Best Longboard for Big Guys: Finding the Perfect Ride

Best Longboard for Big Guys:

1. Volador 42inch Freeride Longboard

• Brand: Volador
• Color: Banana
• Age Range (Description): For adults, youth, and kids above 5 years old
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Deck Length: 42 Inches
• Deck Width: 9 Inches
• Item Weight: 6.2 Pounds
• Material: Maple Wood
• Load Capacity: 200 Pounds
• Wheel Size: 70 Millimeters

One of the standout features of the Volador 42-Inch Freeride Longboard is its deck design. The avant-garde, drop-through arched camber concave deck provides excellent flex and shock absorption, ensuring a stable and comfortable ride. This design not only enhances the longboard’s performance but also contributes to its durability.

The deck is crafted from 8-ply hard maple wood and layered with non-toxic epoxy glue, making it both sturdy and environmentally friendly. This combination ensures the board is durable enough to handle heavier riders without compromising on performance.

The premium aluminum trucks are another highlight, featuring a corrosion-resistant body and adjustable reverse kingpins set at 45° or 50° angles. This adjustability allows for enhanced maneuverability, making it easier to navigate tight turns and maintain control.

The wheels and bearings of the Volador longboard further enhance the riding experience. With a hardness level of 78a, the wheels offer a perfect balance of speed and bounce, while the ABEC 9 bearings ensure a smooth and precise ride.

However, there is a minor quality issue with the board: the rubber on the baseplate was misaligned in the unit I received. While this is a fixable issue, it might be a concern for some users. Despite this, the Volador 42-Inch Freeride Longboard remains an excellent choice, especially for beginners, due to its impressive features and overall performance.

Pros:

• Drop-through camber concave shape with superior flex and shock absorption
• Made with non-toxic and durable materials
• Premium aluminum trucks with adjustable reverse kingpins for enhanced maneuverability
• Perfectly balanced 78a durometer wheels with ABEC 9 precision bearings

Cons:

• Misaligned rubber and baseplate

2. White Wave Bamboo Longboard

• Brand: White Wave
• Color: White
• Age Range (Description): Adult, Teens, Youth, Kids
• Skill Level: All
• Deck Length: 29 Inches
• Deck Width: 8.25 Inches
• Item Weight: 4.5 Pounds
• Material: Maple Wood, Bamboo
• Theme: Sport, Classic, Natural, Bamboo
• Load Capacity: 250 Pounds

The White Wave Bamboo Longboard stands out with its unique design and impressive durability. Constructed from 9 layers of Canadian maple wood and bamboo, this board combines the strength of maple with the flexibility and tensile strength of bamboo. This blend of materials ensures a sturdy and reliable deck, giving me confidence in its performance and resilience.

What makes this longboard particularly special is its aesthetic appeal. Unlike many longboards designed for heavier riders that use silicon carbide sheets, the White Wave features heat-transferred graphics and a transparent grip sheet. This design allows me to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the wood while still providing the necessary grip.

The longboard is equipped with high-rebound 70mm urethane wheels, which are well-suited for heavier riders. These wheels are paired with ABEC 9 Hellion bearings and built-in spacers, offering a great balance of speed and bounce. This setup ensures a smooth and swift ride, enhancing the overall performance.

Another highlight is the high-quality aluminum trucks, which offer natural corrosion resistance. These trucks are lightweight yet robust, making them ideal for tall and heavy riders.

However, I did encounter a minor issue with the wheel and hardware installation. During a bearing test, one of the wheels wobbled, requiring me to tighten a hardware piece. Fortunately, this was an isolated incident and did not affect the overall performance of the longboard.

