Best Longboard for Tricks: Boards, Tricks and What to Expect

Can you do tricks on a longboard? Yes. Are they the same tricks you see at a skatepark? Mostly not. A longboard is bigger, heavier and softer-wheeled than a trick skateboard, and that changes what is possible.

Here is the short answer. The best longboard for tricks has at least one kicktail, a deck you can lift and control, and wheels that are not too large. For most people that means a board of about 28 to 42 inches with a real tail to press on.

This guide is honest about what a longboard can and cannot do. It sorts tricks into groups, matches each group to a kind of board, and gives you three boards to look at. It also lists the first tricks worth learning, in a sensible order.

Can you do tricks on a longboard?

You can, but it helps to know what you are working with. A trick skateboard is short, light and stiff, with a steep kick at both ends and small hard wheels. Everything about it is designed for popping the board into the air.

A longboard is built for rolling. It is longer and heavier, its wheels are big and soft, and many models have no kicktail at all. So longboard tricks tend to stay closer to the ground. They are about balance, flow and footwork more than height.

If your dream is kickflips down a stair set, buy a skateboard. It is the right tool. If you want to add style and play to cruising, a longboard with a kicktail is a wonderful thing.

Longboard tricks are less about leaving the ground and more about what you can do while you stay on it.

Which tricks suit a longboard?

Longboard tricks fall into four loose groups. Each one asks for something different from the board.

Balance tricks are the easiest to start with. A manual is simply rolling on the back wheels with the front wheels lifted. It needs a tail to press on and a lot of practice.

Pivot and spin tricks involve turning the board under you. A lighter, shorter board makes these much easier, because there is less weight to swing round.

Footwork is the heart of longboard dancing. It needs room to walk, so dancers ride very long boards.

Slide tricks are the most advanced. They involve breaking the wheels loose at speed, and they need slide gloves, pads, a helmet and experienced company.

What to look for in a longboard for tricks

A kicktail

This is the one feature you cannot do without. A kicktail is an upturned end of the deck. Pressing on it lifts the opposite end, which is the first movement in manuals, pivots, shove-its and most other tricks.

One kicktail is enough to begin with. Two let you do the same tricks in both directions. Look at the angle as well. A steep kick gives more pop. A mellow kick is easier to balance on.

Length

Shorter boards are easier to control and to turn. Longer boards give more room for footwork. Use this as a rough guide.

Weight

Every trick involves moving the board with your feet. The lighter it is, the less effort each one takes. Bamboo and composite decks are lighter than thick maple. Smaller wheels save weight too.

Shape

A symmetrical board is the same at both ends. After a half spin, it still rides normally. A directional board, such as a pintail, only works one way round. If you want to do tricks that turn you around, a symmetrical shape helps a great deal.

Mounting

Top-mount boards put you directly above the trucks. That gives the most leverage over the kicktail. Drop-through boards sit lower, which is steadier for cruising but takes some snap out of tail tricks.

Wheels

Big, soft wheels grip hard and add weight. For tricks, wheels of 60 to 70 mm are a better balance. A slightly firmer wheel, in the low to mid 80s on the hardness scale, lets the board pivot and slide more easily.

Our picks: 3 longboards for tricks

These three all have real kicktails. They differ in size, price and how much cruising they can do between tricks.

🏆 Best overall for tricks

Loaded Omakase (33.5 in)

Best for: Riders who want a compact, wide, high-quality board with a big kicktail.

Loaded calls the Omakase short, wide, stable and nimble. At 33.5 inches it is compact, but the 10-inch width keeps a solid feel underfoot.

• Length 33.5 in
• Width 10 in
• Deck Bamboo core with fiberglass, kicktail, rocker
• Trucks Paris 165 mm, 50°
• Wheels Orangatang 75 mm

✅ Why it works

• A 10-inch-wide deck feels stable despite the short length.
• A big kicktail gives pop, leverage and control.
• Rocker and mild concave hold your feet in place.
• Wheel well flares add clearance for 75 mm wheels.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• It costs several times more than a budget complete.
• A 33.5-inch board is livelier than a 40-inch one.
• Stock was low when we checked, so availability may vary.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

💰 Best budget trick board

Magneto Mini Cruiser (27.5 in)

Best for: Riders who want double kicktails on a small, cheap board to learn on.

A small wooden cruiser with a kicktail at each end. The listing describes it as easy to carry and suitable for kids, teens and adults.

• Length 27.5 in
• Width 7.5 in
• Deck 8-ply Canadian maple, double kicktails
• Trucks Aluminum
• Wheels 60 mm, 78A
• Listed weight limit 275 lb

✅ Why it works

• At 27.5 inches it fits in a locker or under a desk.
• Soft 78A wheels roll far more smoothly than hard trick wheels.
• Double kicktails make kerbs and tight turns manageable.
• The listing marks its skill level as beginner.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• A short board is twitchier than a full-size longboard.
• The 7.5-inch deck is narrow for adult feet.
• Small 60 mm wheels feel rough roads more.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

🛣️ Best for cruising with a kicktail

Magneto Kicktail Cruiser Longboard (44 in)

Best for: Riders who mostly cruise and want a tail for pivots and kerbs.

