Skateboarding’s popularity is surging, and if you’re looking to join the fun, this guide will help you navigate the often confusing world of skate gear. We’ll break down all the components you need, so you can buy exactly what you need and start rolling with confidence.
First, try to find a local skate shop. These small, skater-owned businesses are the heart of the skateboarding community. They support the culture with fun events and provide a hangout spot for kids. By buying from them, you’re directly supporting skateboarding. If you don’t have a local shop nearby, check out online marketplaces like Parade World, which features reputable skate shops.
Once you know where you’ll shop, it’s time to learn about the parts of a skateboard. Let’s dive into the components, piece by piece.
Decks: The Foundation of Your Ride
The deck is the wooden platform you stand on, the most crucial and expressive part of your setup. They come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, so choosing one can be a fun process. Here are some basic guidelines to consider:
Most decks are made of seven layers of maple wood, glued and pressed together. They typically feature a heat-transferred or screen-printed graphic on the bottom and cost between $40 and $70. Feel free to choose a design you love, as the graphics will eventually get scratched up anyway. The key factor for beginners is the size.
Teeny Bopper Decks
If you’re buying for a child or someone with shorter legs, go for a smaller board. Something around 7.5″ to 8″ wide and less than 32″ long is a good fit. This isn’t about getting a plastic Penny board, but rather finding a proportionally sized deck. Many brands offer these smaller sizes, suitable for everyone from kids to seasoned pros.
The “Do-It-All” Deck
For most teens and adults starting out in street or park skating, a deck between 8.12″ and 8.38″ is ideal. If you’re smaller, lean towards the lower end of the scale, and vice versa. This range is comfortable for most, including those with a men’s size 9 shoe. Don’t worry too much about the length until you develop your style.
Transition/Pool Decks
If you plan to skate ramps and bowls, wider decks, 8.5” and up, are your best option. These provide more control during turns and transitions, preventing your toes or heels from dragging, and avoiding those nasty falls. However, bigger boards require more effort for ollies and flip tricks, so keep that in mind if you plan to get technical eventually.
Retro-Inspired Decks
Skateboards used to come in all sorts of unique shapes, and they are making a comeback. These boards prioritize aesthetics over versatility, making them more for fun and style. Brands like Welcome offer some functional options. When choosing a retro-inspired deck, consider the shape and how it might impact your riding style, then go for one that you find cool.
Griptape: Staying Connected
Griptape is the sticky, sandpaper-like material that keeps your feet on the deck. While there are debates within the skateboarding community about brands, they are all relatively the same: sticky tape with a grippy surface.
Often, skate shops will give you a free sheet of griptape with a deck purchase, or you can buy one for around $5. Mob and Jessup are popular brands, with Mob being more grippy and Jessup being more “broken-in”. Mob has perforations to prevent air bubbles, but experienced skaters know how to remove them with a razor.
There are many brands with graphic griptape, like Shake Junt, Grizzly, and Diamond, but most pros stick with basic black tape unless they are sponsored. There are also many ways to apply griptape to your deck.
Trucks: The Turning Mechanism
Trucks are the metal parts that attach to your deck and connect to the wheels. For beginners, it can be overwhelming to know the difference between the different heights and sizes. Getting the right width for your deck is very important.
Wide or Narrow?
Getting the right width is key. Too narrow, and you’ll have difficulty turning and you’ll experience wheel bite. Too wide, and the axles will jut out, leading to potential foot-to-wheel contact that will send you flying.
Unfortunately, there are no universal sizing standards. Consult sizing guides from specific truck brands and match your trucks to your deck’s width. For instance, an 8.38″ deck matches well with Independent or Thunder 149 trucks, while an 8.25″ works better with 139s.
High or Low?
Next, decide if you want high or low trucks. High trucks give you more wheel clearance, preventing wheel bite, especially helpful for beginners. You can use bigger wheels, but they can be heavier, making it harder to pop your board. Low trucks, on the other hand, offer a lower center of gravity for easier popping and flicking. If you get low trucks, you may have to limit the size of your wheels to 53mm or less. For beginners, either can work, but low trucks are a good choice for low-impact riding.
Materials and Finishes
Trucks are available in various materials and paint finishes, but forged steel is the standard and will work well. The colors and graphics will not affect the trucks’ performance, so choose what looks good to you.
Wheels: Rolling Along
Wheels are crucial, and while there are many options, the wheel’s hardness is the primary factor for beginners.
Just Hard Enough
Harder wheels (101a) slide more easily, which is helpful when learning tricks. That little bit of slide is the difference between success and failure. Harder wheels are also better for powersliding and avoiding collisions.
Softer wheels (99a) are not as slide-friendly, making them a bit harder to use. The lower the durometer number, the smoother the ride but the harder it is to slide, potentially being more dangerous for newbies.
Cruiser wheels are very soft, around 78a, and are great for rough terrain and long rides. If you want to cruise, pick up some softer Spitfire or OJ wheels. Keep in mind that bigger wheels require higher trucks or the use of riser pads.
Optimal Shape
For beginners, a classic round wheel shape, like the Spitfire Classic, is ideal. As you progress, you can experiment with shapes designed for grinds, better control at high speeds, and other specific purposes. But for most flat-ground riding, a basic wheel shape will be just fine.
Size Matters
For starters, wheels in the 52mm to 55mm range are the most popular. If you have lower trucks, stick with 52mm or 53mm, and if you have higher trucks, go with 54mm or 55mm. Larger wheels tend to be faster and smoother, but 52mm wheels will work well for most sidewalks, skateparks, and streets. Don’t worry about graphics and colors until you have found the right shape and size for you. Most skaters will ride with their wheel graphics facing inside for a cleaner, more minimal look.
Bearings: Keeping It Smooth
Bearings allow your wheels to spin freely. There are many options, but anything over $30 is likely overkill for a beginner. Bones Reds or Bronson G2 bearings are excellent choices for their quality and value. You don’t need to worry about high-end options until you become more experienced. Just be sure not to use WD-40 for cleaning your bearings.
Hardware: The Essentials
These are the nuts and bolts that attach your trucks to your deck. They’re all very similar. Different colors can help you differentiate the nose and tail of your board. The choice between Allen and Phillips head bolts is personal, but as long as your bolts fit the holes and don’t extend too far past the baseplate, you’ll be okay.
Roll On
Setting up your skateboard is about discovering your preferences. It’s best not to overthink it, and just get what gets you rolling. Have fun with the pleasures and the pains of skateboarding!
