Kicktail Longboards

Kicktail Longboards are ideal for the dedicated Free Stylers or riders who want to incorporate tricks into their regular carving, cruising, freeriding or Longboard Dancing.

A Kicktail allows sharper turns, nose lifts to get up and down curbs, quick changes of direction and tricks such as ollies, pivots, switches, nose grinds and more.

Kicktail Longboards can either be a single kick or double kick.

Single kick longboards have a kick at the tail end
Double kick longboards have a kick at the tail and nose end

Single Kick Longboards include some Pintails for carving and cruising. In addition, some specialist Freeride decks have a single kick so that tricks can be incorporated.

Double Kick Longboards are in the Freestyle and Dancing categories.

Freestyle Longboarding involves many tricks, so kicktails are essential.

Dancing can require deck lifts and nose riding, so double kick tails are often included.

Should You Buy A Kicktail Longboard?

In Longboard disciplines such as cruising, carving, commuting, freeride, and downhill the wheels stay planted firmly to the road. Lifts and jumps are rarely needed so no need for a Kicktail Longboard.

In fact, for these disciplines, many longboarders prefer a low deck, Kicktails only work for top-mounted decks.

Kicktails don’t lend themselves well to drop-down and drop-through decks, which many carvers, commuters and free-riders prefer for stability at speed and easier pushing.

If you prefer the stability of a lower Longboard, then you’ll be sacrificing the kicktail.

The exception is urban cruising and carving in busy areas that involve lots of curbs, navigating people and traffic. In this instance, a kicktail will be a useful addition.

Some riders like to incorporate the odd freestyle trick into their freeriding. They’ll slide and drift a hill, then perform tricks through the flat land areas. A single kicktail deck will be suitable here also.

These are the exceptions, however, not the rule. Most carvers, cruisers, free riders and commuters prefer lower decks without Kicktails.

Kictails are preferable for dancing. Most dancing Longboards incorporate double Kicktails.

If you’re drawn to Freestyle, then a double kick Longboard is a must as it’s a near-impossible style to perform without Kicktails.