Skateboarding has come a long way since its inception in the 1950s, when surfers attached metal wheels to short surfboards so they could “surf” on land. In 1962, “Val-Surf,” a surf shop in Hollywood, CA, began selling the first ever pre-made skateboards, which were simply surfboard-shaped decks with roller skate trucks and wheels attached.
What are the best boards on the market today for new skateboarders learning how to skate? Here’s what you need to know about buying the perfect skateboard!
Skateboard Anatomy
There's more to a skateboard than just its basic shape!
Each part of a skateboard serves a specific purpose, and knowing what to look for when checking out boards gives you the knowledge and confidence to make a well-informed choice.
The Deck
The deck is the part of the board that you step on.
Attributes to Know
Size: Deck sizes typically range from 7.5 inches to 8.5 inches in width, with lengths varying from 28 inches to 32 inches. There are two basic classes of boards: longboards and shortboards. A typical skateboard is a type of shortboard.
Shape: The classic shape is known as the “popsicle” shape. Other common shapes include old school, surfskate, and cruiser, but there are a handful of other unusual shapes, too.
Materials: The best boards are made of layers of wood, typically maple, birch, or bamboo.
Penny boards are in their own class of boards and are typically harder to ride because of their small size, but are good for transportation and cruising (not so much for tricks).
The Trucks
Trucks are the metal axles that connect the wheels to the deck.
Attributes to Know
Size: The trucks should be the same width as the board for optimal stability. Too wide, and you risk hitting the wheels while pushing.
Height: The height is determined by the kingpin bolt and optional risers installed between the trucks and the deck. Lower height means more stability. Higher trucks allow larger wheels and more aggressive riding and tricks because they can reduce wheel bite (when the wheel rubs the underside of the deck).
Materials: Always choose trucks made of high-quality materials like aluminum or magnesium alloys; never use plastic.
The Wheels
This is pretty self-explanatory; the wheels are the wheels!
Attributes to Know
Size: There are a variety of sizes to choose from, typically ranging from 48mm to 75mm in diameter. Smaller wheels are more agile and larger ones offer more stability.
Materials: Quality wheels are made of polyurethane.
Durometer: Softer wheels offer more traction and comfort on bumpy terrain, while harder wheels are better suited for smooth surfaces and higher speeds. Skateboard wheel hardness typically ranges from 78A to 101A on the Durometer scale.
Shape and Contact Patch: There are several standard shapes for wheels that affect responsiveness, grip, and overall feel.
The Grip Tape
Grip tape is the rough, sandpaper-like material applied to the top of the skateboard deck, providing traction for your feet.
Attributes to Know
Grit Rating: Grip tape comes in various grit ratings, ranging from coarse to fine.
Patterns and Colors: While primarily functional, grip tape allows for personalization with various designs. There is also clear grip tape so you can showcase your deck’s art without covering it up if desired.
There are a few more parts to skateboards that you’ll need to know about if you plan on maintaining your board for months or years. These parts will all likely need to be replaced from time to time with regular use. But, you can evaluate a new board in the store or think about picking up some custom parts when you understand the purpose of these components and what attributes they possess.
How to Choose the Right Skateboard for Beginners
As you can see, there are a lot of components that go into a single skateboard! How do you know which aspects to choose when you’re just learning?
Here are all the typical options you’ll find on a beginner-friendly skateboard.
Deck Size and Shape for Beginners
As a general guideline, most decks ranging from 7.75 inches to 8.25 inches wide and 29 to 31 inches long are ideal for new riders. 8 inches in width is the most common option for starter skateboards.
Additionally, consider opting for a deck with a mellow concave (the part that curves up), as this design offers a more forgiving and comfortable ride while you develop your skills.
The best deck shape for beginners to learn with is the popsicle.
Generally, an 8" wide, 29" long skateboard is suitable for most riders. Younger and/or shorter skaters under 5ft tall may find smaller boards easier to handle.
Wheel and Truck Considerations
Softer wheels with a durometer rating between 78A and 87A are ideal for beginners, as they provide better grip and shock absorption, reducing the risk of slips and falls on rough surfaces. Look for wheel sizes around 52mm to 54mm, as they strike a balance between speed and maneuverability.
