Tom Chandler

Author Archives: Tom Chandler

"When your hands hit the floor, they get cut up. When mine hit the floor, they slide with ease"

What Are Liner Socks Used For?

Have you ever been out camping or doing outdoor activities and got your feet wet?

Well, this can be really frustrating. Also, have you gone long days hiking and then ended up with sores and blisters your feet? This is a pain too and can ruin your next days activities.

How can you fix this problem? Well, you could buy expensive hiking boots, but this might not be the best option.

An easier option is to use sock liners. After reading this you will know what sock liners are and also if they are right for you.

What Are Liner Socks Used For

What Are Liner Socks Used For

What are Sock Liners?

First before getting into what sock liners actually do, we will cover what sock liners are. Sock liners a a thin polyester or light wool sock that is worn inside your other sock.

You put the sock liner on first, and then you put your other sock on over it. It doesn’t matter if the other sock is a normal sock or a thicker hiking sock.

You can use sock liners with both. Some sock liners are even made out of a smooth silk or polypropylene, so they can come in all kinds of varieties.

What are Sock Liners for?

Now that we have gave a simple explanation of what sock liners are we can get into what sock liners are used for.

Sock liners are mainly used when hiking or doing other outdoor activities to prevent getting blisters. The way the sock liner works is it helps wick moister away from your feet which helps keep it dry.

Having wet sweaty feet is one of the main cause of blisters. You would think having two pairs of socks on would cause your feet to get sweater, but because of the material the sock liner is made of it helps keep your foot dry and transfers the moister into your outer sock.

Sock liners also help prevent friction. This is because it keeps your foot from sliding around inside your boot or shoe.

Besides your foot getting wet, another cause of blisters is repetitive rubbing on the same spot. Having two layers to protect your foot from rubbing helps prevent blisters. Sock liners are also wore tighter than normal socks, so it keeps your foot from rubbing the inside of your sock or your sock rubbing your foot if it is too loose.

These are the two main ways that liner socks help prevent blisters, which is the main cause.

Should you use?

Using sock liner when hiking

Using sock liner when hiking

Should you use liner socks then?

Well, the answer is maybe. Some people are more likely to get blisters and if you have sensitive feet, then liner socks might be the solution for you. However, it can be hard to find the right combination of sock liners, socks, and shoes.

Sometimes that extra layer can cause your shoe to fit uncomfortably. Also, if the liner sock gets wrinkled or causes your other sock to get wrinkled, then not only is this uncomfortable, but it can also lead to blisters. Your socks being wrinkled can cause extra rubbing and friction.

The key if wanting to wear sock liners is to just experiment with different combinations of liners and socks to find one that works comfortably. It is a good idea to do the experimenting before going on a hiking trip.

Experimenting in the field on a trip can lead to a miserable trip. Also, you got to remember that when you get a new set of boots you might have to experiment all over again. The real key to preventing blisters when hiking is to make sure you are wearing socks and boots that fit properly and vent well to keep the sweat from building up.

Another tip is if you get your feet wet, switch your socks and sock liner as soon as possible because you don’t want moister being held to your feet,

Another Use for Sock Liner?

One final use for liner socks is wearing them while you sleep. You may be wondering why and thinking that it is to keep your feet warm with the extra layer, but that is not completely the reason. It will help keep your feet warm which should lead to better sleep, but it will keep your feet warm because it will wick the sweat off your feet away. This way your feet won’t get wet and get cold during the night. Also, by keeping your feet dry during the night it will help keep your feet in a healthier condition to keep them from getting blisters later.

Conclusion

Liner socks are for wearing when you are doing outdoor activities. They are mainly worn when hiking. A sock liner or liner sock is just a thin sock that can be made of all kinds of materials. It is worn under your normal sock.

The main purpose is to prevent blisters from forming. It does this by moving the moister away from your foot and also reducing friction.

Choosing to wear sock liners is completely a person choice and some people love them, while others don’t. T

he key is to just fine some that work with your current socks and boots and are comfortable.

After reading this though, you now know what sock liners are and have the information to determine if you want to try wearing them or not. You also have a better idea of how they should fit based on what they are used for and a better idea how to find a pair that is right for you.

Is Spring Water Safe To Drink And How To Determine If Safe

Have you ever been out hiking and came across a spring and wondered if it was safe to drink from?

Well, the answer is it depends. After reading this article you will have a better understanding on what makes spring water safe to drink and how to determine if the spring you found is safe to drink from.

Water is always safe to drink if you boil it, but sometimes you don’t want to have to take the time to do that, so learn these tips, and you will be able to determine if the water is safe or not.

Is Spring Water Safe To Drink And How To Determine If Safe

Is Spring Water Safe To Drink And How To Determine If Safe

Spring Water

What is spring water? Well, spring water is water that comes out of the ground. It can come from a cave and flow out like a creek or it can just seep thru cracks in the rocks on the side of a cliff. Pretty much any water that appears to be coming out of the ground is considered spring water.

How is it safe?

The reason spring water has the potential to be safe to drink without boiling or filtering is because the earth filters it as it flows thru the ground. The dirt and rocks catch particles that could be in it and traps them, so then once the water reaches the surface it doesn’t have much in it. Also, since it is flowing under the ground and isn’t exposed to the surface it has a lower chance of having human or animal pollutants in it.

Where are springs?

Springs can be found anywhere.

Normally they are found in areas with surface rock, and it helps if the rock is a karst type.

Karst rock can be ate away by the water which allows it to escape from the surface.

Sometimes springs can be right beside roads though, and they don’t just have to be in the middle of the woods. Springs in woods are normally prettier though and safer to drink from. Springs tend to have really clear and fresh water.

How to Determine if safe?

How to Determine if safe

How to Determine if safe

So now that you have a better understanding of what spring water is and why it might be safe to drink fresh from the earth, we can get into some information to help determine if it is safe.

The first thing when considering if you should drink water without boiling is if it is flowing. You never want to drink water that is stagnant or just sitting around. Water that is sitting and not flowing can grow bacteria and have other harmful things in it. For water that is fresh it must be flowing.

