Downhill riding is typically a style where you are trying to maximize your speed down the hill and not really looking for those style points like you do in free riding. Just try to stay in your tuck and be as aerodynamic as possible, get around those corners and dial in those pre drifts, keeping yourself in control, so you are not blown in your lanes or getting yourself in trouble. So, there are few different features that make these downhill boards good for riding down hills.
Also, there is a lot of crossover between freeride and downhill boards. So, most freeride downhill boards are good downhill boards and most downhill boards are good freeride longboards. In this guide, we will be focusing mainly on downhill boards not freeride longboards. If you are looking for freeride boards checkout out this guide that we have published recently.
Quick Answer: Best Top-Rated Longboards For Downhill in 2020
- Loaded Boards Tesseract Longboard
- Magneto Downhill Longboard
- MINORITY Downhill Maple Longboard
- ENKEEO Drop-Through Downhill Longboard
- Landyachtz Evo Downhill Longboard
Also, if you don’t know the difference between a freeride and a downhill longboard checkout our buyers guide later in the guide. For now, let’s take a look at feature overview of Top 3 Best Downhill longboards.
Best Downhill Longboards
[table id=49 /]Note: Scroll/Swipe Horizontally To View All 3 Overall Picks
Check more of our Top-Rated Longboard recommendations: Best Beginner Longboards
Downhill Longboard Reviews
In this section, I’ll be going one-by-one through each of the longboards that I have talked about earlier and will talk about their pros and cons, and who should buy them. So, buckle up and let’s get also started one more thing if you are in a hurry then jump straight to the Comparison Table and Buyer’s Guide.
#1. Loaded Boards Tesseract Longboard
Check the latest price on Amazon.
- Deck: Bamboo and fiberglass layers with cork bottom
- Size: 39 x 9.5-Inch
- Trucks: Paris 180mm, 50° trucks
- Wheel Base: 24.5-Inch or 26-Inch
- Concavity: W-Shape
- Wheels: Orangatang 75mm, 80a Wheels
- Bearings: Loaded Boards Jehu V2 bearings
Tesseract from Loaded Boards is one of the best downhill longboards that you’ll ever see out there. It is geared towards that fast downhill riding. Also, it’s a very versatile longboard built for performance and by versatile I mean you can use it anywhere from fast downhill riding to freeride, freestyle and longboard dancing.
Features
The Tesseract is a symmetrical board with twin kicktail and a rocker profile. The kicktail comes quite handy during switch riding and performing a multitude of tricks and slides. Along with that, you’ve got a nice W-concave that keeps your feet locked in when you tuck in.
Some other features that the Loaded Boards feature are:
- It’s a quite lightweight and durable longboard with dual bamboo cores sandwiched between layers of fiberglass. This creates a really stiff and lightweight structure.
- There’s a bottom layer of cork which according to Loaded Boards provide a greater vibration dampening force and helps to prevent abrasive damage from spreading.
- The deck dimensions are 39-inch long and 9.5-inch wide. Also, the deck has several truck mounting positions to switch between more responsiveness or more stability.
- Large wheel flares to prevent any wheel bite.
- For smooth and controlled turning response the board features Paris 180mm, 50° matter black trucks. These Paris trucks are perfect for freeride and freestyle longboarding.
- For optimal roll speed, grip and smoothness the board come equipped with 75mm, 80a Orangatang wheels with Loaded Jehu V2 ABEC-7 bearings.
So overall it’s a quite all-around shredder with a very unique and functional design that is lightweight and durable.
Bottom Line
The Tesseract Downhill longboard is not the cheapest longboard that you’ll ever buy in fact it’s quite expensive. So, if you want to get your hands on the Tesseract, you have to pay around $350 to $300. Though it is quite expensive but it is worth every single penny. It has all these drops and lumps to keep your feet locked in, and with W-concave it is angled in a way that you don’t see in any other deck. So, it’s designed to fit your body in its tuck perfectly.
Also when you ride it for the first time, due to its functional design you’ll know where your foot is, you know where you want it to be and whether or not it’s scuttling around. So, overall it’s the best longboard for downhill riding.
Back To Top | Go To Comparison Table
#2. Magneto Downhill Longboards
Check the latest price on Amazon.
