Buying your first skateboard can be an exciting but also overwhelming experience. This guide will simplify the process, helping you make the right choice whether you’re looking to cruise around or learn some tricks. The easiest way to ensure you get the perfect board is to visit your local skate shop, but if you prefer to do some research first, let’s dive in.
As a beginner, your initial focus will be on learning to ride and get comfortable on your board before you attempt any complicated tricks. This means you don’t need to worry too much about highly specialized gear just yet. Many skaters, even experienced ones, started on less-than-perfect setups, but a decent skateboard makes the learning curve much smoother. However, we’re talking about avoiding those cheap boards from big box stores or questionable online marketplaces. This guide is specifically designed for those interested in street skating, park riding, and basic flatground tricks, not longboarding or cruising.
A variety of skateboards suitable for beginners are displayed
This guide will help you navigate the choices available and make the best purchase based on your budget. We will explore the different components and what they mean without getting too technical, ensuring you get the basics down. Remember, as a beginner, you don’t need the most expensive gear!
Essential Components for Beginner Skateboards
Let’s start with the basics. The most common skateboard sizes for beginners range from 8.0″ to 8.25″ in width. If you’re on the shorter side, consider an 8.0″ to 8.125″ wide skateboard. Average to taller skaters may find an 8.25″ to 8.38″ board more comfortable. When it comes to wheels, a hardness rating of 99A or 100A+ is ideal for skate parks and flatground skating. For size, 53mm wheels are a great starting point. Pair these with some decent trucks, such as Thunder trucks, and a basic deck from a reliable brand.
If you shop smart, you can get a decent setup for around $130 to $140. This price won’t get you all the premium parts but it will ensure a great setup to start your skateboarding journey. There are two main paths you can take when buying a skateboard:
- Buying a complete skateboard
- Assembling your own skateboard
You can purchase skateboards online or, preferably, visit your local skate shop to support the local community. If you’re opting for a complete, consider brands such as Birdhouse or CCS. Now, let’s break down these options further:
Option 1: Buying a Complete Skateboard
Skateboards designed for 8-year-olds are shown
This is the most popular and easiest route for beginners. A decent complete skateboard usually costs between $100 and $110. Many completes are fairly similar in quality, usually featuring budget-friendly bushings, trucks, and wheels along with a decent deck. However, you might want to avoid Element and Santa Cruz completes if you are looking for tricks.
Most brands offer similar quality boards with slight variations in trucks. While they differ, none are top-of-the-line, they are still suitable for beginners. Many skaters start with a complete skateboard. The most affordable option is often the CCS complete, which is around $80. Remember that you’ll also need skateboarding shoes, so costs can add up quickly.
The main disadvantage of buying a complete is that you don’t get to choose the very best components. Often the wheels are a bit too hard for beginners, and the trucks can feel overly loose. However, you can easily adjust the tightness of your trucks by tweaking the kingpin nut. Harder wheels can make learning to ride on rough surfaces a bit more difficult, but they are ideal for skateparks and slide well, which can be beneficial.
The upsides include their affordability and ease of use, avoiding the need to assemble all the components yourself. After making a few adjustments to the trucks, you’re ready to ride. As long as you avoid those low-quality boards from random sellers on Amazon, you’ll be fine. Once you improve your skateboarding skills, you can always replace individual parts.
Recommended Complete Skateboard Brands
A Birdhouse complete skateboard
After years of testing various brands, we have a few recommendations for beginners:
- Birdhouse offers durable complete boards with good quality decks and trucks, along with acceptable wheels and bearings. Their boards have been rigorously tested and proven to be reliable for beginners.
- CCS provides the most affordable complete options, with decent trucks and decks for beginners, as well as acceptable bearings. However, the wheels are quite hard and small, which can make turning more difficult. This can be fixed with softer bushings.
- Arbor’s Whiskey series includes completes with softer and larger wheels, making them a great choice for beginners. They perform better on rough roads and come with Ace trucks, which are known for their good turning capabilities. These boards provide less pop in the deck, but the trucks and wheels are ideal for beginners.
For those on a very tight budget, the CCS complete is a good choice if you can’t spend more than $80 USD. Beginners looking to learn to ride and practice tricks at the park should opt for Birdhouse, while skaters who don’t have a skate park nearby and want a smoother ride should consider the Arbor Whiskey.
