Ever dreamed of cruising down the street with the wind in your hair, feeling like you’re flying? Longboards offer that awesome feeling! But not all longboards are the same. Today, we’re talking about a special kind: kicktail longboards.
Choosing the right kicktail longboard can be tricky. You see so many boards, and it’s hard to know which one is best for you. Do you want to pop off curbs? Or maybe just carve smooth turns? It can get confusing trying to figure out what features matter most.
This blog post is here to help! We’ll break down what makes a kicktail longboard awesome and how to pick the perfect one for your adventures. You’ll learn about different shapes, sizes, and what they’re good for. By the end, you’ll feel confident in finding a board that lets you shred and have tons of fun!
Our Top 5 Kicktail Longboards Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Kicktail Longboards Detailed Reviews
1. Magneto Kicktail Cruiser Longboard Skateboard – 44″ x 9″
Rating: 8.9/10
Get ready to cruise in style with the Magneto Kicktail Cruiser Longboard. This 44-inch longboard, in a cool blue color, is inspired by the laid-back California skater scene. Its bamboo deck and big 70mm wheels make for a super smooth ride, perfect for zipping around town or along the beach. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been skating for years, this board is built for fun and adventure.
What We Like:
- California Skater Vibes: It looks and feels like a true SoCal cruiser.
- Smooth Ride Wheels: The 70mm, 78A soft urethane wheels eat up bumps and cracks, giving you a really smooth ride.
- Versatile Cruiser Board: It works great for beginners and experienced riders, letting you carve and cruise with ease.
- Stylish Bamboo Deck: The bamboo and maple deck is strong, looks awesome, and the sand grit finish gives you good grip.
- Adventure Ready Longboard: This board is your ticket to exploring parks, paths, and anywhere else your feet take you.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the grip tape is good, some riders might prefer a coarser grit for more aggressive riding.
- The kicktail is great for quick turns, but it’s not designed for advanced tricks like ollies.
This Magneto Kicktail Cruiser is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a fun and stylish way to get around. It’s an awesome alternative to other modes of transport and promises hours of enjoyment.
2. Magneto High Profile Longboard Skateboard – 44 in
Rating: 8.7/10
Get ready to cruise in style with the Magneto High Profile Longboard Skateboard! This 44-inch red longboard brings a touch of California cool to your ride, whether you’re dancing on the deck or just enjoying a smooth journey. It’s built for fun for everyone, from teens to adults, and promises an awesome time on four wheels.
What We Like:
- It’s perfect for longboard dancing and just cruising around town.
- The 70mm 78A wheels roll over bumps and cracks like a dream, making your ride super smooth.
- This 44-inch board is a great size for both teenagers and adults, so anyone can enjoy it.
- It has a strong wooden deck and tough aluminum trucks, so it’s built to last.
- The sand grit top gives you a good grip, and the cool design looks awesome.
- It’s great for getting around the city or exploring parks, fitting right into an active life.
What Could Be Improved:
- The red color might show scuffs easily over time.
- While it’s versatile, advanced trick skaters might want a different board shape.
This Magneto longboard is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a fun, reliable, and stylish way to get around. Grab yours and hit the pavement!
3. Magneto 44-inch Kicktail Cruiser Longboard Skateboard – Bamboo & Canadian Maple Deck – Ideal for Commuting
Rating: 8.8/10
Ready for some awesome outdoor fun? The Magneto 44-inch Kicktail Cruiser Longboard Skateboard is your new best friend for cruising around town, hitting the skate park, or just enjoying a sunny day. Its cool black design looks sharp, and it’s built tough for all sorts of adventures.
What We Like:
- The deck is made of strong bamboo and maple, making it super durable and beautiful.
- You don’t need grip tape! The sand grit finish gives you great grip and shows off the cool bamboo design.
- It’s perfect for lots of activities like commuting, carving, and even land paddleboarding.
- The gravity cast aluminum trucks are strong and built to last.
- SHR bushings make your ride smooth and comfortable.
- This board is great for everyone – adults, teens, and kids.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the sand grit finish is cool, it might wear down over time with very heavy use.
- The “medium stiffness” bushings might feel a little too stiff for very lightweight riders or too soft for very heavy riders, requiring a potential bushing swap for a perfect personalized feel.
This longboard offers a fantastic blend of style and performance for a wide range of skaters. Get ready to roll and explore with the Magneto 44-inch Cruiser!
4. Sector 9 Eden Island 34″ Kicktail Longboard
Rating: 8.9/10
The Sector 9 Eden Island 34″ Kicktail Longboard is a fantastic ride for cruising and carving. Its unique blend of bamboo and maple gives it a lively feel, while the kicktail design lets you pop off curbs and make quick turns. The beautiful artwork by Kenny Vidinich makes this board a real head-turner.
What We Like:
- The hybrid construction of bamboo and maple makes the board both strong and flexible.
- The caramelized bamboo top ply looks amazing and feels smooth under your feet.
- The kicktail design makes it super fun for tricks and navigating tight spots.
- The black dipped tail adds a cool, classic look and protects the board’s end.
- Kenny Vidinich’s artwork is eye-catching and adds a unique artistic touch.
What Could Be Improved:
- The deck might be a bit too flexible for heavier riders looking for a super stiff board.
- The artwork, while beautiful, could potentially scratch or wear down with aggressive use.
If you’re searching for a stylish and fun longboard for your daily adventures, the Sector 9 Eden Island is a solid choice. It blends performance and art into one awesome package.
5. DB Longboards Wolf Prowler 37″ Longboard Complete
Rating: 8.9/10
Get ready to hit the streets with the DB Longboards Wolf Prowler 37″ Longboard Complete in Brown! This board brings back a classic DB design with a cool new wolf graphic. It’s made from strong maple wood, and the wolf is even burned right into the wood with a laser! This longboard is built for cruising and has a kicktail that makes it fun to ride. The shape of the deck holds your feet nicely, so you can cruise around, do some light free riding, or even tackle some small downhill slopes.
