Navigating the world of skateboarding as a beginner can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to find a decent setup without breaking the bank. If you’re feeling lost, you’ve landed in the right place. This guide, developed with input from experienced local skateboarders, will help you choose the perfect beginner skateboard, whether you’re looking for a pre-assembled option or want to create a custom setup tailored to your specific needs and riding style.
Over the years, we’ve tested numerous skateboard configurations to determine what works best for beginners. This article goes beyond simple recommendations, diving into different setups based on your goals, whether you’re planning to stick to the skate park, cruise around town, or master tricks. We’ll cover everything from pre-assembled skateboards perfect for beginners to custom setups, ensuring you get the best start in skateboarding.
beginner skateboards
This guide will cover what makes a good beginner skateboard, essential safety tips, cost considerations, size recommendations, wheel types, truck advice, and bearing information. You can jump directly to our recommended skateboards or continue reading to get a thorough understanding of the nuances of choosing a beginner setup.
What Defines a Good Beginner Skateboard?
A good beginner skateboard is primarily about making the learning process as smooth as possible. This means focusing on elements that affect stability and control. For beginners, the most crucial considerations are the wheels and deck shape.
Our experience suggests that slightly softer wheels are generally better for new riders, as they offer more grip and stability, making it easier to learn the basics of balancing and pushing. However, as you progress to learning tricks, harder wheels become essential for better board control and responsiveness. In addition, a medium concave deck is recommended for enhanced stability and control, along with ample room for your feet.
We recommend the following beginner skateboards:
- CCS Complete
- Birdhouse Complete
- Santa Cruz Skateboards (Dot series)
- SkateXS beginner (kids 6 to 12)
- Cruising: Arbor Oso
Skateboarding Safety Essentials
Safety is paramount for all skateboarders, especially beginners. At a minimum, beginners should always wear a helmet. Knee pads and elbow pads are also highly recommended to protect against impact injuries.
While not strictly essential, wrist guards are useful in preventing abrasions from falls, as you’re likely to put your hands out to brace yourself. Learning how to fall correctly is essential because falls are an inevitable part of learning to skateboard. Finally, skate shoes are a good investment due to their superior grip and stability, which significantly improves board control.
skateboard helmet, shoes, and protective gearLearning to fall effectively and wearing protective gear can greatly reduce the risk of injury. Skate shoes provide the grip needed for better control and stability.
Cost of Beginner Skateboards
A decent beginner skateboard typically costs between $70 and $150 USD. While cheaper options might be tempting, they often compromise on quality, leading to safety concerns and hindering the learning process. Investing in a higher-quality complete board or building a custom setup, while more expensive upfront, can lead to a better and more durable skateboarding experience.
Avoid skateboards in the $20 to $50 USD range, as these are often made with unsafe, low-quality components that will make learning much more difficult.
Choosing the Right Skateboard Size
Selecting the right skateboard size is largely based on your shoe size. For shoe sizes between 6 and 9, choose a board between 7.5″ and 8″. While the standard narrow board is 7.75″, smaller boards, like those between 7″ and 7.5″, are better for kids and those with smaller feet. If your shoe size is 9.5 or higher, go for an 8″ to 8.5″ board. For anyone wearing size 12 shoes or larger, an 8.5″ to 9″ board is optimal.
As you gain experience, you may find that you prefer a wider or smaller board. Initially, selecting a size based on your shoe size is the best starting point.
Skateboard Wheel Guide for Beginners
The type of skateboard wheel you need depends heavily on where you plan to ride. Harder wheels are better for smooth surfaces, while softer and larger wheels are preferred for rougher surfaces.
For beginners, 95A durometer wheels in 54mm or 56mm sizes provide excellent stability and grip when learning to push and balance. However, for those aiming to learn tricks, softer wheels can be a hindrance, as they tend to bounce more and make precise board control more challenging. Switching to harder and smaller wheels is generally advisable once you’re ready to start learning tricks. Consider using 99A/53mm wheels for enhanced grip and reduced bounce, or 100A+ for more technical skateboarding.
Here’s a quick guide to skateboard wheel selection based on riding style:
- Technical street skating: 51mm to 53mm, 99A to 104A
- Street and skate parks: 52mm to 54mm, 99A to 104A
- Transitions (parks, bowls, mini ramps): 54mm to 56mm, 58mm for vert, 56mm for mini ramp/bowl
- Cruising and tricks: 58mm to 60mm, 81A (less bounce), 92A-96A (comfy ride) – a trade-off.
- Cruising: 60mm+, 78A durometer.
beginner skateboard wheelsThe ideal skateboard wheel size and durometer depend on the surface you skate and your riding style.
