How to choose your perfect skateboard: complete guide, best brands and 5 inexpensive options

PRO-expert Sportmaster PRO

In order to successfully get on a skateboard and have opportunities to improve your skating skills, it is important to consider many things when buying a board. Which ones?

How to choose a skateboard – first steps

1- Determine your needs and goals. First, it’s important to understand exactly how you will use the skateboard. Are you buying it for skating or doing tricks? Depending on what is to be done, you will need the appropriate type of board. If you don’t take these differences into account, you could get injured.

There are different types of skateboards: classic skateboards, cruisers, longboards and penny skateboards. Each has its own features and is designed for specific styles of skating.

2- Study the construction. A good skateboard should be made of quality materials like wood or carbon fiber. Also pay attention to the durability and condition of the board, the quality of the wheels and bearings.

3. Consider your level of skating. How to choose a skateboard for a beginner? Here it is better to give preference to a wider board and soft wheels – for stability. At an advanced level of skating you can take a narrower board and hard wheels – for maneuverability.

If you have the opportunity, consult with experienced riders or experts at a skateboard store. They will be able to make recommendations and show you boards that are perfect for your needs and level. Also, if possible, try riding several skateboard models before you buy. This will allow you to choose an option that suits your needs.

Important parameters when choosing a skateboard

1. Skateboard deck (board). One of the most important moments is its size. This parameter directly depends on your height, weight and foot size. Usually boards come from 7.5 to 9 inches wide. As a rule, the parameters are specified in inches. To roughly translate them into centimeters, you need to multiply by 2.5.

If you are a beginner, then it is recommended to choose a board size of 8 inches. This width will provide good stability and ease of control.

2. Wheels are another important factor to consider when choosing. They come in different sizes and stiffnesses. At the initial stage, it is recommended to choose wheels with a size between 50 and 54 mm and a stiffness of 80A. This will give you good speed and control over the skateboard.

3. Suspensions are the element that connects the wheels and the board. They come in different widths and shapes. At the initial stage, it is better to choose medium width suspensions. This will allow you to get a good stability on the skateboard.

Skateboard for beginners

What board will be the optimal option for a beginner? The combination of parameters should be like this:

• wide board – for better stability;
• large and soft wheels – for a smooth ride;
• sturdy board construction made of seven layers of maple;
• availability of high quality board and components.

Top models for beginners

1. Roces Indian 31 ” – 8″ wide, reinforced construction supports up to 100 lbs, and PVC shock absorbers dampen the load when riding.
2. Street Surfing Street Skate 31 ” – due to the anti-slip coating and the board of seven layers of maple, the model is suitable for mastering tricks.
3. Element Seal 8.25 ” – this model is wider than the previous ones (as the name implies) and its wheels are extra durable.

Skateboard for kids

How to choose a skateboard for a child? Children’s skateboards differ from adult skateboards in size and relative lightness. In addition, they are usually sold fully assembled and do not need additional preparation.

Thesize of the board should be appropriate for the child’s height:

• For the youngest athletes up to 100 centimeters tall, boards up to 27.5 inches in length are suitable;
• children up to 150 cm tall will be most comfortable on boards up to 29 inches long;
• teens above 150 centimeters can use adult skateboards.

What to look for when choosing a children’s skateboard?

1. Suitable width of the board for children. Usually between 7.5 and 8 inches.
2. Reliable bearings. For example, ABEC-7 – for a smooth ride.
3. A comfortable board shape for easy control and maneuvering.
4. Appropriate design. It’s good if the graphics decorating the child’s skateboard are eye-catching and reflect his personality.
5. Safety features. Buying a skateboard, you should not forget about the helmet, elbow pads, kneepads. This is important for the safety of the child.

Small skateboards

They are also most often found under the name of penny board (penny board). These are compact (up to 22″ long) and maneuverable boards that are convenient to carry in a backpack or bag. They win out over classic skateboards and longboards because of their portability. And also durability – the vast majority of models are made of special plastic.

The size of such a board is one of its main advantages, but it is also a disadvantage. A novice athlete does not yet have the proper skill to maneuver comfortably on a penny board. In addition, they are suitable only for riding, you can forget about tricks. In general, beginners are better to pay attention to full-size boards.

Inexpensive skateboards – 5 options

1. Union Zhiga – the model has dimensions of 8,12*31,75″, is made of durable maple and is ideal for tricks.
2. Element Seal 8” – the skateboard has a low weight due to the use of reduced thickness layers of wood in the deck, while keeping the durability high.
3. Element Perspectrum 7.75″ – this model is slightly narrower than the others in the selection, which makes it suitable for short or beginner riders.
4. Termit 400 31″ – the most economical option that maintains high durability and quality acceleration.
5. Roces Skull City is a universal model for parks and street, which is equipped with quality PVC shock absorbers.

10 Best Skateboard Brands – 2023

Each of the brands listed below have lineups in different sizes and price ranges. When choosing, focus primarily on durability, size, and personal preference, as well as reviews from other users.

Over time, as your level of board ownership grows, you’ll also become aware of more professional points to consider when buying your next board.

What brands to consider:

• Element,
• Plan B,
• “Union,
• Zero,
• Santa Cruz,
• Girl,
• Almost,
• Baker,
• Creature,
• Flip,
• Toy Machine.