chronicle wheels, which at 65mm are a little bigger than wheels you would usually find on boards this size. This creates a faster top speed and better rollover, eating rougher surfaces for breakfast. Spinning on Sabre's Built-In Labyrinth Bearings for a maintenance-free, super fast ride, this is a premium mini-cruiser setup and no mistake. Sabre's capable Street Trucks do the turning, specced with Sabre's own aftermarket bushings for deep carves and a responsive turn.
Like the Elite, the Pro Fuel build is turning on Sabre trucks and bushings, but to keep the price down Lush have specced cheaper ABEC5 metal-shielded bearings and smaller Cult Nova wheels. Poured from the same urethane as the Chronicle, just a little smaller, they're a great little cruiser wheel.
How does it ride?
This is a great option if you want to keep the ultra-portability of a smaller mini cruiser, but want a little more room for your feet. The fuller shape and slightly longer wheelbase give a more forgiving ride than a lot of other boards this size, making it perfect for beginners.
| The Lush Fuel is good because... | A Lush Fuel might not be right for you because... |
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Landyachtz Tugboat
Among the bigger cruisers that Landyachtz make, the Tugboat is a really solid choice for adults looking for a cruiser board. In fact, we'd suggest that this probably suits most skaters at any level better than a Dinghy or a Dinghy Blunt.
The deck
Tugboats are basically slightly bigger Dinghies. The shape comes in at a foot-friendly 30x9," and the slightly longer 15" wheelbase is really the sweet spot for cruiser dimensions in our opinion. A proper tail and smaller nose make the Tugboat super easy to chuck around, and it's pressed from 100% Canadian maple like all Landyachtz decks.
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
The Tugboat comes with slightly wider Bear 155mm trucks, just the same as the Bears that you'll find on a regular Dinghy, but wider to perfectly match the deck width. Landyachtz even wedge the front truck with an angled riser to give a "split angle," giving a faster turn from the front like a slalom board or surf skate. Easy Hawgs 60mm wheels and Bear "Spaceball" bulit in bearings finish the package off, this is a quality ride and no mistake.
How does it ride?
We love the Tugboat!! Small enough to be very portable, but just a little more space for your feet than a smaller Dinghy, it's a great choice for all kinds of cruising. The usual Landyachtz quality is evident, with attention to detail that you just don't see from other brands. This is probably our favourite in the whole Landyachtz lineup - we think you'll love it!
| The Landyachtz Tugboat is good because... | A Landyachtz Tugboat might not be right for you because... |
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Landyachtz Dinghy Blunt
The smaller of Landyachtz two cruiser sizes (the other being the larger Tugboat), the Dinghy Blunt is a quality premium cruiser board for all ages. This is the Dinghy Blunt, which is a little wider than a Dinghy Classic, so well suited to skaters with slightly bigger feet.
The deck
Landyachtz are Canadian, so this is 100% Canadian Maple. A solid feeling deck, with a good bit of space, wheel wells and a decent tail, the Dingy has everything you need in a cruiser deck. Landyachtz design their own concaves, and the Dingy has a very mild 3D profile, elimitating wheelbite and creating a very ergonomic ride.
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
Built with solid aftermarket Bear Trucks and Hawgs Wheels, this is a quality board and no mistake. The bearings are Bear's "Spaceballs," with a rubber shield for easy cleaning. A premium setup!
How does it ride?
The Dingy Blunt is very popular, with good reason... it's a very well thought out complete, clearly designed by skaters looking for perfection in their product. It's not the cheapest cruiser board out there, but when you consider that it's a custom concave with all aftermarket components, it's hella good value.
| The Landyachtz Dinghy Blunt is good because... | A Landyachtz Dinghy Blunt might not be right for you because... |
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Loaded Omakase Short Longboard
At 33.5"x10", the Loaded Boards Omakase is almost a "mini longboard" rather than a regular cruiser board. Or maybe it's a "cruiser for longboarders." Either way, this board has some distinct advantages over other cruiser boards and is worth a look.
The deck
The Omakase has a composite/bamboo construction that wouldn't be out of place on one of Loaded's full sized longboards. It's a real step away from the maple used in other cruiser boards - lighter, flexier, and springier. Loaded have pressed in a mild rocker concave and a mellow kick to give a very comfortable and ergonomic ride - budget cruiser deck this is definitely not!
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
The Omakase has a longer wheelbase than all the other boards on this list, so it works with (RKP) longboard trucks as well as (TKP) traditional street trucks. So we offer two setup possibilities - one with Sabre aftermarket street trucks, and one with Sabre longboard trucks. Cult Wheels and Sabre bearings finish the package off - this is a fully premium custom complete!
How does it ride?
