Skateboard Size Chart report
Skateboarding can be said to be one of the earliest popular extreme sports. Skateboarding, which evolved from surfing in the late 1950s and early 1960s, is called "the coolest sport globally." Nowadays, more and more young people like the thrills, excitement, and coolness. But if you want to learn and challenge skateboarding, you should first get a good skateboard.
In the 1960s, California residents in the United States invented the first skateboard. In the 1970s and 1980s, the United States first established the National Skateboarding Association (NSA). On December 7, 2020, the International Olympic Committee agreed to include skateboarding as an official event of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
There are so many skateboard brands on the market, and faced with dazzling options, do you know how to choose the best skateboard for you? If you are a beginner looking for your first skateboard, you have come to the right place. Keep reading the following article and get the basics of choosing the right skateboard size and types.
Skateboard Parts
Do you wonder what size of skateboard to purchase? The first thing you should know is what are the standard skateboard parts.
Deck
It is a standing platform made from layers of laminated wood. Generally, the right skateboard deck size depends on the size of the foot. And the larger the deck size, the heavier the skateboard, while the small skateboard is more flexible and the large one s more stable. The deck shape will be slightly different by various manufactures.
Trucks
The truck is an assembly that connects the board, wheels, and bearings. By pressing one side of the truck, the skateboard can complete the basic steering action. The common truck sizes are 129 cm (5.0 inches), 139 cm (5.25 inches), and 149 cm (5.5 inches), which are generally determined according to the skateboard size. The truck's height is related to the width of the skateboard deck.
Wheels
Wheels allow the board to roll and provide housing for the bearings. The larger the wheels, the faster the sliding speed, but the big wheel is not suitable for practice. It is recommended that beginners choose a smaller size, 50mm. In addition, the wider the wheel and the greater the friction on the ground, the more stable it is, and the easier it is to decelerate. The wheel hardness generally ranges from 78A to 104A, the greater the number; the greater the hardness.
Bearings
Bearings fit inside the sides of the wheels and allow them to spin freely. The skateboard bearings are all the same size; no matter what kind of wheel you use, the size of the bearing is the same. Skateboard bearings usually have ABEC grades, which indicate accuracy and durability. The easiest way to compare the quality of the bearings is to push the skateboard with the same force, and the farther the skateboard runs, the better.
Grip Tape
They are applied to the top of the deck to provide grip for your feet. Note that the grip tape and bearings are easily damaged if there is water, so don't play with your skateboard in the water.
Skateboard Types
Three main types of skateboards are all very fun and functional for different types of riding. Read below to know whether a standard skateboard, skateboard cruiser, or longboard is the right fit for you.
Standard Skateboards
The two ends of the standard skateboard are upturned, and the front and back shapes are symmetrical. These skateboards are usually equipped with hard wheels. This type is the best skateboard for beginners because they work well for street skating, skate parks, and almost all other styles of skateboarding.
Cruiser Skateboards
The cruiser skateboard resembles the shape of a fish. Cruisers are usually a similar length to standard skateboards but have a large variety of different shapes. Cruiser skateboards are generally made of ABS, PU, maple, etc. ABS and PU materials are cheap and easy to produce, and many manufacturers use them as panel materials. A few manufacturers will choose maple, although its sliding properties are more stable and popular.
Longboards
If you are looking for a large stable board that makes it easy to learn to balance, the longboard is an ideal choice for you. Longboards are also excellent for mellow cruising, pushing long distances, and skating down hills at high speeds. The longboard has large and soft wheels. It is the largest, heaviest, and most expensive of the three types of skateboards, but it is also the most stable and fastest sliding type. The width of the longboard is usually 22.8~25.4cm, and the length is usually 84~150cm.
Skateboard Size Charts
What size skateboard should you get? We recommend starting with a skateboard deck width proportional to your shoe size. If you wear men's size 6.5 to 9, start with a deck width of 7.5 to 8.0 inches. If you wear shoes 9.5 or larger, we recommend getting a deck between 8.0 and 8.5 inches. The board deck is generally made of five-layer, seven-layer, or nine-layer wood board pressed by high pressure. The board can be Canadian maple, Chinese maple, or birch. And the size of the wheel is calculated in millimeters, and the most common is 52-56 mm.
Skateboard Deck Size Chart
Micro | Mini | Small | Mid | Full | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deck Width | 6.5"-6.75" | 7.0" | 7.3" | 7.5" | 7.7" |
Age | < 5 years old | 6-7 years old | 8-12 years old | 13-18 years old | more than 18 years old |
Height | < 3'4", 101.6 cm | 3'5''-4'4'', 104-132 cm | 4'5''-5'2'', 134-157 cm | 5'3''-5'8'', 160-172 cm | > 5'7'', > 170 cm |
US Shoe Size | 0-3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 7-8 | > 9 |
EU Shoe Size | 35 | 36-37.5 | 38-39.5 | 40-42 | > 42 |
UK Shoe Size | 0-23 | 3-4 | 5-6 | 6-7 | > 8 |
Skateboard Truck Size Chart
Truck Manufacturers | Size | Type | Height | Recommended Truck Width |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ace | 22 Classic 5.0'' | Mid | 52 mm | 7'' - 7.75'' |
03 Low 5.375'' | Low | 48 mm | 7.75'' - 8.125'' | |
33 Classic 5.375'' | Mid | 52 mm | 7.75'' - 8.125'' | |
44 Classic 5.75'' | Mid | 52 mm | 8.125'' - 8.5'' | |
55 Classic 6.375'' | Mid | 52 mm | 8.5'' - 9.12'' | |
Destructo | 5.25 Low | Mid | 50 mm | 7.875'' - 8.125'' |
5.25 Mid | High | 56 mm | 7.875'' - 8.125'' | |
Independent | 129 Low | Low | 48 mm | 7.375'' - 7.75'' |
129 Standard | High | 55 mm | 7.375'' - 7.75'' | |
139 Low | Low | 48 mm | 7.875'' - 8.125'' | |
139 Standard | High | 55 mm | 7.875'' - 8.125'' | |
144 Standard | High | 55 mm | 8.125'' - 8.375'' | |
149 Standard | High | 55 mm | 8.125'' - 8.375'' |
Skateboard Wheels Size Chart
Wheels Size | Skateboarding Style |
---|---|
49 mm - 52 mm | Technical Skateboarding |
52 mm - 55 mm | All Around and Street Skateboarding |
55 mm - 60 mm | Street Skateboarding |
60 mm - 65 mm | Cruising and Transportation |
65 mm - 70 mm | Longboarding |
70 mm+ | Downhill Racing |
Wheel Hardness/Durometer | Riding Characteristics | Skateboarding Style |
---|---|---|
78a - 87a | Soft Wheel, High Grip, Comfort Riding, Slow | Downhill Racing and Longboarding |
88a - 95a | Medium Soft Wheel, Good Grip, Cushioned Ride, Fast Spped | Cruising and Transportation |
96a - 101a | Medium Hard Wheel, Average Grip, Cushioned Ride, Moderately Fast | Street and Park Skateboarding |
101a+ | Hard Wheel, Poor Grip, Sensitive Ride, Super Fast | Technical, Street and Park Skateboarding |
While choosing the right skateboard size is largely a personal preference, there are three important factors to consider when selecting the right board size: riding style, body height, and shoe size. It is crucial to choose the size and curvature of the board that suits your riding style and height.