- Deck: Carbon fiber, bamboo and fiberglass hybrid
- Size: 37 x 10-Inch
- Trucks: Precision Gravity 7-Inch Aluminum trucks
- Wheel Base: 29.5-inch
- Concavity: W-Shape
- Wheels: 73mm x 53mm, 78a High Rebound Wheels
- Bearings: ABEC-11 bearings
Next up is the Magneto cutting edge carbon fiber longboard with a stiff deck just like Tesseract. This longboard has a symmetrical shape for switch riding. So, it’s a great freeriding longboard as well. You have a nice W-concave that keeps you locked in when you tuck in, and then you’ve got some good squared radial drop that Magneto likes to use in their boards.
Features
The Magneto carbon fiber downhill longboard is designed to be the ultimate downhill bomber. The deck is a composite of carbon fiber and bamboo. This makes the board super stiff and incredibly responsive to anything that you can throw at it.
- At 37 inches long and 10 inches wide, with a wheelbase of 29.5 inches the board provides a nice wide platform that is very stable at high speeds.
- A W-concave with a slight drop at the trucks makes it really easy to lock your feet into the top of the deck.
- Wheel wells machined into the bottom of the deck prevent any potential wheel bite.
- The bold graphics are inspired by the board’s high-tech construction. OS780 grip tape features Magneto logo which is cut out of the grip tape; creating a window to the full top-ply of carbon fiber.
- The trucks are manufactured from high-quality gravity cast aluminum, making them strong and durable.
- The 78A wheels are made from a high rebound SHR Polyurethane formula; resulting in a smooth and grippy ride.
So, if you are looking to bomb hills and go fast, you have to check out this Magneto’s carbon fiber downhill longboard.
Bottom Line
If you compare it with the Loaded Boards Tesseract, then it is almost half the price and is the best option in top mount downhill longboards. So should you buy it, consider it or just avoid it! Then, for those who don’t like the aesthetics of carbon fiber then surely you should avoid it and look for something like Tesseract but if you are a fan of high tech carbon fiber and innovation in the technology of downhill longboards then surely it’s a beast at going fast and bombing hill!
Back To Top | Go To Comparison Table
#3. MINORITY Downhill Maple Longboard
Check the latest price on Amazon.
- Deck: 8-ply cold pressed hard rock maple
- Size: 40-Inch x 10-Inch
- Trucks: 7-Inch Reverse Kingpin Aluminum trucks
- Wheel Base: 37-inch
- Wheels: 70mm x 51mm, 78a PU Wheels
- Bearings: ABEC-9 Precision Bearings
Next up on the list is the drop deck Minority downhill longboard. As it’s a drop-through longboard, it’s going to be a lot more lower and stable. So, it’s good for beginners who just wanna get into downhill longboarding. Another thing that makes it worth the buy is that value for money here is just through the roof. As it is almost quarter the amount of Tesseract and you can buy it for under $50. INSANE Right!
Features
The Minority downhill longboard deck is made from 100% maple wood. So, with a little bit of flex, it is designed to be the ultimate freeride downhill bomber. The deck is made up of super strong 8-ply cold pressed hard rock maple. This makes the board super stiff but slightly flex enough to be perfect for freeriding and incredibly responsive to anything that you can throw at it.
Apart from that the board features
- It’s a 40-inch long and 10-inch wide deck having a long wheelbase of 37 inches. This provides you a board that is wide enough to stand on and is very stable at high speeds. Thanks to drop-through technology
- With all the drops and lumps, Minority makes it really easy to lock your feet into the top of the deck. So, you know where your feet are!
- Genuine aluminum 7-inch reverse kingpin trucks come pre-installed. The trucks are also adjustable as 50 or 45 degrees. This helps in enhancing the maneuverability of your longboard.
- The durable 70mm x 51mm, 78A wheels are made from high rebound PU in which ABEC-9 precision bearings are installed.
This gives the riders an unsurpassed smooth ride which is grippy enough to perform all types of tricks when you are rolling down a hill. Also, it’s quite energy efficient as according to Minority you can reach top speed within three power paddles.
Bottom Line
Overall it’s a really good entry-level downhill longboard, and you’ll be amazed when you flip the trucks to 50 degrees. It will cut corners like a beast, and you will feel an increase in the turning accuracy and responsiveness noticeably. Also, the long 34-inch wheelbase and trucks at 45 degrees make the board optimum and perfect to cruise around for hours.
