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How to Carry a Longboard? – 6 Cool Yet Safe Ways to Try!

How to Carry a Longboard
Written by Kevin Gerard

There will be times when you need to carry a longboard, whether it is for a few minutes or several hours, and a longboard can be quite bulky.

This can be tedious, but you can make life easier by following a few simple tips.

Ways You Can Carry Your Longboard

Through a backpack

How to add skateboard straps on backpack

Since street skateboarders’ boards can easily and conveniently be strapped onto a backpack, backpacks are classic.

Backpacks are important to take with you on day trips and long-distance rides. They will help carry gloves, helmets, extra wheels and trucks, water bottles, and safety pads.

The longboard deck is easy to carry by passing it across the shoulder straps of a well-padded backpack.  Unless you walk through narrow doors, this can actually be quite comfortable.

Pros

  • Padded, comfortable double straps
  • gears and parts can go with you altogether
  • Offers extra cushioning in the event of a fall

Cons

  • Doesn’t work well for longer boards (swings against your legs
  • Sweating from the heat on your back
  • More expensive and heavier than a strap or shoulder bag

Using a longboard bag

longboard bag

There are some situations where longboard travel bags may be the best option for carrying your longboard.

Travel bags are much bulkier and more expensive than other options. They keep your board well protected from sunlight and moisture.

Pros

  • The best item to use when traveling by air
  • Keeps the board fully covered

Cons

  • Heavier
  • Pricier

Using a shoulder strap

Skateboard shoulder strap

As you carry your longboard, a utility belt or shoulder strap keeps your hands free, and it is minimal so that it does not interfere with riding.

You can do it for a low price, and it’s convenient. If you carry your board for an extended period of time, it doesn’t feel as comfortable as a backpack.

If you don’t switch shoulders, you may feel pain in your shoulders and neck.  Your longboard is also not protected by straps.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • No bulkiness
  • Hands-free
  • Can be used on your back or over your shoulder
  • The attachment system is simple to use

Cons

  • Can become uncomfortable, especially with longboards
  • No padding
  • Grip tape can rub against your clothing
  • No protection for the board

Using a shoulder bag

Skateboard shoulder bag

The “sleeves” that accompany longboards are a good compromise between a backpack and a shoulder strap.

They offer greater comfort and protection than the backpack yet are less bulky and easier to fold than other options like the shoulder strap.

A bit like duffle bags for longboards, they typically have a single strap for carrying on one shoulder.

Pros

  • The longboard cover keeps it protected from scratches and rain
  • Easy to carry on your shoulder
  • Lightweight can be folded and stowed

Cons

  • The typical protection is thin
  • You may feel the weight of a single strap on your shoulder (if your board is heavy)
  • Not always waterproof

By hand

Carry skateboard by hand

A commonly used method for carrying around your longboard is to carry it in your hands and walk.

Pros

  • No preparation needed
  • Quick and easy

Cons

  • Only good for short distances
  • No good for longboards
  • Too hard if you are carrying other items

Make Your Own DIY Skateboard Carrier

Get your supplies

  • Rope
  • Scissors
  • Something soft for shoulder pad
  • Tape

Step 1. Attach the rope to the top truck with a small hangman’s knot

small hangman's knot

Step 2.  Place the rope’s other end through the material of your shoulder pad (Tentative)

Step 3. Glue the board to the bottom of the trucks after looping the rope around them.

Step 4. Set the rope to the length that suits you. Now you can take the board off but keep the rope wrapped around the truck on the bottom and lay it on the floor.

Step 5. make any adjustments you feel are needed

Step 6. take the carrier out for a test run and see how it works for you.

What Is Mall Grabbing?

What is mall grabbing

When you mall grab, you grip the skateboard by the trucks and rely on the grip tape to keep it steady. A mall grabbing is when an untrained person uses their skateboard to make themselves look cool around the mall but doesn’t know how to ride the board.

In the skateboard community carrying the board like this implies that you are someone who is more concerned about looking cool than actually using the skateboard.

Why Is Mall Grabbing Bad?

Why is mall grabbing bad

Skateboard sizes and longboard types vary widely.  If you decide to hold your board differently, you may think that it doesn’t matter.

In the skateboarding world, you are supposed to hold your skateboard in the right way, and mall-grabbing is not the way to do it.

Mall-grabbing gives off the vibe you want to look cool with no respect for skateboarding or the skill levels skaters have.

Mall grabbing is not the best idea either for the fact you are going to damage the clothing with the grip tape rubbing against them.

When to Carry Your Longboard?

City law prohibits

Longboards (and other wheeled devices) may not be welcome in certain urban settings.

Occasionally, you have to walk while picking up your board.  You can quickly get frustrated just holding a bigger board like a Dervish.

Uphill moving

Kicking and pushing back uphill is unlikely if you are riding downhill, especially on steep hills,  Longboarders who wish to improve their cardio resistance and skogging skills like to do that for the workout.

Downhill racers and free-riders like to save their energy for the actual skate. Most will hitchhike or slowly walk back up with their board on their back or in their hands.

When not in use

Some people prefer to ride to the skating area. Either to get their fasters or the road might not be suitable for skating.

This is why you need an easy and covenant way to carry the board when you are riding.

Moving on uneven terrain

Longboarding often requires getting off and carrying your board around. For instance, when you get on a dirt path, gravel road, or flood plain.

This means you will need to carry your board for short or long periods of time.

Tips to Carry a Longboard

  • Smaller longboards are easier to travel with as they can easily be stuffed into a backpack or a travel bag.
  • Make sure the option you choose is the most comfortable
  • A friend can hold the board for you while you ride your bicycle or motorbike
  • Always try to keep the board covered completely in extreme weather conditions to avoid damage
  • If one option doesn’t work for you, try another

About the author

Kevin Gerard

I started off my career as a mechanical engineer at a scooter manufacturing company back in 2012. I’ve been into kick scooters and swimming since the early years of my life. Over time, I quit the latter for the love of the former and soon started to be recognized as a kick scooter expert!

I wanted to take scooter designing professionally but my family forced me to study engineering. Luckily, I decided to study mechanical engineering! That made way for me to work in the field of kick scooter designing as a core researcher and developer.

I am one of the founding members of Scooterlay and I contribute to the website as the head of the research team. I am currently working on my first book on the basics of kick scooter riding. This is a guide for beginner riders that will soon be published by Warner House Press, Arizona.

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