Welcome to Hawaiisurf's ultimate buying guide to choosing your skateboard! If you're looking for the perfect skateboard, you're in the right place!
At Hawaiisurf, we understand how important it is to choose a board that perfectly matches your needs, your skating style and, above all, your skill level! Our comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the selection process, focusing on the essential criteria to help you make the most informed decision. Whether you're an eager beginner or a seasoned skater, we've gathered the essential information to help you choose a board that will deliver unforgettable experiences on wheels.
Throughout this guide, we'll explore the different types of skateboards, their key components, and the features that define each model in detail. You'll also discover tips and advice for finding the board that best suits your riding style. Our goal is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision and buy the perfect skateboard for you.
How do you choose the best skateboard for your riding style?
Before browsing the site to find your perfect new skateboard, it's essential to understand the different skateboard styles:
Street Skateboard
Choose a popsicle-shaped skateboard for tricks at the skatepark, on the street, and on mini ramps. This versatile board features kicktails at the nose and tail, allowing you to ride switch with ease. Its length generally ranges from 28" to 33".
Bowl & Pipe
Bowls and pools have a fascinating history in skateboarding. Let's go back to the early days, when pioneers drained California swimming pools to skate them. Today, this classic style is making a comeback. Skateboards designed for bowls are wider, offering greater stability when dropping down steep walls, and feature a kicktail for tricks.
Cruiser
Cruisers are wider boards with a single kicktail. Their maneuverability and versatility make them ideal for a smooth ride around town.
Surfskate
A surfskate, also known as a surf skateboard, is a board that recreates the feel of surfing on pavement. It offers a unique riding experience, ideal for boardsports enthusiasts. To find out more, check out our dedicated surfskate buying guide.
Longboards
Longboards excel at long-distance downhill riding, offering stability and speed. Their symmetrical shape and low center of gravity set them apart. Plus, their special cutouts allow longboards to accommodate large wheels.
Should You Choose a Complete Skateboard or a Skateboard to Assemble?
When you decide to take your skateboarding to the next level, one of the trickiest decisions is choosing between a complete pre-assembled skateboard and building your own board from scratch. Discover the pros and cons of these options to make the best decision.
Complete Skateboard
If you're new to skating, opting for a complete skateboard is a smart choice. These boards are ready to ride straight out of the box, with no adjustments needed. They come with all components preassembled, including trucks, wheels, bearings and grip tape. Plus, a complete skateboard is more affordable for beginners, offering excellent value for your first skating experiences.
Skateboard to assemble
If you choose to start from scratch by assembling your own skateboard deck, you get a board tailored to your preferences. This approach gives you the freedom to select every component to perfectly suit your needs. You start by choosing a deck with the ideal width for your build, then pair it with trucks and wheels that suit your skating style. Advanced skaters appreciate this customization, as every component is carefully matched to their specific needs.
The essentials for a custom skateboard setup
Deck
The skateboard deck is the foundation for all the other components. Choosing the right size is the essential first step to getting started with confidence!
Trucks
Choosing skateboard trucks that match your deck width is crucial. Higher trucks help you pop powerful ollies, while lower trucks provide optimal stability for street skating. Explore more tips in our skateboard truck buying guide.
Wheels
Your choice of wheels has a big impact on your skating experience. Smaller wheels offer quick acceleration and are well suited to street skating thanks to their light weight. Larger wheels provide optimal stability for cruising and longboarding. Explore more tips in our dedicated skateboard wheel buying guide.
Bearings
Skateboard bearings are the key connection between your wheels and trucks, ensuring your skateboard performs well. All skateboard bearings are a standard size, making them compatible with all wheels, whether for a regular skateboard or a longboard.
Hardware
Skateboard hardware includes the nuts and bolts needed to securely attach the trucks to the deck. If you also opt for riser pads, you may need a set of longer bolts.
Grip Tape
The grip tape, stuck to the top of your deck, plays an essential role in improving your performance when pulling off tricks.
How to Choose the Ideal Skateboard Deck Size?
When buying a skateboard deck, width is crucial. Choosing the right deck size depends on your height, shoe size, and riding style.
As a general rule, narrower decks are ideal for smaller riders, women, and children. If you're taller, heavier, or have larger feet, choose a wider deck for added stability.
Concave: A Crucial Platform for Your Feet
When you look at a skateboard deck from the side, you'll notice a curve between the edges, known as the concave. This feature affects how your feet sit on the deck and plays a major role in your skateboard's performance. There are three main types of concave to consider.
Low Concave (shallow)
Low concave is ideal for halfpipes, mini ramps, and pool riding, offering added stability when riding big features, whether in the halfpipe or simply cruising.
Medium Concave
Medium concave suits many riders, offering a balance between easy flips and added stability, perfect for riding mini ramps and vert.
High Concave (deep)
High concave offers the deepest curve, making it easier to apply pressure to the edges of the deck and pull off technical tricks.
Key Points to Look for in a Skateboard Deck
Skateboards come with a variety of features and technologies. Discover the key elements to get familiar with the components and what to look for when checking out a deck.
Deck Length
Skateboards vary in length, generally measuring between 28" and 33" from nose to tail. When choosing your deck, it's essential to focus on width rather than length, as this has a major impact on performance.
Wheelbase
The distance between the truck mounting holes, also known as the wheelbase, plays a crucial role in the relationship between a skateboard's trucks and wheels.
Kicktail
The kicktail, the upturned section at the end of your skateboard, plays an essential role in performing tricks such as ollies and kickflips. Most skateboards have one at each end, allowing you to perform ollies and other tricks in a switch stance.
Nose and Tail
The nose is the front of your skateboard deck, while the tail is the back. On some skateboards, the nose may have a slightly different curve from the tail.
Construction
Most skateboard decks are made from seven layers of wood firmly pressed together and bonded with an adhesive resin. Maple, known for its strength and light weight, is the wood most commonly used in their construction. High-end models sometimes incorporate carbon fibre or other laminates to further strengthen the deck without adding excessive weight.
In short, choosing the perfect skateboard deck is a crucial step for skaters of all levels. HawaiiSurf is your trusted partner in this search, with a diverse range of high-quality skateboard decks from leading brands and expert skate advice. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, finding the ideal deck is essential to your skating experience. Our wide selection and expertise are here to help you make the best choice. To ride with style and confidence, explore our options at HawaiiSurf and make sure to complete your setup with essential protective gear to skate safely. Get ready for unforgettable skate sessions, backed by HawaiiSurf's quality and expertise.
