As the skateboarding community continues to grow, it’s fantastic to see more adults hitting the skate parks. Whether you’re fulfilling a childhood dream or returning after a long break, choosing the right skateboard is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience. This guide will help you navigate the options and find the perfect board to match your goals and skill level.
Before diving into specific recommendations, consider what you want to achieve with skateboarding. Do you aspire to master tricks, or are you simply looking for a fun and reliable way to cruise? Perhaps you aim to confidently navigate the skate park, or maybe just enjoy a smooth ride around your neighborhood. Understanding your goals will guide you towards the most suitable type of skateboard. It’s important to remember that you don’t need to become a pro. Many adults simply want to learn to ride with confidence, and that’s perfectly fine.
Adult skateboarder in action at a skate park
Choosing the Right Skateboard as an Adult Beginner
Here are some fundamental questions to ask yourself to help determine what kind of setup you should be looking for:
- Just want to learn how to ride? Opt for a cruiser skateboard or a wider custom setup for enhanced stability.
- Want to progress to basic tricks after gaining confidence? Start with softer wheels, and switch to harder wheels later when you’re comfortable riding.
- Returning to skateboarding and already know the basics? You might want to consider assembling a custom setup.
- Slightly overweight? Consider replacing the stock bushings for better support.
- Interested in riding at skate parks? A custom skateboard tailored to your needs is the way to go.
We will explore some effective custom setups and complete skateboards suitable for adult beginners, along with upgrade suggestions to maximize their performance.
Budgeting for Your Skateboard Setup
The cost of a skateboard varies depending on whether you choose a complete setup or a custom build. Here’s a general idea of what you can expect to spend:
- Complete Skateboard: $70 to $120
- Custom Setup: $130 to $180
- Protective Gear (helmet, knee pads, elbow pads): $100 to $130
- Skate Shoes: $60 to $110
Recommended Skateboards for Adult Beginners
Unlike other sites that often recommend unsuitable boards, we offer reliable recommendations based on experience and feedback from the skateboarding community. These boards are tested for stability, responsiveness, safety, and durability, ensuring they meet specific needs:
- Custom Park Skateboard: Ideal for skate parks and trick progression.
- Versatile Cruiser Skateboard: Great for cruising and learning basic tricks.
- Landyachtz ATV Classic: A good middle-ground for cruising and some tricks.
- Landyachtz Tugboat: A more aggressive cruiser with excellent carving capabilities.
- Arbor Oso: A beginner-friendly board designed for stability.
- Globe Big Blazer XL: A stable and predictable board perfect for new riders.
- Arbor Whiskey Recruit: A versatile option for learning to ride and ollie.
1. Custom Park Skateboard
Custom skateboard setup for skate parks
This custom setup allows you to ride comfortably while offering the stability needed by beginners. It’s an ideal choice for those returning to skateboarding or wanting to learn tricks.
This setup includes an 8.25″ deck, quality trucks, wider wheels for better balance, decent bearings, and standard bushings. This allows you to skate at both indoor and outdoor skate parks with extra grip.
Here are the recommended components:
- Deck: 8.25″ deck from a reputable brand
- Trucks: Thunder Hollow Lights II 148 or Indy 149 (forged hollow stage 11)
- Bearings: Bronson G2 (includes spacers)
- Wheels: Spitfire Conical Full 54mm at 97A or 99A
- Grip Tape: Jessup
- Skate Tool: For assembly
- Hardware: 7/8″
This setup is also suitable for bowl skating if you loosen the trucks to enhance responsiveness and carving.
What We Like
The versatility of this setup is its greatest strength. The 54mm wheels provide speed and momentum, making it easier to navigate the skate park. Additionally, it provides a comfortable platform for learning to ride without feeling overwhelming.
What We Don’t Like
The harder wheels (97A or 99A) may be less comfortable on rough surfaces. This setup is not designed for long-distance riding. Also, the trucks may initially feel loose and require adjustment according to your preference and weight. Heavier riders might want to upgrade to Bones Hardcore Hard bushings.
2. Cruiser Skateboard (8.5″ or 9.0″)
Custom cruiser skateboard setup for tricks
This setup is designed to make learning to ride easier, featuring a wider deck for balance and large, soft wheels for a smooth ride. This setup can also double as a bowl board as you improve.
For this setup, the wheels are critical. Deck brands are less important, but a wider board, like 8.5″ or 9.0″, is better.
