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If you want a board that gets you places — to a café, around the park, across campus — a cruiser skateboard is probably what you’re after. They’re built for riding, not tricks, and they handle rough UK pavements a lot better than a standard street deck. This guide covers what makes a cruiser different, how to pick the right size, and whether a complete setup or building your own makes more sense.
A cruiser skateboard is designed for riding rather than technical tricks. They tend to be wider and longer than a standard street board, with softer wheels that absorb vibration and roll over cracks and rough ground without rattling your feet.
Most cruiser wheels sit in the 78a to 87a durometer range — noticeably softer than the 99a+ wheels you’d find on a street setup. That softness is what makes the difference on typical UK pavements.
Shapes vary. Some cruisers have a kicktail, which is useful for steering and hopping off kerbs. Others are more directional without much kick. The right choice comes down to how you plan to ride.
The categories overlap, which is where a lot of buyers get stuck. Here’s a practical way to think about it.
A cruiser is generally shorter and more compact — most sit between 28 and 34 inches long. That makes them easy to carry, store on public transport, and manoeuvre in tighter spaces. They often have a kicktail, which gives more control at low speeds and lets you steer actively.
A longboard is typically longer — often 36 inches and above — with a wider wheelbase and more stable ride at speed. They’re better suited to longer distances on smooth ground, flowing carves, and downhill riding. Less practical to carry around, but very comfortable over distance.
If you want something nimble that you can tuck under your arm, a cruiser is the better fit. If you’re planning longer rides on smooth paths and want maximum stability, a longboard makes more sense. Browse our longboards and cruisers collection if you’re weighing both options.
Cruisers suit a wide range of riders, which is part of their appeal.
If you specifically want to learn kickflips and technical tricks, a standard complete skateboard is a better starting point. Cruisers can do some tricks, but they’re not what they’re built for.
Cruiser decks come in more shapes than standard street decks, so it helps to know what you’re looking at.
Width follows the same general logic as regular skateboards — wider decks feel more stable, narrower ones feel lighter and easier to turn. Most adult cruisers sit between 8.0 and 9.5 inches wide. If you’re used to a standard street deck, stepping up to 8.5 or 9.0 inches on a cruiser will feel noticeably more planted underfoot.
Length and wheelbase affect how the board turns. A shorter wheelbase gives tighter, more responsive turns. A longer wheelbase makes the board track straighter and feel more settled at speed. For urban riding with lots of direction changes, a shorter cruiser is usually more practical.
Kicktail or no kicktail is personal preference. A kicktail lets you pivot, hop obstacles, and steer more actively. If you’re mostly cruising in straight lines or gentle curves, you can get away without one — but most riders appreciate having a bit of kick available.
Browse cruiser decks to see current shapes and sizes.
This is where cruiser setups differ most from a standard skateboard, and it’s worth paying attention to.
Wheels should be soft — anything in the 78a to 87a range will roll over rough ground without chattering. Size matters too. Bigger wheels (60mm and above) roll over cracks more easily and maintain speed better. Smaller wheels (54–58mm) work fine on smoother surfaces and feel lighter and more responsive. Our soft wheels for rough ground collection covers the main options.
Trucks on a cruiser are usually set up a little looser than street trucks, which helps with carving and turning. Match truck width to your deck width — same rule as any other setup.
One detail worth knowing: if you’re running larger wheels (60mm and above), you may need riser pads. Bigger, softer wheels sit higher and can catch on the deck during sharp turns — this is called wheel bite, and it can throw you off unexpectedly. A 1/8 inch riser pad prevents it on most setups; a 1/4 inch riser gives you more clearance if you’re running particularly large wheels. When you add risers, you also need longer bolts — a 1/8 inch riser needs 1 inch bolts, and a 1/4 inch riser needs 1.25 inch bolts.
See our full range of cruiser wheels and all cruiser parts and hardware.
For most buyers, a complete cruiser skateboard is the straightforward choice. Everything comes matched and ready to ride — deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, and grip tape already assembled. No need to think about compatibility.
Building your own setup makes sense if you have specific preferences: a deck shape you’ve ridden before, wheels you know you like, or trucks from a particular brand. It costs more time and usually a little more money, but you end up with exactly what you want.
If you’re buying your first cruiser, or buying one as a gift, a complete is almost always the right call. Browse cruiser skateboard completes to see what’s in stock.
We’ve been selling cruiser skateboards since 2002 and stock a range of completes, decks, and parts from brands we trust. Whether you want a compact mini cruiser, a wider all-rounder, or you’re building something specific, you’ll find it across our complete skateboards and cruiser collections.
Not sure where to start? Call the shop on 01837 55778 or email info@skatewarehouse.co.uk — we’re happy to point you in the right direction. More buying advice is available in our skateboard buyer guides.
A cruiser is shorter and more compact — typically 28 to 34 inches long — with a kicktail and a manoeuvrable feel. A longboard is longer (often 36 inches or more), with a wider wheelbase and a more stable ride at speed. Cruisers are better for urban riding and carrying around; longboards suit longer distances and smoother paths.
Some tricks are possible if the cruiser has a kicktail — you can kick-turn, pivot, and hop off kerbs without much trouble. Technical flip tricks are harder because cruiser decks are wider and softer wheels don’t pop the same way as harder street wheels. If tricks are your main goal, a standard street complete is better suited.
For most adults, an 8.0 to 9.0 inch wide cruiser covers the most common use cases. Wider boards feel more stable; narrower ones are lighter and easier to manoeuvre. If you’re a smaller rider or want something more portable, a mini cruiser in the 7.5 to 8.0 inch range works well.
Yes — cruisers are one of the better options for beginners who want to focus on riding rather than tricks. The wider deck, softer wheels, and more relaxed setup make it easier to build balance and confidence without needing to master skateboard technique from day one.
Look for softer wheels in the 78a to 87a range — these absorb vibration and roll smoothly over rough surfaces. A diameter of 58mm and above helps with rolling over cracks and debris. If you’re fitting larger wheels, check whether you need riser pads to prevent wheel bite.
For short to medium urban commutes on reasonably smooth surfaces, yes. A cruiser handles pavements and paths much better than a standard street skateboard, thanks to softer, larger wheels. For very long distances or uneven terrain, a longboard might suit you better — but for a 10 to 20 minute roll on urban paths, a cruiser is a solid option.
