The DB Longboards: An Honest Review

If you’re looking for a longboard that will keep a smile pasted to your face long after you tuck it away at night, then DB Longboards’ products might be for you. DB is one of the world’s most popular longboard brands. They’ve built a reputation for quality and fun. If those are things you look for in a longboard, then look no further.

For longboard fans, it’s no surprise that DB Longboards are in Tacoma, Washington. The state is ground-zero for longboards, skateboards, snowboards, and even the roller skates of years past. And since 2003, DB’s longboards have taken the world by storm. If you’ve never ridden one, maybe now is the time?

All About DB Longboards

Because DB Longboards is so popular, it’s easy to think of them as another product from some big corporation. However, DB Longboards is a successful startup by three passionate longboarders from Dash Point, Washington. Their first board was the “Dash Board,” and that’s what they named the company. Even after so many years, you can still find the three founders riding around on the rocky shores and coastal highways of Washington.

DB Longboards FAQs

Of course, choosing a DB longboard can be a bit of a task. DB has a massive line of longboards. As of the last count, there were 28 different longboards from which to choose. Fortunately, we were able to break them down into longboard types. This makes it easier for you to decide which DB longboard you might want.

Which DB longboard is right for me?

Before you can pinpoint the perfect DB longboard for you, figure out which type of longboard you need. If you prefer to lock in slides and standees, then go with one of DB’s drop through longboards, such as the Urban Native. For deep carving down steep hills, you’ll want a stable platform like the Lunch Tray. If you’re more a freestyler and spend most of your time airborne and dancing, then you should consider a Dancefloor longboard.

Does DB carry B-grade longboards?

If you want a refurbished longboard that has a few nicks or scratches on it, known as “B” grades, then you’re in luck. DB Longboards has a wide selection of B grade longboards. These all have cosmetic imperfections which don’t impact performance in any way. If you’re budget-conscious, then this is a great way to get onto a new longboard.

What’s the warranty?

We here at Longboard Planet tend to trust companies who provide decent warranties on their products. To us, a warranty is a sign that the manufacturer is confident in their goods. That being said, DB Longboards boards come with a 12-month warranty. This warranty covers any manufacturing defects, and for the first 90-days, they’ll cover shipping as well.

Where can I buy DB Longboards’ products?

Because longboards from DB Longboards are popular, they’re easy to find. You can buy a DB Longboards’ product at most major longboard retailers, as well as Amazon.

How We Reviewed

To review DB Longboards, we had to search around multiple sources. The first thing we did was check out what DB has to say about their products. Then we read through a whole bunch of Amazon customer reviews. Because we trust reviews from real people who bought the product, this gave us an excellent idea of how well DB Longboards’ products perform in the real world.

Finally, we compared them to four competitors to see how they stack up.

Comparison Table

[amazon box=”B01H0JQXB8,B016AY1DO6,B07F5GVGBR,B072KK1DG4″ template=”table”]

Specifications

First, we wanted to see what materials made DB Longboards. Most of their longboards feature a cambered platform with a drop through design for smooth carves. The Dancefloor boards feature a bamboo core for added flexibility. Meanwhile, their cruisers are robust wood platforms for stability and speed.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly longboard and aren’t interested in their B grades, then DB Longboards may not be for you. These longboards cost between $$$ and $$$.

DB Longboards Pros and Cons

Before you rush out to buy a longboard from DB Longboards, remember that everything under the sun has its pros and cons. DB Longboards is no different.

Pros

• Hand-designed by real longboarders
• Made in the USA
• Innovative designs for every rider type
• Decent warranty

Cons

• Expensive
• No beginner longboards available
• The warranty could be longer

How Do They Stack Up?

We know that DB Longboards get built with an eye for quality. After all, longboard enthusiasts design each board from concept to final trial run. However, before you drop a few hundred dollars on a DB longboard, know that there are other brands out there which cost less. But are they as good?

To find out, we compared three longboard brands to DB Longboards. These are RIMABLE, Karnage, and VOLADOR.

[amazon link=”B01H0JQXB8″ title=”RIMABLE Drop-Through Longboard (41-inch)” /]

[amazon box=”B01H0JQXB8″]

First up in our comparison is the RIMABLE Bamboo Drop Deck. RIMABLE is a Chinese company who also sells fitness gear and toys. We had a hard time tracking down RIMABLE because they only sell through online retailers such as Amazon. Still, we were able to learn that they are actually a manufacturing company who sells different products under different brand names. RIMABLE longboards are one of those. Whether or not they are genuinely committed to riding in the same way as DB Longboards is hard to tell, but we seriously doubt it.

The bamboo drop deck features top mount trucks, giving the drop through more depth and allowing for deeper carves. Because the platform is closer to the ground, you can push off with less fatigue. The entire board is made of nine-ply Canadian maple and bamboo, giving it strong stability but with a playful springiness in the center for better drop through.

You can buy this RIMABLE for between $ and $$$. Unfortunately, this ride comes without a warranty. That didn’t stop customers on Amazon giving it 4.3 out of 5 stars, however. Most said the deck itself is high-quality and very comfortable to ride. Unfortunately, the trucks and wheels were below-average quality and many people had problems with the wheel assembly falling apart. Because there’s no warranty, this sucks.

[amazon link=”B016AY1DO6″ title=”Karnage Drop Through Longboard – 38 inch” /]

[amazon box=”B016AY1DO6″]

Next in our comparison is a drop through longboard from Karnage. This Australian company has been in the skating business for nearly 20 years. If you like fun skateboards, roller skates, or longboards, then you’ve probably come across a Karnage product already. Like DB Longboards, Karnage is owned and operated by a skater, so you get decks designed with you in mind.

Which brings us to one of their top-selling boards. The Karnage Drop Through Longboard is for freestyle riders who prefer a lightweight, springy deck and great shock absorption in the truck. This deck is pure Canadian maple. It can support over 200 pounds while remaining light and flexible. Such is the beauty of Canadian maple. In order to eliminate the dreaded wheel bite, the top-mounted trucks offer sweeping drop through. Carve with ease and keep your teeth in your mouth.

If this sounds like the kind of longboard you would want to buy, then you can get one for between $ and $$$. A one-year warranty protects these longboards and they come with a 14-day return policy in case you change your mind. Customers on Amazon didn’t change their minds and gave Karnage 4.3 out of 5 stars. Several customers called the board “fantastic.” The factory wheels received praise for their quality, and the deep drop through was a fan favorite. On the other hand, a few people said the board was a little too light, and the truck has a poor turning radius.

[amazon link=”B07F5GVGBR” title=”RIMABLE Canadian Maple Drop Deck Longboard” /]

[amazon box=”B07F5GVGBR”]

Next, we have the stylish Jucker Hawaii KAHA Longboard. This longboard is sure to turn heads. Jucker Hawaii, obviously from Hawaii, is a startup like DB Longboards. A group of surfing, skating, boarding friends got together and founded a company. Style and function is their goal. You’ve never seen longboards that look as good as Jucker Hawaii boards.

The KAHA is a monster 42-inch cruiser. Its all-bamboo construction gives it superb stability mixed with flexibility. And, unlike any other board we’ve seen, the trucks are stone finished. The wheels are soft plastic for a smooth ride. Finally, the kick tail has Canadian maple reinforcing, so you can really get some great motion on this ride.

Like DB Longboards, the Jucker Hawaii KAHA is not cheap. You can buy it for between $$$ and $$$, and it comes with a typical one-year warranty. This board was the best-rated longboard we’ve seen on Amazon. It received 4.8 out of 5 stars. Many customers raved about the stability and pure speed of the KAHA. Everyone loved its look. Also, quite a few people mentioned that they had to tighten the truck because it was too loose.

[amazon link=”B072KK1DG4″ title=”VOLADOR 40inch Maple Longboard – Basic Cruiser” /]

[amazon box=”B072KK1DG4″]

Finally, we have the VOLADOR 40-inch Basic Cruiser Longboard. We couldn’t find much information about VOLADOR, leading us to believe this is another Amazon-only manufacturer from China. If this is the case, then they probably produce a lot of different products under different brand names. It’s not that we don’t trust Chinese-made products. It’s just that we don’t trust brands who don’t really exist.

In any case, the VOLADOR 40-inch basic cruiser is for beginners and those who need a basic riding platform. The deck is eight-ply maple hardwood for a steady, nearly-unbreakable board. The trucks are aluminum, while the wheels are 70-millimeters of hard plastic. Another thing to mention is that although this board is a stiff platform for cruising, there is some drop through provided by the top-mounted trucks.

You can buy this board for between $ and $. There is no warranty for this board, but that didn’t stop people on Amazon from buying it. Customers gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, making it one of the higher rated longboards on this list. Most people enjoyed the stability of the ride, and the board felt strong and durable. Some of the faults customers discussed include weak trucks and below-par wheels which shred apart rather quickly.

You Can’t Go Wrong With DB Longboards

The good news is that of all the boards we reviewed today, DB Longboards have the best longboards. Thanks to high-quality craftsmanship and devotion to the hobby, these boards are a rider’s best friend. Because both RIMABLE and VOLADOR are Chinese manufacturers who sell all sorts of different products, they can’t focus on quality. And while Karnage is as devoted to longboarding as DB Longboards, they don’t make the same quality longboards. Also, they don’t have a great range of products like DB does.

If there was one longboard that we would consider a true competitor to DB Longboards, it is Jucker Hawaii. Those boards are built with finesse, and they are so beautiful.

For these reasons, we fully endorse you buying a DB longboard. We feel these are some of the best longboards you can get. And if the price seems a little high, remember that your money is protected by a decent warranty. This means you’ll get at least a year’s use out of it, but in all probability, you’ll be riding a DB longboard for years to come.