We think this is very close to the "sweet spot" between a cruiser board and a longboard. Cruisers can be a bit small for beginners - the Omakase has a little more space and stability. Longboards can be a bit big for some skaters - the Omakase is nice and compact. It's a little different to the other cruiserboards here, but if you can get your head round it and your pockets are deep enough, the Omakase might just be exactly what you are looking for.
| The Loaded Omakase Short Longboard is good because... | A Loaded Omakase Short Longboard might not be right for you because... |
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Lush Nomad
The Lush Nomad is the adult's version of the smaller Fuel mini cruiser. At 30x9.125" it's a full-sized cruiser board, perfect for most skaters looking for a cruiser setup.
The deck
Lush are really, really good at making boards that feel nice when you stand on them. This may sound self-evident, but board feel is very important if you're going to be skating a lot.
The Nomad, like the smaller Fuel, has no kicknose. This is a bit different to similar sized shapes by other brands, and it has the effect of creating a bigger standing platform and mellowing the concave.
The resulting shape is very mellow and "flat" feeling, with more space than you might expect from a board this size. A bit less aggressive than a Tugboat or Sizzler, you might find it better suited to pure cruising than other concaves out there.
The Nomad comes in three variations - the "Puffins" is straight up Canadian Maple in the original shape. The "Surf" is the same dimensions as the original, but features a swallowtail and surfy nose for a different feel. The "Gazer" is the same original shape, but pressed from Bamboo and Fibreglass - lighter and more sustainable.
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
Like all Lush boards, you can choose your setup to suit your budget. All completes feature Sabre Trucks and Cult Wheels, and if you step up to the Elite you're treated to Sabre Built In Labyrinth bearings and high-grade Cult urethane too. Given the price - we'd recommend the Elite is well worth the extra!
How does it ride?
The Nomad is a little different to other cruisers out there - it feels a little roomier, and the flat feel makes it a bit more suited to longer distances. A decent aftermarket setup makes this board steaming value... well worth a look!
| The Lush Nomad is good because... | A Lush Nomad might not be right for you because... |
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What is a cruiser skateboard?
Cruiser boards are around the size of a regular skateboard, but with bigger, softer wheels, and turny trucks. They're not designed so much for tricks like regular boards are, but instead they're meant for commuting and just cruising around.
Are cruisers easier to ride than skateboards?
Cruisers are a little more forgiving than regular skateboards - they're easier to push, roll faster, turn more and have a more cushioned ride. They are often a little wider with a slightly longer wheelbase too, which makes them more predictable and roomy underfoot.
Should I get a cruiser board with a kicktail or without?
Most cruiser boards have kicktails, but some don't. Get a board with a tail if you want to ollie and kickturn. Get a cruiser without if you want a little more stability and space to stand - boards without tails have longer wheelbases which gives more footspace and mellower turning characteristics.
What about Penny Boards?
Plastic cruisers like Penny boards are not as nice to skate as traditional wooden decks in our opinion. Plastic boards have no concave at all, which makes them a lot less secure to stand on, they're less durable and often come specced with crappy trucks and wheels too. We stopped making skateboards out of plastic in the early eighties for a reason...!
Does cruiser wheel size make a difference?
Go for the biggest wheels you can without getting wheelbite! Big wheels roll over rough surfaces way better, which means that your board will be easier to push and roll further. We think 60-65mm is about right for a cruiser - bigger than that and the ride height starts getting a bit much.
Here is a list of cruiser board wheels that'll work on most cruiser setups.
Are mini cruisers good for beginners?
Cruiser boards are perfect for learning the basics of skateboarding! You need to be able to push, stop, kickturn, tictac and turn with confidence before moving on to ollies and flips - and a cruiser board is as good as, or better than a regular skateboard at all of those things.
Should I get a longboard or a mini cruiser?
If you're a total beginner, there's no doubt that a longboard is easier to skate and get started on than a cruiser board. Yes, longboards are bigger and heavier to carry around, but they have a lot more room to stand on and are therefore a lot easier to get the hang of!
Mini cruisers and cruiser boards can be suprisingly difficuly to ride at first, as they are generally very responsive. That being said, if you can already pop an ollie then you'll appreciate the kicktail on a cruiser board
Consider your environment, too...
Longboards are faster and more comfortable for longer distances, but in tight, busy urban spaces a cruiser board can be a bit easier to deal with. For example, if you are buying a board to cruise along the seafront with your mates, get a longboard. If your daily commute conists of skating a few hundred meters to the bus stop, a cruiser board would probably be be more suitable.
A good alternative to a cruiser board is a small longboard, which are a little bigger than cruiser boards but without the bulk and weight of a full-sized longboard. So they're easier to skate, but not so big that carrying on the bus becomes tricky. Worth checking out if you're feeling that a 32" cruiser might be a bit small!
Check out our longboard for beginners guide for more!
What size cruiser board should I get?
You can match your height and shoe size to a board size with good results. Shorter boards are better for smaller skaters, longer boards are better for taller. Choose a wider board for bigger feet, and a narrower board for smaller. Check out ourguide on choosing the right board sizefor more!
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