Are you looking to buy your first skateboard? If so you might be wondering what size skateboard should I get? There are so many different sizes that it can be overwhelming and damn right confusing. But don’t sweat it because we have you covered and will make choosing the right size skateboard for you an easy process.

We will also show you how to set up your new skateboard so you can start shredding asap!

Everything You Need To Know About Buying A Skateboard

What Size Skateboards Are There?

Skateboard decks come in many sizes but the main ones are as follows

7.5-inches to 8.0-inches: street skating, skateparks, technical tricks
8.0-inches to 8.25-inches: street skating, skateparks, transition
8.25-inches or higher: street skating , skateparks, vert ramps, pools

what-size-skateboard-should-I-buy-complete-set-up-guide-

7.5 – 7.75 inches SMALL SIZE RIDERS
8.0 – 8.25 inches MEDIUM SIZE RIDERS
8.5 – 8.75 inches LARGER SIZE RIDERS

This is a general reference on skateboard deck size but most importantly is picking the right skateboard deck for your size. See below.

Sizing Your Skateboard Deck

Here we show you a simple way of finding a board that is generally the right size for you. If you use this method you will be in the ball park of what will be the easiest size board for you to ride.

This is IMPORTANT. If the board is too small it will be harder to balance and if the board is too big it will be harder to control. Let’s take a look at shoe size and rider height.

Shoe Size

Rider Height

These are some simple steps to follow when purchasing your first skateboard deck. Once you have gained some of the basic skills and techniques of skateboarding you may change the deck size you ride depending on what type of skating you are doing.

The main thing is to make sure the first skateboard deck you buy is as close to these guidelines as possible which will ensure you progress easier and faster.

What Is Grip Tape and How To Apply It?

Once you have chosen your skateboard deck you will need to apply grip tape. Grip tape is a sandpaper like material on the top side and it has an adhesive bottom so you can stick it to your skateboard.

Skateboard grip tape is a very important part of a skateboard. It allows you to grip your shoes to the top of the board and insure you don’t slide off while helping you keep your balance when riding.

Here is a step by step guide on how to apply grip tape to your board. If you are unsure what grip to buy check out What Type Of Grip Tape Do I Need For My Skateboard?

How To Apply Grip Tape

First you will need a skateboard deck, grip tape, and a box knife.
Lay the skateboard deck on a flat surface to make it easier when applying the grip.
The next step is to peel the paper from the grip tape to reveal the adhesive (just like a sticker).
Lay the grip tape over the deck making sure its completely covered from top to bottom and side to side.

Place the grip down at one end of the deck and start to pad the grip down working your way to the other end making sure there are no air bubbles. If you have air bubbles apply pressure to make them stick down to the deck.
Now you want to use something like a screwdriver to run around the edge of the board to give you a guideline to cut the excess grip.

Now you have a guideline its time to put that box knife to use! It’s time to remove the excess grip tape.
Use the box knife to cut around the edge of the deck and be sure to do this on a flat surface and always take safety precautions when using knives!

After the grip tape is cut to shape you can use the excess grip tape to sand down the edges of the deck to make it smoother.
Now you want to use your truck bolts to make holes in the grip tape where the trucks screw on. To do this push the bolts through the holes from the bottom of the deck. Once you have done all eight holes your deck has been officially gripped!

Skateboard Trucks

Trucks are the next important component of a skateboard and truck size does matter! Like skateboard decks, trucks also come in a range of sizes and it can be another confusing process figure out what is the right size for your deck.

Your trucks should not be wider than your skateboard deck as this can hinder the performance of your skateboard. The part of the truck that spans the width of your deck is called the axle and this is how trucks are measured.

The axle size needs to be the same size as your deck width or very close to the same size. The trucks will either be measured in millimeters or inches depending on the brand.

For example if you have a size 8.0 deck you will need size 139 trucks or size 5.25 depending on what measurement the truck brand uses. This may sound confusing but it’s not if you follow the truck guide.

How To Mount Skateboard Trucks

Wheels, Bearings and Hardware

To complete your skateboard you are going to need wheels, bearings, and hardware.

Hardware

Hardware are the nuts and bolts used to fasten the trucks to the deck. There are 4 holes in each truck so you will need a total of 8 bolts and 8 nuts. Hardware comes in phillips head or allen wrench bolts. Both work just as well as each other.

Wheels

Wheels are another component that might have you scratching your head. Size and durometer are the only thing we are going to discuss.

Firstly lets talk a little bit about durometer. Durometer measures the wheels hardness. Harder wheels are faster and softer wheels are slower but have better grip. The best all round wheel durometer for beginners is 96a to 99a and will be good for skateparks and ramps. This is as far as we are going to dive into durometer.

Now its time to look at wheel size. Skateboard wheels are measured in millimeters (mm). Smaller wheels are slower and larger wheels are faster. The most common and best size for beginners is 54 mm to 56 mm and is a good all round wheel size for skateparks and ramps and just about everything.

Read More: Best Skateboard Wheels On A Budget

Bearings

Bearings are the final piece of the puzzle for your complete skateboard set up. Each wheel takes 2 bearings for a total of eight. It’s important to buy at a minimum some mid range bearings to ensure your skateboard rolls nice and smooth. Bones Reds are my recommendation.

How To Install Wheels And Bearings

Hopefully this helps you with your decision when purchasing a skateboard. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or tell us about your recent skateboard purchase. Happy shredding!!

What Size Skateboard To Buy – Beginners Set Up Guide

Everything You Need To Know About Buying A Skateboard

What Size Skateboards Are There?