Secondly you need to find where it is flowing from. If you come across a creek or stream and think it is spring water, then you need to confirm this before drinking it. The best way to do that is to follow the stream up to where it is coming from and see if you can find the source. If the source can not be found, then it would probably be better to boil the water, even if it looks clean.

The next thing after making sure the water is flowing and finding the source is smelling the water. If the water has an odd scent to it, then it should not be drunk. Some areas are high in minerals that can make you sick.

One such mineral is sulfur which smells like rotten eggs. If the water has an odd scent, then you should not drink from it. Another thing to consider is the area that you are in.

If you know the history of the area, and know that their were mines around, then it might be best to avoid drinking the water because it could be coming from a mine and the water might not actually be getting filtered by the earth.

Another thing that has to do with knowing the area is if it is an area with a lot of farm lands. If there is a lot of farm lands around, then farm chemicals such as pesticides might be getting into the water source.

Another form of contamination is animal waste, so if it is near farm lands, then you have to consider that too. To find water that is less likely to be contaminated by different surface problems you should find a spring source at as high of elevation as possible. By being at a higher elevation it is less likely for the contamination to have reached it because water always flows to the lowest point.

Another thing to do before drinking from a spring and to help you determine if it is safe or not is to look at the surrounding area. If you find signs of animals, such as tracks leading to the water, then chances are better that it is safe to drink. This isn’t always the case because animals tend to have stronger stomachs and immune to certain things, but it is a sign that should help. Also, you don’t have to worry about animal signs meaning that there is animal waste in the water because animals are smart enough not to leave waste near water that they are drinking.

If you like travel around so i think you also like boarding, let’s choose best longboard for cruising, it is good stuff to have fun.

Conclusion

Spring water can be just as safe to drink as purified or boiled water. This is because it has been flowing under the ground, sometimes for hundreds of miles, and it has been naturally filtered.

The larger particles get trapped in the bigger rock and as it flows the smaller particles get trapped in the smaller rocks. Also, since it is below the surface it hasn’t have the chance to get polluted by surface contaminates.

You should still be cautious though with spring water and make sure that is what it is when you come across a stream or creek. The best thing to do is find the source, but if you can’t there are some things to consider.

Remember to make sure to find the highest source of water possible because water flows down, so if there are surface pollutants, they will not have got into the water. Also, consider the area so you can know if you have to worry about mine water or farm lands.

Another thing is to make sure the water has a good flow, so bacteria can not build up and consider the smell of the water to make sure it doesn’t have any noticeable odd odors. Lastly, look for signs of animals drinking from the water. If animals have been drinking from it, then it increases the chance of it being safe for you, especially if it passes the other test.

Now that you know these tips, you should be able to determine if spring water is safe to drink. When in doubt boil the water so you don’t get sick, but use these tips to eliminate doubt. Next time you are out in nature or hiking, you can determine if the spring water is safe, and if it is then enjoy a refreshing drink of earth made fresh water.

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Is Skateboarding Good Exercise And Does it Help you Lose Weight?

If you are trying to lose weight, then you might have considered skateboarding as an option or be wondering if it is good exercise.

Well, in this article we will cover all the health benefits to skateboarding and also determine if it is a good way to lose weight. Continue reading to find out all the positives that come with riding the skateboard besides the fact that it is a cheap and convenient way to get around town or a way to have some fun doing tricks.

Is Skateboarding Good Exercise

Is Skateboarding Good Exercise

How is Skateboarding good exercise?

So you may be wondering how skateboarding is good exercise. To those that don’t do it often it might just seem like you are kicking the ground every so often and then standing still on the board as the board does all the work moving you around, but that is not the case. Skateboarding is actually a full body thing. It works your arm muscles, leg muscles, core muscles, and even your heart.

It may not be a surprise to most that skateboarding can provide a good cardio workout. This may be especially obvious to you if you are trying to ride up a hill. You will have to do a lot of kicking and pushing off the ground to get up the hill. This can defiantly cause you to work up a sweat and get your heart going. Outside of the cardio part the rest of the workout might not seem as obvious to someone new.

The leg workout is the next most obvious part because you are using your legs to kick off the ground. This repetitive motion can help build up your calves and shape your butt. You may be thinking that you are only working one leg though. This is true if you stay standing the same way, but if you are riding for the exercise, then you can switch what way you stand and then kick with the other foot.

On a long trip this will help you be able to ride farther without your legs getting tired as well. Also, another way to ride farther and not have your legs get tired is by pumping your arms. This is where the arm workout comes in. You can use your body’s momentum to help keep the board going. Using your body’s momentum to power the board is called pumping and there are all kinds of different pumps you can learn. If you are interested in that, then we have an article here for you about how to do it properly.

So now we have covered where the leg and arm workout come in, but where does the workout for your core muscles, such as your abs come in. Well, that comes in just by standing on the board and keeping your balance. Your abs and core muscles have to help keep you stable while riding. This is especially true when you are going around curves. When doing curves you have to lean and that causes your core muscles to twist and stretch building them. If you don’t have a strong core, then you will struggle with keeping balance, but your core will build up really fast after a little bit of riding. So you can choose the best longboard for beginners to start learning skateboarding.

Is Skateboarding good for weight loses?

So now we can see that skateboarding exercises your whole body, but is it good for losing weight? To answer this question we have to look at how many calories are typically burned from riding and how many calories is in a pound of fat. For our simple equation we will look at how many calories are burned with an hour of riding. This means that if you ride a different interval you will have to change the math.

How To Choose The Right Type Of Longboard Of Perfect Shape And Style

How To Choose The Right Type Of Longboard Of Perfect Shape And Style

For a person that is 125 pounds though, then burn 300 calories in 60 minutes of riding. If that person weighs 185 pounds, then they burn 444 calories. If you weight more than that, then you will burn more, but will have to do the math on your own. That means that depending on your weight you would burn around 2100-3100 calories in a weeks’ worth of riding for one hour a day. Now one pound of fat consists of 3500 calories. That means that most people will burn between one half and one pound a week from just skateboarding.

