Best Loaded Longboards: Should You Pick This Board?

The brainchild of Don Tashman, Loaded Boards has been a company known to produce top-tier skateboards for over a decade. Hustling through two decades, this California-based company is now at the top of its game, bringing out some crowd-pleasing favorites for the best longboard enthusiasts out there. Free-riding has never been more fun! So let’s start to read our loaded longboards review!

So, if you’re planning to jump into the fray and pick up one of these bad boys, our loaded longboards review will be more than just an asset to up your game. Complete with a buying guide and a list of the top-rated longboard brands, this is an article meant to arm you with everything you need to hit the jackpot.

Let’s get right into it then, shall we?

What are the various types of longboards?

Usually, skateboards can be made for a range of activities like dancing, cruising, downhill, uphill rides, carving, or freestyling.

Conclusion: there are cheap longboards meant for each activity individually and hybrid boards with multiple uses.

 Is there a weight limit for longboards?

The weight your board can hold will depend on its build material. For instance, 8-ply wood decks can easily have a 250 lbs. weighing person. The bamboo longboard is entirely made of loaded skateboard decks that can hold more (around 280 lbs.) while being flexible.

Benefits of Loaded Longboards!

Are Loaded longboards good? Do they live up to their hype, and what exactly are the benefits of getting one for yourself? Besides the excellent price and fantastic build, specific key points make these cheap longboards worth each penny.

Durability

There’s no point in getting an expensive or super popular longboard just to have it last six months, right? Due to their bamboo and fiberglass construction, these boards have decks less prone to chipping.

Rest assured that these boards will last you more than a year easily. And if you’re taking good care of them, having them last even three or four years is possible.

Doubles the Fun of Dancing

For skaters who love to dance and freestyle, having fun is what matters the most. Fortunately, this company understands that very well and has been making some dope decks aiming to double the pleasure of dancing for long-boarders out there.

As most of these affordable longboards provide more comprehensive platforms, you’ll get that extra wiggle room for your footwork. The kick tails and drop-through designs just make them perfect for the dancing free-riders to have all the fun in the world.

High-Quality Wheels

No loaded longboard complete can be fully experienced without the company’s specialty wheels. Another huge pro of getting a Loaded board; the company produces its own signature Orangatang wheels.

These are some of the most excellent wheels out there and are favorites of skaters worldwide. They’ve got color-coded urethane representing the various durometers. And we think it’s universally true that a good longboard needs an excellent wheel for it to reach its full potential.

Staying Healthy

As an outdoor sport, loaded longboarding is flexible and works the body’s various muscles. This physical aspect, combined with its adventurous and thrilling side, makes it a very healthy hobby to be involved in.

Longboarding helps support the cardio muscles, increases body flexibility, and improves sleep quality. Moreover, longboarding is an excellent practice to improve overall body coordination and balance.

5 Best Loaded Longboards Review: Should You Pick This Board?

Though there’s no shortcut to finding the perfect type of skateboard, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to skim through the pile of unsuitable rubble either. We’ve got you covered with this concise list of the five best-loaded longboards out there.

1. Loaded Dervish Sama: Best For carving, pumping, freestyle, and freeride!

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Special Feature:

• DROP-THROUGH CARVING MACHINE
• FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
• HIGH-PERFORMANCE FLEX
• PARIS TRUCKS
• ORANGATANG WHEELS

In our search for dervish longboards, the funky Loaded Dervish Sama was the first to catch our attention. One of the finest drop-through boards of the company, this is great both as a freestyle companion and an urban commuting alternative.

The loaded dervish longboard is funky and fun to look at, mixing the tropical colors of orange and greens with the black and grey contrast.

This is a high-performance board with three different flex ratings available to fit the rider’s style and weight. If you’re the aggressive type, go for the one with lower flex. But if you’re looking for a board that’s responsive and suitable for lighter riders, the higher flex option will be great.

Moreover, you can make deep carves and tight turns using this board since it has maximum wheel clearance owing to the large cutouts.

When you first look at this cambered loaded tan tien longboard, it might remind you of another sport. That’s right, as this loaded vanguard longboard has been designed with inspiration from snowboards, its construction allows for a lively yet lightweight ride.

Materials used to make this includes bamboo and fiberglass. Hence, you can be sure of the “green” and eco-friendliness.

