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It’s important to thoroughly assess the options available when considering a beginner skateboard. Skateboards vary more than you might assume, and this guide seeks to address significant questions, whether you're entirely new or reconnecting with skateboarding after an extended break.
Overview
Types of Skateboards Suitable for Beginners
While deciding on your initial skateboard, think about the style of skateboarding you might find enjoyable. With time, you'll better understand your preferences, allowing for more tailored choices. Initially, a versatile skateboard that helps you practice basic tricks and skills is recommended. No need to make specific choices just yet.
Newcomers should choose among these three primary skateboard types:
- Skateboards: These are made for tricks and are often used for street and park skating. They have concave decks with double kick tails and small wheels, offering newcomers a stable platform.
- Cruiser Skateboards: If you're mainly interested in transportation or cruising, then a cruiser is perfect. Cruisers come with wider decks and softer wheels for comfort and agility over rough surfaces. If you’re interested in cruisers, see our Guide to Buying Cruiser Skateboards or view our range of top-notch Cruiser Skateboards.
- Longboards: Longboards are great for newcomers due to their stability and smooth ride. Ideal for commuting and downhill rides, longboards provide a relaxing introduction to skateboarding. Activities like longboard dancing, freestyle, or downhill longboarding offer a lot. For more, visit our Guide to Buying Longboards or browse our range of Longboards.
This guide focuses largely on standard skateboards great for beginners to learn tricks.
Recommended Skateboards for Young Novices
Queries often arise about skateboards for girls or cool options for boys, and you'll find plenty of choices to suit diverse tastes.
An affordable skateboard works well during early learning stages, but think about whether the skateboard should accommodate future skill development.
Gradually, skaters learn to execute ollies and tricks, and a sturdy deck is beneficial for maximising effort. For this learning phase, a slightly higher-priced complete skateboard might be advisable, though not necessary.
Consider the following details when selecting a complete skateboard for children:
- Deck width: Choose a deck width that matches the child’s shoe length. A deck that's too wide can be hard to maneuver, while one too narrow may lack stability. Our Skateboard Size Guide has more information.
- Wheel hardness: For beginners, wheels should not exceed 92A in hardness. Softer wheels prevent sudden stops from small obstacles, reducing falls in early skateboarding.
- Bushings: For children under 65 kg, select bushings below 90A hardness. This affects how much pressure is needed to steer. Softer bushings make steering more manageable, while harder ones pose more difficulty.
When you explore our Complete Skateboards, you can filter by wheel hardness and deck length to meet your criteria.
Best Skateboards for Beginners Who Are Adults
The suitable complete beginner skateboard enables adults to start skating with confidence, regardless of age or previous experience. Whether you're entirely new or renewing your interest, a complete skateboard can meet your needs; choose carefully, since as an adult, you likely weigh more than a teen.
When selecting an adult beginner's complete skateboard, evaluate these features:
- Wood type: Opt for a 7-ply maple deck. Avoid Chinese maple as it’s usually softer and less sturdy due to faster tree growth there. Maple from colder regions, where trees grow slower, results in firmer and more durable skateboard decks.
- Adult skateboard size: For adult beginners, pick deck width based on your shoe length. A deck appropriately sized for your feet makes steering simpler. Use our basic guidance (explained below). As you improve, you might develop preferences beyond these guidelines.
- Wheel hardness: Go for wheels with a hardness below 97A. Harder wheels don’t dampen vibrations from rough territories. In contrast, softer wheels react less sharply. Experts often prefer wheels above 97A, but beginners benefit from softer wheels.
- Bushings: Truck bushings affect skateboard steering. Generally, greater weight requires harder bushings. If you weigh 65 - 79 kg, 85A to 95A bushings suit you, while 91A+ is better for 80 kg or above.
Returning to Skateboarding as an Adult
It's never too late to enjoy skateboarding! Even if it’s been a while, your background matters. The essence of skateboarding remains unchanged; a wooden deck, trucks, and four wheels.
Want to get back into it? Choose a skateboard that fits your goals and let muscle memory guide you. Whether you aim to conquer skateparks or streets, go for a skateboard aligned with your goals.
Older skaters often prefer cruisers, as hardcore actions may seem unnecessary. If you're returning, opt for a wider deck and softer wheels. For occasional technical moves, ensure it has kick tails.
With existing skateboard knowledge, returning skaters could make their own custom skateboard. Check out our Custom Skateboard Builder or look through our wide array of Skateboard Parts to create your personalized setup.
How to Choose Ideal Skateboard Sizes for Beginners
Using our size chart will assist you in finding the right skateboard for your initial purchase. The main sizing concern is deck width. Over time, as your skateboarding preferences evolve, your favoured deck width might differ. As a beginner, select the skateboard size that corresponds to your shoe size.
If picking a first-time skateboard for a young one, the size chart is also your safest option.
| 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 |
Helpful Skateboarding Advice for Beginners
Mastering skateboarding basics requires time and persistence, but the central tip is straightforward: never give up! Enjoy yourself, trust your instincts, and soon you'll be navigating the skatepark with ease. Here are some useful tips:
Essential Skateboarding Protective Gear for Newcomers
We recommend all skateboarders, whether novices or seasoned, to use helmets and pads. The fear of falling can stall progression, but using reliable skateboard wrist, knee, and elbow pads, along with a certified skate helmet, can lessen apprehension and enhance performance. Don’t forget safety to skate with confidence! Explore our collection of Skateboard Pad Sets and certified Skateboard Helmets.