Is one pound a week good weight loses? Well, the answer to that is yes because most doctors say to only use one to two pounds a week. Also, this is by just adding in an hour a day of skateboarding. If you are going to and from work, then you might do more than an hour a day depending on where you live. Also, if you change your diet along with picking up skateboarding, then you could lose more weight.

Who can Skateboard?

So now you might be wondering if this is good exercise for you. Well, the great thing about skateboarding is that anyone can do it.

It is a fairly low impact activity and the impact on your ankles and legs can be minimized by wearing proper shoes. The key to being successful with skateboarding is to just take it slow and stay in your comfort zone.

You should learn to balance, ride, and turn well before trying ticks. Also, if you wear proper safety equipment such as helmets and pads, then that will help reduce injury. Skateboarding doesn’t just have to be for kids and teenagers, adults can do it too, and there are all kinds of boards to fit your own style. You just have to find what works for you.

Conclusion

Skateboarding can provide a full body workout for anyone. It is an excellent source of cardio to help your heart be stronger, but can also be used to build your leg, arm, and core muscles. Skateboarding can be done on any road and is a great fun way to exercise. On top of that, skateboarding is also an excellent way to lose weight. If someone just adds in an hour of skateboarding a day into their routine and doesn’t change anything else, then they can lose almost a pound a week of fat. That is healthy and good results. So don’t be afraid and give skateboarding a try if you are wanting to change up your exercise routine or start one.

1

What’s Pumping On A Longboard And How To Get Better At It

When riding a longboard you the objective is to get it going and keep it going. There are two main ways to do this kicking or pushing and pumping.

Pushing is how most people start to learn how to ride, and you pretty much have to push to get a board started, but it isn’t the only method to keep a moving board moving.

Kicking is when you push off the ground with your foot to move the board. This article though is going to focus on pumping. Once you are done the reading, you will know what pumping is and how to get better at it.

Pumping on a longboard

Pumping on a longboard

What is Pumping On A Longboard?

Pumping on a longboard is using your bodies motion to help keep the board going.

This is done with a variety of technicians, but all focus on shifting your weight and using your bodies momentum to transition power to the board. You can also use your terrain to help with this instead of having it slow you down.

Why Learn to Pump?

There are a few reasons why learning to pump is useful.

The main reason is that once you are good at it, it takes less energy to do then the pushing method. This allows you for long distance riding.

The another reason why it is good to learn to pump is that it is a great workout for your whole body. This means you will be getting even more exercise by riding and also as your muscles get stronger it will be easier to pump.

The last reason is the main reason why people want to learn how and that is because it looks cool. Watching someone who is a skilled pumper makes it look easy, and it is crazy to watch someone be able to keep a board going for miles without having to kick.

Stances

The first thing before the different moves that we will talk about is the different stances.

When riding a board, especially for pumping purposes, there are three main stances used.

There is the surf stance, the parallel stance, running stance, and then also the less common backward stance.

The surf stance you stand sideways on the board and have one foot on the front half of the board and the other foot on the back half. Depending on what is comfortable for you, you can adjust what part of the board you stand on.

Some people stand more towards the front, while others stand on the back half and even some stand in the middle.

This is probably the most common stance these days, and that is because it allows you to throw all your body weight on the board.

Young woman riding on her longboard.

Young woman riding on her longboard.

The parallel stance you put your feet right beside each other and mainly in the middle of the board.

Some riders have one foot slightly in front of the other, but not by much. This stance is also known as a skier stance because you look like you are on skis. This stance is still a good one but requires a lot more balance. The positive to this stance is it can leverage the power of the snaps on the board. That means if you have a board with more give to it, then you might want to try this stance to use the boars own power better.

The running stance you have your feet spread apart pointing forward while also facing forward. The lead foot can be whichever you are most comfortable.

This stance is fairly uncommon, but some people like it. The perk of this stance is that you can use your arms a lot more in your pumps. Also, instead of putting your weight on the front or back of the board, you focus on putting it on the sides of the board with this stance.

Lastly, we have the uncommon backward stance. This stance you stand back on the board or opposite the way you are moving.

The advantage of this stance is you use a whole different set of muscle than you normally would with your pumps. This is good if you are getting tired, but still, want to ride. You can spin around and keep going.

The problem is you can’t see where you are going, so you need to be familiar with the path or get good at turning your head around while still pumping.

Forms

how to slide on a longboard

How to slide on a longboard

Now we will cover a few different pumping forms. For pumping it is all about shifting the weight of your body on the board to maximize the energy in the board. This means doing different twist and shifts and things.

The first technician we will look at is called Hangin Loose. With this method, you swing your arms low and quietly. You then alternate weighting and unweighting the board in the turns. This is done by shifting your weight from the front to the back foot and how much you squat and lean, with the turn.

With this technique, your upper body is always ahead of your lower body. You make a small twist with your lower body, and it is like it is playing catch-up. The power for this pump comes from your abs and core making it, so it doesn’t take a whole lot of energy, and it is great for long distance riding.

The next form is shadow boxing. This form you keep your arms curled at your side like in a boxing stance. This pump you barely move your arms, and most power comes from the core and some with your ankles. This is a good method to use when starting out because it helps you feel how your core moves and helps you see what movements generate the most power.

The next one we will look at is called rocking the baby. You lock our arms together like you are holding a baby and then you just literally rock your arms back and forth and shift your weight thru your body.

This pump is easy, and it doesn’t take a lot of movement to keep you going, but it can be more tiring than some of the others. Tied to this pump is one called tossing the baby. This one you throw your arms high and to the side as you shift your weight side to side. Think about rollerblading only on the best longboards and that gives you a good idea how to do this pump.

Lastly, we have the chop. It is a lot like throwing the baby, but not as big of arm motions. The chop still gets a lot of power from the arms, but also uses the core. Now that you know some of the basic techniques we can move to board set up.

