Choosing the right skateboard deck for street skating can significantly impact your performance and enjoyment. There isn’t a single “best” deck, as it largely depends on personal preference, but understanding key features like shape, construction, and brand can guide your decision. Generally, street skaters benefit from decks with a medium to steep concave, which enhances technical trick execution.
A quality street skateboard deck is typically constructed from 7-ply North American maple wood. This material offers the responsiveness needed for technical maneuvers. Look for a deck with a medium to steep concave to improve your ability to perform flip tricks and other technical moves. Width is another important factor, and most street skaters find a good fit within the 7.75″ to 8.25″ range. Let’s explore what makes a great street deck, delve into various brands, and discuss the different construction options available.
Skateboard decks displayed on a table
What Defines a Street Skateboard Deck?
Street skateboards are designed to withstand the rigors of urban environments. Unlike cheap plastic boards, these are typically single-pressed decks crafted for performance. A classic street skateboard features a “popsicle shape,” meaning it has rounded ends at both the nose and tail, and it incorporates kicks on both ends to allow for tricks. They also come with varying concave profiles, which we’ll discuss in more detail.
These decks are typically around 32 inches long with a wheelbase (distance between the trucks) of 13 to 15 inches. The nose and tail typically measure 6 to 7 inches from the truck bolts. Available widths usually range from 7.75 to 8.75 inches. The ideal width for you depends on your weight, foot size, and the technicality of your skating style.
Key Factors in Choosing Your Street Deck
Selecting the ideal street deck involves understanding your personal preferences and the features that match your skating style.
For those prioritizing faster flips, a deck between 7.75 and 8.0 inches is often recommended. If you have larger feet or just prefer a wider platform, you may opt for anything up to 8.25 or even 8.5 inches. Beginners might find it helpful to explore complete skateboards before customizing their setup; these offer an entry point into street skating without a high initial investment.
Concave Explained
Concave refers to the curvature of the skateboard deck. It ranges from low to medium to high. A greater concave increases responsiveness, allowing for more aggressive turns and quicker flips. However, this increased responsiveness can come at the cost of stability. Beginners often benefit from a mellow to medium concave profile, which provides greater stability while learning.
Keep in mind that concave is not standardized across manufacturers. Each brand presses decks differently, so the perfect concave for you might vary from one brand to the next. Visiting your local skate shop and trying different boards is an excellent way to find what feels best. You’ll usually be able to stand on a board to feel its responsiveness without damaging the graphics.
The Importance of Maple Wood
While materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber have introduced alternatives for skateboard decks, North American maple wood remains the standard for its durability and performance. Maple’s slow growth gives it a tight grain, making it very resilient. While bamboo is an environmentally friendlier option with unique properties, traditional maple wood remains the most popular choice for skate decks.
Top Skateboard Deck Brands for Street Skating
Let’s take a look at some of the leading brands and their unique deck constructions that are ideal for street skating:
Real Skateboards
A Real skateboard deck with graphic details
Real Skateboards offers a diverse range of constructions beyond traditional wood, each crafted to enhance your street skating experience.
Real Heavyweight
Real Heavyweight decks are engineered for durability, ideal for skaters who need a board that can withstand heavy impact. These decks utilize an X-Band construction, which positions two of the inner wood plies at opposing 45-degree angles. This enhances strength and longevity compared to traditional linear ply alignment. Although slightly heavier, Heavyweight decks maintain their pop and feel longer than standard 7-ply maple decks.
Real Full
Real Full decks offer a fuller board width from the nose to the tail. Unlike traditional popsicle-shaped boards that taper at the truck bolts, the Real Full boards maintain a consistent width longer, providing additional board feel and stability.
Real Low Pro II
The Real Low Pro II decks are designed with a lower center of gravity, incorporating a slight rocker at the nose and tail. This design brings the kicks closer to the ground, allowing for quicker pop with less effort. The tighter concave also increases strength and control, making it ideal for technical street skating.
