Welcome to Hawaiisurf's ultimate buying guide for choosing your skateboard! If you are looking for the perfect skateboard deck, you are in the right place!
At Hawaiisurf, we understand how crucial it is to select the board that perfectly matches your needs, your skate style, and especially, the right skill level! Our comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the selection process, focusing on the essential criteria to help you make the most informed decision. Whether you are an enthusiastic beginner or a seasoned skate veteran, we have gathered the essential information to help you choose the board that will provide you with unforgettable experiences on wheels.
Throughout this guide, we will explore in detail the different types of skateboards, the key components, and the features that define each model. You will also discover tips and advice to find the board that best suits your riding style. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary information so that you can make an informed decision and purchase the perfect skateboard for you.
How to choose the skateboard that suits you best based on your practice?
Before exploring the site to find the new perfect skateboard deck, it is essential to understand the various styles of skateboards:
Skateboard Street
Choose a popsicle-shaped skateboard for tricks in the skatepark, street, and on mini-ramps. This versatile board is equipped with kicktails at the front and back, allowing you to ride switch with ease. Its length typically ranges between 28" and 33".
Bowl & Pipe
Bowls and pools have a fascinating history in the world of skateboarding. Let's go back to the beginnings of skateboarding, when pioneers emptied Californian swimming pools to skate them. Today, we are witnessing a renewed interest in this classic style. Skateboards adapted for bowls are wider, offering increased stability when descending steep walls, and they are equipped with a kicktail for tricks.
Cruiser
The cruisers are wider boards equipped with a single kicktail. They are ideal for a pleasant ride in the city, thanks to their maneuverability and versatility.
Surfskate
The surfskate, also called surf skate, is a board that replicates the sensations of surfing on asphalt. It offers a unique sliding experience, ideal for fans of sliding sports. To learn more, check out our buying guide dedicated to surfskates.
Longboards
Longboards excel in downhill riding over long distances, offering stability and speed. Their symmetrical shape and low center of gravity set them apart. Additionally, longboards allow the use of wide wheels thanks to their special cutouts.
Choose a Complete Skateboard or a Skateboard to Assemble?
When you decide to excel in skateboarding, one of the most delicate decisions is choosing between a pre-assembled complete skateboard or building your own board from A to Z. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of these options to make the best decision.
Skateboard Complet
If you are new to skating, opting for a complete skateboard is a wise choice. These boards are ready to use right out of the box, requiring no adjustments. They come with all components preassembled, including trucks, wheels, bearings, and grip tape. Additionally, a complete skateboard is more affordable for beginners, offering excellent value for your first skating experiences.
Skateboard to assemble
If you choose to start from scratch by assembling your own skateboard deck, you get a board customized according to your preferences. This approach gives you the freedom to select each component to perfectly meet your needs. You start by choosing a deck with the ideal width for your body type, then pair it with trucks and wheels suited to your skating style. Advanced skaters appreciate this customization, as each element is carefully tailored to their specific needs.
The essential elements for a custom skateboard setup
Plank
The skateboard deck serves as the base for all the other components. Choosing the right size is the first essential step to start practicing with confidence!
Trucks
The choice of skateboard trucks suitable for the width of your board is crucial. Higher trucks promote powerful ollies, while lower trucks ensure optimal stability for street skateboarding. Explore more tips in our buying guide on skateboard trucks.
Wheels
The choice of your wheels significantly influences your skateboarding experience. Small wheels offer quick acceleration and are suitable for street skateboarding, thanks to their lightness. Larger wheels provide optimal stability for cruising and longboarding. Explore our additional tips in our skateboard wheels buying guide.
Bearings
Skateboard bearings are the key component connecting your wheels and trucks, thus ensuring the performance of your skateboard. All skateboard bearings are standard size, making them compatible with all wheels, whether for a classic skateboard or a longboard.
Fisheries
The skateboard hardware includes the nuts and bolts essential for securely attaching the trucks to the deck. If you choose riser pads as well, you may need a set of longer hardware.
Grip
The grip, stuck on the top part of your board, plays an essential role in improving your performance when performing tricks. At HawaiiSurf, with the purchase of a deck, we offer you the Grip!
Choosing the Ideal Skateboard Deck Size?
When buying a skateboard deck, the width is of crucial importance. Choosing the right deck size depends on your height, shoe size, and riding style.
As a general rule, narrower boards are ideal for smaller riders, women, and children. If you are taller, heavier, or have larger feet, opt for a wider board that will offer increased stability.
The Concave: A Crucial Platform for Your Feet
When you observe a skateboard deck from the side, you will notice a curvature between the edges, called the concave. This feature affects the position of your feet on the board and plays a major role in the performance of your skateboard. There are three main types of concaves to consider.
Concave Low (light)
A concave Low proves ideal for the halfpipe, mini-ramp, and pool riding, offering increased stability when navigating large features, whether in the halfpipe or just cruising.
Concave Medium
A medium-sized concave suits many riders, offering a balance between ease of flipping and increased stability, perfect for riding in mini-ramps and vertical ramps.
Concave High (high)
The deep concave offers the most pronounced curve, making it easier to apply pressure on the edges of the board, resulting in simplified execution of technical tricks.
Key Points to Examine on a Skateboard Deck
Skateboards feature a variety of characteristics and technologies. Discover the key elements to familiarize yourself with the components and the points to consider when reviewing a board.
Board length
Skateboards vary in length, typically measuring between 28" and 33" from nose to tail. It is essential to focus on the width rather than the length when choosing your board, as this has a major impact on performance.
The wheelbase
The distance between the mounting holes of the trucks, also known as the wheelbase, plays a crucial role in the relationship between the trucks and the wheels of a skateboard.
Kicktail
The kicktail, the raised part at the end of your skateboard, plays an essential role in performing tricks such as ollies and kickflips. Most skateboards are equipped with it on both sides, thus offering the possibility to perform ollies and other tricks in switch stance.
Nose et Tail
The nose corresponds to the front part of your skateboard, while the tail represents the rear part. It should be noted that on some skateboards, the nose may have a slightly different curve than the tail.
Construction
Most skateboards are generally made from seven layers of wood firmly pressed and bonded with an adhesive resin. Maple, known for its strength and lightness, is the wood most commonly used in their construction. High-end models sometimes incorporate carbon fiber or other laminates to further reinforce the board without excessively increasing its weight.
In summary, choosing the perfect skateboard deck is a crucial step for skaters of all levels. HawaiiSurf is your trusted partner in this search, offering a diverse range of high-quality skateboard decks from renowned brands, along with expert skate advice. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, finding the ideal board is essential for your skate experience. Our wide selection and expertise are at your disposal to guide you towards the optimal choice. To ride with style and confidence, explore our options on HawaiiSurf and be sure to complete your gear with essential protective gear for safe practice. Get ready to experience unforgettable moments on your skateboard, while benefiting from the quality and know-how of HawaiiSurf.
