Dropdown Longboards vs Drop Through Longboards: Which Style is Right for You?

Ever wondered bout the difference between a drop-down longboard and a drop-through? It's a common question that trips up a lotta riders, especially if you're new to the scene. I've been skating for over 15 years now, and lemme tell ya - the board style you choose can make or break your riding experience.

Belangrijkste punten

  • Drop through longboards mount trucks through the deck, offering better stability at speed
  • Dropdown longboards have a lowered platform between the trucks, giving a lower center of gravity
  • Drop-through boards excel at freeride, cruising, and some downhill
  • Dropdown boards are ideal for pushing, commuting, and downhill stability
  • Each style has unique advantages depending on your riding style and preferences

Table of Contents

Understanding Drop Through Longboards

Bamboo Pacific Sunset 41

Bamboo Pacific Sunset 41" Drop Through Longboard


Drop-through longboards have a unique design where the trucks are mounted through the deck rather than underneath it. This means there's a cutout in the deck where the baseplate of the truck sits flush with the top of the board. The kingpin and the rest of the truck assembly hang below the deck.

This design lowers your center of gravity by about an inch compared to a traditional top-mount longboard. Why does this matter? Well, when you're standing closer to the ground, you get more stability, especially at higher speeds. This makes drop-through boards popular for freeride and certain downhill applications.

One thing I've noticed with my drop-through setups is how they respond to turning. The leverage you get over the trucks is different - it feels more fluid and less direct than a top mount. This characteristic makes them super forgiving for beginners who are still figuring out weight distribution and turning mechanics.

"I remember my first drop through - a Sector 9 Fractal. The way it glided and carved was completely different from my old pintail. It felt like I was floating just above the pavement," shared my friend Mike, who's been skating since the early 2000s.

The truck mounting also affects how the board flexes. Since the trucks go through the deck, the flex pattern is different - you'll feel more of a bouncy, responsive flex that many riders enjoy for cruising and carving. This flex pattern also helps absorb road vibrations, making longer rides more comfortable.

Drop-through decks typically have symmetrical shapes, allowing for easy switch riding (riding with your non-dominant foot forward). This versatility makes them great for tricks, slides, and freestyle riding, where you might need to change directions quickly.

Understanding Dropdown Longboards

Stained Black Drop Down Blank 41

Stained Black Drop Down Blank 41" Longboard

Dropdown longboards (sometimes written as "drop down") feature a deck that literally drops down between the trucks, creating a lowered platform where you stand. Unlike drop-throughs, the trucks are still mounted to the bottom of the deck in a traditional way, but the deck itself has a curved shape that lowers the standing platform.

This design creates an even lower ride height than drop-through boards, which has some significant advantages. First off, the lower center of gravity provides exceptional stability. When your feet are closer to the ground, the board feels more planted and less wobbly, especially at speed.

I've ridden my Punked Drop Down Longboard for years now, and one thing I always appreciate is how easy it is to push. With a lower deck height, you don't have to bend your knee as much to reach the ground when pushing, which saves energy on long rides and makes it ideal for commuting.

Dropdown decks also create natural foot pockets where the deck drops down. These concave sections lock your feet in place, giving you more control and confidence when sliding or taking corners at speed. It's like having built-in reference points for foot placement.

"The first time I tried a dropdown, I couldn't believe how much more confident I felt bombing hills," says Sarah, a local downhill enthusiast. "That secure feeling of being locked into the board made all the difference."

Another interesting aspect of dropdown decks is their turning characteristics. Because the trucks are mounted at the highest points of the deck (the ends), you get a different leverage effect when turning. This creates a more stable ride but can make the board feel less responsive for tight carving compared to other mounting styles.

Many drop-down decks also feature cutouts above the wheels to prevent wheel bite (when the wheels touch the deck during turns). These cutouts allow for deeper turns without the risk of suddenly stopping when a wheel contacts the deck - a particularly dangerous situation at speed.

Comparing Stability and Control

When it comes to stability, both drop-through and drop-through longboards offer advantages over traditional top mounts, but they do so in different ways.

Dropdown boards generally provide the most stability of any longboard design. With the lowest possible center of gravity, they minimize the leverage your weight has over the trucks, resulting in a ride that feels incredibly planted. This makes them excellent choices for beginners who are still developing their balance, as well as downhill riders who need maximum stability at high speeds.

Drop-through boards sit in the middle ground between top mounts and dropdowns in terms of stability. They're more stable than top mounts but typically offer a bit more liveliness than drop-downs. The truck mounting through the deck creates a unique feel - you're still relatively close to the ground, but the board maintains some of the responsiveness that more experienced riders might prefer.

Feature Dropdown Longboards Drop Through Longboards
Deck Height Very low (closest to the ground) Low (higher than dropdown)
Stability Excellent, especially at speed Very good, balanced with responsiveness
Turning Responsiveness Less responsive, more stable Moderately responsive
Leverage Over Trucks Minimal leverage Moderate leverage
Foot Placement Locked-in feeling with concave More freedom to move feet
Learning Curve Easier for beginners Easy for beginners, with room to grow

In terms of control, there's an interesting tradeoff. Dropdown boards offer more stability but less direct control over your turns. The drop-through design gives you a more balanced feel, still stable but with more direct input into your turns.

I've found that drop-down boards excel when I need to bomb hills with confidence or cruise long distances, while drop-through boards shine when I want a board that can handle a variety of situations from cruising to freeriding to light downhill.

"It's like choosing between a Cadillac and a sports sedan," explains Tom, a longboard shop owner I know. "The dropdown is smoother and more comfortable, while the drop-through gives you more connection to the road. Both will get you there, but the experience is different."

Control is also affected by the deck's flex characteristics. Drop-through boards often have more flex due to their mounting style, which can add a lively, responsive feel but potentially reduce stability at the highest speeds. Dropdown decks tend to be stiffer, providing more consistent control when riding fast.

Riding Comfort and Pushing Efficiency

If you're planning to use your longboard for commuting or long-distance pushing, comfort and efficiency become crucial factors in your decision between drop-through and drop-through designs.

Dropdown longboards are generally considered the kings of pushing comfort. The significantly lowered platform means less knee bend with each push, which might not seem like a big deal for a few blocks, but makes an enormous difference over miles of riding. I've pushed both styles across town many times, and the difference in leg fatigue is noticeable.

"After my first 10-mile ride on a dropdown, I couldn't believe how much less tired my legs were," recounts Jamie, a long-distance pushing enthusiast. "It was like switching from hiking boots to running shoes."

Drop through boards still offer good pushing efficiency - certainly better than top mounts - but they don't quite match the ergonomic advantages of a drop-down deck. However, they often compensate with better flex characteristics that can help absorb road vibration, potentially making them more comfortable on rough surfaces.

For riders with knee issues or those planning marathon-length rides, the dropdown design's efficiency advantages are hard to overlook. The energy savings from the reduced knee bend add up quickly over distance.

Both styles typically offer large wheelbases (the distance between the trucks), which contributes to a stable, comfortable ride. Longer wheelbases mean less twitchiness and more predictable handling, especially important when pushing at speed or navigating crowded areas.

Another comfort consideration is foot placement. Dropdown decks have natural foot pockets created by the dropped platform, which can help lock your feet in place and reduce fatigue from constantly adjusting your stance. Drop-through decks generally have a flatter profile, which some riders prefer for the freedom to adjust their foot position more frequently.

Weather can also impact your comfort. On rainy days, the lower ride height of both styles, but especially dropdowns, means you're more likely to splash through puddles. I learned this lesson the hard way and now keep my dropdown board for dry days only!

Slide Performance Differences

Sliding is a fundamental technique in longboarding, whether you're using it to control speed, perform tricks, or just have fun. The choice between dropdown and drop-through designs significantly impacts how your board will slide.

Drop through longboards tend to excel at sliding for several reasons. First, the way the trucks mount through the deck creates a unique leverage situation that makes it easier to break the wheels free into a slide. The reduced leverage over the trucks means less grip and more slip, perfect for learning slides.

I remember teaching my cousin how to slide on my Sector 9 Drop Through - she picked it up in a single afternoon, while it had taken me weeks on my old top mount.

Additionally, drop-through boards often have symmetrical shapes, making them ideal for 180° slides and switch riding (riding with your non-dominant foot forward). This symmetry means the board performs consistently regardless of which direction you're facing.

Dropdown decks approach sliding differently. Their extreme stability makes them predictable during slides, which can be confidence-inspiring, especially at higher speeds. The natural foot pockets created by the dropped platform help lock your feet in place during slides, reducing the chance of slipping off during aggressive maneuvers.