Board Set Up

Depending on your riding style you might want to adjust your board a certain way to certain pumps.

The key is to have wheels that are high rebound and the size that match your ride.

For shorter rides, you will want smaller wheels, and for longer rides, you will want bigger wheels.

You also want a board that is wide enough for your feet when your feet are sideways. Also, a board with a little spring to it will help with generating power, but you don’t want it to be overly flexible that your power goes away from the bend.

As for truck set up, that will depend on you. Some people like their trucks on the same tightness, while others like one looser than the other. Most pumpers tend to add wedging to their trucks, but the degrees vary. You just have to experiment to find the set up that fits your style the best.

Tips

The big tip to learning to pump is just to practice. You may look silly at first, but that is okay. The more you practice, the better you will be at knowing what body motions lead to what results. Also, what works for you may not work for someone else. Some different motions to try are a half circle motion with your hips and lower body, a bouncing motion, and then just a shifting of your weight from foot to foot motion. The only way to learn the motions is to do it.

Conclusion

It may take you a little bit to get good at pumping, but once you do it will be worth it. Just practice and experiment and you will eventually figure out what works for you. The whole point of pumping Is making it your own and being creative and unique. There is no one right way to pump on a longboard.

1

Penny Board Vs. Longboard: Which Is Right For You?

In the skateboarding world, there are a handful of different options, and this can be confusing for some people. This is especially true if you are a new rider and trying to find the perfect board for your needs.

There are your regular skateboards, but these are mainly for tricks. If you are looking for a board to get around, then you will probably consider a longboard or penny board.

This article will explain what each of those is and also the benefits and negatives of each one. After reading this article, you should know which option is the best for you.

Longboard vs Penny Board

Longboard vs Penny Board

What is Longboard and Penny Board

About Longboard?

Why Skateparks Are A Better Place For Longboarding

First, we will talk about what a longboard is. A longboard is a skateboard that is longer than a normal one, hence the name.

Longboards normally also have bigger wheels than a standard skateboard. This helps them have a smoother ride and maintain stability at higher speeds.

Most longboards are made from wood, and the board decks have a variety of different styles.

Here in this article, we are not going to go into a lot of detail of the different types of longboards. There is too much information to cover, and we are mainly focused on the difference between a longboard verses a penny board.

For farther details, if you think a longboard is a right option for you, then you can read more articles on our site to narrow down which longboard for you to get. We got articles on the different woods used, the different deck styles, and pretty much any other information you might need. In this article about best longboard for beginner, we choose the best for newbie, you should go to it if you are starting learn longboarding

What is a Penny Board?

So now that you know the necessary information of what a longboard is, we can go into discussing what a penny board is.

A penny board is a small skateboard that is designed to be mobile.

A penny board is always made of plastic, and hence the name is small. They have plastic wheels as well, but the trucks are still metal.

Most companies use a unique formula of plastic to help keep their boards strong and durable.

Penny boards are incredibly light at normally around 4 pounds. This means that you won’t have any problem carrying it around.

Also, they are known for the variety of designs they come in.

Since they’re plastic, you can get a variety of different colors and patterns that aren’t as easily obtainable on other types of boards. This means that you can have a look be what you want without having to spend a lot on a customized board.

Purpose of a Penny Board

Beauty Girl With Penny Board On Beach

Beauty Girl With Penny Board On Beach

So, what is the function of a penny board then? Why would someone want a light, small skateboard?

Well, the main point to the penny board is getting from one point to the next. Penny boards are designed for commuting and making it around easily. This is especially true if you are going to be riding thru tight spots or in a city. Since they are small, it is easier to avoid obstacles.

The other pros to a penny board are since it is lightweight you can carry it easily. A penny board will fit into most backpacks, so you can take it into school, a store, or on a subway easily.  They are also very durable, which is nice if you are riding it to travel a lot because you won’t have to worry about it scratching or chipping.

The downside to a penny board though is a small size does not give you enough room for your feet.

Once you become a more experienced rider, this starts to become less of an issue, but at first, finding how to stand on a penny board can be a challenge. They are starting to make nickel boards now which are still plastic and like a penny board, but a little bigger. This helps for foot issues, while still maintaining the light weightiness of a penny board.

The other downside of a penny board is that they can lose stability at high speeds.

This means if you have a lot of hill son your path, then you might have to walk it down the hill or slow it down with your foot as you ride down. This can be frustrating, and new riders may not be able to tell when they are going to lose control before they do, so it might lead to some crashes at first if you get going to fast and lose stability.

Reason for Longboard

The pros to the best longboards for the money are that you can go quickly on them. This means for hilly rides that you don’t have to worry about whipping out.

One big use for longboards is downhill riding, so high speeds are not an issue with them. Another perk of a longboard is the extra foot space. This leads to a more comfortable ride. Longboards are also just as durable as penny boards for long-term use if you don’t care about looks that much. Longboards will get scratched, and the pain on the bottom will wear off after lots of use, so if you don’t want that, then you might want to avoid a longboard.

The downside to a longboard is that they are heavier. This means if you are carrying your board a lot, then it might get hard on you or make you tired.

Longboards are also harder to navigate thru tighter areas.

They are great for getting around, especially with long distances, but once you are in the city, they can be more cumbers-om. This is extremely true if you don’t have a larger backpack to carry it in because you will have to carry it with you into buildings.

Also, some places might frown on having a bigger skateboard hanging out of your backpack or not allow large bags in like that.

Which is for you?

So which type of board should you get between a longboard and a penny board?

Well, my answer is if you are just going to be doing standard commuting and not many hills, then you should probably get a penny board. This is majorly true if you are in a busy urban area that is crowded.

If however, you want to learn tricks as well as commute, then you might want to consider a longboard because penny boards are not designed to do many ticks on. The main purpose of a penny board is to get around easy.

Another reason I would recommend a longboard to someone is if they plan on doing more off-road type cruising, This doesn’t necessarily mean riding off the road, but means riding in more hilly environments or less city like ones.

