There are many things you must consider before you jump on your longboard. While it’s better to be safe than sorry, there is essential and non-essential gear for downhill longboarding, so let’s see what pieces of equipment make the cut.
Essential Equipment
Before you even shop for downhill longboards, you should have the appropriate gear to protect yourself when bombing hills.
A Helmet
When you’re first starting, a helmet is an absolute must. As you gain experience, a helmet isn’t necessary if you’re doing low-key cruising. That said, there is no debate that you should wear a helmet when downhill longboarding. You need something to protect your skull when approaching speeds upwards of 70 mph.
Knee Pads
Your knees are the most vulnerable parts of your body when longboarding. When you tumble, your knees are the first thing to hit the pavement. So, knee pads are essential unless you enjoy having raspberries for eternity.
Slide Gloves
While slide gloves aren’t vital for other longboarding styles, they are clutch for downhill longboarding. When you’re bombing hills, putting your hand down to break will sting like the dickens without slide gloves.
Eye Protection
You’d be amazed how many things can get into your eyes when flying down a hill. Eye protection is needed for downhill longboarding to protect your eyes from debris and the sun’s wicked glare.
Non-Essential
It’s hard to say that protective equipment is non-essential, considering it’s there to prevent you from injuring yourself. However, there are several things you can live without when you hop on your board.
Elbow Pads
Elbow pads seem like a good idea, but they feel awkward. Assuming you have slide gloves and are well-versed, you can forget about elbow pads, but a beginner might find them useful.
Ankle Protectors
It’s not a debate about whether you should protect your ankles or not; it’s more so about how you go about it. If you have low-top shoes that give you no support, ankle protectors move into the essential category. But if you wear high-top shoes, ankle protectors can be overkill.
Leather Suits
Simply put, you do not need a leather suit for downhill longboarding. While it does offer additional protection, they are a pricey investment, so it’s all a matter of preference.
Grip Soles
You will need shoes with the proper soles for breaking with your feet, or your pair of kicks won’t last long. Grip soles are a solution to that problem, but like leather suits, they are pricey. You can use a knife and a car mat to make your own soles, if so inclined.
Knowing the essential and non-essential gear for downhill longboarding helps you figure out your budget. Luckily for you, The Longboard Store offers quality products for longboarding at an affordable price. Please take our quiz to find the perfect board that suits your style, and the shipping is on us if you live in the U.S.!