However, dropdowns can sometimes be more challenging to initiate slides with due to their leveraging characteristics. Once sliding, they tend to be very controllable, but breaking free into the slide might require more effort, especially for beginners.

Both styles benefit from having wheel cutouts - areas where the deck is shaped to prevent wheel bite during deep turns or slides. These cutouts allow for deeper lean angles without the wheels contacting the deck, which is essential for confident sliding.

For freeride-focused riders who prioritize sliding, drop-through boards often become the weapon of choice. Their easier slide initiation and predictable slide characteristics make them ideal for learning and perfecting various slide techniques.

"When I'm teaching someone to slide, I almost always start them on a drop through," says Alex, a longboard instructor I've worked with. "They're just more forgiving, and that builds confidence quickly."

Downhill Riding Capabilities

When it comes to bombing hills and reaching serious speeds, both drop-down and drop-through longboards have their place in the downhill scene, but with different strengths and riding feels.

Dropdown longboards are often favored by downhill purists for their exceptional stability. The lowered platform creates the lowest possible center of gravity, which translates to confidence-inspiring stability when you're hitting 40+ mph. This design minimizes the wobbles that can occur at high speeds, making them more forgiving for riders pushing their limits.

The concave created by the dropped platform also helps lock your feet in place, which is crucial when road vibrations and wind forces are trying to move your feet at speed. Many dedicated downhill dropdown decks feature additional concave features like W-concave or microdrops to further enhance this locked-in feeling.

Drop-through longboards take a different approach to downhill. While still more stable than top mounts, they offer a more lively feel that some downhill riders prefer. The reduced leverage over the trucks creates a predictable ride that's still responsive enough for technical downhill runs with multiple turns.

"For straight bomb runs, I'll take my dropdown every time," explains Ryan, a local downhill competitor. "But when the course gets technical with switchbacks, my drop through gives me the responsiveness I need without sacrificing too much stability."

Both styles typically feature wheel cutouts to prevent wheel bite during deep carves, but the design of these cutouts can vary. Dropdowns often have more dramatic cutouts due to their shape, while drop-throughs might use flared wheel wells or less pronounced cutouts.

For beginners approaching downhill for the first time, either style is significantly more forgiving than a traditional top mount. The choice often comes down to the type of downhill riding you plan to do:

  • For pure speed runs on straight or gently curving roads, a dropdown's stability is hard to beat
  • For technical downhill with tight turns and varied terrain, a drop-through offers a good balance of stability and responsiveness
  • For downhill that incorporates sliding and freeride elements, many riders prefer drop-throughs for their slide characteristics

It's worth noting that at the highest competitive levels of downhill, many riders actually prefer top mount boards for the increased leverage and grip they provide in turns. However, for the vast majority of downhill enthusiasts, either dropped style offers a more accessible and forgiving platform to develop skills.

Durability Considerations

When investing in a longboard, durability matters - especially if you're hard on your gear or planning to use your board daily. The structural differences between dropdown and drop-through designs create different durability profiles worth considering.

Drop-through longboards have an inherent structural weakness: the cutouts where the trucks mount through the deck. These areas experience significant stress during riding, particularly during hard carving, sliding, or landing after ollies and jumps. Manufacturers compensate for this by using additional reinforcement around the truck mounting areas, often with fiberglass, carbon fiber, or extra plies of wood.

"I've seen plenty of drop-throughs crack around the neck area where the trucks mount," notes Chris, a longboard repair specialist I know. "It's almost always from hard riding or impacts rather than normal use."

Dropdown decks don't have the same cutout-related vulnerabilities, but the bent shape of the deck creates its own stress points. The areas where the deck transitions from the higher truck mounting platforms to the dropped standing platform can experience fatigue over time, especially with heavier riders or aggressive use.

Both designs typically use multiple plies of maple, bamboo, or composite materials to achieve the necessary strength while maintaining appropriate flex characteristics. Higher-end boards often incorporate fiberglass or carbon fiber layers to increase strength without adding significant weight.

In my experience, the most common durability issues come from:

  1. Impact damage (hitting curbs, rocks, or obstacles)
  2. Water damage (riding in rain or through puddles)
  3. Sun damage (prolonged exposure, weakening the board's materials)
  4. Stress cracks from extreme use (hard slides, big drops, or aggressive riding)

To maximize the lifespan of either style: - Avoid leaving your board in hot cars or direct sunlight for extended periods - Keep the board dry and wipe it down after riding in wet conditions - Check and tighten hardware regularly - Inspect the board occasionally for early signs of stress cracks

It's worth noting that Bamboo Longboards often offer excellent durability in both drop-through and dropdown configurations. The natural flexibility and strength of bamboo make it ideal for absorbing impacts and resisting fatigue.

Which Style Suits Your Riding

Choosing between a dropdown and drop through longboard ultimately comes down to matching the board characteristics to your specific riding style and preferences. Let's break down which style might work best for different types of riders.

For Commuters and Distance Pushers: If you're primarily using your longboard to get from point A to point B, a drop-down board is often the best choice. The lower deck height means less knee bend when pushing, resulting in significantly less fatigue over distance. The stability also helps when navigating traffic or carrying a backpack.

For Freeriders and Slide Enthusiasts: Drop-through boards generally excel at sliding and freeride maneuvers. The reduced leverage over the trucks makes it easier to break into slides, and the typically symmetrical shape facilitates switch riding and 180° slides. If you're looking to perfect those standies and pendulums, a drop-through like the Loaded Tan Tien might be your best bet.

For Downhill Speed Demons: Both styles can work well for downhill, but with different characteristics: - Dropdowns offer maximum stability and confidence at speed, ideal for beginners to downhill or riders focusing on straight-line speed - Drop throughs provide a good balance of stability and responsiveness, better suited for technical downhill runs with multiple turns

For Versatile All-Arounders: If you want one board that can do a bit of everything, drop through designs tend to be more versatile. They're stable enough for beginners, capable of slides and freeride tricks, decent for pushing distances, and can handle moderate downhill. Many riders start with a drop through for this reason.

For Beginners: Both styles are beginner-friendly compared to top mounts, but in slightly different ways: - Dropdowns offer maximum stability and easiest pushing, making the initial learning curve gentler - Drop throughs provide good stability while allowing more room for skill progression into different riding styles

I started on a drop through and later added a dropdown to my collection when I began doing more distance rides. Having ridden both extensively, I find they complement each other well in a quiver of boards.

"The best board is the one that makes you want to ride more," as my old skate shop mentor used to say. Consider what aspects of longboarding excite you most, and choose the design that will help you enjoy those experiences to the fullest.

FAQ Section

What is the main difference between dropdown and drop through longboards?

The Structural Difference

Dropdown longboards have a deck that physically drops down between the trucks, creating a lower standing platform while the trucks mount traditionally on the bottom. Drop through longboards have cutouts in the deck where the trucks mount through the board, with the baseplate sitting flush with the top of the deck.

Which style is better for beginners?

Beginner-Friendly Options

Both styles are good for beginners, but for slightly different reasons. Dropdowns offer maximum stability and the easiest pushing experience, making them very forgiving for first-timers. Drop throughs provide good stability while allowing more versatility as skills develop, making them excellent "grow with you" boards.

Are dropdown or drop through boards better for downhill?

Downhill Performance

Both can excel at downhill, but dropdowns typically offer more stability at the highest speeds due to their lower center of gravity. Drop throughs provide a good balance of stability and responsiveness, making them popular for technical downhill runs. Your personal preference for stability versus responsiveness should guide this choice.

Which style is easier to push for long distances?

Distance Pushing Efficiency

Dropdown boards are generally considered superior for distance pushing because their lower deck height requires less knee bend with each push, resulting in less fatigue over long distances. This makes them the preferred choice for long-distance riders and commuters.

Do dropdown and drop through longboards slide differently?

Sliding Characteristics

Yes! Drop through boards typically initiate slides more easily due to their reduced leverage over the trucks. Dropdowns provide more control during slides thanks to their extreme stability and foot-locking concave. Many freeride specialists prefer drop throughs for learning and performing slides.

Can I do tricks on both dropdown and drop through longboards?

Trick Capability

Both styles can be used for certain tricks, but they're not ideal for technical flip tricks like a traditional skateboard. Drop through boards are generally better for freestyle tricks due to their more versatile shape and typically lighter weight. Dropdowns excel at slides and speed-related maneuvers rather than technical tricks.

Which style is more durable?

Durability Factors

Drop through boards have potential weakness around the truck mounting cutouts, while dropdowns have stress points at the bent sections of the deck. Quality boards of either style from reputable manufacturers are built to handle their intended use. Drop throughs may require more careful handling to prevent damage to the neck areas.