Pros:

• Durable construction with 9-ply Canadian maple and bamboo
• Unique heat-transferred graphics and transparent grip sheet
• High-rebound 70mm urethane wheels with ABEC 9 Hellion bearings
• Lightweight and corrosion-resistant aluminum trucks

Cons:

• Minor issue with wheel wobbling and hardware tightening

3. Magneto Longboard

• Brand: Magneto
• Color: Bamboo Drop & Fiberglass Through Longboard
• Age Range (Description): Adult
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Deck Length: 42 Inches
• Deck Width: 9 Inches
• Item Weight: 4.24 Kilograms
• Material: Fiberglass
• Load Capacity: 275 Pounds
• Wheel Size: 70 Millimeters

The Magneto Bamboo Longboard is one of the most versatile boards in my collection, offering a great blend of performance and comfort. Its drop-through deck design lowers the center of gravity, enhancing stability and making both cruising and carving feel smooth and secure.

Crafted with three plies of bamboo and a layer of fiberglass, this longboard strikes an excellent balance between flexibility and durability. The bamboo core ensures that the board is strong enough to handle various rider weights while maintaining a responsive ride. The deck dimensions of 42 inches by 9 inches make it easy to execute sharp turns, and the shallow concave shape adds to the overall comfort, allowing for a better feel underfoot.

The high-quality trucks are made from gravity-cast aluminum, offering sturdiness and a 7-inch hanger that pairs well with the deck size. Additionally, the high rebound bushings provide the ideal hardness for a comfortable ride. This longboard’s design accommodates riders of all ages and sizes, from kids and teens to adults and heavier individuals.

However, I’ve noticed that the bearings are not as responsive as I would like. They don’t roll as quickly compared to other brands, which means extra effort is needed when pushing. Despite this, the overall performance of the Magneto Bamboo Longboard remains strong, making it a solid choice for various riding styles.

Pros:

• Drop-through deck for a lower center of gravity, offering stable cruising and carving
• Bamboo and fiberglass construction for durability and flexibility
• Dimensions of 42″ x 9″ for easy sharp turns and comfortable rides
• Shallow concave deck shape for enhanced comfort
• Sturdy gravity-cast aluminum trucks with a well-suited hanger
• Suitable for riders of all ages and sizes

Cons:

• Bearings are less responsive, requiring more effort when pushing

4. Atom Drop Deck Longboard

• Brand: Atom Longboards
• Color: Black
• Age Range (Description): Adult
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Deck Length: 41 Inches
• Deck Width: 9 Inches
• Item Weight: 2.2 Pounds
• Material: Maple Wood
• Load Capacity: 220 Pounds
• Wheel Size: 70 Millimeters

The Atom Drop Deck Longboard is renowned for its impressive turning capability and overall performance. Featuring reverse kingpin trucks with a 245mm axle, this longboard excels in sharp turns and carving, making it ideal for taller riders. The design effectively reduces wheel bite tendencies by increasing the distance between the wheels and the deck edge, enhancing stability and maneuverability.

For heavy riders and beginners alike, the 70mm wheels with wide 51mm lips offer exceptional grip and shock absorption. Made from super high rebound urethane, these wheels ensure a smoother and more controlled ride, minimizing vibrations and providing better stability on various surfaces.

The laminated deck is another standout feature of this longboard. It not only prevents fading and minor scratches but also provides a durable and smooth finish. This laminate adds longevity to the board, allowing riders to enjoy it for an extended period.

Additionally, the Atom Drop Deck Longboard is equipped with 80S grip tape, which strikes a balance between grip and comfort. The grip tape is ideal for slow rides and cruising, offering sufficient traction without being overly coarse, so you can easily move your feet on the board.

Pros:

• Reverse kingpin trucks with a 245mm axle for enhanced turning and carving
• 70mm wheels with 51mm lips and high rebound urethane for improved grip and shock absorption
• Laminated deck for durability and resistance to fading and scratches
• 80S grip tape for balanced traction and comfort during slow rides and cruising

Cons:

• Limited to a slightly coarser grip compared to some other grip tapes

5. MINORITY Downhill Maple Longboard

• Brand: MINORITY
• Color: Nature
• Age Range (Description): For adults and youth
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Deck Length: 40 Inches
• Deck Width: 9 Inches
• Item Weight: 9 Pounds
• Material: Maple Wood, Aluminum, Steel, Polyurethane
• Load Capacity: 200 Pounds
• Wheel Size: 70 Millimeters

The MINORITY Downhill Maple Longboard has impressed me with its performance and build quality. Constructed from an 8-ply cold-pressed maple deck and featuring a 37-inch wheelbase, this longboard excels on downhill trails, providing stability and control even at high speeds. The full-maple construction ensures a sturdy ride, making it ideal for tackling challenging terrains.

