How to Choose the Perfect Skateboard Size for You
As skateboarding has grown in popularity, more and more people are taking up the sport. If you’re thinking about buying your first skateboard or just want to learn how to ride a skateboard better, choosing the right size board can be crucial to your success and enjoyment of the sport. While there’s no one perfect skateboard size, picking the best skateboard can help you have fun and build your skills as you learn how to skateboard. Here are some tips for choosing the right size skateboard for you.
Consider your physical attributes
How tall are you? How much do you weigh? Do you consider yourself a beginner or advanced skateboarder? It’s important to be realistic when choosing a skateboard. Choosing one that is too big or too small may be inconvenient and will make learning more difficult. If in doubt, ask an employee at your local skate shop for assistance.
Consider what you want from your board
When choosing a skateboard, think about what you will be using it for and what you want to get out of it. Do you want it mainly just as a mode of transport, or do you want something for doing tricks and stunts on? Do you plan on taking it off-road? What surfaces will you be skating on most often? What shape is your town/city like, in terms of terrain and style? These are all questions that need answering when choosing a skateboard.
What is your level?
If you’re a beginner, choose your first skateboard with a narrower width and shorter length—the board will be easier to balance on, and you won’t accidentally hit other people (or yourself) while learning ollies, kickflips, or how to drop in. If you can already muster up a good amount of speed and pop with your board, consider these same characteristics but look for a longer board instead.
What are you using it for?
The first thing you have to ask yourself is what you’re using your skateboard for and what kind of riding you want to do. Are you just cruising around town or are you practicing tricks on ramps? Are you a beginner looking for stability, or are trying to pull off gravity-defying tricks?
If you don’t know, go with a standard board
If you’re new to skateboarding, or are looking for a board that you can use in an urban environment and simply wish to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss, a standard skateboard size is perfect. The width of these boards varies from 7.5-8.5 inches, depending on their use—the larger your feet, the wider your skateboard should be. These boards are great if you don’t have much experience skating (or if you have bigger feet), as they offer more stability than smaller boards. These models also tend to be less expensive than larger ones, so they’re good if you want something inexpensive but don’t want to sacrifice quality.
Consider your physical attributes
How tall are you? How much do you weigh? Do you consider yourself a beginner or advanced skateboarder? It’s important to be realistic when choosing a skateboard. Choosing one that is too big or too small may be inconvenient and will make learning more difficult. If in doubt, ask an employee at your local skate shop for assistance.
Consider what you want from your board
When choosing a skateboard, think about what you will be using it for and what you want to get out of it. Do you want it mainly just as a mode of transport, or do you want something for doing tricks and stunts on? Do you plan on taking it off-road? What surfaces will you be skating on most often? What shape is your town/city like, in terms of terrain and style? These are all questions that need answering when choosing a skateboard.
What is your level?
If you’re a beginner, choose your first skateboard with a narrower width and shorter length—the board will be easier to balance on, and you won’t accidentally hit other people (or yourself) while learning ollies, kickflips, or how to drop in. If you can already muster up a good amount of speed and pop with your board, consider these same characteristics but look for a longer board instead.
What are you using it for?
The first thing you have to ask yourself is what you’re using your skateboard for and what kind of riding you want to do. Are you just cruising around town or are you practicing tricks on ramps? Are you a beginner looking for stability, or are trying to pull off gravity-defying tricks?
If you don’t know, go with a standard board
If you’re new to skateboarding, or are looking for a board that you can use in an urban environment and simply wish to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss, a standard skateboard size is perfect. The width of these boards varies from 7.5-8.5 inches, depending on their use—the larger your feet, the wider your skateboard should be. These boards are great if you don’t have much experience skating (or if you have bigger feet), as they offer more stability than smaller boards. These models also tend to be less expensive than larger ones, so they’re good if you want something inexpensive but don’t want to sacrifice quality.