Dancing longboards are a mixture between traditional longboards and street dancing. Whoever can master the dancing longboard is talented and has to be envied, because it’s a complicated activity to perfect.
Longboarding itself originated in Hawaii in the 1950s, when surfers had nothing to do due to flat waves. Skateboards were popular and rising, but surfers wanted something that replicated the movements of a surfboard to continue their passion on land.
They wanted longer boards and larger wheels to offer more flexibility in the movement. Longboards developed gradually over the course of the next few decades, but didn’t become popular until the 2010s. During this time, dancing longboards emerged.
With the rise of the internet and the constant push for new talent and skills online, longboard dancing has become a modern sport. Not only are longboards a cool way of travelling, but they are visually impressive when danced upon.
Unfortunately, it is not easy to master the dancing longboard. If only it was as easy as skateboarding. Regardless, we have found the 6 best dancing longboards for every skill level - whether you are an expert or a beginner.
We have also included a buyer’s guide and frequently asked question section so you know exactly what to look for in a dancing longboard.
Our Top Pick
In a rush? Our top pick is the Magneto 46” Bamboo Dancing Longboard. This dancing longboard is made of a flexible bamboo and fibreglass to provide durability and high quality.
It’s an ideal dancing longboard in shape and length, as it is 46” x 9” with dual kick tails for a variety of different tricks. The wheels are 70mm tall, allowing for a good distance from the ground to dance on the board.
It’s the kind of board you’d picture professionals using, as it looks so effortlessly cool.
6 Best Dancing Longboards
OUR TOP PICK
The Magneto Dancing Longboard is everything you could ever want in a dancing longboard. It is high quality, fashionable, flexible, and comes with all of the necessary additions.
This longboard is made of 3 plies of bamboo and fibreglass, allowing it to bend and flex in a multitude of ways without snapping. This blend of materials is ideal, as it is strong enough for any weight or skill level, which makes it incredibly durable.
At 46 inches long, the shape is perfect for those who want to enhance their dancing skills. It also comes with the necessary dual kicktails, which is great for performing more tricks - though this means the board is better suited for those with experience of longboard dancing.
The wheels are as important as the board itself. These wheels are 70mm tall and soft, so you can be sure of a smooth ride regardless of the surface texture. This is important for dancing longboards, as a smooth wheel provides balance.
This dancing longboard is perfect for those who want to enhance their dancing skills, and for those who want to try a longer board.
Pros:
- Long longboard at 46”
- High quality bamboo and fibreglass
- Smooth wheels
- Dual kicktails for different tricks
- Best for those with experience
Cons:
- Not ideal for beginners
EDITORS CHOICE
The VOLADOR dancing longboard is another 46” longboard, which is ideal for those who want a longer board.
The length of the board matched with the 37” wheelbase makes for a steady longboard. This board is made of 100% 8 layers of maple - a very high quality and sturdy material that allows for flexibility and maneuverability.
This longboard is so successful due to the fact it was designed by professional talents who know exactly what is needed in a dancing longboard. This goes from the adjustable aluminum 7” reverse kingpin trucks to the smooth wheels.
The wheels, on that note, are a durable 78A PU material with ABEC-9 precision bearings, making it ideal for freedom of movement on a variety of surfaces. It also comes with the necessary kicktails for the experienced dancers.
What’s more, these boards come in an array of graphic designs underneath the board for those who prefer a colorful longboard. Great for showing off a unique display during a trick!
Pros:
- Designed by expert talents
- High quality board and truck material
- Kicktails for tricks
- Variety of graphic designs
- Usable for cruising
Cons:
- Deck is stiff at first, so regular use is necessary to loosen it
BEST VALUE
The DGWBT longboard is most ideal for beginners who want to delve into the dancing longboard world.
At 41 inches long, it’s not the longest longboard on our list - but this is highly beneficial for those who want to start learning how to dance on a longboard. The longer the board, the more complicated it will be for beginners.
