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Buying Skateboards – A Beginner’s Handbook
It’s beneficial to meticulously consider the various options when choosing a beginner skateboard. Skateboards vary a great deal more than you might expect. With the assistance of this guide, we hope to illuminate the most pressing questions, whether you’re new or returning to skateboarding after a significant break.
Overview
Types of Skateboards for Newcomers
When selecting your maiden skateboard, it’s important to think about what skateboarding style you envision enjoying. With time, your understanding of personal preferences will evolve, aiding you to make more tailored decisions. Initially, a versatile skateboard allowing you to learn fundamental tricks and movements is recommended. Avoid making overly specialised choices at this early stage.
Newcomers should consider the following three primary skateboard categories:
- Skateboards: Known for being trick-oriented, these boards are most often used for street and park skating. They have concave-shaped decks with double kick tails and small wheels, offering beginners a secure base to start their skateboarding adventure.
- Cruiser Skateboards: If your interest in skateboarding is mainly transportation or cruising, a cruiser skateboard suits your need. These boards have broader decks and softer wheels for increased comfort and manoeuvrability, ensuring a smooth ride even on rough surfaces. If cruising is your preference, check out our Guide to Buying Cruiser Skateboards or explore our quality assortment of Cruiser Skateboards.
- Longboards: For those seeking stability and a gentle ride, longboards are a superb choice. Excellent for commuting and downhill activities, they provide a relaxed and stable introduction to skateboarding. With activities like longboard dancing, freestyle, or downhill longboarding, there’s much to explore. Should you wish to delve into longboarding, peruse our Guide to Buying Longboards or browse through our Longboards collection.
This guide primarily focuses on regular skateboards perfect for commencing beginner skateboarding tricks.
Which Skateboards Are Ideal for Young Beginners and Teenagers?
Questions often arise about skateboards for girls or cool boards for boys, and rest assured – there are plenty of options to match anyone's specific aesthetic tastes.
An economical skateboard will suffice initially, but consider if the skateboard should also encourage further growth as the skater develops.
Eventually, every skater will move on to popping ollies and executing tricks, where having a robust and responsive deck becomes advantageous. When purchasing a skateboard for someone at this stage, considering a complete skateboard that is slightly higher in price might be beneficial, though it’s not obligatory.
The following criteria warrant attention when selecting a complete skateboard for children:
- Deck width: Choose a width approximately equal to the length of the child’s shoes. A board that is too wide might be challenging to steer, whereas one too narrow might affect stability. For more information, refer to our Skateboard Size Guide or continue reading further down this guide.
- Wheel hardness: A hardness no greater than 92A is recommended for beginners. Softer wheels can handle small obstructions like pebbles or cracks without sudden stops, thus minimising the risk of falls for beginners.
- Bushings: For children weighing less than 65 kg, it's recommended to have bushings with a hardness below 90A. The hardness affects the level of pressure needed to turn the board. Softer bushings (with a lower durometer rating) make steering easier, but harder bushings (with a higher durometer rating) may make it harder.
As you explore our Complete Skateboards, you can filter by wheel hardness and deck length to find boards tailored to your specifications.
What Are the Best Starter Skateboards for Adults?
The right complete beginner skateboard enables adults to begin their skateboarding journey confidently, irrespective of age or prior experience. Whether completely new or returning after time away, you can find a pre-built complete skateboard that suits you, but it’s wise to choose thoughtfully — especially as an adult who is typically heavier than a teenager.
Consider these factors when choosing an adult beginner’s complete skateboard:
- Wood type: Opt for a 7-ply maple deck, avoiding Chinese maple. This variety tends to be softer and less durable, primarily due to faster growth rates of maple in China. Maple from colder climates, where growth is slower, results in decks with better pop and durability.
- Adult skateboard size: Match the deck width to your shoe length. A deck that fits your feet makes steering easier. While starting, follow our general advice (provided below). As you reach intermediate levels, you might develop preferences deviating from these guidelines.
- Wheel hardness: Favour a hardness below 97A. Harder wheels don’t absorb surface vibrations well, while softer wheels are less responsive and lively. Though seasoned skaters prefer a rating above 97A, beginners tend to do better with softer wheels.
- Bushings: Bushings impact steering ease. Generally, the heavier you are, the firmer you want your bushings. For those 65 - 79 kg, opt for 85A to 95A bushings; for 80 kg or more, choose bushings of 91A or higher.
