Skateboarding is nothing less than an adventure sport. No doubt it is challenging to learn, but it gets really addictive once you master it.
I am a fifty-three-year-old Texan woman, and trust me when I say I get more than a handful of funny looks every time I set out skating on my board.
People ask me all types of questions about why I like to skate, why do I do it at my age, etc., but I never let that discourage me. Over the years, I’ve learned to answer them with a courteous “because I love it.”
After learning to cycle and roller skate, it felt only obvious to me to master skateboarding as it speaks to my adventurous, outdoorsy spirit. If you are questioning learning this skill, I’ll say go ahead and take a plunge, irrespective of your age and gender.
Hello you guys, it’s me, Stacy Smith, and I am back with yet another cool guide. If you’ve been wondering, “what size skateboard should I get?” then this guide is exactly what you are looking for.
Today I’ll share all my tips and tricks for picking the right skateboard with you all. Let’s get started!
Types Of Skateboards
Before discussing the ideal size, let me acquaint you with the different types of skateboards available on the market.
1. Standard Skateboards
Best suited for newbies, standard skateboards are excellent for skating pits, street skating, and all other major types. I began my skating journey with this one, so I can vouch you are in for a good ride.
The structure has a symmetrical tail and nose, looking like a popsicle stick in design. This helps in balancing the body weight better and minimizes the chances of falling.
Bestseller No. 1
WhiteFang Skateboards, Complete Skateboard 31 x 7.88, 7 Layer Canadian Maple Double Kick Concave Standard and Tricks for Kids and Beginners (Diamond)
- Solid&Durable : 7 layers Canadian maple deck,31.75"*7.88", offers perfect balance between toughness and weight. Maximum load weight up to 220 pounds, equipped with 5 inch aluminium alloy trucks. Reliable for beginner and skilled.
- Smooth&Speedy : Super smooth (52mm,95A)High rebound PU wheels with ABEC-9 precision bearings and 95A High rebound PU bushing; Our wheel can give you quick response from the ground,suitable for commuting, skate parks, ramps, pools and other smooth surfaces or even rough ground.
- Master New Tricks : ️Design for beginners and skilled, double kick dissymmetric concave combines with customized emery sand paper give your feet enough locked feeling ,help you learn new tricks quickly.
Bestseller No. 2
Sakar Minecraft Mob 31 inch Skateboard, 9-ply Maple Deck Skate Board for Cruising, Carving, Tricks and Downhill
- Perfect for beginners: This 31 inch skateboard is a versatile choice for both beginners and pros that want just the right balance of convenience, safety, and stability; it's the perfect choice for anyone that wants to ease into skateboarding
- Portable and lightweight: Thanks to a sturdy wooden build coupled with the lightweight, our skateboard for cruising makes the perfect companion for your outdoor trips and travels; it's easy to carry around making it ideal for anyone that wants to skate anywhere they want
- Sturdy and stable build: The complete skateboard deck is made using durable and sturdy maple wood to add strength and stiffness while also gives it a stylish flair; it offers more traction for your feet and gives better control when skating
2. Cruiser Skateboards
Cruiser skateboards are similar to the standard ones in length but vary a great deal in shape. They have a streamlined, boat-like shape and are lightweight.
Unlike the standard type, cruisers are used with soft wheels that roll swiftly. These skateboards are nimble, enabling you to weave and bob through the obstacles in your path.
Additionally, they come pre-assembled, so you don’t have to worry about setting them up. If you want a board to travel from one place to another, cruisers are your best bet.
Bestseller No. 1
Magneto Cruiser Skateboard - Portable Adult Cruiser Board & Double Kicktail Deck - Kids 6-8 Skateboard with Tiki Style - 27.5 x 7.5 in Deck, 7-Ply Canadian Maple
- California Vibes: Dive into the Californian surf culture with the Magneto Cruiser Skateboard, perfect for kids ages 6-12 and adults alike. Its sleek Tiki design and durable maple deck make it a standout cruiser skateboard for adults
- Portable Thrills: This compact mini cruiser skateboard is designed for on-the-go fun, making it ideal for kids skateboard adventures. At 27.5 inches, it's easy to carry and brings endless excitement to kids ages 6-12
- Kicktail Versatility: With double kicktails, this skateboard complete is perfect for nailing tricks like ollies and mannies. Its surfskate vibe offers a smooth ride while allowing for creative skateboarding maneuvers
Bestseller No. 2
Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboard - Portable Bamboo Mini Longboard - Double-Kick Concave Carving Skateboard - 27.5 in x 7.5 in Deck, Bamboo
- Magneto Vibes: Experience the thrill with the Magneto skateboard, featuring a bamboo mini longboard design. Perfect for adults and kids, this board delivers top-notch performance and style for all skaters
- Portable Fun: Easily carry your skateboard anywhere with this compact design. Ideal for kids and adults, the bamboo cruiser skateboard's size makes it perfect for on-the-go adventures
- Trick Ready: Conquer the streets with versatile kicktails for all your tricks. Whether you're doing ollies or carving sharp turns, this wooden cruiser is built for fun and creativity
3. Longboards
Equipped with large wheels, longboards are large-sized and convenient to navigate, making it easier for you to balance. They are exceptionally good for downhill skating owing to their easy-to-navigate structure.
Longboards are also ideal for covering large distances and for soft or mellow cruises. If you plan to spend an evening just skating around the lake and watching the sunset, longboards are the way to go.
Bestseller No. 1
Nattork 42 Inch Cruiser Longboard Skateboard Complete 8 Ply Canadian Hard Maple for Commuting, Carving & Downhill Riding with T-Tool, Made for Adults, Teens and Kids
- DURABLE HYBRID CONSTRUCTION: 8-Ply Canadian Maple Core Engineered for superior strength-to-flex ratio, our hybrid deck absorbs vibrations for smooth rides while supporting riders up to 260 lbs – higher than standard boards! Natural bamboo layers add springy responsiveness, reinforced by rock-solid maple durability.
- ADVANCED DROP-THROUGH TRUCKS: Low-riding inverted trucks (forged aluminum) deliver ultimate stability for beginners and carve-ready precision for pros. Push easier, turn smoother, and feel confident bombing hills or navigating campus sidewalks.
- ABEC-11 BEARINGS, ROLL FASTER, ROLL LONGER: High-speed ABEC-11 chrome bearings outperform standard ABEC-7/9 with minimized friction. Get instant acceleration, maintain momentum longer, and enjoy near-silent rides – zero maintenance required.
4. Shaped Decks
As the name suggests, shaped decks have a slightly peculiar shape. They do not have a uniform or symmetrical build like other types - the tail or nose is pointed, angular, or just differently “shaped” in general.
Bestseller No. 1
Moose Old School Skateboard Deck (10" x 33", Natural)
- CLASSIC SHAPE - This old school skateboard deck features the full body shape with a modern concave, large kicktail, and a kicked nose. Measures 10” x 33”
- VERSATILE - The concave provides stability, and great control. This deck is perfect for both cruising and skating the park
- CUSTOMIZABLE- You have the freedom to customize this blank deck anyway you please. If you don’t want to ride it, you can paint it and hang it!
Parameters To Consider
Once you have decided which style to go for, you can move on to consider the size.
1. Terrain And Riding Style
Transition skating includes skating on vert, parks, and pools and is easier on a broader skate deck. You’ll like it if you want increased stability and more surface area to move around.
However, if you like being a little adventurous and want to execute flip tricks and ollies effortlessly, you’d be better off with a narrow board. So, a deck under eight inches with a lightweight setup will do the job.
What’s more, make a mental note of these board width measurements and choose the one that suits your purpose:
- 7 to 7.5 inches: Narrow deck, suitable for young learners
- 7.5 to 8 inches: Well suited for executing technical tricks, perfect for both teens and adults
- 8 to 8.5 inches: Suitable for various transition and street terrains like pools, stairs, rails, etc.
- 8.5 inches and up: Excellent for cruising and tough street tricks
2. Body Measurements
Your body structure and mass distribution play a key role in choosing the right skateboard. Let’s have a closer look at the relationship between different body measurements and board size.
A. Height
Height determines the distance between the ground and your center of gravity. The taller you are, the farther is the center of gravity from the floor. That’s why tall people find it difficult to maintain balance.
To stay safe and avoid accidents, it is essential to invest in a board that can keep up with your height. The basic rules to consider are:
- 4 feet 6 inches or shorter: Go for a board that lies in the range of 7.25 to 7.75 inches
- 4 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 6 inches: I suggest sticking to 7.75 to 8 inches
- 5 feet 6 inches or taller: The recommended breadth for tall people is 8 to 8.5 inches
B. Shoe Size
Ollieing, turning, and technical tricks require comfortable movements of feet on the skateboard. You need to test out the board while purchasing and see whether it accommodates your feet nicely.
If your toes and heels completely cover the board width and are only a quarter-inch out, then you have surely found the perfect size.
Final Words
Your board plays a massive role in your overall skateboarding experience, so you need to be extra cautious while picking one.
I hope you were able to gain some insight on the topic after reading today’s guide. You need to consider four basic features while buying a board: riding style, weight, height, and foot size.
Go for narrower boards if you want to do tricks and cruise boards for traveling long distances; wider decks provide better stability if you want to transition skate. That’s it for this guide, guys.
See you next time, and I hope you had a fun time reading!