Skateboard Buying Guide

Nothing combines sports, transportation, and fun more than a skateboard -- but how do you choose the right skateboard for you? The three main components that make up a skateboard are the deck (what you stand on), the trucks (the part that attaches the wheels to the skateboard), and the wheels. All three components have variations, depending on how you will use your board. This skateboard buying guide will help you figure out how to buy a skateboard that will be right for you and your ability level.
Skateboard Decks:

Use: When choosing a skateboard deck, the first question to ask is "What do I want to do on my skateboard?" Will you use it to ride ledges, jump stairs, or slide down rails? Do you want to skate on ramps or do you just want to use your board for transportation?

Length and width: Traditional skateboards are generally 33 inches in length or shorter. The more tricks you do, the shorter your board should be, but if you want to ride ledges, rails, and stairs, you'll also want to make sure your board is no wider than 8 inches. If you want to do some ramp tricks but also use your board for basic transportation, pick a board that is between 8 inches and 8.5 inches wide. If your skateboard is strictly for transportation, the longer and wider it is, the better. The larger the deck you have, the greater your balance and control will be.

Concavity: When selecting a skateboard deck, you'll want to choose the concavity that best suits your skating style. Concavity, which is the curve of the board in relation to its raised nose and tail, determines how well-suited a board is to doing especially difficult tricks. Generally, decks have concave angles that are mellow, medium, or steep. A mellow deck is flatter and easier to learn to ride, but a medium deck lets you do more tricks, and a steep deck lets you do more involved tricks by allowing more maneuverability and agility.

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