Back To Top | Go To Comparison Table
#4. ENKEEO Drop-Through Downhill Longboard
Check the latest price on Amazon.
- Deck: 9-ply flex maple
- Size: 40-Inch x 9-Inch
- Trucks: 7-Inch Aluminum trucks
- Concavity: Flat
- Wheels: 70mm x 51mm, 78a PU Wheels
- Bearings: ABEC-11 Bearings
Next up on the list is also another drop-through longboard and it’s also in the Amazon’s Choice so better check it out before going for the Minority downhill longboard. There is quite a difference between the two, i.e. (Minority vs. Enkeeo).
Let’s start from the drop as on Minority you have noticeably a large drop which helps as a geographical locator for your foot. Also to prevent your board from slipping out with the drop you have something to wedge your toe into. On the other hand on the Enkeeo its totally flat with no concave nothing. Though it’s not bad to have a flat board for downhills but I’ll prefer something with foot pockets just like the Tesseract, Magneto, and Minority downhill longboards. So, it is all up to your personal preference as I see a lot of the time people riding flat planks for this sort of downhill riding.
Features
The Enkeeo drop-through longboard is a symmetrical board with an all-around flat profile. It’s a complete board just like the ones we have reviewed earlier which will come handy while carving downhill and cruising freestyle riding. So, with that said let’s look at some of its features
- It’s a lightweight, durable 9-ply flex laminated maple deck. The deck is 40 inches long and 9-inches in width.
- For extraordinary performance, the deck features an anti-slip brushed blacktop surface.
- The wheels are almost the same on both the Minority and Enkeeo. So you get somewhat of the same performance. (70mm x 51mm PU wheels)
- For great stability and maneuverability, the Enkeeo board comes in with 7-inch aluminum trucks along with two rubber rings as shock absorbers.
- While the Minority longboard comes with ABEC-9 bearings, the Enkeeo features super-fast ABEC-11 bearings that have a very little rolling friction and allows for a smoother, faster downhill longboarding experience.
Bottom Line
So, overall it’s a quite a longboard with a functional design that is lightweight and durable and most importantly suitable for any kind of riding. Whether you are cruising, craving, or racing downhills or performing any trick that you can think of its just perfect. Also, its more of a freeride longboard in fact both the Minority and Enkeoo are so better to check out the difference between a downhill bomber and freeride downhill longboard in the Buyer’s guide section.
Back To Top | Go To Comparison Table
#5. Landyachtz Evo Downhill Longboard
Check the latest price on Amazon.
- Deck: 11-ply Canadian hard rock maple
- Size: 39-inch x 9.8-Inch
- Trucks: Bear 180mm, 45° Trucks
- Wheel Base: 31.7-inch
- Concavity: Deep Concave
- Wheels: Biggie Hawgs 70mm, 80a wheels
- Bearings: ABEC-7 bearings
This downhill longboard from Landyachtz is one of the premium drop-through boards that you can buy on the market. Landyachtz Evo is built to go fast as it is made to race! This is one of the winningest longboards on the racing circuit over the past five years. So, if you wanna get buck or get fast, then this is going to be the board for you.
So, without any due let’s check out some of the features.
Features
The Landyachtz Evo is a super thick board with 11-plies of Canadian hard rock maple. It is 41 inches long and 9.8 or 9 ¾ inches in width, and it’s got a 34 ½ inch wheelbase. The unique thing about this board is the shape; it’s super crazy. So, there’s a wedged nose and a de-wedged tail creating different angles than your typical standard longboard.
What this wedged and de-wedged does is that it gives you a super low yet turny platform just like a top-mount longboard. The front steers better and the de-wedged back gives the stability of creating a bridge or more of a unique experience of a top-mount and drop-through downhill longboards. So, you are off and racing; going super-fast down the hills!
Looking at the trucks you’ve got your Bear Grizzly Gen 5 trucks with that make sure you’re stable. Also, it’s quite responsive too when it comes to turns. 70-mm Biggie Hawgs wheels come pre-installed and then on the inside of those wheels you’ve got Bear Spaceballs ABEC-7 bearings. They are going to be pretty smooth and fast, and you’re gonna have fun and as you are for sure going to win some races. So, that’s it the Evo Drop-platform Complete Longboard from Landyachtz.