A long 44-inch cruiser with a kicktail. The kicktail lets you lift the nose to step up kerbs and make tight pivot turns, which a plain pintail cannot do.

• Length 44 in
• Width 9 in
• Deck Bamboo veneer over a maple core, kicktail
• Wheels 70 mm, 78A
• Listed weight limit 275 lb

✅ Why it works

• The kicktail adds quick pivots and kerb hops to a long cruiser.
• Soft 70 mm, 78A wheels smooth out rough pavement.
• The listed 275 lb weight limit is higher than many budget boards.
• A sand-grit finish shows off the bamboo instead of black grip tape.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• Forty-four inches is bulky to carry and store.
• The listing marks its skill level as intermediate.
• The listing gives no detail on the trucks or bearings.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

Which one should you choose?

• You want one board for tricks and getting around: the Loaded Omakase.
• You want to learn without spending much: the Magneto Mini Cruiser.
• You mostly cruise and want a tail to play with: the Magneto Kicktail Cruiser.

Eight first tricks to learn, in order

Learn these in order. Each one builds a skill the next one needs. Practise on smooth, flat ground at walking pace.

1. Tic-tacLift the nose a little and tap it down to one side, then the other. Small taps, back and forth. This is how you learn to trust the kicktail.
2. KickturnLift the nose and swing it further round, up to a quarter turn. Use your shoulders to lead.
3. Riding switchRide with your other foot forward. Many tricks end with you facing the other way.
4. ManualShift your weight back until the front wheels hover, and roll. Start with one second.
5. PivotOn the back wheels, swing the board through a half turn so you end up riding the other way.
6. Cross-stepWalk toward the nose by crossing one foot over the other, then walk back.
7. Shove-itScoop the tail so the board spins half a turn under you as you hop, then land on it.
8. Ghost rideStep off the board with both feet, let it roll beside you for a step, and step back on.

How long does this take? It varies a great deal. Tic-tacs and kickturns often come within a few sessions. A clean shove-it can take weeks. Short, regular practice works better than long, rare sessions.

Film a few attempts on your phone now and then. Watching your own feet is the quickest way to see what is going wrong, and it is satisfying to look back on later.

How to set up a board for tricks

A few small changes make any kicktail board more willing.

• Loosen the trucks slightly. A quarter turn at a time, until pivots feel smooth. Too loose and manuals get wobbly.
• Check your grip tape. You need firm grip on the tail and over the front bolts. Replace it if it has worn smooth.
• Consider smaller wheels. Dropping from 75 mm to 65 mm makes a board lighter and more responsive.
• Check for wheel bite. Tricks involve hard, sudden leans. Press each edge of the deck down by hand and make sure the wheels do not touch.
• Keep the hardware tight. Landings loosen bolts quickly.

Real-life examples: which board would they choose?

The riders below are made-up examples, based on the kind of questions people often ask in longboarding groups and forums. They are not real people or reviews. See which one sounds most like you.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

Looking after your board

A longboard needs very little maintenance, but a few habits make it last much longer and ride much better.

• Keep it dry. Water rusts bearings and damages wooden decks. If the board gets wet, dry it and spin the wheels.
• Check the bolts. Vibration loosens truck bolts and axle nuts over time. A quick check every few weeks is enough.
• Clean the bearings when the wheels sound gritty or stop spinning freely.
• Swap the wheels around now and then, so they wear evenly.
• Replace worn bushings. Cracked or squashed bushings make a board feel sloppy, and new ones cost very little.
• Store it indoors. Heat, cold and damp all shorten the life of a deck.

For step-by-step help, see our maintenance guides.

Key terms in plain English

Longboard listings use a lot of jargon. Here are the terms used in this guide, explained simply.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best longboard for tricks?

The best longboard for tricks has at least one kicktail, a light deck and a length of about 28 to 42 inches. Shorter boards suit pivots and manuals. Symmetrical boards with two kicktails let you do tricks in both directions.

Can you ollie on a longboard?

It is possible on shorter boards with a steep kicktail, but it is much harder than on a skateboard because a longboard is heavier and has softer wheels. Most longboard tricks stay close to the ground.

Can you do tricks on a pintail longboard?

Very few. A pintail has no kicktail, so you cannot lift the nose for manuals, pivots or shove-its. You can still practise cross-steps and carving.

Is a longboard or a skateboard better for tricks?

A skateboard is better for ollies, flips and grinds. A longboard with a kicktail is better if you want to mix simple tricks with comfortable cruising.

What tricks should I learn first on a longboard?

Start with tic-tacs and kickturns, then riding switch, manuals and pivots. After that, try cross-steps and the shove-it. Practise on smooth, flat ground at walking pace.

Your trick board checklist

A board that ticks these boxes will not hold you back.

• It has at least one kicktail.
• It is 28 to 42 inches long, unless I want footwork.
• It is light enough for me to lift with my feet.
• The wheels are 70 mm or smaller.
• The grip tape is in good condition.
• The wheels cannot touch the deck in a hard lean.
• I have a helmet and wrist guards.

The best longboard for tricks is a board with a tail, a size you can handle and a rider willing to practise. Start with the simple moves, build up slowly, and you will be surprised how much fun a longboard can be when you stop treating it as only a way to get around.

Product specs and availability were checked in October 2026 and can change. Always confirm the details on the product page before you buy.