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Skateboard Buying Guide for Intermediate Skaters
Choosing the best skateboard is a task that requires careful consideration when you are an intermediate skateboarder. With experience and advancement in skill level, you have developed your own personal preferences, and it is important that you get the best skateboard to further progress as a skateboarder.
Whether you are getting a new complete skateboard, or upgrading your existing setup with new high-quality parts, this guide is designed to provide you with the advice you need to buy the ideal skateboard as an intermediate skateboarder, focused on developing skills and learning new tricks.
Overview
Overview
Types of Skateboards – Different Skateboards for Different Styles
All types of skateboards consist of a deck, two trucks, and four wheels, but they vary in specifications and dimensions. Therefore, it's crucial to start by asking yourself: What type of skateboarder am I?
Are you primarily focused on technical flip tricks, or do you also enjoy big stairs? Do you prefer street spots, skateparks, or transition skateboarding like vert and bowls? Your style of skateboarding plays a big role when you are trying to find a skateboard that is fine-tuned to your needs.
However, most skateboarders don't stick to just one skateboarding discipline, and it would also be boring to strictly limit yourself to one discipline. You don't have to have a different skateboard for each type of skateboarding, but it is a good idea to focus on your primary passion when you are getting a new skateboard.
Below, we've categorized skateboarding into three main disciplines: street, park, and transition. But don’t get hung up on categorizations; if you have a street-oriented setup and suddenly feel the urge to skate a bowl – go ahead!
Transition Skateboards: Pool Skateboards and Vert Skateboards
Transition skateboards are designed for tricks on quarter pipes, half pipes, and bowls with transitions that go from horizontal to vertical at a 90-degree angle. Vert skateboarding, one of the most iconic styles of skateboarding, is renowned for its huge air tricks on massive half pipes. Even dropping in on a vert requires considerable courage.
Skateboarding pools and bowls represents a distinct form of transitional skateboarding and is in fact the predecessor of vert. In the past, skateboarders would skate empty swimming pools, and these pioneering sessions in empty pools eventually led to the development of purpose-built skate pools and bowls.
Transition skateboards, whether it's pool skateboards or vert skateboards, typically feature larger wheels and decks compared to street setups. The higher speeds and bigger tricks of transition skateboarding necessitate a more stable setup. In transition setups, a larger wheelbase is also common, providing added stability and control. A larger wheelbase results in a larger turning radius. However, this may not be desirable if you enjoy "surfing" in pools and bowls, where you may prefer the ability to do tighter turns when carving and changing direction.
Street Skateboards
Street skateboards are typically narrower and lower than skateboards for transition. They feature smaller and harder wheels for improved maneuverability and durability, enhancing responsiveness and facilitating easier flipping and spinning maneuvers.
Street skateboarding is often associated with the development of skateboards featuring kick tails on both ends. This innovation ultimately led to the popsicle skateboard deck shape, which has more or less become a standard in skateboarding. The double kicktails make it possible to execute lines consisting of several consecutive tricks, utilizing the skateboard from all angles while performing tricks in fakie stance or popping nollie tricks etc.
Street skateboarding is an art form that involves a transformative and creative engagement with the city’s architecture. Skateboarders repurpose urban landscapes, turning mundane objects like stairs and handrails into opportunities for self-expression and experimentation. This dynamic interaction between skateboarders and the streets has helped to push skateboarding in new and interesting directions since the late 1980s and early 90s.
Park Skateboards
The ideal skateboard setup for park ultimately depends on a) your preferences and b) the specific park where you skate the most. Skateparks vary widely, featuring diverse obstacles ranging from ramps and rails to verts and pools.
Surfaces can range from concrete to asphalt to wooden floors, and parks come in various sizes – from massive arenas designed for competitions to smaller, makeshift areas for casual skate sessions with friends.
As a result, there's no standard setup for park skateboarding, and if you primarily skate in parks, it's natural to base your setup on what works best in your specific park. For instance, if your favorite skate park has smooth, slippery floors, opting for a slightly softer durometer rating can enhance your grip and overall performance.
Complete or Custom Skateboard – Are Complete Skateboards Worth It for Intermediate Skateboarders?
Getting a complete skateboard can be a practical choice for intermediate skateboarders, especially if their current setup needs a full replacement. However, it's crucial to ensure that the complete skateboard meets your specific needs and is made of good parts.
Complete skateboards typically consist of parts that are of an inferior quality compared to the parts you get when you buy them individually, but a complete skateboard is also cheaper. If opting for a complete skateboard, prioritize well-known skateboard brands and pay attention to key specifications such as deck width, wood type (avoiding Chinese maple), wheel diameter, wheel hardness, and truck manufacturer to get acceptable performance and durability.
Building your own skateboard allows you to select each part of your skateboard according to your specific preferences. Additionally, you'll notice that certain parts of your setup may wear down faster than others, making it necessary to customize your setup.
The lifespan of your skateboard parts largely depends on your style of skateboarding. Grinds will wear down the trucks faster, while powerslides cause wheel wear. Typically, the deck wears down the fastest and therefore requires more frequent replacement.
- Check out our selection of Complete Skateboards
- Build a custom skateboard with SkatePro's Custom Skateboard Builder
When to Get a New Skateboard Deck?
You will know that it’s time to replace your skateboard deck when it begins to chip or delaminate, and when it feels softer and loses its original snappy pop. Even if there are no visible signs of damage like chipping, over time it will get saggy and less enjoyable to skate on. Ultimately, the right time to get a new skateboard deck is when you feel it will enhance your experience and make it more enjoyable.