8.5″ Setup:
- Deck: 8.5″ with a mellow concave
- Trucks: Independent 159 forged hollow stage 11
- Bearings: Bronson G3 (includes spacers)
- Wheels: Bones ATF 80A 60mm
- Hardware: 1 1/8″ from Fireball or Pig
- Shock Pads: 1/8″ for comfort
- Grip Tape: Jessup
- Skate Tool
9″ Setup:
- Deck: 9″ with a mellow concave
- Trucks: Independent 169 forged hollow stage 11 trucks
- Bearings: Bronson G3 (includes spacers)
- Wheels: Bones ATF 80A 60mm
- Hardware: 1 1/8″ from Fireball or Pig
- Riser Pads: 1/8″ (to prevent wheel bite)
- Grip Tape: Jessup or Mob grip
- Skate Tool
What We Like
The smooth ride this setup provides is excellent for navigating various terrains, including rough roads. It offers stability and allows for stance adjustments. The ability to use this setup for bowl skating adds to its versatility. You can even swap out the wheels for harder ones and use this for tricks.
What We Don’t Like
The soft wheels may feel bouncy when attempting tricks, and the wider setup makes it heavier and less responsive. For more custom setup options, please check our skateboard setup guide for adults.
3. Landyachtz ATV Classic
Landyachtz ATV skateboard, ideal for cruising
The Landyachtz ATV Classic is designed to offer a balance between cruising and tricks, suitable for those wanting a board that can do a bit of both. It provides a smooth ride while allowing for a more aggressive stance when needed.
This board is a “master of none,” offering a fun ride but with some limitations. It features a concave that can be aggressive enough for tricks and mellow enough for relaxed cruising. For more details, you can check out our full review of the Landyachtz ATV.
What We Like
The Landyachtz ATV Classic is fast, smooth, and maintains momentum with minimal effort. It handles various road conditions effectively and allows for hopping curbs easily. For those who want to learn how to ride a classical popsicle shape, this is a good option.
For a similar custom setup consider:
- 8.5 Quality maple deck from Thank You
- OJ Super Juice 60mm/78a or Bones Rough Riders 60mm/80a
- Zealous Classics or Bronson G2
- Paris Street trucks (149)
- 1/8″ risers
- 1 1/8″ Hardware
What We Don’t Like
This setup is heavy, making it challenging for beginners to learn tricks. Its bouncy wheels make landings unstable, increasing the risk of injury. Also, it’s not the best for learning tricks because of how sluggish and heavy it is.
4. Landyachtz Tugboat
Landyachtz Tugboat, an aggressive cruiser skateboard
The Landyachtz Tugboat is comparable to the Arbor Oso but with a more aggressive character due to its steep concave. It has a big tail, soft wheels, and high-quality bushings.
While the steep curvature makes it challenging for beginners, the wide setup makes it manageable. This board excels in carving and allows for aggressive leaning. The Tugboat can also handle rough terrains such as gravel and grass when positioned correctly.
What We Like
The Tugboat is a responsive cruiser, perfect for those who want a board with an aggressive feel for riding around town. The durable build and high-quality bushings make it suitable for those returning to skateboarding.
What We Don’t Like
This board isn’t the best for tricks due to its design, and the steep concave may be uncomfortable for first-time riders. It’s primarily designed for aggressive cruising.
5. Arbor Oso
Arbor Oso foundation, a great beginner longboard
The Arbor Oso is excellent for beginners who want a stable and forgiving board. Its 10″ wide deck makes it easier to balance, reducing the risk of falls. The Oso’s mellow concave is particularly helpful for beginners, offering a safe and comfortable ride.
What We Like
This board offers a smooth and comfortable ride, with soft 78A/60mm wheels that handle rough terrain well. The wide deck and mellow concave make it easy to correct your stance without losing balance.
What We Don’t Like
The stock bushings are too hard, requiring an immediate upgrade for better performance. We recommend 94A Independent bushings. The mellow concave may not offer the thrill of other boards when turning sharp corners or hopping curbs.
6. Globe Big Blazer XL
Globe Big Blazer, a beginner friendly cruiser
The Globe Big Blazer XL is a predictable and stable cruiser suitable for beginner adults. Its slower response and lack of concave make it a great choice for learning to ride.
The board is designed to prevent unexpected surprises, offering a very secure and predictable ride.
What We Like
The Globe Big Blazer is fast and stable, with harder bushings that help with slow and controlled steering. Its relatively low cost, combined with its stability, makes it an ideal choice for those struggling to learn how to ride. Also, it has a bottle opener at the bottom, which is always a bonus.
What We Don’t Like
Its predictable nature makes it less suitable for experienced riders seeking a more challenging experience. Once you have mastered the basics, you will likely want to transition to something more responsive.
7. Arbor Whiskey Recruit
Arbor Recruit Skateboard, a versatile board for beginners
The Arbor Whiskey Recruit is a versatile board suitable for beginners because of its softer wheels and wider deck. The wider setup enhances balance, and the concave is designed not to be overly challenging.
This setup leans more towards tricks than cruising and is designed to be versatile and responsive, while still being predictable. This board is ideal for those eager to learn to ride and progress to ollies.
What We Like
The Arbor Whiskey Recruit comes with Ace trucks which are great for turning, and it is suitable for taller riders. It is also quite affordable for a complete setup and performs well on gritty asphalt while maintaining grip on smooth surfaces.
