Why Should I Buy a Mini Cruiser?

If you’re in the market for a new board, odds are you have a very clear idea of what it is you are looking for. Want to head over to the local skatepark and do some tricks? Great, a street skateboard is what you need. Looking to coast for miles along a boardwalk in a straight line? A longboard might be just your speed (maybe).

If you are looking for a board that can offer you the same kind of coasting experience while also being extremely agile, then you are looking for a mini cruiser.

What is a mini cruiser, anyway? A mini cruiser, commonly referred to as a penny board or just “cruiser,” is sort of a combination between a longboard and a street skateboard.

The average mini cruiser is about 22 inches long (closer to that of the skateboard), but their design more closely resembles that of a longboard, which makes them a great option for getting places.

But why should you buy a mini cruiser? Easy:

They come in a ton of different colors and designs, so you can grab something that perfectly matches your personality and vibe.

Mini cruisers are built to be travel size. We know you are looking to go places and don’t want to have to lug around a massive log of wood whenever you get a place where you can’t ride.

Storing something the size of a longboard can be cumbersome, so why not avoid the headache and get something that is a convenient size?

On that same note, mini cruisers are super lightweight. Generally made from plastic and equipped with aluminum trucks, you won’t be weighed down by a ton a weight when you inevitably have to grab your board.

Despite being travel size and lightweight, the ride that a mini cruiser offers is incredibly smooth. This is primarily because of the size of the wheels, which tend to be wider than wheels on skateboards. Couple that with softer wheels, and you will find yourself feeling like you are drifting through clouds even on rough asphalt.

A mini cruiser is also much more agile than a longboard. The short size (roughly 22 inches) allows the rider to pivot quickly without having to lean as hard into the turn. If you are looking to ride through heavily trafficked areas, a mini cruiser is the ideal choice.

If you are new to riding a board and need a few tips to get you headed in the right direction, check out our beginner’s guide on how to ride a penny board (mini cruiser).

Because of their nimbleness, many people find it much easier to correct a potential wipeout on a mini cruiser. Being able to quickly nudge it back into line without feeling like you have to overcorrect is a huge advantage to having a small board.

Most cruisers, such as the Penny Limited Edition Simpsons Mini Cruiser, have a “waffle” plastic design on the top unlike the closely related street skateboards that rely on griptapes. This reliable grip pattern doesn’t wear as easily as griptape does and will never need replacing.

At the end of the day, the mini cruiser achieves exactly what it sets out to do: give you a smooth, agile and easy ride to your destination. Everything about them is designed to achieve that goal, and, until you’ve ridden one, you won’t really know how life changing the ride can be.