Dogtown Longboards: A Legendary Skateboard Brand's History and Best Models

The History of Dogtown Longboards

Dogtown is an iconic skateboard brand with deep roots in skateboarding history. Originally founded as a skateboard equipment company in West Los Angeles in the 1970s, Dogtown quickly became known for its innovative deck designs and graphics.

During the late 1970s, the Dogtown team, led by legendary skaters Tony Alva and Jay Adams, pioneered vertical skating and aerial moves in emptied swimming pools. Their daring tricks and sense of rebellion came to define not just a company but an entire era of skateboarding.

The Rise of Longboards

While Dogtown first made its name with standard skateboard designs, the company soon expanded into manufacturing longboards as the longboard scene took off in the 1990s and 2000s.

Longboards offered stability and ease-of-use for beginners while also allowing advanced riders to achieve high speeds and slide maneuvers. As a pioneering skateboard brand, Dogtown quickly adopted longboard technology and applied its creative vision to these new decks.

Dogtown's Longboard Designs

Dogtown produces a variety of branded longboard decks that match the company's reputation for quality construction and eye-catching graphics. These include both downhill and cruising models:

• Downhill longboards - Stiff decks with mild concave meant for achieving high speeds.
• Cruisers - Flexible decks focused more on stability and maneuverability.

Dogtown downhill boards are ideal for rush of downhill runs and sliding, while the cruisers make excellent commuter boards for getting around town.

Choosing Your Dogtown Longboard

With such a stellar reputation, Dogtown longboards are highly desirable. So what should you look for when choosing your Dogtown deck?

Types of Riding

First, consider what type of riding you intend to do. Downhill decks cater to adrenaline junkies who bomb hills at high speeds. Cruisers are better for commuting and relaxed riding around town or campus.

Deck Materials

Dogtown uses a mix of quality maple and bamboo woods for their decks. Maple provides pop and stiffness for downhill while bamboo offers a bit of flex for cruisers. Construction quality is uniformly excellent across their longboard line.

Graphics

As an old school skate brand, Dogtown is known for artistic deck graphics showcasing their iconic dog logo. The exact graphic isn't a huge performance factor but rather comes down to your personal style and taste.

Gearing Up Your Dogtown Longboard

While the deck is the heart of any longboard, you'll need the right components to optimize performance:

• Trucks suited to your riding style
• Quality wheels with ample roll speed and slide ability
• Smooth-rolling bearings
• Grip tape for control and stability

Dogtown produces excellent cruiser wheels while brands like Paris, Bear, and Caliber offer trusted downhill truck options. Quality aftermarket parts let you fully customize your setup.

Safety Gear

For high-speed downhill runs, be sure to use safety equipment like slide gloves, knee pads, and helmets. They can mean the difference between walking away or severe injury when you inevitably bail.

Even for everyday cruising, a helmet and gloves are wise investments. Stay safe and keep skating your beloved Dogtown longboard for years to come!

FAQs

What types of longboards does Dogtown make?

Dogtown makes both downhill and cruiser longboard models. Their downhill boards are stiff, concave decks built for speed. The cruisers offer more flexibility and are designed for stability when commuting and carving around town.

What materials are used for Dogtown longboard decks?

Dogtown uses a combination of hard maple and bamboo woods for their quality longboard decks. Maple offers pop and stiffness, while bamboo provides some flex. Both materials are durable and well-suited for skateboarding.

Where are Dogtown longboards manufactured?

As a US skateboard brand founded in Southern California, Dogtown still produces their decks domestically in their own factory. Their decks proudly sport a Made in USA label showcasing their homeland heritage.

Can you customize a complete Dogtown longboard setup?

Yes, while Dogtown sells pre-assembled branded complete longboards, many riders customize their own setups with Dogtown decks and aftermarket trucks, wheels, bearings, hardware and grip tape to perfectly match their riding style.