Choosing the Perfect Skateboard Deck
Selecting the perfect skateboard deck involves considerations beyond just aesthetics. Factors such as size, shape, concave, and wood type play crucial roles in determining performance and comfort. Understanding how these elements interact with your style of skateboarding and your personal preferences is important when you are searching for the perfect skateboard deck.
- Size: Find the ideal size based on your shoe size and skateboarding style. Make sure that the width of the deck matches the axle width of your trucks.
- Wood Types: As an intermediate skateboarder, you want to avoid softer wood like chinese maple, but in general, 7-ply maple is what you need.
- Concave: The concave of a skateboard deck refers to the curvature along its width. Concave significantly affects how the deck feels and how securely it locks onto your feet while riding.
Get expert advice on skateboard decks right here:
How Long Do Skateboard Trucks Last?
High-quality skateboard trucks typically last for years, but there are signs indicating when it's time for replacement. If the hangers are worn in a way that disrupts grinds or stalls, or if you've ground all the way through to the axle, it's a good indication that new trucks are needed. In the event of a snapped kingpin due to heavy shredding, replacing just the kingpin is possible. If your bushings wear down faster than the rest of the truck, consider getting fresh skateboard bushings for a completely renewed feel. And remember, you can always adjust the tightness of your trucks by either tightening or loosening the kingpin nut!
Check out our selection of skateboard trucks and parts to find what you need:
Choosing the Perfect Skateboard Trucks
When getting new skateboard trucks, consider the following key factors:
- Size: Ensure the width of your trucks matches the width of your deck to maintain stability and avoid interference with your shoes during tricks.
- Truck Height: Choose between low, mid, or high trucks based on your preference for stability, wheel clearance, and ease of control.
- Truck Weight: Consider the weight of the trucks, as lighter trucks can offer advantages for tricks, but remember that weight correlates with size.
If you wish to learn more about skateboard trucks, you can check out our guide:
When to Get New Skateboard Wheels
Skateboard wheels are durable but will eventually wear down with frequent use. You'll notice they get smaller over time or develop flat spots where they're worn on a single spot. These flat spots can be annoying and hinder your skateboarding experience. If you encounter any of these issues, it's time to consider getting new skateboard wheels.
Over time, skateboard wheels tend to wear faster on the outer edge, and this reduces the riding surface or contact patch. To ensure even wear and increase their lifespan, it's recommended to rotate skateboard wheels now and then. Simply remove the wheels and switch them in a cross-pattern: the front right wheel becomes the rear left wheel, and the rear left wheel becomes the front right wheel. Repeat this pattern for the remaining wheels. This rotation method helps distribute wear more evenly across all wheels.
Choosing the Perfect Skateboard Wheels
This is a brief summary of what to consider when getting new skateboard wheels:
- Size/Diameter: Choose the right wheel size based on your style of skateboarding and terrain preference. Smaller wheels offer agility and responsiveness, while larger wheels provide stability and speed.
- Hardness (Durometer): Select the appropriate durometer rating for your wheels based on the surface you skate on and your personal preference for grip versus slide. Softer wheels offer more grip and shock absorption, while harder wheels provide greater speed and durability.
- Shape and Contact Patch: Consider the shape of the wheels and the size of the contact patch/riding surface. Narrow contact patches offer increased responsiveness and are better for tricks, while wider contact patches provide more grip and stability.
Check out our guide to get further advice on everything related to skateboard wheels:
Skateboard Size: How do You Know What Size Skateboard to Get?
When selecting the right skateboard deck size, always ensure that the width is right for your feet and preferences, because deck width has a substantial influence on the way it feels when you skate. Referencing a size chart can help determine whether a smaller or wider deck is suitable based on your shoe size. If the deck is too narrow, it may feel unstable, whereas if it's too wide, maneuverability can be compromised. As a general rule, if you wear European size 45 shoes or larger, opt for a deck that is at least 8 inches wide to facilitate proper landing during tricks.
It's important to note that your style of skateboarding and personal preferences are significant factors when choosing a skateboard deck size. For those who focus on pool- or vert skateboarding, a wider deck than what is recommended in the chart is likely to be preferable.
| Skateboard Width | Recommended Age | Shoe size US | Shoe size UK | Shoe size EU |
| 6.5" | 3 - 5 | 6C - 11C | 5Y - 10Y | 23 - 28 |
| 6.75" | 3 - 5 | 7C - 11C | 6Y - 10Y | 24 - 28 |
| 6.825" | 4 - 6 | 9C - 12C | 8Y - 11Y | 26 - 30 |
| 7.0" | 5 - 7 | 10C - 1 | 9Y - 12Y | 28 - 32 |
| 7.125" | 6 - 8 | 11C - 2 | 10Y - 1 | 29 - 33 |
| 7.25" | 7 - 9 | 12C - 3 | 11Y - 2 | 30 - 34 |
| 7.375" | 8 - 10 | 13C - 4 | 12Y - 3 | 31 - 35 |
| 7.5" | 9 - 11 | 1 - 6 | 13Y - 5 | 32 - 38 |
| 7.625" | 10 - 12 | 2 - 7 | 1 - 6 | 33 - 39 |
| 7.75" | 12 - 14 | 4 - 9 | 3 - 8 | 35 - 42 |
| 7.875" | 12 - 14 | 4 - 9 | 3 - 8 | 35 - 42 |
| 8" & Up | 14 & Up | 9 & Up | 8 & Up | 42 & Up |
See our full guide:
