How to Choose the Right Skateboard Deck in 2023- Buying Your First Skateboard
“What size skateboard should I get?” is the question that’s probably most asked by beginners. The answer is not always so simple because there are several variables to take into consideration. Getting the right size board is important for many reasons, and can even save someone from injury. Choosing a deck that’s too short will make it harder to balance on, and if somebody falls off they could risk hitting their head on the ground.
Conversely, choosing a skateboard deck that’s too big will make it more difficult to control, especially for younger or smaller riders. It will also be harder to do tricks on because bigger skateboards are heavier and have more weight concentrated in the middle. Moreover, board shape is another consideration. If you’re looking to do tricks, it’s better to choose a board shaped for that purpose. Finally, skateboarding style is also something to take into account.
The most common shapes are pintail, cruiser, and longboard. Pintail boards are great for tricks and carving, while cruisers are perfect for getting around town. Longboards are best for downhill racing and cruising. Once you’ve decided on a shape, it’s time to choose a material. The most popular materials are maple and bamboo. Maple decks are strong and durable, while bamboo decks are lighter and more flexible.
What Size Skateboard Should I Get?
Factors to consider when choosing the right skateboard size:
Skateboarding style:
The most important factor in deciding what size skateboard you need is your skating style. Best skateboard brands are shaped differently according to the type of riding they’re meant for, and some are even designed with special features that make them easier or harder to ride. For example, a freestyle board is much shorter than a street-style deck, and it has a wider shape. This makes it easier to do board tricks. Freestyle boards are also designed with easy-to-grab tail ends so they’re easier to control.
Size variations of boards:
7.5″ to 8″ – These are perfectly standard boards for adult riders. Afford street skating and advanced technical skills.
8.0″ to 8.25″ – Best boards for skating in parks, ramps, rail, and pool
8.25″ and larger – Consider these boards if you are interested in cruising, Vert, pools, or just going old school.
Size of the rider:
Another major factor in choosing skateboard size is how tall you are. Skateboards are usually measured from the bottom of the deck to the top where the trucks are, but you don’t want to choose a skateboard that’s too small or too large. A good size deck with the most pop for beginner skaters is 7.75″ because it provides an optimal center of gravity. It’s also best to get a board that’s symmetrical in shape because this will make balancing much easier.
- If your height range is from 4’ to 5’3’’ then 29 to 31.5 inches is a suitable deck length for you.
- If your height range is from 5’3’’ to 6’1’’ then 31.5 inches or 32.5 inches.
- If your height is above 6’1’’, then a deck with 32.5 and 33 inches is a perfect choice.
Shoe Size
Another important factor in choosing the right skateboard deck size is your shoe size. This will determine what type of trucks you should use and whether or not you need risers under your deck. If a skater wears shoes that are too big for their feet, they will have to choose low-riding trucks so they can fit comfortably on the board. This will make turning harder, and depending on the skater’s skill level it may be dangerous.
The Right Sized Deck for You:
Medium-sized boards are usually great for people who like dancing and freeriding because they’re lightweight (and you can carry them around easier) but they aren’t too big or unwieldy. They’re also good for doing numerous skateboard tricks in parks because you can walk with them fairly easily, even if you have to walk up a hill/driveway.
Large-sized boards are good for freeriding and downhill because they can handle slides and high-speed maneuvers without having too much flex. Also, large-sized boards tend to have better pop than medium-sized boards because it’s easier for you to ollie higher if the deck is larger. Larger decks also look cool if you’re into doing bigger/higher airs.
Small decks are great for transportation and stationary tricks because they’re compact and you don’t have to worry about carrying them around or hitting your leg on them when you slide. They also work well for people who like to do their freeriding without the assistance of a hill, but they aren’t very good if you want to do high-speed maneuvers.
Width Matters:
Width is usually the most important factor for determining how a deck will ride, but it comes right after length. So if you have longboard trucks with large hangers, you need a wider board to compensate, or else your board won’t turn properly at high speeds.
To determine the appropriate width for you, just measure your favorite deck and try to find a board that matches its width (or is slightly wider) and length.
Most decks are 7.5″ wide, which is between street size (8.0″) and Old School sizes (7.75″). Street boards are easier to do tricks on because they’re bigger than Old School boards, so if you want something smaller but still want to do tricks it’s better to get an Old School board.
Cruising boards are usually wide enough for tricks. If you’re going to be riding mostly in a neighborhood, a cruiser board with small soft wheels is a better option.
You should also remember that the width of the board affects how fast you go. The narrower it is, the faster you can travel because it’s easier to ride on tight turns without slipping out.
Length of the Board
Length is also important because it affects stability. If the board is too short or too low to the ground, it will wobble more when you ride on it. A longer board will wobble less because there’s more space between the wheels.
If you don’t plan on doing any tricks you should choose a board that’s between 31″-36″ long (or maybe even longer). Regardless of your height, you should get a bigger board if you want to go faster.
Concave Shape
This is the second most important part of your board. The first is the deck itself, of course. Concave varies from deck to deck because there are different types of concave (or lack thereof).
Lip angle depends on the amount of concave you want for your board. Higher lip angles make it easier to gain speed and slide, while lower lip angles make it easier to turn and ollie.
Different types of concave will help you do different tricks. For example, steeper concaves are good for sliding because they allow the board to slide under your feet when you’re pushing down on them (if you’ve ever seen someone sliding their board on asphalt, the best skateboard wheels will be under their feet). Steep concaves are also great for doing stunts because they make it easier to keep your balance.
Wheelbase
The wheelbase is the distance between the inner truck mounting holes. It doesn’t affect your board’s stability unless you have a really long one, but it can be good for going fast if you’re using a stiffer deck.
Street decks usually have a short wheelbase of 10″-12″ because they’re pretty stiff and that helps them go faster. Cruiser decks have a longer wheelbase of 11″-14″ which makes them more stable at higher speeds, but it also makes them harder to do ollie because there’s less room between the wheels.
Most boards have a medium/average-sized wheelbase of 10″-12″ which is good for cruising or technical skating. There are many different types of skateboarding styles and board shapes, but it’s important to choose one that fits your needs.
Centers of Gravity and Weight Distribution
The lower the center of gravity is, the easier it is to balance your board. It’s usually best to have a low center of gravity because it’ll give you more control over your board so it won’t move around as much, but you have to use a bigger deck/wheelbase so your feet aren’t crowded together when doing tricks in the park.
Weight distribution is determined by where the trucks are mounted on the board. The closer they are to either end of the board, the better it’ll be for speed and agility since there’s less resistance from twisting. However, it won’t be good for downhill because the board will have more acceleration when you’re traveling in a straighter line.
Your trucks should be evenly mounted on your deck so your feet are split evenly on either side of them when riding so there’s less resistance from twisting, which is good for both speed and agility. You’ll also have to use a bigger deck so your feet aren’t crowded together when doing tricks in the park, and you’ll have to use risers so it’s easier to do flip tricks.
Conclusion
Choosing a skateboard size is never an easy task, but it’s worth it if you do your research and decide what kind of board you need based on your needs and preferences. If you’re having trouble deciding what to get, just get one of each type and try them out.