Selecting the Right Skateboard Trucks
For beginners, it’s best to choose skateboard trucks that don’t turn too easily to help maintain balance. Avoid excessively loose trucks, such as Ace or Venture Lo’s. Quality trucks such as Independent, Venture Hi’s, and Thunder are highly recommended.
Good, more affordable options include Paris Trucks, Tensor Standard Trucks, Krux, and CCS. While the differences between budget and top brands are noticeable, they are often not as critical for beginners.
Bushings are essential, but the ideal hardness depends on the rider’s weight. Lighter riders may find standard bushings too hard, while heavier riders may find them too soft. It may be necessary to adjust your trucks and consider different bushings to find the perfect setup for your needs.
skateboard trucksChoosing the right skateboard trucks is important for balance and control.
Do Skateboard Bearings Matter for Beginners?
As a beginner, you don’t need to worry too much about bearings. Cheaper options like Mini Logo or Spitfire (cheapshots) will be more than adequate when starting out. A slight upgrade to Bronson Bearings (G2) or Bones Bearings (Reds) is acceptable, but avoid expensive (ceramic) bearings, which are unnecessary for beginners.
Bearings are standard in size and will fit any skateboard wheel. The best skateboard bearings are cheap and effective.
Bones Reds standard bearingsFor beginners, standard bearings are sufficient; avoid overspending on expensive options.
Recommended Beginner Skateboards
After conducting tests with local skaters, we’ve compiled a list of pre-assembled skateboards that are excellent for beginners. These boards are both affordable and reliable. If you’re looking for something tailored to your riding style, we have custom setup suggestions further down the page.
Top Beginner Picks:
| Skateboard | Description |
|---|---|
| Birdhouse Tony Hawk | Great for beginners, featuring softer wheels, recommended for ages 12 and up. |
| CCS Skateboard | Budget-friendly, excellent for skate parks but less so for cruising. |
| SkateXS Kids Skateboard | Best for kids aged 5 to 12, with high-quality components and beginner-friendly features. |
Easiest Skateboard to Ride: Santa Cruz Skateboards
Santa Cruz Complete SkateboardSanta Cruz skateboards are known for quality and are a great option for beginners.
Santa Cruz is the oldest skateboard brand and known for producing quality complete skateboards. Their setups come with subtle variations, such as bushing and wheel hardness. Their 95A/54mm wheels are ideal for beginners but may develop flat spots if you are into aggressive slides.
The birch deck is durable but has less pop compared to maple. It provides a comfortable and stable platform with a medium concave. The Bullet Trucks have soft 90A bushings, which may require tightening for added stability, especially for heavier riders. The bearings are standard and reliable. The 8.0″ deck is versatile, while the 8.25″ is good for taller riders.
Key Specifications:
- Wheels: 54mm, 95A
- Deck: Birch, medium concave, various sizes
- Trucks: Bullet Trucks
- Bearings: Standard
You can find a couple of Santa Cruz boards on Amazon.
Alternatives:
- Arbor Whiskey Series (softer 90A wheels)
- Globe G1 (harder 99A wheels)
High Quality Starter Skateboard: Birdhouse Complete
birdhouse skateboardBirdhouse offers a complete skateboard with high-quality components that perform well in skate parks and on the street.
Birdhouse skateboards offer exceptional quality for a reasonable price. The trucks are durable, can withstand abuse, and turn well. While the bushings may feel loose initially, they break in after an hour or two of use. You can adjust the trucks based on your weight and preference. The 100A wheels offer plenty of grip, which is great for hitting the park and learning tricks.
Birdhouse offers, in our opinion, the best complete skateboard for street and park riding. The biggest downside is that they are not always available. Check for Birdhouse availability on Amazon.
Key Specifications:
- 7.75″ / 7.875″ / 8.0″ / 8.25″ / 8.5″ Canadian Maple 7-ply Deck
- Birdhouse trucks
- Decent Bearings
- 100A 53mm street wheels
- Standard Grip tape
Cheapest Beginner Skateboard: CCS Complete Blank
CCS complete skateboardThe CCS complete skateboard is a budget-friendly option for beginners that is ideal for street skateboarding and skate parks.
The CCS complete is a reliable and affordable beginner skateboard. It’s designed for street and park skateboarding, meaning the harder wheels aren’t the best for comfortable cruising but are ideal for transitioning to tricks. The board is equipped with CCS parts, including trucks, Mini Logo bearings, and wheels.
The deck is constructed from 7-ply maple wood, making it quite durable. The trucks and bushings are sturdy, although the bushings may need some adjustment. Overall, it’s a solid setup for beginners, performing well in both street and park environments. This budget-friendly board also comes with a skate tool. You can check availability on Amazon.