Option 2: Assembling Your Own Skateboard
A skateboard setup for heavier individuals
Assembling your own board can be more expensive than buying a complete, but it allows you to pick higher-quality components. Let’s look at some options based on different budgets:
$100 USD Budget Skateboard
This is the absolute minimum you should spend on a skateboard. While you won’t get top-of-the-line components, it will get the job done. Below is a breakdown of the different components:
| Component | Price USD |
|---|---|
| Skateboard deck (blank) | 35.00 |
| Mini Logo C-Cut Wheels 54mm/101A | 20.00 |
| CCS Skateboard Trucks | 25.00 |
| Mini Logo Bearings | 12.00 |
| Hardware | 5.00 |
| Spacers | 2.00 |
| Jessup grip tape | 7.00 |
| Total | $106.00 |
After some research, it seems that a CCS complete would be a better option at around $80, compared to a custom $106 build with subpar parts.
$130 USD Custom Skateboard
A $130 budget lets you get quality trucks. You may need to compromise on the wheels and bearings, but trucks are durable while wheels and bearings need to be replaced more often.
| Component | Price USD |
|---|---|
| Skateboard deck (WKND) | 45.00* |
| Bones 100’s wheels | 25.00 |
| Thunder trucks | 45.00 |
| Mini Logo Bearings | 12.00 |
| Hardware | 5.00 |
| Spacers | 2.00 |
| Grip tape | 0.00* |
| Total | $134.00 |
* A WKND deck was found with grip tape included. If you’re lucky, you can find similar deals and save money. This setup costs $134, it’s a great skateboard for both street and park.
$160 Quality Skateboard Setup
Let’s build a setup that’s great for street, flatground, and park skating.
| Component | Price USD |
|---|---|
| Premium deck (Powell Peralta) | 70.00 |
| Spitfire Wheels F4 Classics 53mm/99A | 35.00 |
| Thunder trucks | 45.00 |
| Bones Reds Bearings + Spacers | 20.00 |
| Hardware | 7.00 |
| Jessup grip tape | 7.00 |
| Total | $167.00 |
This setup costs around $167 and is ideal for street skateboarding. A Powell Peralta deck was selected due to its affordability, but you can find great decks at lower prices if you shop around. Bones Reds bearings include spacers and are well worth the money.
$240 USD Premium Skateboard
This setup is for those who want the best possible components and are serious about skateboarding. It’s not necessary for beginners, but if you have the money to spend, it’ll get you top-quality wheels, trucks, bearings, and a deck with a killer graphic.
| Component | Price USD |
|---|---|
| Premium deck + graphic | 70.00 |
| Spitfire Wheels F4 Classics 53mm/99A | 35.00 |
| Independent Stage 11 Hollow | 60.00 |
| Bronson G3 bearings + spacers | 30.00 |
| Hardware (Pig bolts) | 7.00 |
| Mob grip tape | 10.00 |
| Total | $242.00 |
This setup costs a staggering $242, which is not suitable for beginners. If you want a high-quality skateboard, the $160 setup is a far better option.
Other Important Factors
Graphics Are Important
While graphics don’t affect performance, they are still important. A great graphic can inspire you to go out and skate. Also, by purchasing decks with graphics, you’re supporting the skateboard industry. The money earned goes into developing new technology, sponsoring pro skaters, and contests. While a blank skateboard is much cheaper, the feeling of a new deck with a cool graphic is always special. If you opt for a blank deck, Mini Logo and CCS are great options.
Picking The Right Skateboard Wheels
A collection of skateboard wheels
As a beginner, you don’t need to spend a lot on wheels. Since you are just learning to ride, the difference between wheels won’t be noticeable. It’s easier to learn on softer wheels, but they’re more difficult to slide. Harder wheels (100A+) make it easier to land tricks. Wheels that slide better help you correct minor mistakes and maintain balance. 99A wheels are a great option, offering a mix of grip and slide that makes them perfect for beginners. For size, street and park wheels should be between 52mm and 54mm. Smaller wheels accelerate faster, while 56mm, 58mm, or 60mm wheels are best for bowl, mini, and vert skating.
Picking The Right Skateboard Trucks
Trucks are the heart of your board and enable you to turn. As a beginner, don’t worry too much about the truck height. Higher trucks allow for bigger wheels and better turning, while low trucks make the ride more stable. Some recommended truck brands include Venture, Thunder, Independent, and CCS (for a budget option).
Skateboard Decks & Brands
Skateboard decks arranged on a table
Most skateboard deck brands share the same manufacturers. Decks are often pressed in the same factories, even for popular brands. Maple wood is shipped from Canada to China, decks are pressed and then shipped back to the US. To minimize the environmental impact, consider buying decks made in the USA or Mexico. Skateboard deck brands aren’t that important. Don’t worry about shoe size; height is more important. Most normal-sized decks should work unless you have unusually large feet.