The extra stability at high speeds make longboards nice and also the extra foot room helps, especially for long rides. Longboards are also good because they are more customizable for riding style then penny boards.

Conclusion

No matter which route you go between a penny board and a longboard you will be able to find a board that suites your needs. Now that you have read this and know the advantages an disadvantages of each one you can research farther or start trying them out to see which one you like the best. Finding what is comfortable for you is the main part and this is especially true for a commuting board, which penny boards and longboards both make great options for.

What Kind Of Wood Are Longboards Made From?

Longboards can be made out of a variety of different kinds of material and as time has gone on the preference to what type of material to use has changed.

Some of this is due to technology because specific materials that are available now weren’t always available or not widely available.

What your deck is made of is one of the significant factors that affect the cost, but the material doesn’t just change that.

What Kind Of Wood Are Longboards Made From

What Kind Of Wood Are Longboards Made From

The other big thing that the material concerns are the weight of the board. The conventional materials for longboard decks are wood, bamboo, and carbon fiber or a composite material.

This article is just going to focus on the wood materials though, as there are enough options with only those to fill up an article.

What Kinds Of Woods Are Used For Longboards?

Two main kinds of wood are used, and those are birch and maple. Then there is also bamboo which some people consider wood even though it is technically a grass, but we will discuss it here as well.

The wood can also be used in two forms. You can use a solid piece of the wood, or you can use plywood. Plywood is thin veneer pieces of the wood glued together and the thickness can number of layers can vary.

The advantages of using a solid piece of wood are that it is stronger and you don’t have to worry about the glue that holds the plywood together coming apart.

The downside to a solid piece of wood is that it cost more and also is heavier. This is why most people opt for plywood ranging in some lawyers from 5ply to 12ply usually.

The plywood also has a bit of flex, which is good where a solid piece is too strong, and flexing can lead to the board breaking.

Maple

Now that you know the three basic types of wood and the forms you can choose between a solid piece of plywood, we will take a look at the qualities of each specific model.

Maple wood is a hardwood and is heavy and sturdy. The decks made of these are most often used for downhill riding.

Depending on the shape and style of board, maple boards can pick up a lot of speed. Freestyle riders also like them.

Since maple is a dense wood the board is ordinarily 5ply-10ply and they usually alternate bamboo between the layers. This alternating helps cut down on the weight because an all maple board would be cumbersome.

The advantage to a maple board is that it will last for a long time. Also, you can do slides without any rattling or vibrations going thru the board because it is strong.

The downside is maple is massive which some people may not like. This is especially true if you are using your board for cruising and have to carry it some because even with the bamboo layers, maple is still more substantial than other options.

Bamboo

How To Choose The Right Type Of Longboard Of Perfect Shape And Style

How To Choose The Right Type Of Longboard Of Perfect Shape And Style

Next, we will take a look at boards made from solely bamboo.

These boards are light and typically consist of 5ply to 9ply. Even though they are light, they still have decent strength, but because bamboo is more of a grass than a wood board made of it offer a lot of flex.

This flex makes it great for absorbing bumps and rough ground. This makes this options an excellent option for cruising because the ride will be even smoother than a cruiser board made of another material.

Also, the lightweight is excellent for a cruiser because when you have to carry it, it isn’t a big deal.

Bamboo boards are also great for low-speed riding and recommend for that.

If you ride one at too high of a speed, you are likely to get wobble which can cause wrecks.

This is why if you want to do downhill riding you should look into another board material option. Lastly, though bamboo boards are excellent for turns.

The flex allows you to lean more in-depth into the corner and that helps make it crisper. So for casual cruiser or freestyle riders bamboo is a great option.

Birch

The reason we saved birch for last is that it is a hybrid type option.

It has some of the qualities of both maple and bamboo. The conditions it gets from maple are the strength and weight, but it gets the flex of bamboo. It is an in-between board material.

Normally boards made of birch use 9ply to 12ply. The reason that it is so high is you need a lot of it to get it stable and sturdy like maple.

Birch is more flexible than bamboo when it is in single layers. Also, birch is usually the cheapest option. Some people even make their maple boards at home because it is easy to work with using basic hand tools.

Since birch has a mix of qualities between maple and bamboo, it can be used for pretty much any type of riding.

The flex that it offers help it absorb bumps and take turns easily like a bamboo board so that you can use a birch board as a cruiser.

The extra strength though from all the layers makes it have some weight to it as well though so you can use it as a downhill board as well.

Depending on how you are going to use your birch board, you can set it up with wheels and trucks that compliment that type of riding. That makes birch boards very versatile.

Which Material For Your Board?

The material you pick for your best longboards depends on what you are going to be using it for the most and also your riding style. The best way to find out which material you like is to try out all three kinds of wood. One of them will feel right to you and met your needs,

Conclusion

The thing to remember when picking out a wood longboard is the strength flex you need, and the riding you will be doing. Maple, birch, and bamboo all have good qualities about them and bad. The key is to maximize the good and minimize the bad with how you use your longboard.

How Difficult Is Longboarding And Some Tips To Make It Easier?

If you are thinking about getting into longboard riding, then you might be wondering how hard it is. Well, this article will give you a peek at the challenges, while also providing some tips to make it easier.

Is longboarding hard

How Difficult Is Longboarding And Some Tips To Make It Easier

Longboarding boarding can be a lot of fun. If you have ridden a regular skateboard before, then you are most of the way there for riding a longboard.

A lot of the skills required for longboarding are the same as riding a regular skateboard. Continue reading to find out what those skills are.

How Hard is Longboard Riding?

Longboard riding isn’t any harder than riding a regular skateboard. However, the primary goal of longboard riding usually is different than with a standard skateboard.

On a standard skateboard, most people want to learn how to do tricks, and that is where the tricky part comes in.

The riding isn’t too bad. For longboard riding, most people just want to get good at cruising around at top speeds and learning this is more natural then tricks.

For entirely new riders though it might seem hard at first because the skills you are doing are foreign to you. Also, one thing that makes longboard riding a bit of a challenge for new riders is longboards are meant to be customized to your riding style, but if you don’t have a riding style, you won’t know what type of board to get so the board you have may not fit your style.

