How to choose a cruiser skateboard

At Cruisin City, you’ll find a huge selection of cruiser skateboards with different sizes, shapes, and designs.

With so many awesome cruisers to choose from, it can be hard to find what’s best for you!

This guide will help you pick out the best cruiser skateboard to suit your size and personal riding style.

When you’re ready, check out our full selection of complete cruiser skateboards to find your next ride!

How to find the best Cruiser Size for You

Cruiser skateboards are generally categorized by the length and width measurements of the deck in inches.

Lengths usually range from around 25” to 32” and widths from 7” to 9.5”.

When choosing a cruiser skateboard, there is not a set rule which states the exact size that a rider should use.

There is simply an element of personal preference in determining which board size you should skate.

Your shoe size can be used to get an idea of which cruiser size will suit you.

  • Skaters with a shoe size ranging from Women’s US 6-8/Men’s US 4-6 should look for a deck width around 7”- 8”
  • Skaters with a shoe size ranging from Women’s US 9-11/Men’s US 7-9 should look for a deck width around 8-9”
  • Skaters with a shoe size Women’s US 12/Men’s US 10 and larger should look for a deck width of around 8.5” and up.

The length of cruiser skateboards is generally tailored to suit the width of the deck, so length is not terribly important in selecting a proper cruiser size.

Exception: Penny Boards!

You may have noticed that most Penny Boards are much smaller than standard cruiser skateboards, that’s part of the fun!

Penny Boards are purposefully small, generally with a 22” or 27” length, making them super easy to carry along with you.

The small size also gives them a distinct ride as they are very zippy and nimble.

The plastic deck construction gives them light flexibility, allowing you to carve into turns and slides.


Penny board photo by Max Tarkhov

A larger skater could technically ride the 22” Penny Board, but the small size means the skater’s feet will be quite close together which isn’t so comfortable or safe.

  • The 22” size is best left for smaller skaters with a shoe size under Women’s US 10/Men’s US 8.
  • The 27” size offers more deck space and is ideal for larger skaters.

So Many Cruiser Shapes to Choose From!

There’s really no limit to cruiser skateboard shapes!

The wide selection of shapes is one of the coolest aspects about cruisers and is largely what sets them apart from standard, popsicle-shaped skateboard decks.

The shape of your cruiser skateboard is entirely up to your personal preference.

In general, cruiser skateboards almost always have a kicktail – a tail below the rear truck with an upward concave.

Other Cool Cruiser Features

So you’ve found the perfect cruiser size and a shape you love, what else is there?

Many cruiser skateboards come with wheel-wells.

While not necessary, they are both fashionable and functional.

Wheel-wells show off the beautiful wood plies of the deck and they give you a little extra turning radius to help prevent “wheelbite” (your wheels rubbing on the board during turns).

Many cruisers from brands like Dusters and Landyachtz feature wheel-wells.

You may have noticed that some cruisers feature two plastic strips on the sides of the deck. These are called “rails” and their origin dates to the early days of skateboarding.

Rails allow you to do long boardslides on curbs, ledges, grind rails, and coping as the durable plastic slides easily over these obstacles.

In addition, rails will protect the graphic of the deck during slides!

Cruiser skateboards are known for their super smooth and relaxed ride. This is largely due to the soft and grippy wheels found on cruiser skateboards!


Photo from Dusters California

Wheel hardness is measured on a durometer scale.

However, what you need to know is that cruiser wheels generally range from 78A to 83A durometer.

78A wheels are a standard longboard wheel.

These wheels are soft and will smoothly glide across the pavement with tons of grip during turns.

83A wheels are just a bit harder, giving them a slightly higher top speed than 78A wheels but also making them more ideal for skaters who specifically have smooth pavement riding surfaces to enjoy.

You can easily change out the wheels on your cruiser skateboard to replace them or alter your riding experience.

Cruisin City offers replacement wheels from top brands like OJ Wheels, Ricta, and Bones Wheels.

Please check out our cruiser wheels in the shop to see what we currently have in stock!

WHAT IS THE BEST CRUISER SKATEBOARD FOR BEGINNERS?

The best cruiser skateboard for people with little to no experience is typically a complete cruiser skateboard. A complete cruiser comes professionally pre-assembled with components that are made to fit together for the best cruising experience.