One of the standout features of this longboard is its lower-gravity design combined with ABEC 9 precision bearings. This setup offers a smooth and fast ride, which is particularly advantageous for heavier riders like me. The high-quality bearings reduce friction and contribute to the board’s overall speed and efficiency.

The maneuverability of the MINORITY Downhill Longboard is another highlight. Equipped with 7-inch reverse kingpin trucks made from genuine aluminum, the board allows for adjustable angles of 45° or 50°, giving riders the flexibility to tailor their setup to their preference. This adjustability enhances the longboard’s performance, making it suitable for both aggressive carving and smooth cruising.

Beginners will find this longboard user-friendly due to its drop-through deck design and stable 70mm x 51mm wheels. Both my initial experience and a friend’s first ride were remarkably smooth, making this board an excellent choice for those new to longboarding.

However, I did encounter a minor issue with the trucks being slightly squeaky, which required a bit of soap shavings to resolve. This was a one-time occurrence and did not significantly impact the overall experience.

Pros:

• 8-ply full-maple deck ideal for downhill riding
• Lower-gravity construction and ABEC 9 bearings for speed and smoothness
• 7-inch reverse kingpins with adjustable angles for enhanced maneuverability
• Suitable for both beginners and experienced riders

Cons:

• Trucks exhibited minor squeakiness, which was easily fixed with soap shavings

6. Atom Drop-through Longboard

• Brand: Atom Longboards
• Color: Multi
• Age Range (Description): Adult
• Skill Level: Beginner
• Deck Length: 40 Inches
• Deck Width: 9 Inches
• Item Weight: 7.9 Pounds
• Material: Maple Wood
• Load Capacity: 220 Pounds
• Wheel Size: 70 Millimeters

The Atom Drop-Through Longboard quickly won me over with its impressive grip and performance. One of the first things I noticed and came to appreciate was the 46-grit grip tapes. These coarse tapes provide exceptional foot support and security, making it an excellent choice for challenging rides that involve sharp turns and uneven terrain.

The ABEC 9 bearings on this longboard are another standout feature. With ample lubrication, they offer a smooth and speedy ride, unlike some other brands where bearings can be squeaky or difficult to push. The high-speed performance is consistent and reliable, enhancing the overall riding experience.

Weighing 165 pounds, I’ve found this board to be a robust performer, surpassing some of my older heavy rider longboards. The deck is strong and well-suited for handling bumps and road debris with ease. Its impressive load capacity of up to 275 pounds makes it a great option for heavier riders, ensuring durability and stability.

Aesthetically, the Atom Drop-Through Longboard stands out with its hybrid laminated bamboo and maple deck. The heat-transfer photo graphics on the bottom add a classic, clean look while preserving the natural wood finish, making it not just functional but visually appealing.

The only minor issue I encountered was with the wheels; they initially needed to be loosened for optimal spinning. However, this is a simple adjustment that didn’t detract from the board’s overall performance.

Pros:

• 46-grit grip tapes for secure and challenging rides
• High-speed lubricated ABEC 9 bearings for smooth performance
• Handles rough roads and debris effectively
• High weight capacity, ideal for heavier riders
• Aesthetic heat-transfer graphics with a clean, classic look

Cons:

• Wheels required initial loosening for optimal performance

7. Junli 41-inch Freeride Longboard

• Brand: Junli
• Color: Starlit Night
• Age Range (Description): All Ages
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Deck Length: 104 Centimeters
• Deck Width: 9.5 Inches
• Item Weight: 7.4 Pounds
• Material: Aluminum, Maple Wood
• Load Capacity: 330 Pounds
• Wheel Size: 70 Millimeters