Skateboarding is an old sport that has been exercised by skaters of all ages for a long time. Over time, the sport has changed a lot, when it comes to the shape, appearance and design of the skateboard. Today skateboarders have made their own subculture where they enjoy each others company. When choosing a skateboard it is important to make it clear to yourself what you want to use it for. A classic skateboard is designed for tricks, while longboards are made for cruising. Plastic (penny) skateboards are a bit of a mix between skateboards and longboards with the small deck of the skateboard and the soft wheels of the longboard. In the text below, we will focus on the classic trick skateboard.

The construction of the deck is important for durability. The tree is often made of Canadian Maple which is the strongest tree. The individual wooden veneer is held together by glue. Heat hardened glue is weaker than cold hardened glue.

The size of the skateboard deck depends on the sixe of your feet. Small shoe sizes (under size 38) should have a skateboard that is about 7". Medium size (size 38-43) should look for a 7-7.5 skateboard deck. If you have bigger feet than that, you must have a deck over 7.5 ".

When you choose skateboard trucks they have to match the deck width (see our skateboard guide for more). 

The quality of the truck often follows the price, and it is a good idea to choose recognized brands. A truck must be able to grind, but should not be so heavy that it makes it difficult to pop the skateboard.

Hardness and size are the keywords when choosing a skateboard wheel. The hardness of skateboard wheels is measured on the durometer scale (eg 100A). Hard wheels roll faster and last longer, in turn, they are more sensitive to irregularities. Soft skateboard wheels provide a more uniform ride and are preferred for street skateboarding. Large wheels roll faster and are selected by ramp skateboarders, while smaller wheels provide better balance (less center of gravity) and are therefore preferred by street skateboarders.

You must have 8 ball bearings for your skateboard (2 in each wheel). Ball bearing quality is ranked globally on the ABEC scale. ABEC 3-5 is the standard and is used on many skateboards. ABEC 7-9 is often used for boards that should roll fast and by ramp skateboarders. The higher the ABEC value, the more accurately the ball bearing is constructed. This makes it roll better.

If you wish to learn more, please see our skateboard guide. Or give our customer service a call if you need further assistance or have more questions.