So, you’ve finally decided to take up skateboarding? That’s great, but with so many options, how do you choose the perfect beginner skateboard? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best skateboard for beginners, focusing on the essential components, protective gear, and some useful tips to get you started on your skateboarding journey.
The 7 Best Skateboards for Beginners
When starting, it’s best to opt for a complete skateboard, which comes pre-assembled with all the necessary components. Here’s a quick list of the best complete skateboards for beginners:
- Powell Golden Dragon
- Santa Cruz Classic Dot
- Blind Classic Kenny Complete
- Enjoi Whitey Panda Complete
- Birdhouse Skateboards Complete
- Flip Odyssey Dots Complete
- Sector 9 Highline Complete
Now that you have an overview of the best beginner skateboards, let’s take a closer look at each option.
1. Powell Golden Dragon Complete Skateboard
Features
- 7.48-inch deck width
- 7-ply maple wood deck with AirLam technology
- High-rebound polyurethane wheels
- Grip tape with cool graphics
- High-quality aluminum trucks
- Soft wheels for a smoother ride on rough surfaces
Detailed Review
The Powell Golden Dragon Complete Skateboard is an excellent choice for beginners looking for a durable and high-quality skateboard. With a 7.48-inch deck width, it provides a versatile size suitable for a wide range of shoe sizes and skating preferences. The maple wood deck, featuring AirLam technology, ensures longevity and a responsive riding experience.
One of the standout features of this beginner skateboard is the high-rebound polyurethane wheels, which provide a smoother ride on rough surfaces and a better grip for street skating. The soft wheels make it easier to learn new tricks and provide more stability during transitions.
This option also boasts high-quality aluminum trucks to keep you stable during turns. However, some riders may need to adjust the trucks for a personalized turning experience.
While the skateboard comes with pre-installed bearings, upgrading to higher-quality bearings can significantly enhance ride quality. The combination of reliable components, a beginner-focused design, and cool graphics make this skateboard an excellent choice for new skaters looking for a well-built and stylish skateboard to start their journey.
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2. Santa Cruz Classic Dot
Features
- 7.8 to 8.25-inch deck width options
- 7-ply North American maple wood deck
- Medium concave design for better control
- Bullet aluminum trucks
- 52mm, 95A OJ Wheels
Detailed Review
The Santa Cruz Classic Dot skateboard offers both style and performance for beginners. The wood deck lasts longer and is more stable because of the North American maple wood material. Also, the medium concave design creates the balance you need as a beginner. With multiple deck width options, skaters can choose the best size to suit their needs.
Bullet aluminum trucks offer reliable and responsive turns, ensuring a smooth and stable ride. The 52mm, 95A OJ street wheels create a steady balance between grip and hardness, making them suitable for various terrains, including a skate park.
Featuring the iconic Santa Cruz graphics, this skateboard stands out from the crowd. Although the price point is slightly higher than some other beginner options, the Santa Cruz Classic Dot offers excellent quality and a stylish design, making it a great investment for new skaters.
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3. Blind Classic Kenny Complete
Features
- 7.88-inch deck width
- 7-ply Canadian maple wood deck
- Mellow concave design for comfortable control
- Slant aluminum trucks
- 52mm, 85A durometer wheels
Detailed Review
The Blind Classic Kenny Complete is an excellent beginner skateboard with a stylish design and quality components. The Canadian maple wood mellow concave deck is what you need to ensure comfort and control. With a 7.88-inch deck width, it’s suitable for a wide range of shoe sizes and skating styles.
Slant aluminum trucks provide a stable and responsive ride, allowing beginners to practice turns and maneuvers with confidence. The 52mm, 85-durometer wheels offer traction and hardness for excellent street and park skating.
The eye-catching graphics and reliable components make this skateboard a great choice for beginners looking for a stylish and well-built skateboard.
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4. Enjoi Whitey Panda Complete
Features
- 7.75-inch deck width
- 7-ply maple wood deck
- Medium concave design for better control
- Tensor aluminum trucks
- 52mm, 92A durometer wheels
Detailed Review
The Enjoi Whitey Panda Complete is a fantastic beginner skateboard that combines fun graphics with reliable performance. The concave deck offers a wide deck that accommodates different preferences and sizes.