Key Specifications:
- Deck: Maple, widths between 7.0″ and 8.5″
- Wheels: CCS 52mm 100A
- Trucks: CCS
- Bearings: Mini Logo
- Skate Tool
Beginner Kids (6 to 12): SkateXS Complete
SkateXS high quality skateboard kidsSkateXS provides high-quality skateboards for kids, with quality components that ensure safe and reliable performance.
SkateXS offers the highest-quality skateboards for beginner kids, using the best components available. This complete setup is designed for street and park riding, with 53mm 90A wheels for a smooth and comfortable ride. The softer wheels and stable design help kids maintain their balance.
The SkateXS trucks have custom soft bushings that turn well and handle grinds and ollies. These boards perform well on various surfaces and are safe and reliable. You can find SkateXS boards at SkateXS.com.
Key Specifications:
- Sizes: 7″ (Ages 5-7), 7.25″ (Ages 8-10), 7.4″ (Ages 11-12)
- Length: 28″, 29″, 30″
- Wheelbase: varies per size
- 7-ply maple deck
- SkateXS Trucks
- 90a 53mm wheels
- Shielded standard bearings
Easiest Skateboard to Learn: Arbor Oso
arbor oso cruiser skateboardThe Arbor Oso is a wide cruiser that is ideal for comfortable cruising and is very forgiving for beginners.
The Arbor Oso is an excellent cruiser with a wide deck, great for beginners who want to ride comfortably from point A to B. It’s very stable, with lots of room for your feet, which makes it ideal for heavier or taller riders.
The Oso’s bushings take a little time to break in. The wide Paris Street trucks are extremely durable and stable. It has a huge kicktail for an aggressive stance and the 61mm Arbor EasyRider wheels offer a smooth ride. This is a great option for those seeking a stable and balanced experience. You might find the Arbor Oso available on Amazon.
Key Specifications:
- Wheels: 61 mm, 78A
- Deck: Maple, 10″ wide, medium concave
- Trucks: Paris Street Trucks
- Bearings: Standard bearings
Custom Beginner Skateboard Setups
Assembling your own skateboard is the best way to ensure that it perfectly meets your needs. While more expensive than buying a complete setup, custom skateboards are much more durable. Here are some recommended setups based on your budget and riding preferences.
street skateboard setupAn 8.0″ setup is great for both street and park skating, especially for those who want to get into technical skateboarding.
An 8.0″ wide street skateboard is a popular choice, great for both outdoor and indoor parks. It’s ideal for those who want to learn tricks. You can swap parts around and invest more in trucks or wheels to better customize your board.
Budget 8.0″ Beginner Street/park Setup ($100-$120 USD):
- Blank Skateboard deck ($35)
- CCS ($30) or Mini Logo trucks ($39)
- Mini Logo wheels C-Cut 52mm 101A ($20)
- Mini Logo bearings ($10)
- Spacers ($1)
- Jessup griptape ($8)
- 7/8″ hardware ($4)
Street/park Skateboard Setup (8.25″)
skateboard partsChoosing the right skateboard parts is key to creating a setup tailored to your specific needs.
An 8.25″ setup is a good choice for skatepark riding, though 8.0″, 8.5″ or even 7.75″ will also work, the choice is yours. Let’s examine a setup that’s tailored for street and park riding.
8.25″ Street and Skatepark Setup on a Budget
For this setup, we’re going to prioritize the trucks, which are essential for good performance and last a long time.
- Blank Skateboard deck ($35)
- Thunder Lo Polished 148 ($45) or Independent 145 Stage 11 ($53)
- Bones 100’s ($30) or Mini Logo C-cut 54mm 101A ($20)
- Bones reds standard ($20), Fireball Dragon Bearings ($16)
- Spacers ($1)
- Jessup griptape ($8)
- 7/8″ hardware ($4)
Skateboard Setups for Beginner Adults 8.5″
8.5An 8.5″ setup is ideal for adults who want to cruise and hop curbs with more stability and comfort.
This setup is great if you just want to ride and hop curbs. The Indy trucks are durable and turn well and the Ricta Cloud wheels, being a bit softer, provide a comfortable ride. The shock pads are not really necessary. The standard Bones Reds bearings are always a good choice.
- 8.5″ deck from a brand you prefer
- Independent Stage 149 Hollow trucks
- Ricta Clouds 54 or 56 mm wheels (92A)
- 7/8″ hardware
- Bones Reds bearings
- Jessup Grip tape
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right beginner skateboard depends on your individual needs and preferences. While there isn’t a single “best” option, understanding the key components and how they affect your ride will help you make the best choice.
As you advance in skateboarding, you’ll learn what setups work best for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different components and configurations until you discover your ideal setup. Customizing your skateboard is a great way to optimize performance, but many skateboarders start with a complete setup.
Ruben vee
Ruben Vee
I’m 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 test to stuff and share my findings.
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