Pros

• Easy to ride for beginners and also fun for the experienced ones
• Has dual kick tails and a long nose making tricks more fun to do
• It gives more stability due to the drop-through deck
• Durable due to extra fiberglass reinforced from the neck to the tip

Cons

• Flex isn’t great for downhill rides

2. Loaded Icarus: Best For snowboard-style carving, pumping, freeride, freestyle, and urban commuting!

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Special Feature:

• VERSATILE CARVING MACHINE
• UTILITARIAN DESIGN
• STRONG, LIGHT, & DAMP
• PARIS TRUCKS 
• ORANGATANG WHEELS

I am looking for something that feels as smooth as surfing through the high waves. Then the loaded Icarus longboard will not disappoint. While it’s pretty similar to the Dervish, this has its uniqueness and specialty — especially when curving is considered.

The loaded Icarus longboard was built to a curve, having lesser wheel bite and giving more room for more extensive and bolder wheels.

And if you’ve longed to try out the Orangatang Kegel, then this should be your chance because the giant cutout on this happens to be a perfect fit for the wheels. As this is available in two different flex options, you can also fit your style and purpose of use properly.

Its concave shape in the center prevents folding while giving a good locked-in-place stance. This loaded longboard Icarus makes it comfortable.

This loaded dervish downhill has a cork bottom, which provides the skater with vibration damping. The speed and pace are worth it at the price point this is available. This loaded Icarus pumping compact size with lightweight (7 pounds) is great for carrying around.

And the composite construction of bamboo, which has been vertically laminated and fiberglass material, is a recipe for the durability-meets-functionality kind of experience.

Pros

• Compact size and portable
• Great built quality with excellent materials
• It has a cork bottom for damping
• Larger cutouts for large wheels

Cons

• Not good for uphill pumps as full-body action is required a lot.

Is loaded Icarus good for beginners?

Yes, loaded Icarus is a great beginner card deck because it is simple to understand and includes both high-impact cards and low-impact cards. This makes it easy for beginners to learn how to play the game quickly and effectively.

Additionally, there are no complicated rules or strategies that novice players need to memorize in order to be successful.
Plus, Loaded Icarus features an engaging storyline that will keep you hooked as you try to unravel the mysteries of the deck.

3. Loaded Bhangra V2: Best For Dancing, Freestyle, And Commuting!

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Special Feature:

• SPACIOUS DANCING PLATFORM 
• FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
• HIGH-PERFORMANCE FLEX
• PARIS TRUCKS
• ORANGATANG WHEELS 

Loaded bhangra V2 is still the top dancing longboard ever. This one’s for all the tricksters and dancers out there who just can’t resist the urge to kick out some epic moves in the parks. Designed to fit the fanciest footwork, this 48.5-inch Bhangra board is the real deal.

With this, you can get everything from the flex type to the Orangatang wheels customized to fit your specific riding style. Be it sliding, freestyle dancing, or regular cruising, this board can act as the jack of all trades.

With the growing environmental protection awareness, the green factor is on many consumers’ priority lists when getting new products. If that’s the case with you, then here’s the good news — this is a board with bio-epoxy construction.

The combination of basalt and bio-epoxy gives you the best of both worlds- eco-friendliness along with higher strength.

When building this loaded overland longboard, the company innovatively put mild grip tape on the platform where riders stand. As a result, we all love the added edge control, especially while doing pirouettes or a pivot.

These loaded longboards also come with matte black 180 mm Paris Trucks, which have great turning responses and are ideal for freestyle dancing. So, if you want something that caters to your dancing needs, this is a great option.

Pros

• Eco-friendly as bio-epoxy is used to bind the layers of wood.
• Great shape and build for dancing.
• The bigger size allows more room for fancy footwork.
• Durable and lesser wheel bite due to CNC-milled large wheel wells.
• Best For Dancing, Freestyle, And Commuting.

Cons

• A bit too heavy for long rides due to its bigger size.

4. Loaded Tan Tien: Best For Carving, Pumping, and Freestyle!

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Special Feature:

• TRICK-FRIENDLY CARVING MACHINE
• FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
• HIGH-PERFORMANCE FLEX
• PARIS TRUCKS
• ORANGATANG WHEELS

This loaded longboard tan tien is a traditional longboard that can get a bit, dare we say, boring once you’ve mastered almost all the tricks in the book. So, if you’re stuck in that skater’s block, consider getting this feisty little electric skateboard for a new challenge.