As for trucks, opt for mid-sized options that ensure a stable and responsive ride. Brands like Thunder and Independent are renowned for their quality and performance.
Complete Skateboards: A Convenient All-in-One Solution
Complete skateboards are the best beginner skateboard option. They offer a hassle-free introduction to skateboarding with pre-assembled setups including all the necessary components, including the deck, trucks, wheels, and bearings. Each component is carefully selected and matched to provide a well-balanced ride perfect for learning how to skateboard.
They are also a cost-effective option since purchasing individual components separately can quickly add up.
Kids Skateboards
Introducing children to skateboarding at an early age can foster a lifelong love for the sport and instill valuable life skills like perseverance, coordination, and self-confidence. When selecting a skateboard for kids, prioritize safety, comfort, and ease of use.
- Deck Size: Opt for smaller deck sizes, typically ranging from 7.25 to 7.5 inches wide and 29 to 30 inches long, to accommodate smaller feet and provide a stable platform for learning. This deck size can also suit adults who are less than 5ft tall.
For little kids around 4ft tall, a kids skateboard that is 6.5 to 7.25 inches wide and 27 to 29 inches long is ideal. - Wheel Size: Softer, smaller wheels (around 50mm) offer excellent grip and shock absorption, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
Reputable brands like Almost, Enjoi, and Primitive offer a wide range of kid-friendly skateboards with vibrant graphics and designs that appeal to young riders.
The first skateboards were invented in the 1950's when surfers would strap rollerskate wheels to wooden planks and boxes and "sidewalk surf" when there were no waves.
What Are the Different Kinds of Skateboards?
As a beginner, you will likely want to learn on your standard popsicle board with beginner-friendly hardware. This style of board can do it all: cruise, jump and flip, grind, and whatever else you’ll be learning how to do!
But, when you become more adept and are ready to look for a specialized board for specific activities, what characteristics should you be on the lookout for?
Street
Street skating is all about using urban and everyday obstacles as part of your skateboarding playground. This is the style where you see skaters grinding down railings, jumping over benches, and jumping up on different surfaces.
Deck: 7.5 - 8.25 inches
Wheels: Small (48 to 54mm) and medium to hard for a comfortable balance between grip and responsiveness. For beginners, choose a skateboard based on age and height. Children under 10 years old or under 5 feet tall should opt for a junior-sized skateboard, while those over 10 years old or taller than 5 feet should select a full-sized skateboard.
Trucks: Low to mid-sized
Vert
Vert is the other side of the coin, where skaters use ramps and half-pipes to launch into the air. Speed and control are essential.
Deck: 8.25 - 8.5 inches
Wheels: Large (56 to 60mm) and hard to very hard, to reduce friction
Trucks: Heavy duty and low for more stability
For beginners, the best advice is to get a "complete skateboard," which is the model that has a good balance of components making it easy for beginners to practice and learn to skate.
Park
Park-style skating is a combination of street and vert. It’s what you’ll find in a typical skate park! So, your board will need to be able to handle various obstacles.
Deck: Around 8 inches
Wheels: Medium to large (54 to 60mm) and medium to hard for control and maneuverability
Trucks: Depends on your personal skating style. Low trucks are good for stability and tricks, high trucks are good for more exaggerated turns and agility.
Longboarding
Longboarding is a skating style that emphasizes smooth, flowing rides and a sense of freedom. Longboarders typically cruise through cities, carve down smooth roads, or sail down steep hills.
Deck: Cruiser style, wide and long (33 to 46 inches) is better for stability and control with less agility
Wheels: Larger size (65 to 75mm) and softer (78A to 87A) are ideal for a comfortable ride and good grip
Trucks: Look for reverse kingpin or drop-through truck designs, which lower the board's center of gravity. Lower trucks will provide more stability, higher trucks will allow you to carve at greater angles.
Utilitarian
If you plan to use your skateboard as a mode of transportation, you’ll want a setup that can handle your commute (likely the city) and offer the most comfort.