Some decks have more concave than others. There isn’t an industry standard, but a mellow concave is best for beginners because it makes balancing easier. Steeper concaves are for flip tricks, but you can save those for your next deck. Make sure to pick trucks that match the deck’s width. Street decks should be between 8.0″ and 8.38″, where 8.25″ is the sweet spot. Shorter skaters should go for 8.0″ to 8.125″, and taller skaters might prefer 8.25″ to 8.38″. For bowl or pool decks, go for at least 8.5″ wide. Kids under ten will benefit more from a 7.75″ deck with a length under 32″.
Choosing Bearings
Bones & Bronson bearings
Standard Bones Reds or Bronson G2’s are ideal, and you shouldn’t spend more than 20 USD on bearings. Ignore ABEC ratings; expensive ceramic bearings are not faster than cheap Mini Logo bearings. Spending more than 20 bucks on bearings isn’t necessary, as you won’t notice much of a difference.
Make Sure To Buy The Right Hardware
Skateboard hardware in different colors
When assembling your own skateboard, choose the correct hardware size. 7/8″ or 1″ hardware will always work if you don’t use risers or wheels over 58mm. Allen bolts are your best bet since the heads remain intact when attaching trucks, while Philips hardware often damages easily.
Grip Tape Doesn’t Really Matter
As a beginner, grip tape is the least of your worries. Jessup and Mob are the most popular brands. Jessup has less grit, while Mob provides more grip. Mob grip tape is perforated, making it easier to apply and prevent bubbles. Jessup is also easy to apply; if you encounter bubbles, simply puncture them with a utility knife. Grittier grip tape can make your board flip harder because of the increased friction, but it’s not a big difference. Most skaters prefer black grip tape, but it’s a personal preference. Avoid applying grip tape when it’s cold.
Matching the Size of Your Trucks and Deck
It’s important to match your trucks with your deck size. They don’t need to align perfectly, a difference of 0.25″ is acceptable. Use the following table as a guide:
| Deck Size | Hanger Width | Axle Width | Indy | Thunder | Venture | CCS | Ace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 to 7.75″ | 127mm / 5″ | 193mm / 7.6″ | 129 | 145 | 5.0 | 129 | 22 |
| 7.75 to 8.25″ | 137mm / 5.25″ | 203mm / 8″ | 139 | 147 | 5.25 | 139 | 33 |
| 8.25 to 8.75″ | 149mm / 6″ | 215mm / 8.5″ | 149 | 149 | – | 149 | 44 |
| 8.75 to 9.75″ | 160mm / 6.3″ | 226mm / 8.5″ | 169 | – | 5.8 | – | 55 |
| Over 9.75″ | 183mm / 7.2″ | 254mm / 10″ | 215 | – | – | – | – |
Make sure to read truck descriptions carefully when purchasing to ensure they align with your deck size.
Avoid These Skateboard Brands If You Shop On Amazon
Low quality skateboards from Amazon
Most of the best-selling skateboards on Amazon are low quality. They might be cheap, but they often break easily. While some are better than others (like Cal 7 and Magneto), all of them still have low-quality components. Avoid brands like Cal 7, Wolff, Magneto, Minority, WhiteFang, Beleeve, Retrospec, Metroller, KPC, etc. Generally, any skateboard under $75 USD is usually terrible.
Support Your Local Skate Shop
The best thing you can do is visit your local skate shop. They are often the hub of the skateboarding community. The employees can offer personalized advice and understand your needs on a skater level, probably better than you do. Skater-owned shops sponsor local events, skate parks, and contribute to the culture of skateboarding. They also assemble your board for you. While online shops might be slightly cheaper, local skate shops offer an experience that online shopping cannot replicate.
Some Last Tips
Here are some crucial tips for buying your first skateboard:
- Avoid skateboards under $75 and avoid anything from Amazon. If you don’t have at least $80, consider a used skateboard. You can find great deals from people who are selling their boards.
- Don’t spend more than $150 on your first skateboard.
- Avoid skateboards with names like Tony Hawk. These $40 boards are usually trash.
- Ignore ABEC ratings when buying bearings.
- Don’t buy skateboards at Walmart or Target. If a skateboard is wrapped in plastic, return it immediately. You can’t return a skateboard once you have used it, even if it’s only for a single time.
- Start with the basics. Learn to ride first, then move on to tricks. Understanding how your board feels and responds is crucial before attempting tricks.
That’s it. Hopefully, this has made buying your first skateboard much easier. For those of you looking for a complete, be sure to check out our article on the best complete skateboards.
Ruben vee
Ruben Vee
I’m an experienced skateboarder who still enjoys shredding. I’ve been skateboarding for 25 years, and I love testing new gear and sharing my findings.
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