The Tan Tien-loaded bamboo longboard brings a spicy kick in a small package. While this is a stable board, by all means, its compact size and complex contours in design make it just the right amount of flexy and energy.

This board has been constructed using bamboo and fiberglass with three different flex ratings. The loaded Icarus flex range caters to riders from 80 up to 270 pounds and fits the style and rhythm accordingly. I also loaded tan tien flex’s three-weight limit.

For carve-oriented skating, this is the perfect loaded longboard to go with. It’s neat trick friendly, and the mild concave shape makes it responsive to a comfortable platform.

As this has genuine twin support, combined with the concave shaping, the boards allow your feet to stay more stable and have more permission. So, you’ll get increased maneuverability when riding this, even at higher speeds.

And since the company provides both grippy and sliding wheels for this board, you have more room for versatility. The 39-inch deck is perfect for cruising around the neighborhood while kicking out a few tricks here and there using the kicktail.

Pros

• A versatile design is suitable for both tricky use and regular mobility.
• Good size for portability.
• Great maneuver due to the concave shape and weight flex variations.
• Comes available with two types of wheels- the slides and grippy ones.
• Best For carving, pumping, and freestyle.

Cons

• The complex contour and small size make it so responsive that beginners might find difficulty pulling off tricks.

5. Loaded Tarab: Best For Dancing, Freestyle, and Carving!

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Special Feature:

• ADVANCED DANCING PLATFORM
• FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
• TWO DISTINCT FLEXES
• PARIS TRUCKS
• ORANGATANG WHEELS

Durability is what either makes or breaks the deal when buying new boards for the freestylers out there because we all know how beat-up freestyle dancing longboards can get.

That’s why our final pick was the Tarab board that carries the legacy of the first Longboard Dancer of 2008 and the Bhangra with a twist of its own.

This has been built using light materials, basalt, and bamboo, to be precise. There’s a cork top covering, which complements the design of the grip tape perfectly.

Due to this, the standing platform has non-abrasive traction along with vibration damping. It’s got two different flexes, one from 80 to 190 pounds and the other from 140 to 270 pounds.

We decided to include this because certain features were used to increase this particular skate loaded’s durability, thus making it fit for aggressive usage.

A kicktail that’s been reinforced with urethane, a grippy UHMWPE rail, and robust materials — all make it more durable for the aggressive freestyle dance moves that we all love.

Its 47-inch length is also roomy enough to stay stable and pivot or cruise around usually. So, you can use it on and off the skating ring with ease.

Pros

• Extra durability due to good build.
• Great length and an awesome turn radius.
• Good symmetrical shape and kicktail.
• Urethane bumpers in the nose and kicktail provide extra smoothness of use.
• Best For dancing, freestyle, and carving.

Cons

• Takes time to get used to the weight.

How To Choose Loaded Longboards?

Loaded longboards are one of the most popular longboards available out there. Many say that the best-loaded board is the one that’s strong and very durable. But there’s a lot more to it than just durability and strength.

The weight, flex options, design, and materials used for constructing the entire piece all add up when you’re judging them based on quality. Where are loaded longboards made? The factory location also matters since a local company will cater to its local favorites, whereas international ones will branch out more.

So, the million-dollar question here is — what should one prioritize when choosing one? Take a look at these key points as some pointers.

Fit for Your Style?

Before buying a longboard, you need to consider your riding style. Are you purchasing a freestyle longboard to kick around the city? Travel over distances by pushing and kicking? Or free-riding and sliding on smaller hills? Or to do freestyle tricks in parks and pools?

Loaded board electric has a wide range of boards for casual cruising, freestyle, and dancing. Also, There are drop-mounted boards as well as top-mounted boards. These boards have featured kick tails, concave and trucks, and materials such as bamboo and fiberglass. There are also flex options that are categorized according to weight.

Longevity

We all love a bang for the buck, right? But how do you ensure your product will give you the service you’re paying for? Here’s where the brand and durability of construction come into play. As we said before, bamboo is more durable than maple.

But don’t get confused with American Maple and regular ones since the American one suppresses bamboo in many ways. Moreover, water logging might be an issue if your location often sees rainy days. In that case, getting waterproof boards will be more future-proof.