This dancing longboard is made from a mixture of bamboo and maple, both of which are flexible and durable materials.
The bamboo allows for freedom of movement, and the maple is strong for holding a variety of different weights.
The well-built structure doesn’t stop there, as the wheels are designed for a smooth ride with traction. This is ideal for creating a smooth ride on a range of terrains and surfaces, matched with a wide wheelbase for balance. The trucks, likewise, feature a 180mm hanger for stability.
This dancing longboard does not come with any kicktails, which is what makes it so ideal for beginners as there is more stability offered. However, those with more experience will probably benefit more from other boards with kicktails.
Pros:
- Perfect for beginners
- Bamboo and maple high quality material
- Well-built structure
- Wheelbase width and truck for balance
Cons:
- No kicktails for experienced dancers
RUNNER UP
Whether you are a kid or an adult looking to start dance longboarding, this is the board for you.
Made of an 8 layer Canadian Maple, this board is of a high quality and durability for a variety of ages and sizes, holding up to 330 lbs of bodyweight.
This sturdy deck is met with a waterproof anti-skidding diamond emery paper to maintain the cleanliness and to prevent any breakages and scratches. There is a slight kicktail for those who want to experiment with tricks.
This board is lightweight and features 7” aluminum trucks and smooth wheels for a balanced ride. It also is equipped with an elastic PU support pad for flexibility, so you can use it to cruise around or to dance around.
In terms of design, the designs available are colorful and fun graphics to make your longboarding experience even more enjoyable.
Pros:
- Perfect for beginners
- High quality and sturdy material
- For children and adults
- Colorful designs
Cons:
- May not be the best for experienced users
RUNNER UP
The 42” Slendor longboard is most ideal for those who want an affordable, all-rounder product to practice longboard dancing.
Made of a 9 ply hardrock maple and epoxy glue, these deck materials are as durable as they are flexible, and are great for supporting high impact from tricks.
The 7” aluminum trucks are adjustable for your comfort - whether you prefer a 50 or 45 degree angle is entirely up to you.
The wheels, likewise, are of the highest quality and reach the standard of what you should look for in a dancing longboard.
At 70mm tall, these wheels provide effective cushioning and a shock absorb ring that allows for a smooth ride and balance regardless of the surface.
This longboard also features kicktails for those who want to experiment with more complex tricks.
Pros:
- Suitable for all skill levels
- High quality materials
- Safe to use
- Kicktails
Cons:
- Whilst good for those on a budget, it will not perform in the same way as more expensive options
RUNNER UP
The final product we recommend is the WHOME PRO Dancing Longboard. This 42” board is an ideal size for any skill level, age, or weight - with its 8 layer maple deck that can hold up to 330 lbs in body weight.
It can be used for dancing, freestyle, practicing tricks, or just for cruising along the sidewalk.
This dancing longboard is all about providing the right amount of safety for any usage. The platform length is most ideal for beginners and those wanting to get to grips with dancing techniques, before they can then explore longer boards.
This board features a wide wheelbase and aluminum alloy trucks for stability and balance, which makes bending and swerving contours a lot easier. It’s sturdy - meaning it will last a long time whilst providing consistent stability.
For added control, the deck has an anti-slip grip tape to provide traction for the feet to grip on to. Likewise, the 70mm PU chrome steel wheels offer a smooth ride to enhance and improve balance.
Pros:
- Good for beginners and novices
- Good quality materials
- Stable and durable
- Smooth wheels and anti-slip grip tape for control
Cons:
- No kicktails for experienced dancers
6 Best Dancing Longboards Buyer's Guide
What is longboard dancing?
Longboard dancing is a unique style of street dancing mixed with skateboarding. Longboards are a popular form of skateboard for cruising and travelling for their smooth nature, and the art of dancing on them can actually improve a person’s longboarding skills.
It takes a lot of time and practice to learn how to longboard dance. Like, a lot of time. Influential skateboard Rodney Mullen used to set a timer and practice for hours on end each day just to get to grips with it.