At first, it is a good idea to experiment with a few boards and figure out the type that works for you. With entirely new riders, you should use longboard for beginner to start learn about it.

Some Tips To Make Longboard Easier. Is it hard?

Even for new longboard riders it still isn’t that hard of a skill to learn. Once you know how to do the basics, the rest falls into place pretty easy. Before you know it, you will be cruising at top speeds and crushing hills. To make the transition even easier from becoming a novice rider to an expert we will also include some basic tips.

Finding your stance.

Probably the most important thing when it comes to first learning to ride board is to find your stance. Everyone stands slightly different, but there are two main ways to stand.

One is with your right foot forward which is known as goofy, and the other is known as regular, and that is with your left foot ahead.

Luckily one advantage of riding a longboard is the extra length gives you more room to position your feet comfortable. You want to make sure your feet are comfortable when riding.

Also, the extra space allows you to move your feet which is nice, especially when you start learning to push, but we aren’t there yet.

How To Choose Longboard For Cruising

How To Choose Longboard For Cruising

So now that you know the two primary stances it is time to figure out which one is for you. There are a few fundamental ways to do this.

One is to sit down or lay down on the floor. Then just stand up. Whichever foot you use to push yourself up with first is the one that should go in front. This may sound pretty basic, but it is a useful method. Some people don’t get up by bending one leg and pushing off with one particular foot first though. If that is the case for you, then there is another method to finding which foot to lead with.

The second method for figuring out which foot should be your front foot when riding is to have someone push you from behind. To prevent yourself from falling you will naturally step forward with one foot. Whichever foot you step forward with should be your lead foot. If you still don’t know what foot to lead with, then just ride one way and then switch if it is uncomfortable. One way of riding should feel better to you than the other.

Pushing

Once you know which foot to lead with it is time to start learning how to push. To get the best results when pushing you to want to have a low stance. A low position helps lower your center of gravity and makes keeping your balance easier. Once you get more experienced, you can start changing your posture and make it more your own. Professional and advanced riders don’t stand in a proper quote way, but it works for them because they are used to it. It is kind of like a baseball player and his batting stance. They make the position their own like you can with your riding stance once you are more practiced.

How To Start And Stop Longboard

How To Start And Stop Longboard

After you have a proper stance down to practice pushing, you want to start out slow at first. This is so you can keep your balance when you move your foot from the board to the ground. You want to lift your back foot slightly off the board and then lower it to the ground.

You just place the front half of your foot on the ground and then make a flicking motion with your ankle to push off. If you are new to riding, then you might not have good leg strength yet to get powerful pushes, but this is okay. With more travel, you will build up muscles and can push harder and build speed faster.

Eventually pushing will become a natural rhythm to you and the board will just be an expansion of your body.

For some people, it is uncomfortable to push with the back foot though. If this is you, then you can try pushing with your front foot. This is unconventional but can be done. You push with your front foot the same way as you do with your back foot.

The problem with doing this though is it is typically harder to balance when pushing with your front foot. Another solution, if it is uncomfortable to push with your back foot, is to change your stance.

You should try standing with he other foot leading and see if it is still uncomfortable to push with the back foot after changing the direction you are facing.

Practice

Practice Longboarding

Practice Longboarding

Once you have these necessary skills down of standing on the board and pushing the best way to get good at riding is just a lot of practice. The more you practice riding, the better you will get and the more you will get to know your board.

Once you know the feel of your board, you will be able to understand what you like and don’t want. The things you like you can improve on by customizing and the things you don’t like you can also adjust. That is one of the great things about longboarding is you can make the board your own. Eventually, you will have a board that is all your own.

I highly recommend article about best longboards, i will point the best for newbie in this game.

Conclusion

Your board will become an expansion of your body once you have been riding for awhile. While it may be hard at first for new riders, longboard riding isn’t all that hard. Most people would say that it is easier than riding a regular skateboard since you have more foot room. If you have ridden a regular skateboard before, then the transition to a longboard is even more comfortable. This is because you already got most of the necessary skills down, but the basic skills aren’t too complicated for beginners to learn. Since the skills build on each other once you know one the next is easier to learn to which makes the learning curve better. Taking the time to learn longboarding is worth it because it is a fun hobby and great way to get around.

What Is Different Between Cruiser Vs Longboard?

In the skateboard world, there are a wide variety of boards. You have your standard board with the kicktail on one end and a pointed end on the other that most people think of when they hear skateboard.

Then you have longboards that are more extended versions of this.

Longboards can also have other differences, but the main one is they are longer than the standard skateboard. Another type of board is a cruiser board. These usually are longer than a regular skateboard but not always as long as a longboard.

Cruisers are also generally really flat and thinner than typical skateboards. This article though is going to focus on the main differences and uses of a longboard vs a cruiser.

What Is Different Between Cruiser Vs Longboard

What Is Different Between Cruiser Vs Longboard

Cruiser Boards

Cruiser in the street

Cruiser in the street

First, we will go into what a cruiser is.

Usually what sets a cruiser board apart from other boards is the parts that are on it and the shape.

Most cruisers have a pointed front in to help cut thru the air. They are also extremely flat compared to other boards. This is to help them be as aerodynamic as possible and help you get top speed.

Another thing that sets cruisers apart is the soft wheels. The wheels being soft help them absorb bumps on your path better. It also helps make the ride smoother.

The primary use of a cruiser is to get around town or form one place to another. Cruisers are not designed to do tricks on. The boards don’t have a way to kick them in the air, and the trucks are not designed for grinds and things.

Instead, a cruiser shines at picking up speed quickly and being comfortable to stand on. Since they are meant to be comfortable to stand on, they tend to be longer than a regular skateboard. Some cruisers are the length of longboards, but most are shorter than an average longboard.

The extra length compared to a typical skateboard gives you plenty of feet room and also allows you to take turns easier. They are smaller than standard longboards though to help them be light.

