Penny boards have become very popular, but skateboarders don’t take them seriously. Why?

The roller board is one of the most interesting inventions of the last century. It’s hard to disagree, especially remembering how skateboarding was able to change the world: computer games, famous advertising, its own international holiday and the Olympics. And that’s not all.

The ideas of riding a board with wheels have evolved, changed and adapted to the emerging demands of society. Now there are many different models and means of transportation, which are less or more similar to a skateboard. And it is about such boards that we are going to talk today. Meet Penny plastiboards.

There was a perception at the time that skateboards were quickly falling into disrepair as surfers and everyday people were constantly riding them from the beach to work, to the grocery store and back to the ocean. Ben figured out a way to fix it, and he did: the vinyl boards easily withstood sand, salt water, and scorching sun. Nothing could ruin their appearance or somehow render them unusable. Affordability also became Penny’s trump card.

Naturally, the company had competitors and those who began to copy images, models and used similar materials in the creation of products. But in people’s minds, if a roller board is small, bright and made of plastic, it is definitely Penny. And it is unlikely to change this.

Penny under the microscope

Classic penny boards can be of different colors: monochrome or multicolor. Over the years, the manufacturer has determined several sizes of boards that are optimal for riding in the city: 22 inches (55.88 cm), 27 inches (68.58 cm), 32 inches (81.28 cm) and 36 inches (91.44 cm).

Competitive manufacturers are experimenting more with the length of their boards in an effort to offer a wider selection. You can find plastic boards on the market in sizes ranging from 17″ (43.18 cm) to 46″ (116.84 cm).

You can’t make legends about the properties of vinyl boards, but it can be noted that they can withstand the weight of a car while being very flexible. All thanks to the secret formula of the plastic.

Opinion of professionals

Despite all the positive properties of Penny, skateboarders are quite skeptical about them.

two-time Russian skateboarding champion

Honestly, I have never liked Penny. They are not really comfortable to ride around the city: they are quite narrow. Plus it’s not as easy to jump curbs on them as, for example, on a “fish” cruiser. Penny is good for kids at first, so they can feel what it’s like to ride a skateboard. Also, girls really like these boards. What’s the attitude in the skateboard community? I don’t know how to say this… For example, if my friends see me riding a Penny, they will look at it weird. So for the first time, to get a feel for it, it’s a great option. But I’d still go for a wooden cruiser. It’s more comfortable: it’s wider and more stable.

Maxim Kruglov

professional skateboarder and Athletes Club athlete

I think that this board still has the right to exist. In principle, it should be in the trunk, especially because it doesn’t take up much space. It has soft wheels, it rides great, I have nothing against it. But it has nothing in common with street skateboarding. That said, it has a place to promote our street sport. I see tons of kids starting to skate on it, learning how to push off, and it’s their first board. It’s trendy for girls. You can ride in Gorky Park and not think about anything and only dream. A universal shell, although there are many “fake” boards similar to the original Penny, but the quality is not the same.

More fun

In Russia, for residents of big cities, riding a Penny is more of a “luxury” than a real means of transportation. It is a process for which you have to specially allocate your free time. And there are not so many ideal conditions for comfortable riding.

We continue to keep our neutrality and do not call for anything, but only give advice based on experience and professional opinions. The world is so big and multifaceted that sometimes you should stop, wonder and ask for advice.