What We Don’t Like
While the wheels are soft, they are not suited for long-distance riding. The stock bushings are also too soft, requiring an immediate replacement with 92A or 94A independent standard bushings.
Alternative Options
Here are some additional regular-shaped skateboards that work well for adult beginners:
Santa Cruz Classic Dot 8.25″
Santa Cruz Classic Dot complete skateboardThis skateboard features softer 95A wheels that provide good performance on varied surfaces and is a great option for skate parks and learning to ride. Available on Amazon.
CCS Complete 8.25″
This is a budget-friendly board that is best suited for skate parks because of its harder wheels which can be less comfortable on rough surfaces. Requires some tweaking with a skate tool. Available on Amazon.
Creature Complete 8.25″
Similar to the Santa Cruz Classic with different graphics. It has 95A wheels that are designed to make learning to ride a little easier, and also has a wider deck to make balancing less challenging. Potentially available on Amazon.
Recommended Skateboard Size for Adults
Most of the recommended boards are wider than the standard 8.0″ width. Starting with an 8.0″ board is not recommended for beginners because they are harder to balance. Narrower decks often have shorter wheelbases, which makes them more difficult to control, whereas wider decks provide a longer wheelbase, improving stability and making turns easier.
As an adult beginner, you should prioritize safety and stability because recovering from falls takes longer. You need to ensure enough space for foot placement and the ability to correct your stance. An 8.5″ wide setup is significantly more forgiving than an 8.0″ wide one. While an 8.0″ might work for smaller adults, a wider board will always be a better option.
Start with at least an 8.25″ board, but 8.5″ is recommended. Don’t be discouraged, choosing the right setup will enhance your learning process.
Advice from an Experienced Skateboarder to Adult Skaters
As an experienced skateboarder, I know that protective gear is essential. It’s not about looking cool; it’s about taking care of yourself, especially as you get older.
Helmets are non-negotiable.
Triple 8 Gotham helmet, a recommended option
We recommend a skateboard helmet for your safety.
Knee pads are also important, as are elbow pads and gloves. We recommend knee pads from our list.
- Twenties: Precautions are still a good idea, but you may not need as much protection as older skaters.
- Thirties: Recovery takes longer, so be sure to be cautious.
- Forties: A single session can cause soreness and pain.
- Over 45: Maximize your protection with a helmet, heavy-duty knee pads, quality elbow pads, and wrist guards. Consider padded shorts for hip and butt protection.
Remember, even just pushing can lead to injuries, so take it slow. Find other older skaters to learn from, as this will significantly accelerate your learning process.
Start Slow
Skateboarding can be hard on your body, so begin slowly. Don’t overdo it during your first few sessions. Start with an hour and see how you feel the next day. Minor inconveniences can become major issues if you don’t take time to recover. Your body needs time to adapt.
Sore feet are common, so take a day or two to recover before your next session. Remember, you’re never too old to learn skateboarding.
Bring the Essentials for Your Safety
Essential items for skateboarding, including phone and water
Always bring your phone and some water to stay hydrated, and inform friends or family about your location. We also recommend a skate tool, and even a banana for quick carbs. There are more items that you can bring to fix common issues during your skate sessions.
Advice for Heavier Older Skaters
If you have gained weight over the years, it’s essential to consider your setup carefully. Replace your bushings for a more stable experience, as stock bushings are often too soft.
Check the table below for guidance on the appropriate bushing durometer:
| Weight (lbs) | Weight (kg) | Flexy | Medium | Stiff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 175 | 80 | 87a | 90a | 90a |
| 200 | 91 | 90a | 90-93a | 93a |
| 225 | 102 | 93a | 93-95a | 95a |
| 250 | 113 | 95a | 95-97a | 97a |
| 275 | 125 | 97a | 97a | 100a |
Consider brands like Bones Hardcore, Shorty’s Doh-Doh’s, or Independent for better bushings. For more details, check our guide for heavy skateboarders.
Conclusion
Learning to skateboard as an adult may feel daunting, but it is an incredibly rewarding experience. Start by skating at off-peak hours in a skate park or in areas with smooth surfaces. Remember to begin slowly, and don’t push yourself too hard, as your body needs time to adapt.
Falling is part of the learning process, but you’ll eventually get there. At the very least, wear a helmet and knee pads.
If you’re still not sure what you need, please check out the following related articles:
- Skateboards for bowl skating
- Skateboards for street skating
- Skateboards for beginners
- Skateboards for cruising
- Skateboards for heavy riders
- Skateboards for mini ramp
Author Ruben Vee, an experienced skateboarder
By: Ruben Vee
An aged skateboarder and still shred responsibly. Started skateboarding 25 years ago, peaked in the 2000’s, and still ride to this day. I am a total geek when it comes to skateboard gear, love to test stuff and share my findings.
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