It has since become one of the most impressive forms of street dance, with viral videos sweeping across the internet. It’s probably the most unique and impressive party trick that a person can bring to any situation - whether it’s a parking lot or a beach promenade or the streets of a European city.
What makes a dancing longboard
Dancing longboards are easy to distinguish against regular skateboards. Regular skateboards are much smaller and don’t provide much maneuverability, as they do not bend or flex.
Dancing longboards are huge in comparison, as this is to provide extra dancing space. Picture it as a stage for a dancer, except it’s mobile. They are designed this way to provide space for tricks and for walking up and down the board effortlessly without feet tripping over one another.
There are several key features to look out for in a dancing longboard. There is a slight difference between boards that are better suited for beginners in comparison to experts, but it all comes down to a lot of practice and understanding what board is right for you.
Kicktails
If you’ve read through our recommended products, you will have seen this word pop up several times. Kicktails are upwards facing bends in a longboard - some have them, some don’t. Some have two kicktails (the nose and the tail), and some only have one.
Kicktails are there to provide extra tricks and dancing styles. This is why they are more beneficial for those with experience of longboard dancing, because they offer so much more than regular longboard cruising and dancing. These tricks can include ghost-rides and shove-its, and work to make your routine look even more polished and exciting.
However, whilst kicktails offer more experimentation for tricks, longboards with these bends are not always recommended for beginners. This is because longboards that don’t have kicktails often offer more support and stability, as the deck is almost completely straight.
Kicktails may also encourage beginners to try and practice tricks before they are even ready to, which can result in injury or damage to the person and the board.
If you are a beginner and wanting to keep yourself and your board in top condition - it’s best to wait until you are more advanced and confident before you look into longboards with kicktails.
Wheels
As dancing longboards can be used in a variety of surfaces and places, it’s really important to find a longboard that has suitable and high quality wheels. Due to the size of these longboards, they require larger and taller wheels than an average skateboard. However, wheels that are too large may delay acceleration - which can be a huge safety risk.
Generally speaking, 70mm in height is the ideal height for dancing longboard wheels, as it provides enough height above the ground to dance and perform tricks without preventing acceleration. Look for wheels that are made of a soft Polyurethane material, as this will provide the best stability, smoothness, and shock-resistance.
Most wheels come in a round shape, whilst some also come in a square lip. We recommend the round wheel shape above the square lip, however, to provide the smoothest ride possible.
They also have a faster response for sharper movements and changes in action. This smoothness is vital to allow the user to dance in a range of places with different surface textures. Obviously there will be some surfaces and terrains that are impossible to skate on, but these wheels will provide a smoother ride on rougher surfaces such as concrete or gravel.
Trucks
The trucks are what keeps the wheels in place, and can be adjusted in width depending on how wide you prefer to have your wheels. Generally speaking, the wider the distance between wheels, the more balance you will have. If you are closer together, you may find that this may be easier for some tricks.
The best material for dancing longboard trucks is aluminum alloy, as this is the most durable.
Board Deck
The deck is probably the most important feature to consider and understand when looking for a dancing longboard. You will need a board that is large enough to provide space to dance and move around, and one that is also suitable for your height and weight.
Longer boards, such as a 46” board, are generally better for taller people whilst shorter boards are better for shorter people. Longer boards are also more used by experts and experienced riders, as they will know how to utilize the space more with skill.
Some materials are also better suited for heavier and taller people, which we will explain in the next section.
Board Deck Materials
The two main materials in dancing longboards include layers of bamboo and maple wood. Some boards will even feature a blended mixture of both.
Bamboo is generally the better option for providing a lightweight and flexible board. Don’t be fooled by this, however, as bamboo is very strong and durable for holding a variety of weights and movements. When mixed with fibreglass, this increases the strength and prevents cracking. Fortunately, bamboo will only ever flex and bend without cracking.