Resuming Skateboarding as an Adult
You're never too old to take up skateboarding! Even after a break, you’re not starting anew entirely, as past experiences matter. After all, skateboarding basics remain unchanged – a wooden deck, two trucks, and four wheels.
How to get back to skateboarding? Select a skateboard fitting your needs and let your muscle memory take over. Whether aiming to master the skatepark or enjoying local street spots, pick a skateboard matching your objectives.
Older skateboard enthusiasts often prefer cruising, as the thrill of hardcore stunts may seem unnecessary. If you’re resuming skateboarding as an adult, choose a wider deck with slightly softer wheels. For occasional technical tricks, ensure the deck has kick tails on both ends.
Experienced skateboarders returning to the activity already have knowledge about skateboards and components, making building a customised board a top choice. Visit our Custom Skateboard Builder or browse our comprehensive collection of Skateboard Parts to customise each component for your perfect setup.
Selecting the Appropriate Skateboard Size for Newcomers
By adhering to our skateboard size chart, you can find a fitting size for your initial skateboard. The primary consideration regarding skateboard sizes is the deck width. Over time, your preferred deck width is likely to change as you become interested in specialised skateboarding styles. Initially, we advise selecting skateboard sizes according to your shoe size.
For children receiving their first skateboard, following the size table is advisable.
| Skateboard Width | Recommended Age | Shoe size US | Shoe size UK | Shoe size EU |
| 6.5" | 3 - 5 | 6C - 11C | 5Y - 10Y | 23 - 28 |
| 6.75" | 3 - 5 | 7C - 11C | 6Y - 10Y | 24 - 28 |
| 6.825" | 4 - 6 | 9C - 12C | 8Y - 11Y | 26 - 30 |
| 7.0" | 5 - 7 | 10C - 1 | 9Y - 12Y | 28 - 32 |
| 7.125" | 6 - 8 | 11C - 2 | 10Y - 1 | 29 - 33 |
| 7.25" | 7 - 9 | 12C - 3 | 11Y - 2 | 30 - 34 |
| 7.375" | 8 - 10 | 13C - 4 | 12Y - 3 | 31 - 35 |
| 7.5" | 9 - 11 | 1 - 6 | 13Y - 5 | 32 - 38 |
| 7.625" | 10 - 12 | 2 - 7 | 1 - 6 | 33 - 39 |
| 7.75" | 12 - 14 | 4 - 9 | 3 - 8 | 35 - 42 |
| 7.875" | 12 - 14 | 4 - 9 | 3 - 8 | 35 - 42 |
| 8" & Up | 14 & Up | 9 & Up | 8 & Up | 42 & Up |
Advice for Novice Skateboarders
Grasping the basics of skateboarding takes time and effort, but the most effective advice is straightforward: never give up! Enjoy yourself, heed your instincts, and soon you’ll be soaring around the skatepark. Here is some practical advice you may find helpful:
Protective Gear for Novice Skateboarders
For beginners as well as seasoned skaters, we advise skating with helmets and pads. Fear of falling can impede progress; however, reliable wrist, knee, and elbow pads, along with a certified skateboard helmet, can alleviate fear of falling and improve performance. Stay secure and skate boldly with protective gear. This is a must for any newcomer!
Explore our collection of Skateboard Pad Sets and certified Skateboard Helmets.
We offer outstanding kids’ helmets and skateboard pads within our selection of Skateboard Protection for Children.
Skate Shoes
Investing in specially designed skate shoes from reputable skate shoe brands is a sensible decision. Although any trainer will do for skating, you'll eventually want to think about investing in genuine skate shoes.
What are the benefits of wearing proper skate shoes?
To begin with, they enhance your skating skills: featuring flat soles with superior grip, they offer excellent traction on the deck. The soles are crafted to maximise "board feel," which boosts your sense of control over the board. This results in greater responsiveness and better command of the skateboard.
Additionally, skate shoes are made to withstand the rigorous demands of skateboarding, which is undeniably tough on shoes. High-quality skate shoes endure longer and will remain in good condition for far more sessions than a typical pair of trainers.
Peruse our range of Skate Shoes.
Skateboarding Trousers
When skateboarding, having trousers that are both flexible and robust is important. As a beginner, frequent falls mean your trousers will take frequent hits. Moreover, your trousers must not limit your freedom of movement. Opt for skate trousers made from stretchy fabric or ones with a loose fit.