Weight

Portability is one of the most important aspects of buying a new deck. You know, you can’t be ready to whip out cool moves anytime if your board isn’t comfortable carrying with you, you know?

Besides, it’s a lot more future-proof for big guys and gals to get a board that can both stand more weight and takes a good beating out of the free-riding adventures. Consider something that’s got a light build but more core strength.

Mount Type

Here comes the age-old debate about the best- top mount or drop-throughs? But we’re not going to start another epic discussion on this but tell you like it is.

If you want to freestyle and do tricks a lot, then you might wish to top mounts. Top mounts will give you effortless control and responsiveness but are more challenging to push on and less stable than other mount types. In contrast, if you’re the cruising type — often traveling over longer distances with your board, drop-throughs will be your best friend.

Longboards with drop-throughs are much easier to push and travel on. These longboards have excellent stability on speed and are easier to break into slides. The drawback of drop-throughs is that they are a bit less responsive.

The Board Size

Your deck size depends on your idea of portability and stability. How stable or portable do you want your board to be? To summarize, shorter boards are more portable, but longer boards are stable. Depending on the tradeoff you would like to make, you need to select your board size.

Bamboo longboard decks come in three sizes. Also, Smaller boards are generally 34 inches or less. Mid-sized ones are between 35 inches and 40 inches. And larger boards are more than 40 inches. When it comes to longboards, they can get even longer.

Board Shape

After choosing your riding style, mount type, and board size comparison of your longboard, you have to select the shape of your longboard. There are usually two shape options available — symmetrical or directional ones.

If you are going to freestyle and dance, you should choose asymmetrical boards. Symmetrical boards allow you to switch quickly and efficiently as they generally have a nose and kicktail. Conversely, if you want a longboard to commute, we recommend directional shapes as they are better suited for speed and stability.

Flex Options

Board flex is an essential factor when choosing a longboard. Flex can be necessary for how your board feels and fits your riding style. A panel with more flex can give you more rebound when craving and make your turns more efficient.

Flexy longboards absorb shock and thus can give you a pleasant and smooth ride. On the other hand, too much flex can make it harder to perform freestyle kicks and flicks. Stability at higher speeds also decreases as the flex of a board increases.

Price Point

With premium products, you’ll get premium prices. So, it’s not an option to complain when you’re getting something super high quality and top-notch in the market. That said, if you’re looking for something within a budget, you can still get something delicious.

The trick is getting what’s suited to your style the most and ditching whatever is extra or not your priority. Besides, with so many skate-longboard-loaded companies focusing on their longboard lineup today, you’re bound to get what you need within a solid budget, no problem.

Also, you can read the Loaded Longboard Buyers Guide to know more details, and also, you can learn How to set up a loaded skateboard.

Top-Rated Brands on the Market

Although loaded skateboards have been the star of the show, a few other brands produce some dope bamboo skates. Considering buyer feedback and popularity-to-value ratio, here’s our take on the top-rated brands in the longboard market of today.

Loaded Boards

Quiet the surprise, we know. But as far as edgy and funky longboards with versatility are concerned, we just had to rate it as number one. Where to buy loaded longboards you ask? Check out their website or any platform for selling longboards online — you’ll find one easy as pie.

Landyachtz

Let’s face it — we all had that Dinghy-obsessed phase when the Landyachtz was the talk of the town. Years later, they still are. And with their eco-friendly policy of planting a tree for each board sold, they’re the favorites of many hipster skateboarders. Who doesn’t love saving the planet while having fun?

Rayne

Another Canadian brand, Rayne Longboards, is the ultimate go-to for the pro skateboarder. Many of their boards have been spotted on the international podiums and world cup racing events. But since this is a high-end brand, it’s better to invest in their boards as a professional or expert rather than regular usage.

Riviera Longboards

For an aesthetically pleasing cruiser board, we can’t recommend this brand enough. These guys make some serious eye-catching boards, and the best thing is— you don’t have to bust all of your savings to buy one.

Sector 9 Longboards

A very recognizable brand logo is Sector 9’s flashy yellow and black design. With a motto of “We make fun” the brand has soared high from its base in San Diego and has now reached a huge audience thanks to its vast array of products.

Their stores have something to offer for everyone be it a cool board or some rad accessories to go with it.