What We Like:
- The wolf graphic looks awesome and is laser-engraved for a cool touch.
- The W-shaped concave and rocker keep your feet secure and comfortable.
- It’s a versatile board that’s great for cruising and can handle a bit of freeride and downhill.
- The complete setup comes with everything you need to start riding right away.
- Atlas trucks and Cloud Ride wheels offer a smooth and reliable ride.
- DB Longboards is inspired by the awesome nature of the Northwest.
- They aim to make the best longboards and treat people well.
What Could Be Improved:
- While versatile, it might not be the absolute best for extreme downhill or technical freestyle.
- The “brown” color might be more of a natural wood finish, so check pictures for exact shade.
This Wolf Prowler is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a fun, stylish, and capable longboard. It’s ready for adventure right out of the box.
Choosing Your Perfect Kicktail Longboard
Longboards are awesome for cruising, carving, and even a little bit of dancing. But have you ever seen a longboard with a curved-up tail? That’s a kicktail longboard! This little bit of upward curve makes a big difference. It adds fun and versatility to your ride. This guide will help you pick the right one for you.
What Makes a Kicktail Longboard Special?
A kicktail longboard has a tail that bends upwards, like a skateboard. This lets you pop the tail off the ground. You can do tricks, turn sharper, and even jump over small obstacles. It’s like having a longboard with superpowers!
Key Features to Look For
Deck Shape and Size
- Length: Longer decks (40+ inches) are more stable for cruising and downhill. Shorter decks (35-40 inches) are more nimble for tricks and carving.
- Width: Wider decks (9.5+ inches) offer more foot space and stability. Narrower decks are easier to maneuver.
- Kicktail Angle: A steeper kicktail allows for easier popping and more aggressive tricks. A gentler kicktail is better for casual riding.
- Concave: This is the curve across the deck. Deeper concave locks your feet in for better control during slides and tricks.
Trucks
- Trucks are the metal parts that hold the wheels.
- Width: Truck width should match your deck width for optimal stability.
- Bushings: These are rubbery parts that control how easily the trucks turn. Softer bushings make turning easier, while harder bushings offer more stability.
Wheels
- Diameter: Larger wheels roll over cracks and rough surfaces more easily. Smaller wheels are lighter and accelerate faster.
- Durometer (Hardness): Softer wheels (78a-85a) offer more grip and a smoother ride on rough ground. Harder wheels (86a-99a+) are better for sliding and smoother surfaces.
Important Materials
Most longboard decks are made from different types of wood. Maple is very popular because it’s strong and flexible. Some decks also have layers of fiberglass or carbon fiber for extra strength and lightness. The trucks are usually made of aluminum. Wheels are made of polyurethane, a tough plastic.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality Boosters
- Good Wood: High-quality maple layers make a durable and responsive deck.
- Strong Trucks: Well-made aluminum trucks won’t bend or break easily.
- Smooth Bearings: Good bearings make your wheels spin faster and longer.
- Solid Construction: Look for decks with no delamination (layers peeling apart) or cracks.
Quality Reducers
- Cheap Wood: Lower-quality wood can warp or break.
- Weak Trucks: Poorly made trucks can affect your ride and safety.
- Rough Bearings: Gritty bearings will slow you down.
- Poor Assembly: If parts aren’t put together well, the board won’t perform as it should.
User Experience and Use Cases
Kicktail longboards are super fun for many things. Beginners can use them to learn basic cruising and turning. More experienced riders can use the kicktail for:
- Carving: Making smooth, S-shaped turns.
- Freestyle Tricks: Like shuvits and manuals.
- Dancing: Moving around on the board while it’s rolling.
- Getting Around Town: The kicktail makes it easy to pop over curbs.
If you want a board that’s more than just for rolling in a straight line, a kicktail longboard is a fantastic choice. It opens up a world of fun and new skills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a kicktail longboard?
A: A kicktail longboard is a longboard with a tail that curves upward, similar to a skateboard’s tail. This allows for tricks and easier maneuvering.
Q: Is a kicktail longboard good for beginners?
A: Yes, many kicktail longboards are great for beginners. They offer stability for cruising and the kicktail can help learn basic maneuvers.
Q: What is the best size kicktail longboard for me?
A: For cruising and stability, choose a longer board (40+ inches). For tricks and easier turning, a shorter board (35-40 inches) is better.
Q: How do I choose the right wheels?
A: For a smoother ride on rough surfaces, pick larger and softer wheels. For faster riding and sliding, choose smaller and harder wheels.
Q: What are trucks on a longboard?
A: Trucks are the metal T-shaped parts that attach the wheels to the deck. They allow the board to steer.
Q: What does “durometer” mean for wheels?
A: Durometer is a measure of how hard a wheel is. Lower numbers mean softer wheels, and higher numbers mean harder wheels.
Q: Can I do tricks on a kicktail longboard?
A: Absolutely! The kicktail is designed to help you pop the board and do various tricks like shuvits and manuals.
Q: What kind of riding is a kicktail longboard best for?
A: Kicktail longboards are excellent for carving, freestyle riding, dancing, and general cruising, especially in urban environments.
Q: How do I maintain my kicktail longboard?
A: Keep your deck dry, clean your bearings regularly, and check your trucks for tightness. Inspect for any damage.
Q: Where can I buy a good kicktail longboard?
A: You can find them at dedicated skate shops, sporting goods stores, and online retailers that specialize in longboards and skateboards.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
William has over three years of experience in building gazebos. He started AskGazebo.com to assist his clients.