How to choose the right skateboard
Glisse Budget Advice
“Choosing your board is choosing your style.
Street, surfskate or cruising — the important thing is to ride often and with a smile.”
1. Why is it important to choose your skateboard carefully?
Skateboarding is the foundation of many board sports — surfing, snowboarding, or even kitesurfing.
Choosing your board carefully ensures:
-
More stability and control
-
Fewer unnecessary falls
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And most importantly, more fun with every session
But between street, cruiser, longboard, or surfskate, the choice isn't always simple.
Here's the Glisse Budget guide to help you find your ideal board.
2. The main types of skateboards
|
Board Type |
Main Use |
Riding Style |
Recommended Level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Classic Skateboard (street/park) |
Tricks, skatepark, sidewalks |
Technical, responsive |
Beginner to expert |
|
Cruiser |
Urban commutes, casual rides |
Smooth, compact, fast |
All levels |
|
Longboard |
Downhill, long rides, carving |
Stable, smooth, comfortable |
Beginner to advanced |
|
Surfskate |
Surf imitation, tight turns |
Surf feeling on asphalt |
All levels |
|
Old School |
Bowl, pool, old style |
Wide, stable, retro |
Advanced to nostalgic |
Each board corresponds to a "gliding mindset" — choose based on your feeling, not just your level.
3. Choosing the deck size
🔹 Width
Width (in inches) determines stability and maneuverability.
|
Width |
Practice Type |
Ideal for |
|
7.5" – 8.0" |
Street, tricks |
Children / teenagers / lighter skaters |
|
8.0" – 8.25" |
Versatile (street + park) |
Average build |
|
8.25" – 8.5" |
Ramp, bowl, cruising |
Average to sturdy build |
|
8.5" and + |
Bowl, old school, surfskate |
Powerful or old school riders |
Wider = more stable, but less responsive.
🔹 Length
-
28 to 32 inches: classic skateboard
-
32 to 42 inches: longboard, surfskate
-
>42 inches: downhill longboard
Longer boards offer comfort and stability, perfect for beginners.
4. Components to know
|
Component |
Description |
Good to know |
|
Deck |
The wooden board (generally 7-ply maple) |
More plies = more rigid |
|
Grip |
Abrasive paper on top |
Provides grip for shoes |
|
Trucks |
Metal parts under the deck |
Influence maneuverability |
|
Wheels |
Size + hardness = skateboard behavior |
Soft = comfort, hard = tricks |
|
Bearings |
Allow the wheels to spin |
Rated ABEC 1 to 9 (higher = faster) |
5. Choosing wheels
|
Type |
Diameter (mm) |
Hardness (durometer) |
Use |
|
Street |
50–54 mm |
99A–101A |
Fast and hard, perfect for tricks |
|
Park / Bowl |
54–58 mm |
95A–99A |
Versatile, good compromise |
|
Cruiser / Longboard |
60–75 mm |
78A–85A |
Soft and comfortable |
|
Surfskate |
65–70 mm |
78A |
Strong grip and fluid carving |
Hard wheels = speed and tricks, soft wheels = comfort and stability.
6. Trucks and adjustments
-
Truck width = deck width.
-
Height :
-
Low → street, tricks.
-
Mid → versatile.
-
High → cruising / large wheels.
Well-adjusted trucks make all the difference in ride fluidity.
7. Essential accessories
|
Accessory |
Usefulness |
|
Helmet |
Mandatory protection for beginners |
|
Knee pads, elbow pads, gloves |
Safety, especially in bowl / downhill |
|
Skate tool multi-tool |
Adjust trucks, wheels, axles |
|
Skate shoes |
Flat sole for good grip |
|
Skate bag / cover |
Easy and practical transport |
Style is good, safety is better — especially at the beginning.
8. Skateboard maintenance
✅ Regularly tighten screws and trucks.
✅ Keep your grip clean (brush + damp cloth).
✅ Change bearings if the board slows down.
✅ Avoid water (it damages wood and bearings).
✅ Store your skateboard away from humidity.
A well-maintained skateboard lasts for years and always rides better.