If you wish to build your cruiser skateboard yourself, it should be equipped with a wide deck, wide trucks to fit with the deck, and soft, grippy wheels. The best cruiser for you will depend on several factors such as your body size and which board setup that you think looks awesome! After all, skateboarding is about personal expression!

Choosing a Cruiser Deck 

A cruiser deck is typically 7 to 10 inches wide for stability. Note that the wider the deck, the more stable it is when going fast. Usually, cruisers are 25” to 32” inches long. However, the width of the deck generally has a greater impact on the feel and stability of the board overall. 

Choosing Cruiser Trucks

As for cruiser trucks, they should be as wide as the deck so you won’t tip over when leaning side to side when turning or carving. The trucks can be a touch wider than the deck. However, you must be careful because if the trucks are too wide, it will make them susceptible to “wheelbite”. Wheelbite is when the wheels rub on the underside of the deck during turns. This can cause the wheels to abruptly stop which can cause accidents.

Choosing Cruiser Wheels

Now that you have the right set of trucks on a wide cruiser deck, it’s time to choose the right wheels to go with it.
The best cruiser wheels should be bigger, softer, and grippier than regular skateboarding wheels. 

Cruiser skateboard wheels typically range from 58 to 65mm in diameter. Wheels bigger than this will likely require riser pads to be fitted under the trucks as the wheels will rub on the underside of the board during turns. 

The next thing you should look at is the wheel durometer. The durometer measures the hardness and softness of skateboard wheels. The best durometer for cruiser skateboard wheels is 76-80a. 

Slightly bigger wheels will add to ride comfort and stability. The durometer will allow you to ride more comfortably over cracks in the road and sidewalk cracks, as well as over small rocks and pebbles which may otherwise cause smaller skateboard wheels to get caught up and stop. 

SHOULD YOU GET A COMPLETE CRUISER SKATEBOARD?

We highly recommend getting a complete skateboard cruiser setup to start out as a beginner. Not only are they professionally assembled to let you cruise right out of the box—but they’re specifically equipped with the most compatible components for cruising.
Once you have a complete cruiser skateboard, you can also use the board as a “base”.
Then, you will simply replace parts as you need them going forward.

Some brands like Dusters, Landyachtz, and Globe have a huge selection of complete cruiser skateboards which are excellent for beginners. 

CRUISER SKATEBOARD FAQ’S

WHAT IS CRUISING ON A SKATEBOARD?

Cruising on a skateboard is simply referring to riding your board wherever you wish to go!
Cruising is about taking to the streets, shredding sidewalks, parking lots, or anything else that looks fun. Cruising is one of the best ways to start skateboarding! Cruising helps you learn the fundamentals of comfortably riding your board. Eventually, you can progress to learn tricks and more if you decide to test your skills. 

Beyond the term “cruising”, there’s also such a thing as a cruiser skateboard.
A cruiser skateboard is a specific type of skateboard that features components specifically made for more comfort, speed, etc. Generally, the key differences between a cruiser skateboard and a standard skateboard are the wheels and size and shape of the deck

IS IT EASY TO LEARN HOW TO RIDE A CRUISER SKATEBOARD?

Even without experience, just about anyone can learn how to ride a cruiser skateboard!
One of the key benefits of a cruiser skateboard over a standard skateboard is that they’re generally a bit more controllable in speed and steering. Larger, softer wheels are much to blame for this, as they are slightly slower to take off, more comfortable, and grippier on surfaces for better control.

If you want to learn the difference between standard/trick skateboards, cruisers, and longboards—you can check out one of our previous articles here

CAN YOU DO TRICKS ON A CRUISER SKATEBOARD?

Pressing down on the kicktail will bring the front wheels off the ground and even allow you to do some basic tricks.

However, fewer cruiser skateboards have an actual nose.

It’s part of the old-school design of many cruiser skateboards to have only a small nose above the top truck.

You can still find some cruiser decks with a full nose. Brands such as Santa Cruz have several cruiser options with a nose.

The nose allows you to do nose wheelies or simple tricks “off the nose”.

If you plan to try some tricks or ride the cruiser at a skatepark, it could be best to opt for a board with a more defined nose, tail, and concave.

However, if you’re looking for some 1970’s California sidewalk surfin’ vibes, maybe you prefer something with a more classic, fish-shaped design like cruisers from Z-Flex.

It’s up to you to choose a shape you like!