Real R1 Construction
Real’s R1 construction utilizes press molds that apply even pressure across the entire surface. Coupled with the 2 X-Band plies, R1 decks are stiffer and more durable than traditional 7-ply maple decks, while still maintaining great pop and feel.
Real Slick
Real Slick decks feature a ribbed polymer coating on the bottom of the deck. This coating reduces surface contact when sliding, allowing for smoother slides on various surfaces without the need for wax. It also protects the graphic and keeps the board stiffer for longer.
Powell-Peralta Flight Decks
Powell Peralta flight deck with a bold graphic design
Powell-Peralta Flight Decks incorporate a fiber layer into the wood plies, making them lighter, thinner, and stronger than standard wood decks. The added fiber increases stiffness and provides greater rebound, leading to higher ollies and more technical performance. These decks are exceptionally durable, often dubbed “unbreakable,” potentially saving you money in the long term despite their higher initial cost.
NHS (Santa Cruz and Creature Skateboards)
Santa Cruz VX skateboard deck with signature graphic
NHS, which includes brands like Santa Cruz and Creature, offers various constructions designed to withstand the demands of technical street skating.
Santa Cruz VX
Santa Cruz VX decks use 5 plies of maple combined with 2 layers of fiberglass, offering increased flexibility and durability. While slightly more flexible than some alternatives, these decks are exceptionally resistant to snapping. They are a strong competitor to Powell Flight decks, using a unique epoxy resin to bind the plies together.
Almost Skateboards
Skateboard setup for heavier riders
Almost Skateboards features several constructions designed to take a beating on the streets.
Impact Support
The Impact Support construction uses an 8-ply maple construction with 2 carbon fiber discs at the truck mounting points. This provides additional strength and pop, making it ideal for heavier riders and those doing large drops.
Impact Light
The Impact Light deck uses a 7-ply maple construction with a carbon fiber insert in the top layer, extending deck life and maintaining stiffness and pop for longer.
Impact Plus
Impact Plus combines the features of both Support and Light, using an 8-ply Canadian maple construction with a die-cut carbon fiber insert in the top layer and two carbon fiber discs at the truck mounts. This deck is designed for ultimate longevity, pop, and board feel.
Bamboo Skateboards
Bamboo skateboards are crafted from bamboo, a naturally shock-absorbent material that handles impact better than maple. They are also lighter and stronger, providing more pop than traditional wood boards. Bamboo is also a fast-growing resource, making it a more sustainable option.
Traditional Maple Wood Construction Decks
Traditional 7-ply maple decks remain a popular choice, and numerous reputable brands offer quality options. Here are a few to consider:
- Plan B Skateboards: Known for high-quality decks and a strong team of professional skaters.
- Girl Skateboards: Influential in skate culture, with distinctive deck designs.
- Zero Skateboards: Recognizable for bold graphics and top-tier decks, appealing to street skaters.
- Baker Skateboards: Respected in the street skating scene, known for its edgy style.
- Santa Cruz Skateboards: One of the oldest skateboard companies, celebrated for iconic graphics.
- Almost Skateboards: Renowned for innovative designs using materials like carbon fiber.
- Enjoi Skateboards: Noted for its playful style and distinctive panda logo.
- Blind Skateboards: Known for innovative and often provocative graphics.
- Real Skateboards: Known for durable decks and social engagement.
- Chocolate Skateboards: Offers unique art designs and high-quality skateboard decks.
- Birdhouse Skateboards: Founded by Tony Hawk, known for quality and a roster of top skaters.
- Primitive Skateboarding: Recognizable for sleek designs and quick popularity.
- Toy Machine Skateboards: Celebrated for its distinctive art and graphics.
Conclusion
Street skaters require a durable deck that can withstand rough conditions, maintain pop, and slide easily on ledges and rails. Decks from brands like Real, Powell, Bamboo, Creature, Santa Cruz, and Almost are engineered to meet these demands. If you’re looking for a more traditional option, there are many brands offering quality 7-ply maple decks. By considering the factors discussed in this guide, you should be able to find the perfect skateboard deck for your street skating style.
Author Ruben Vee
By Ruben Vee, an experienced skateboarder and gear enthusiast.