Bamboo is also the more environmentally friendly option compared to maple. It is fast growing, taking only 5 years for a shoot to fully grow. Maple, on the other hand, can take anywhere between 30 and 40 years to fully grow.
Also, cutting bamboo does not involve removing the shoot - which is how it grows back so quickly. Maple, on the other hand, does not regrow as easily. If you want to remain environmentally aware whilst longboard dancing, we recommend bamboo longboards.
If there is one disadvantage to bamboo boards, it’s that they are usually more expensive than maple boards.
Maple, on the other hand, is best for those wanting a stiff deck. Maple boards are still flexible depending on where the maple tree was grown - for example, Canadian maple is grown at a higher elevation than other maple trees grown globally, which provides them with denser fibers. This means American maple boards are generally more durable and stiff.
The stiffness is probably what makes maple longboards more suitable for beginners who are getting to grips with how to skate with simple dancing techniques, as it provides the best option for balance and stability.
However, as we explained before, maple is not as good for the environment as bamboo. This is because they take so long to mature, and as they do not regrow without re-harvesting them, this can contribute to mass deforestation in North America.
However, some companies source their maple through managed forests and specific reserves intended for this use without damaging the environment. Maple from America will also be supporting American business and the American economy, which could be arguably more environmentally beneficial than bamboo.
Design
The design of a dancing longboard all comes down to personal preference. Some boards mimic the traditional surfboard look - with a wooden and vintage design that pays homage to the Hawaiin surfers who originated longboards back in the 1950s.
Others prefer a more graphic design, whether this is cartoon or a grunge aesthetic. Fortunately, some companies offer a range of designs as well as custom designs for those who want to add a splash of color to their dance routine.
- Nose/Tail: The nose and tail refer to the kicktails. These terms are usually used when describing a trick, rather than saying the “front kicktail” or “back kicktail”. Some longboards will only have one or the other, whilst others may have both, and some might not have any!
- Drifting: Drifting refers to when the rider turns a corner on a downward hill or declines. This is when the speed is decreased for control.
- Carving: Carving is the large “S” shape that is made down a road or large area of land. It’s a fun way to go down a hill as it helps to control the speed, and also provides a bit of extra time for dancing!
- Concave: This is when the center of the board is sloped slightly downwards, with the ends lifted up (not always in a kicktail form). This is beneficial for dancing longboards as it provides more bounce and flexibility.
- Cruising: Cruising refers to a relaxed way to ride a longboard. It’s not fast and best performed on a flat surface. It’s a fun way for beginners to understand how to stand and move on their board before experimenting with more advanced moves.
- Flex: The board flex is the bounce from a longboard. Dancing longboards tend to offer more flex than regular longboards due to their intended use. They are best for slower riding and can make rougher surfaces more smooth to ride on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my dancing longboard in good condition?
It all comes down to common sense most of the time. Avoid harsh terrains that you think may damage your wheels or the deck, as damage will lead to costly repairments or even entire board replacements.
You will most likely learn how your board works the more you use and understand it, so make sure to check your wheels, trucks, and bearings often to check everything is running smoothly.
How long should a longboard be for dancing?
Anywhere between 42” and 48” is great for a dancing longboard. This is to provide an adequate amount of space to dance on. The length you choose depends on your height, weight, and skill level.
Generally speaking, taller and heavier people should opt for the longer boards than shorter people who should go for the shorter ones.
However, it also depends on how experienced you are with longboard dancing - as longer boards are better suited for experienced dancers who know how to utilize the space and control the length of the board than beginners who may need more control.
Should I wear protective gear whilst longboard dancing?
This depends on your skill level and how comfortable you are with and without protective gear!
For beginners and those practicing new tricks, it’s probably best to get knee and elbows pads, as well as gloves and a helmet, to prevent serious injuries should the trick go wrong.
However, overtime you may find that you are comfortable with a particular routine or area to ride on that you don’t feel the need for protective gear.