The finest kids’ helmets and skateboard pads are also available in our Skateboard Protection for Kids range.
Footwear for Skating
Investing in dedicated skate shoes from respected brands is advisable. You may skate in any sneaker, but eventually, specialized skate shoes are worth considering.
```htmlWhy choose authentic skate shoes?
To begin with, they enhance skating performance: equipped with flat soles and superior grip, they offer outstanding deck traction. Their soles are crafted to maximise "board feel," boosting the sense of control over the skateboard. This means greater responsiveness and enhanced skateboard control.
Another point is that skate shoes are built to withstand the strain of skateboarding. Skateboarding is undoubtedly demanding on shoes. High-quality skate shoes are more durable and will outlast regular sneakers through numerous sessions.
Explore our range of Skate Shoes.
Choosing the Right Pants for Skateboarding
Pants for skateboarding should be both durable and flexible. As a novice, frequent falls can damage your clothing. Furthermore, your pants should not limit your movement. A flexible fabric and/or a relaxed fit are advisable for skate pants.
Skate pants crafted from robust materials that don't restrict your movement are ideal. Many popular skate pants are indeed similar to workwear. Check out our collection of pants to discover your new chosen Skate Pants, along with our excellent variety of Skater Belts!
Adjusting Your Skateboard's Trucks
You can alter your skateboard's manoeuvrability by either tightening or loosening the trucks. The board should respond to your leaning direction while moving. If not, try loosening the trucks a bit. On the other hand, if it's tough to control due to excessive movement, tighten them up. Modifying the kingpin nut can significantly transform your skateboard's ride characteristics!
Each skater's unique weight and height mean that the force exerted on the trucks differs. Consequently, there's no universal standard for truck tightness; experimenting to find the ideal setting for stable and smooth rolling is recommended.
Watch this video for guidance on adjusting skateboard trucks, and remember that a Skate Tool is an affordable investment for the long run.
Understanding the Anatomy of a Skateboard: Parts Overview
For those passionate about skateboarding, creating a personalised skateboard is the best choice. Even if you're selecting a beginner model, it's beneficial to be familiar with the essential skateboard components - essentially, the anatomy of a skateboard.
Crafting a bespoke skateboard is appealing for beginners for several reasons. Maybe you fancy the artwork on a specific deck available for sale separately or wish for top-tier trucks. Building your own board allows for selecting each component to suit your needs.
If applying grip tape or assembling wheels feels daunting, try our Custom Skateboard Builder. Our dedicated experts can assemble the skateboard entirely for you, ensuring it's ready to ride upon arrival.
Let's quickly go through the various parts of a skateboard:
The Deck: Foundation of Skateboarding
Skateboard decks are commonly made from layers of wood called ply. Most trick skateboard decks are constructed with 7-ply maple. The most suitable decks for novice skateboarders use tougher maple types to ensure longevity. The deck forms the main structure for executing tricks and maneuvers.
Access our thorough Guide to Buying Skateboard Decks, or view our complete range of Skateboard Decks.
Understanding Skateboard Trucks
Skateboard trucks are metal T-shaped components mounted under the skateboard deck, acting as the steering system. These influence both the board's maneuverability and riding quality.
For further details on skateboard trucks, including bushings and baseplates, view our detailed Skateboard Truck Buying Guide. If you already know what you need, peruse our comprehensive selection of Skateboard Trucks.
A Closer Look at Skateboard Wheels
Skateboard wheels are crafted from polyurethane and vary in size, hardness, and shape. They are vital in determining the board's speed, grip, and smoothness.
Beginners must consider wheel hardness, as it's rated on the durometer scale. Here are our general recommendations for novice skateboarders regarding wheels:
- Kids should select wheels with a durometer rating of 92A or below.
- Adult beginners are advised to choose wheels rated 97A or below.
For those keen on tricks, beginners should opt for a diameter within the 52 - 54 mm range.
For more elaborate information on skateboard wheels, check our detailed Guide to Buying Skateboard Wheels. Feel free to explore our entire collection of Skateboard Wheels. To facilitate your search, you can filter by hardness or other criteria to find the most suitable wheels.
Explaining Skateboard Bearings
Skateboard bearings reside within the wheel's core, ensuring smooth movement by reducing friction. Having various ABEC ratings from ABEC 1 to ABEC 9, higher numbers signify smoother performance. However, in skating, material quality, lubrication, and maintenance impact bearing performance more than just the ABEC rating. As a novice, obsessing over the ABEC rating is unnecessary.
If wheel rotation isn't as smooth as before, refer to our guide on How to Clean and Maintain Bearings.
Explore our full collection of Skateboard Bearings, or delve into the specifics with our comprehensive Bearing Guide.
An Overview of Skateboard Griptape
Griptape is the textured, sandpaper-like layer on top of the skateboard deck. It aids board control and prevents foot slippage, creating friction during movement. This friction, combined with a sharp pop of the kicktail, enables higher jumps or ollies.
Griptape variations include different colours, graphics, and clear versions. Browse our assortment of Skateboard Griptape and explore the options!
If you're applying griptape, here's a concise video tutorial:
