How to Travel with Your Longboard: Expert Packing & Shipping Guide
Whether you’re headed to a tropical paradise or exploring urban landscapes, your longboard may just be your passport to adventure. There is nothing like exploring new places on 4 wheels. It provides a familiar yet unique perspective and makes the entire experience much more fun.
Getting your board safely from point A to point B – that’s where most of us hit a roadblock – especially when travel requires a flight. At Deviate Board Co, we’ve traveled countless miles and tried just about every trick in the book to get a longboard to a destination and back. Short flights, cross-country flights, overnight flights to Europe, we’ve been there. In this blog we layout some of our tried and true methods to ensure your board makes the trip with you.
Packing Your Longboard: Protect Your Ride
Proper packing isn’t just a suggestion—it’s your board’s first line of defense against the chaos of travel. Here’s how we at Deviate keep our boards pristine:
1. Invest in the Right Protection
If you can’t carry on your longboard (which is our primary recommendation), consider a board bag. Look for:
– Padded, sturdy construction
– Multiple compartments for accessories
– Reinforced edges and corners
**Pro Tip**: We like snowboard bags for longboard transport. They offer great padding, room to pack clothes with your board and are typically more durable than standard skateboard bags. Grab one at your local Board shop or on Amazon. There is nothing more heartbreaking than having the ticket agent put a bag tag sticker on your bare longboard and tossing onto the conveyor belt. Good luck ever seeing that board again…
2. Tactical Disassembly
Make your board more compact for travel by removing trucks to reduce overall size. Be sure to pack your trucks separately (your carry-on bag is a great place given the weight of the trucks). Also, secure your mounting hardware in a zippered pouch or zip-lock baggie (and bring extra because you always lose one or two).
3. Strategic Padding
Your packing material is like your board’s personal bodyguard:
– Use bubble wrap as a primary cushioning layer
– Leverage your travel clothes as additional padding
4. Smart Tool Management
Since you are removing your trucks, you’ll need to travel with your assembly tools:
– Opt for a compact plastic skate tool
– TSA-friendly options prevent unnecessary hassles
– If you can, keep tools in checked baggage to avoid complications
**Pro Tip**: Pack a plastic multi skate-tool. They are generally permitted by TSA. Trust us, we’ve had plenty of mini screwdrivers and wrenches confiscated.
Flying with Your Longboard
Air travel can feel like an obstacle course for longboarders, but with the right strategy, you’ll breeze through.
Airline Navigation
– Research carrier-specific policies beforehand (some are cool…some aren’t so cool)
– Check weight and size restrictions
– Consider board size for carry-on potential
Carry-On Strategies
For shorter boards, carry-on can be a game-changer:
– Remove trucks before boarding
– Wrap the deck in bubble wrap (makes it look like a piece of art)
– Stow carefully in overhead or under-seat storage
**Pro Tip**: We love compact boards like the Bean for hassle-free travel – most gate agents we come across see the bubble wrapped Bean deck and say “Cool Longboard!” Remember, flashing a smile and being nice to the ticket / gate agent / TSA agent doesn’t cost you anything and usually goes a long way in having a smooth trip.
Shipping Your Longboard
Sometimes, shipping is your best bet. Here’s how to do it right:
Carrier Selection
– Choose a real carrier like UPS, FedEx, and DHL (don’t pick Jimmy’s budget freight – sorry Jimmy)
– Always opt for tracking and insurance (trust us on this last part)
Packing for Shipping
– Use a sturdy box (ask your local boardshop if they have any extra board boxes laying around you can use)
– Follow the same protective packing principles as air travel (although depending on the box, you may leave the trucks attached to the deck)
– Assume rough handling and over-protect accordingly
Additional Pro Tips for Longboard Travelers
- Local Research: Always scout boarding locations and local regulations. Bring the right board for your planned adventure.
- Minimal Gear: Travel light—bring only essential accessories (you can always checkout a local board shop if you need something)
- Safety First: Don’t forget your helmet!
Final Thoughts
Traveling with your longboard doesn’t have to be a stress-inducing experience. With the right preparation, your board can accompany you on every adventure and turn exploring a new city into a truly incredible experience.
Now go to hit the road! Check out Deviate’s range of travel-friendly longboards The Bean, The Rebel and The Pretender.