Other things that help keep a cruiser board light is that the deck is usually thin. Being thin cuts weight and makes it easier to get top speeds. Also, the wheels tend to be smaller than regular skateboard wheels. This helps cut weight as well.

Cruiser boards are focused on smooth rides anywhere and doing it at top speeds. They also are designed with the thought of carrying them when you need to. The size and weight make it so you can throw it into your backpack when not riding.

Longboard

What Is The Best Longboards On The Market

What Is The Best Longboards On The Market

Now that you know what a typical cruiser board looks like and the use of it we can get into more conventional longboards.

Longboards typically are any board that is 36 inches or longer.

They usually still have soft wheels like a cruiser, but sometimes people will use hard wheels on them.

Longboards are used for a variety of things such as tricks to just racing downhills. Depending on the use of it will determine what kind of wheels you put on it.

Other differences from a longboard over a typical skateboard is that longboards have different style trucks.

The trucks on a longboard usually are higher and angle sharper. The wheels size also tends to be larger. Longboard wheels are customarily 70mm. The more prominent wheels help with getting speed, so this is defiantly important for downhill riding.

Longboard decks also come in a variety of styles where skateboard or cruiser decks are more uniform.

Longboards can have symmetrical boards where both ends are the same. These are used a lot in trick riding and are suitable for 180 tricks. This way you can perform the trick in any direction.

Another style of longboard is drop decks. These the middle of the board is lower than the two ends.

The fact that it is lower helps lower the center of gravity for the board. By lowering the center of gravity, you can maintain control at top speeds. The most common use of drop deck boards is in downhill ringing.

The trucks can even be mounted differently on longboards depending on your riding needs. Some longboards install right on top of the trucks like a standard skateboard or cruiser, but others drop thru the board.

On drop thru there is a cut out in the middle of each end and the trucks mount there. The purpose of this mounting is to help the board be lower which again helps with the center of gravity.

If you combine a drop deck with drop thru trucks, then you can get a low board.

Find the best longboards for speed is important, you should spend time to find the good one for you.

Final Differences

So now you know the two types of boards.

The real difference that sticks out between a cruiser and a more traditional longboard is cruisers are shorter then longboards. Also, cruisers you aren’t doing tricks on. They are designed for speed and getting around quickly. Some people use a best beginner longboard as a cruiser.

If you are just doing free riding, especially if you have soft wheels on your longboard, then you are cruising. If you are doing tricks on your longboard though, then defiantly isn’t a cruiser.

Also, cruiser boards are always flat and ordinarily thin. If you have a drop deck board, then it is not the best cruising board. While downhill riding is cruising it is not the typical type that you would use a cruiser board for.

Conclusion

This article should have cleared up the difference between a longboard and a more dedicated cruiser board. While you can cruise on a longboard, you can also do tricks on it and downhill speed riding.

A dedicated cruiser board though you can’t do tricks and it is ordinarily smaller to make getting around a city easy. Cruisers make getting top speeds and having a smooth ride their priority while also being conveniently carried where longboards are meant to mostly ride and not moved around in stores and places.

3

Can You Put Longboard Wheels On A Skateboard

Longboards are getting popular, and the bigger wheels have some perks so you may be wondering if you can put longboard wheels on a regular skateboard.

Well, this article will answer that question for you and give you all the details you need to know before deciding to do it. It will look at the steps required and the things to consider before making the altercation to your skateboard.

Can You Put Longboard Wheels On A Skateboard

Can You Put Longboard Wheels On A Skateboard

Why Put Longboard Wheels on a Regular Skateboard?

So the answer is yes you can technically put longboard wheels on a regular skateboard, but it comes with some limitations.

There are a few things you have to consider before doing it, so before going into how to do it the best way we are going to address why you might want to do it.

The first reason why one might want to put longboard wheels on a skateboard is that they probably think it will look cool.

Since longboard wheels are larger meaning that they have a wider diameter someone might think that it will make their skateboard look like a monster truck or something. Outside of the look factor though, there are some practical reasons. Longboard wheels are softer which means that they absorb bumps better. If one was mainly just using their skateboard to get around town, then they might want a smoother ride that the longboard wheels can offer.

Another practical reason is they would theoretically take less energy to use.

Since they are more prominent, they pick up speed faster, and you would have to kick less. This goes back to being useful for someone who is doing more cruising instead of tricks. So now that you know why someone might want to put a beginner longboard wheels on a regular skateboard, we can get into the more detail part of how and what to avoid.

What to Avoid

The main problem that comes about when putting longboard wheels on to a regular skateboard is you can get wheel bite. This is when the wheels hit the edge of the board which mainly occurs in turns. The reason this is bad is that the wheels stop spinning dead in their tracks which will then throw you off the board.

The simple way to avoid wheel bite is to just get smaller longboard wheels. If you get little 55mm wheels or wheels close to that size, then you probably won’t run into this issue. Another way to avoid this problem is to get a skateboard that is slightly longer than a standard board. This will also fix the problem. If you want the huge wheels though for your best longboards for the money then you will have to do some more advanced customization.

How to Install Longboard Wheels on Regular Skateboard

What Are The Best Longboard Brands On The Market

What Are The Best Longboard Brands On The Market

If you want the large longboard wheels such as 70mm ones, then you will have to do some upgrades to your skateboard. This is because like has been mentioned you will get wheel bite on turns with huge wheels. The way to prevent this is by lifting your board. By having the board raised it gives the wheels more clearance room.

To lift your board, you will need to install risers. The riser pads fit between where the trucks connect to the board. Depending on how big of wheels you are going to install will determine how much you have to raise it. To get the best results you just have to experiment. Another thing is your trucks may not support large wheels because they mount differently. If that is the case, you will have to get longboard trucks and install them on to your board as well. You will still probably have to use risers even if you change the trucks to avoid wheel bite for bigger wheels.