Deck: Standard 8 by 29 inches
Wheels: Larger (56 to 60mm) and on the softer side
Trucks: Mid-size offers both stability and better control to avoid obstacles and make tight turns
How Much Does a Skateboard Cost?
Investing in your equipment is always one of the best decisions in any hobby, sport, or activity. Remember the adage: if it goes between you and the ground, you’d better choose well! While this usually applies to things like mattresses, cars, and shoes, your board (and your safety equipment!) also falls into this category.
Resist the Cheapest Boards
While you can find skateboards targeted at beginners made of cheap materials like plastic and low-quality metals, it’s best to avoid them. It might seem like a reasonable idea when you or your child are just learning and you aren’t even sure if you will stick with the activity, but if you use a cheap board, you’re creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Cheap boards often don’t feel good to use, aren’t pleasant to ride, and make it harder to learn, so of course you won’t want to keep going! Not to mention, they may not be the safest choice.
Instead, see if you can borrow a board, buy a used one, or even get an old board as a gift from someone else. It’s common to find used boards in good shape for around $30 on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
Buying New: The Best Skateboard Brands
Here are the average costs for the “complete” option from several of the best, most trusted skateboard brands out there today. Remember that a complete board has been carefully designed with beginners in mind, making them perfect for learning the fundamentals and basic skateboard tricks, too!
| Brand | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Element | Seal Black Complete Skateboard | $71.99 |
| Enjoi | cat & dog youth first push blue mini (7.0" x 29.0") | $79.95 |
| Tactics | Ice Cream Incident Complete Skateboard (7.5" X 30.875") | $89.95 |
| Zero | Single Skull Complete Skateboard (8" X 31.5'') | $89.95 |
| Enjoi | Box Panda Skateboard Complete (8.125" X 31.7") | $100.00 |
| Santa Cruz | Classic Dot Micro Complete Skateboard (7.25" X 27") | $109.95 |
| Braille | The Best Beginner Complete Skateboard (8" X 31.5") | $109.99 |
| Arbor | Inked Complete Skateboard (8.5" X 32.25") | $119.95 |
| Habitat | Pink Floyd Dark Side Of The Moon Complete Skateboard (8.25" X 32.375") | $119.95 |
| Birdhouse | Tony Hawk Full Skull Complete (8") | $119.99 |
| Anti-Hero | Classic Eagle Complete Skateboard (7.3" X 29.3") | $123.95 |
| Real | Psychoactive Oval Complete Skateboard (7.5" X 29") | $123.95 |
| Real | Regrowth Complete Skateboard (8" X 31.8") | $123.95 |
| Santa Cruz | Paradise Break Complete Cruiser Skateboard (8.4" X 29.4") | $144.95 |
| Landyachtz | Tug Boat Complete Cruiser Skateboard (9.25" X 30") | $199.95 |
| Arbor | Warren Shaper Surfskate Complete Cruiser Skateboard (9.875" X 29") | $259.95 |
| Loaded | Chinchiller Complete Longboard (8.5" X 34") | $298.95 |
Check these skateboard brands for even more options:
- Alien Workshop
- Almost
- Anti-Hero
- Arbor
- Baker
- Birdhouse (Tony Hawk’s brand)
- Blind
- Braille
- CCS
- Creature
- Element
- Enjoi
- Flip
- Foundation
- Habitat
- Hockey
- Krooked
- Landyachtz
- Loaded
- Polar
- Powell Peralta
- Quasi
- Real
- Revive
- Santa Cruz
- SK8MAFIA
- Tactics
- Toy Machine
- Zero
If you’re looking for a board to simply get around and commute long distances, you might want to go with an eboard. Here are some of the best electric skateboard brands to check out.
- Acedeck
- Backfire
- Evolve
- Exway
- Maxfind
- Meepo
- OMW
- Propel
- Tynee
- Wowgo
Keep in mind electric skateboards tend to be a lot more expensive than traditional boards!
Now that you know about the basics of buying a skateboard, you’re ready to start learning how to ride!
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