If your trousers do not hinder your movement and are crafted from sturdy materials, they are suitable for skating. In reality, many of the most sought-after skate trousers are work trousers. Explore our collection to find your new specific Skate Trousers, and don’t miss out on our excellent range of Skater Belts!
Tightness of Trucks
You can adjust the skateboard's manoeuvrability by tightening or loosening the trucks. As you shift your weight while moving, your skateboard ought to turn accordingly. If this is not happening, consider loosening the trucks slightly. Conversely, if controlling the skateboard is challenging because it turns excessively, then tighten the trucks. Adjusting the kingpin nut can significantly alter your skateboard's riding characteristics!
Since every skater's weight and height differ, the pressure exerted on the trucks varies. Therefore, there is no standard level of truck tightness, making it beneficial to experiment to find the ideal setting that offers stability and consistency while rolling.
Watch this video to learn how to adjust your skateboard trucks, and remember that a Skate Tool is an economical, long-term investment.
Parts of a Skateboard – Understanding the Anatomy
Building your own custom skateboard is the best choice if you take skateboarding seriously. Even when purchasing a beginner complete, it's beneficial to grasp the basics of skateboard components — known as the anatomy of a skateboard.
There are strong reasons to choose a custom skateboard as a novice. Whether captivated by the graphics on a separately sold deck or seeking top-quality trucks, building a custom skateboard allows you to handpick each component.
If applying grip tape or attaching wheels seems daunting, consider using our Custom Skateboard Builder. Our passionate experts can assemble the entire skateboard for you, ensuring it's ready for use straight out of the box.
Let's quickly outline the various parts of a skateboard:
Decks of Skateboards
Skateboard decks are generally made of wooden layers known as ply. Most trick skateboard decks are made from 7-ply maple. The best boards for beginners are constructed from more durable types of maple to ensure longevity. The deck plays a central role in a skateboard, acting as the platform for all tricks and manoeuvres.
Read our detailed Guide to Buying Skateboard Decks, or browse our extensive selection of Skateboard Decks.
Trucks of Skateboards
Skateboard trucks are positioned beneath the deck and consist of T-shaped metal components onto which wheels are mounted. Acting as the steering mechanism of the complete skateboard, trucks are crucial in determining its manoeuvrability and riding characteristics.
For further details on skateboard trucks, including information about bushings, hangers, and baseplates, explore our comprehensive Skateboard Truck Buying Guide. If you're already certain about your needs, peruse our full collection of Skateboard Trucks.
Wheels of Skateboards
Skateboard wheels, made from polyurethane, vary in size, hardness, and shape, all of which influence the board's smoothness, speed, and grip.
For beginners, it's crucial to consider the wheel's hardness, as it is rated on the durometer scale. Below are our general recommendations for beginner skateboard wheels:
- Younger skaters should opt for wheels with a durometer rating of 92A or lower.
- Adult beginners should choose wheels with a durometer rating of 97A or lower.
In terms of wheel diameter, beginners keen on tricks should stick within the 52 - 54 mm range.
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of skateboard wheels, view our detailed Guide to Buying Skateboard Wheels. You can also explore our complete selection of Skateboard Wheels. To simplify your selection, filter by hardness or other relevant features to find models that meet your requirements.
Bearings of Skateboards
Skateboard bearings are located within the wheel cores and enable smooth and efficient wheel rotation, allowing your skateboard to roll with minimal friction. They come in various ABEC ratings, ranging from ABEC 1 to ABEC 9, with higher numbers generally indicating smoother operation. However, in skateboarding, the material quality, lubrication, and maintenance of bearings are more influential on performance than the ABEC rating alone. Beginners need not worry excessively about ABEC ratings.
If you notice your wheels aren't spinning as efficiently as before, consult our guide on How to Clean and Maintain Bearings.
Explore our complete collection of Skateboard Bearings or delve into the technical specifics in our detailed Bearing Guide.
Skateboard Griptape
Skateboard griptape is the harsh, sandpaper-like material on the top surface of the deck. It aids in board control and prevents foot slippage. When you drag your feet along the deck, griptape provides friction. Combined with a sharp pop of the kicktail against the ground, a sliding action along the griptape's length allows you to lift the board higher off the ground during ollies.
Griptape comes in a variety of colours, complete with graphics or clear options. Browse our range of Skateboard Griptape and explore the diversity!
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