Bottom Line
The reason why this longboard is not at the top of the list is that its quite expensive and is not made for everyone. It is more for the races, and I can tell pretty much anyone of you who are getting into downhill longboarding are far away from that kind of thing.
So, it’s better to go for longboards like the Tesseract top-mount or the Minority drop-deck longboard which are more of all-around shredders. But that’s not all to it! It comes with a premium price tag for a reason; it is the fastest downhill longboard that has won tons and tons of races around the world. So if you are looking for something like this, then the Evo is killing it! I’ll say just buy it because it’s the best.
Back To Top | Go To Comparison Table
Comparison Table: Best Longboards For Downhill
[table id=65 /]Note: Scroll/Swipe Horizontally To View Full Comparison Table
For more of my top wheels recommendations, have a look at these popular Wheels Compared guide links: Best Cruiser Longboards
Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose Downhill Longboard
Now you know what , but that’s not all to it. To buy the perfect longboard for yourself, there’s a lot to it, and you need to look out for some of the key features that are necessary to have in a downhill longboard. So, without any due let’s check out some of those features
So, let’s begin with the stiffness of the deck.
Stiff Deck
The first main feature that you want in a downhill deck is a stiff board. You always want to be stiff because it’s gonna give you more stability and it’s gonna keep you safe at high speeds. So, you are less likely to get those dangerous speed wobbles that everybody likes to talk about.
Wheel Base
Another key thing to look at your downhill boards is wheelbases. Now, typically you want something between 25 inches to 30 inches of wheelbase. Because that’s going to give you a lot more control and responsiveness especially at 25-inches and 30’s gonna keep you very stable.
So, if you are just starting out, I’ll suggest you to go for the longer wheelbase because its gonna keep you very stable and then maybe slowly work your way up to smaller wheelbase as you get comfortable and you wanna get a little more control. More on longboard wheels here.
Concave and Shape
On a downhill longboard you’ll want some sort of concave that’s gonna keep you on your board. Now, with freeride having those drops and all those lumps and crazy concave its super important because people like to spin around and do crazy technical slides. But for downhill, it’s less important as you’ll see a lot more guys riding just your typical, standard concave which is comfortable. But again the lumps on the deck are important.
So there are a few different features to look out for when buying a longboard specifically for downhill riding.
Look for a board with a directional shape, because when you are riding downhill switch riding is very uncommon if you do it ever. So you really don’t need that symmetrical standing platform, it’s better to have a longboard that is geared towards getting you from top to bottom in your regular stance.
Also, try to look for a board with a W-concave both in the back and in the front. These boards are designed to keep your feet in place. So, when you are doing your pre-drifts, you need something to wedge your foot into the w-concave locks in the arch of your foot. Also, some boards have a W-lump in the front which also helps in keeping your front foot on the board. So it’s not slipping when performing pre-drifts.
Top Mount vs. Drop-Through
The great thing about top-mount boards is that you have taller/higher leverage, so you are pushing down on your wheels and into them. Whereas with a drop-through you are going to be more stable because you are lower to the ground, but you also have lateral leverage on your trucks. So, when you are pushing around corners and pushing into your slides, it’s gonna be harder to grip back up, and it’s gonna have less grip to pull you through the corners. That’s why most of the racers these days are riding top mount boards because its gonna give you more grip, it’s got a more downward force on your wheels, and that’s how you’re gonna get more out of them. More on longboard trucks here.
Downhill vs. Freeride
There’s no perfect video then this to illustrate the deference between downhill and freeride longboard riding.
Back To Top | Go To Comparison Table
The Bottom Line
So, let’s wrap some things up with downhill longboards.
- First, you’ll want to look for some stiffness and stability
- You’ll be needing some good concave to lock you in there
- Top-mount helps because it’s going to give you more grip. Drop-through is also good for beginners because you’re not gonna need to maximize all that grip and it’s going to keep you lower and stable.
- Finally, a directional shape which is pretty common is sometimes very helpful, but symmetrical boards do the trick as well.
There you have it the best longboards for downhill riding and with that said it’s a warp hope you enjoyed this guide from Wheels Compared. Also, do let me know in the comments section which board you choose and why!
Also, if you’ve got any queries or just wanna say hi feel free to drop something in the comments section.
0 Comments