Choosing your first skateboard
Deck width, wheels, trucks and grip, in plain words, so your first board fits how and where you want to skate.
A complete skateboard is four parts: the deck, two trucks, four wheels with bearings, and grip tape on top. Get them to fit you and where you skate, and everything else is practice.
Deck width
Width matters more than length. As a rough guide:
- 7.75 to 8.0 in for street and flip tricks, or smaller feet.
- 8.0 to 8.25 in if you are not sure: the all-rounder.
- 8.25 in and up for bowls, ramps and bigger feet.
Stand on a few if you can. Your feet should cover the deck without hanging far off it.
Trucks
Match the truck's axle to the deck's width, so the wheels sit under the edges of the board. A shop will tell you the size; any well-known brand is fine to start.
Wheels
- Hard wheels (around 99a, 52 to 54 mm) slide and grind well on smooth ground and in parks.
- Softer wheels (78a to 87a) roll over cracks and rough streets, good for cruising.
Grip and bearings
Grip tape keeps your feet on the board; replace it when it stops gripping. Bearings come rated; for skating, any decent set works, keep them dry and clean.
Build it in 3D
Try combinations in the board builder before you buy, with links to the shops that sell the real parts.