Santa Cruz

For the newbie riders and the ones at the entry level, Santa Cruz boards will be an absolute dream. However, they won’t be like the premium ones out there; being the oldest skateboard company in the world (literally!), they do have some awesome products to offer. Longboards are not their main focus, though.

Frequently Asked Questions!

1. Are loaded boards the best longboard brands?

Loaded boards are definitely one of the most popular longboard brands on the market today. They have a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as different levels of trucks and hardware. These boards are designed to be fast and stable, making them perfect for cruising around town or hitting up some hills.
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a loaded board. First, make sure that you select the correct size based on your height and weight. Secondly, make sure to get an appropriate truck (or wheel setup) for your skating style. Thirdly, be sure to get the right hardware – this includes bearings, wheels Trucks, and grip tape.

2. What is the best-loaded longboard for cities?

When it comes to the best-loaded longboard for cities, there are a few things that you need to take in mind. Firstly, make sure that your board is stable and has good Grip Tape. This will help you stay in control when riding on busy streets or sidewalks. Secondly, look for a board with lots of trucks – this will give you much more grip when jumping and cruising. And lastly, choose a deck size that fits your body well – larger decks are better for gripping turns but can be harder to ride in urban areas due to the large surface area.

3. What shape is the best for longboards?

Traditionally, the top mount shape where the center of gravity stays higher with higher deck placement is the best shape for longboards.

4. Loaded longboards vs LandYachtz?

Loaded longboards are perfect for cruising and freestyle riding, while LandYachtz boards are better suited for carving and downhill skating.
Loaded longboards typically feature a longer wheelbase which makes them more stable when turning. They also have bigger wheels that provide excellent traction.
LandYachtz boards, on the other hand, are designed to handle hard terrain with ease. Their smaller wheels help to maintain stability as you carve through corners, while their wider decks offer plenty of space to land tricks. Additionally, they’re built with a concave design that is great for sliding and grinding.

5. Can you cruise using a drop-down longboard?

For riding types that keep you within 25 mph, including cruising and carving, drop-down boards are awesome. So yes, you can cruise with ease using them.

6. What’s the ideal length for a longboard?

A rule of thumb is this — shorter boards mean sharpness, and longer ones mean stability. But the ideal length of a longboard is between 32 to 42 inches. It’s difficult to specify since skateboards are a thing of personal preference at the end of the day.

7. How safe are longboards?

Compared to your typical skateboard, a longboard is safer and more stable to ride. The deck size and shape make it have a better balance. That said, you’ll still need to use proper safety gear since accidents don’t come with warnings.

8. Out of bamboo and maple, which is better for longboard construction?

Bamboo is definitely the winner if you consider “better” as synonymous with stiffness and durability.

9. How much should a longboard weigh?

Usually, a longboard weighs anything from 8 to 11 pounds. This can vary depending on deck size and the weight of its trucks.

10. Is wheel bite bad and why does it happen?

Wheel bite can happen for any of the following — your trucks are super loose; the wheels are too large for the cutout, or there’s no wheel well cutout, to begin with. And yes, this is pretty bad given that the wheels can rub against the board deck and damage it a lot.

11. Why do people dislike Loaded Longboard?

Loaded longboards have been popular for a while now, but some people seem to have a negative opinion of them. Some of the main reasons that people dislike Loaded boards are because they feel that they’re too stiff and difficult to ride. Additionally, many think that the graphics are cheesy and not up to par with other brands in the industry.
Some users also complain about how poorly made the deck is, citing cracks and bad joints as common problems. Many love Loaded longboard decks however; these typically rave about their great stability and sleek designs. So it’s important to try out a board before you decide whether or not it’s right for you.

Final Words

Flexing your moves is fun when you’ve got the right board in sync with your style. And what can be more in sync to fit your vibes than a top-tier board from our loaded longboards review list? The best skaters deserve precisely that.

Gabriel

Hi, my name is Gabriel. I am completed my MBA from private university and my subject was IT (Information Technology) and also I complete my graduation form South East University and Department from CSE (Computer Science & Engineering). I am author and blogger of this website who loves to write about different topics that are related to the board sport. From beginner tips to intermediate advice, I want to offer you quality content that will help improve your skill set and make you a better rider. Thanks for checking out my site!