Problem with Risers

The problem with having to use risers is it makes your board higher off the ground. While this may look cool to some and give you more of the monster truck look that you might have been going for it isn’t suitable for riding purposes. The whole point of longboard wheels on a regular board is so you can have a smooth ride. If you are doing tricks, then you really should keep your normal wheels. If you want a more comfortable ride, then having the board higher negates that. This is because it is harder to kick off the ground since you are higher and takes more energy to kick.

Should you Install Longboard Wheels on a Regular Skateboard?

So knowing all this information now and knowing that you can install longboard wheels on a normal skateboard does that mean you should?

Well, the answer is it depends. If you want an easier ride, then going with some small longboard wheels that are in the 55mm range will give you the smoother easier ride you want without much complications. If you install larger wheels then this though, then it probably isn’t a good idea.

Conclusion

Installing longboard wheels on a regular skateboard can give you a smoother ride that is more like cruising. If you want to do tricks, then you shouldn’t install longboard wheels onto your skateboard, but if you just want to get around easier, then using some reason you can find some good longboard wheels to accomplish this goal.

What Types Of Longboard Decks Should You Get in 2020?

Longboard decks come in many different styles. The style you choose depends on what you are going to use the board for most often.

On top of the shape or form a longboard deck comes in, they also come in a variety of materials.

After reading this guide, you will know the primary elements that longboards are made of as well as the different styles of decks you can choose. You will understand why you might want to pick one form of a deck over another.

Types of longboard decks

Types of longboard decks

Materials Decks are Made From

Before getting into the different style of longboard decks and the reasoning behind each one we will look at the material that longboard decks are made of. There are three primary materials used for the best longboards, and each has there own advantages and disadvantages. The three materials we will cover here are maple, bamboo, and carbon fiber.

Maple wood has been used for many years for skateboards and is very popular. Some of the reasons for its popularity is that it is cheap and abundant. Also, it is a very durable wood meaning that your board will last you a long time if taken care of properly. One downside to maple though is it is a denser wood. This means that maple boards may not be as easy to ride as some of the other options.

Bamboo is the next option we will discuss. Bamboo boards have gained popularity the past few years. This is because they are light but also still durable. The cost of bamboo has been going down, but these still cost a bit more than maple. Also, they are more flexible which can cause riders issues until they get used to it. Boards made of bamboo though can still be used for any riding, and one final benefit of them being light is they are a lot easier to carry.

The last material is the most expensive type used for longboards, and that is carbon fiber. Due to the extra cost, most people consider carbon fiber boards as the pro boards, but anyone can use one. Between the carbon fiber is foam to help keep it extra light. They are perfect for pushing off a race line fast and moving effortlessly.

Shapes of Longboards

How To Choose The Right Type Of Longboard Of Perfect Shape And Style

How To Choose The Right Type Of Longboard Of Perfect Shape And Style

Now that we covered the materials boards can be made of we can move on to the different forms. There are two main kinds of shapes, and that is directional and symmetrical. Directional boards are meant to go in one way. Usually, the front-end is more rounded or pointed, and that is how you can know it is the front. For symmetrical decks, they look the same on both ends.

The decks can come in all kinds of different cutouts though. Some allow for more wheel clearance and cut in at the wheels and then are fatter at the middle. Others, on the other hand, are shaped like long ovals almost. Depending on the kind of riding you are doing most will help you decide which to get.

For causing you want something aerodynamic and same goes for downhill riding. Ordinarily directional boards are best for this because they cut through the air better. If you are doing tricks, especially 180s and things, then that is when you would probably want the symmetrical board.

Deck Concavity

Deck Concavity

Deck Concavity

Outside of how the board is cut out you also have how it is curved. Longboard decks typically aren’t flat. There is a lot of variety in how a deck might be concaved. You have radial which means that the board looks like a U.

This is the most common and gives an excellent grip. One that is similar to this is progressive which is higher on the sides and more aggressively sloped than the radial, giving it better grip.

Next is the W concave which is mainly at the end. With this design, you can turn faster and more precise. Tub boards are like the radial, but the slop is more progressive on the sides. Then you get asymmetrical boards where the curve is not even.

These are used to turn better but can be hard to get used too. The last two are pretty rare, and that is convex and flat. Flat boards have no curve and allow a lot of feet room. Convex boards look like an upside-down U and offer a more natural feel for your feet.

Mounting of Deck

Beautiful sexy young girl in short shorts walking with longboard

Beautiful sexy young girl in short shorts walking with longboard

Next, we will look at the mounting of your longboard deck, as this will affect the riding too. You have two types of mounting which are over the top and drop through. Over the top, the board mounts right on top the trucks.

On drop thru the trucks goes through the board and are installed in the middle. The advantage to drop thru is that the board is lower which helps lower the center of gravity.

Another way to get the board lower is by having a drop deck board.

These boards drop down in the middle where your feet are.

The deck is higher at each end. You can have drop decks in both types of truck mounting. If you combine the drop thru mounting with a drop deck, then the deck gets extra low.

Other features

There are a few other features to look at with longboard decks as well. That is a longboard can have a curve lengthwise on top of the curve it has with wise.

There usually is only two types of curves though when it comes to this kind. You have camber boards which have the middle part raised slightly from the ends. It looks like an upside-down U if you look at the board from the side.

Then you also have rocker boards which have a slight curve down in the middle. These are different than drop boards that have a precious angle where they drop down. Rocker boards, on the other hand, are more smooth and look like U’s from the side.

The last thing to consider for your skateboard deck is a kicktail. This is when the end of the board is curved slightly. It is used the pick the board up without binding over. You just step on the end, and it raises up, and you can grab the other side. It is also used a lot for tricks, so if you plan on doing tricks, then you will probably want a kicktail.

You should choose a deck of best longboard brands, it will help you make sure you will find the good one.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot of variety in longboard designs. You can have different materials along with different shapes. Then on top of that, you can have different types of curves on the board and a few added features. Lastly, decks mount differently too depending on what you are riding the board for. For cruising or downhill racing you want a board with a lower center of gravity. This makes it easier to keep control at higher speeds. For other types of riding, you might want your center of gravity higher, so it is less strain on your body when riding.