There will be many situations in life where your great big longboard will be just too darn long for what you need to do. That’s exactly where a good cruiser longboard will come in handy. We look for a few key qualities in a good cruiser board:
- Shorter length
- Stable body shape
- Mid-size softer wheels
These boards are still easy to ride but much easier to maneuver and lug around town that your traditional longboard. Many will have a kick tail like a traditional board and some can even be ridden like a classic vert or pool board if you are feeling frisky. Either way, these boards will get you around town in style and comfort at a fraction of the weight of a bigger longboard. In no particular order, here are some of our favorite cruiser longboards for 2015.
Bustin Maestro Mini
The meanest little ripper on our list is by far the Bustin Maestro Mini. This pint-sized version of the crowd-favorite Maestro is perfect for shredding around town, pedestrian dodging or making it to class on time. With a symmetrical, subtle flex concave and kicked up nose and tail, the Mini rides more like a traditional skateboard when it comes to maneuverability but the wheel cut outs, drop thru mount and soft longboard wheels give it the same cushy ride you’d get from the larger version. Just 34″ long but still stable thanks to the wider body, the Maestro Mini is perfect for the long boarder who wants a smaller, more agile board that is way easier to lug around town and can be stored in a locker or under your desk at work.
Bustin Modela
Beer runs or bowl skating, the Bustin Modela is the perfect size and perfect shape to get the job done. Referred to as the ultimate “city smasher”, the Modela is 33″x9″ with a standard kick tail for that classic skateboard feel. Bustin added wheel flares so you can toss a larger wheel on for added comfort without the nasty side effects of wheel bite. Custom Bustin branded trucks and a fat 66mm / 78a wheel come stock on this little ripper so you will be outfitted with everything you need to hit the streets right out of the box. Super versatile, comfortable to ride and compact enough to lug around in your day to day travels, the Modela is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a do it all cruiser board.
Arbor Pilsner
Our friends in Southern Cali have been pumping out great cruiser boards for years, but the brand new Arbor Pilsner is taking the cake. This perfectly sized little city ripper has everything you need to get around town in comfort and style. With a rockered, no-camber deck, this deck is as easy to ride as it is comfortable and the 31.5″ length gets it done at a fraction of the size of a traditional longboard. Wider skate trucks mean you have some versatility. You can ride this setup a little tighter, or run them more loose when you want that surfy feel. Arbor added flared wheel wells so the Pilsner can accommodate a larger wheel for a more relaxed ride and that exposed premium wood topsheet gives that classic Arbor look that you’ve come to know and love. For the longboard ride in a short board body, the Arbor Pilsner is the obvious choice.
Arbor Sizzler
Every year, the Arbor Sizzler makes our list and this year will be no different. The Sizzler is pretty much the textbook definition of a solid cruiser board. With a wider body and kicked up swallow tail, you get stability and maneuverability all in one mixed with the rounded out wheel wells that can fit a larger wheel for smoother riding conditions. The Sizzler has a nice concave and very slight kick at the nose and of course that classic exposed bamboo topsheet that lets everyone know you are representing the Arbor Collective. Find out for yourself why so many people choose the Arbor Sizzler as their cruiser board of choice.
Loaded Poke
The most freestyle-oriented board on our list is the one and only Loaded Poke . Not a new board but a killer board and a staple in the Loaded lineup. This thing is 1 park skateboard, 1 part longboard and 100% awesome. Carrying on the torch of the Fish and Ceviche, the latest version of the versatile city ripper is the best one yet. Dual kick tails, plenty of concave, a slight rocker and rounded out wheel wells to accommodate a larger wheel give the Poke the unique ride and experience that only Loaded can create. Fully capable of skate park sessions yet sturdy enough for your beat up city streets and sidewalks, the Poke is for the skater who wants the versatility of a traditional board with the smooth ride of a cruiser. Tre flips or liquor store runs, the Loaded Poke is down.
Santa Cruz Ratboy Shark
When it comes to classic cruiser boards, it doesn’t get much better than the Santa Cruz Ratboy Shark. Traditional shape, swallow tail, soft fatty wheels and a bottle opener (for good measure), this board is the good life on wheels. Available in 2 different sizes, the Ratboy is perfect for beginners looking for a board that can teach them to do it all. The old dudes (or chicks) will love the classic feel and snappy ride that you’d expect from Santa Cruz. The size pictured is perfect for those looking for a more stable ride – coming in at 9.75″x33″ the extra length and width create a solid platform that can support even the big dudes. The smaller red version is 8.8″x27.7″ and great for smaller riders, or those looking for a more short board style ride that can hit the skatepark or grab the groceries like a boss.