Tensor aluminum trucks are stable and responsive, but you may need to make some adjustments to get a better ride. It has 52mm, 92A-durometer wheels that have enough traction to handle different terrains.
This option is more expensive than some other beginner options, but its design and components make it a worthwhile investment for new skaters seeking a fun and reliable skateboard.
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5. Birdhouse Skateboards Complete
Features
- 7.75-inch deck width
- 7-ply hard rock maple deck
- Steep concave for improved control
- Birdhouse aluminum trucks
- 52mm, 95A durometer wheels
Detailed Review
The Birdhouse Skateboards Complete is a top-notch beginner skateboard with a strong pedigree, founded by legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk. Its steep concave deck offers durability and better control. This makes it an excellent choice for skaters looking to progress quickly. With an 8-inch deck width, it’s suitable for a wide range of shoe sizes and skating styles.
Birdhouse aluminum trucks give the skateboard stability and make it easy for beginners to use the board with confidence. The combination of reliable components, a steep concave, and the brand’s association with Tony Hawk make this skateboard a great choice for beginners looking to progress quickly in the sport.
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6. Flip Odyssey Dots Complete
Features
- 8.13-inch deck width
- 7-ply maple wood deck
- Mellow concave design for comfortable control
- Tensor aluminum trucks
- 52mm, 99A durometer wheels
Detailed Review
The Flip Odyssey Dots Complete is an excellent beginner skateboard that combines durability with a fun and eye-catching design. The Canadian maple wood deck is durable, and the soft concave shape makes it easy for beginners to control. With a 7.75-inch deck width, it’s versatile and suitable for a wide range of shoe sizes and skating preferences.
The tensor aluminum trucks are just what you need to practice skating as a beginner. They are strong and reliable, and the 52mm, 99A-quality wheels are balanced for every type of skating.
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7. Sector 9 Highline Complete Skateboard
Features
- 8-inch deck width
- 7-ply maple wood deck
- Medium concave design for better control
- Gullwing Mission trucks
- 64mm, 100A durometer wheels
- ABEC 5 greaseball bearings
Detailed Review
The Sector 9 Highline Complete Skateboard is a great choice for beginners who want a long-lasting, high-quality skateboard that is stable and easy to control. With an 8-inch deck width, it offers a wider platform for skaters.
The medium concave design of the Sector 9 Highline Complete Skateboard gives you room to control your rides. Gullwing Mission trucks deliver better than most, which means better traction, stability, and durability.
The Sector 9 Highline Complete Skateboard comes with pre-installed ABEC 5 greaseball bearings.
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Understanding Skateboard Components
Before we dive into our top picks, let’s familiarize ourselves with the basic components of a skateboard. Knowing these will help you make an informed decision and find the best skateboard for your needs.
Skateboard Decks
The deck width is crucial for beginners, as it determines how much control you have while riding. Wider decks provide more stability, while narrower decks are easier to maneuver. Most beginner skateboards have a width ranging from 7.5 to 8.25 inches, depending on your shoe size and personal preference.
We suggest you consider using a concave deck. Concave refers to the curvature of the deck, which affects how the board responds to your feet. A deeper concave provides better grip and more control, which are essential for beginners.
Maple wood is the most common material used for skateboard decks and is known for its durability and flexibility. Bamboo and plastic are also used to make skateboards, but maple is the best material.
Skateboard Trucks
Skateboard trucks are the metal pieces that connect the wheels to the deck. Beginners should start with high-quality aluminum trucks because they are more stable and last longer than cheap plastic trucks.
The truck width should match the deck width for a balanced ride. Wider trucks provide more stability, while narrower trucks allow for easier turns.
Skateboard Wheels for Park or Street Skating
Soft wheels (78A–87A) are perfect for beginners since they offer a smoother ride on rough surfaces and a better grip. Hard wheels (88A-101A+) are better for advanced riders performing flip tricks and power slides.
Bigger wheels (54–60 mm) are ideal for beginners because of the smoother ride and stability they provide. Select a wheel made of polyurethane material. This material offers durability and better traction.
Grip Tape
Grip tape provides traction and control. High-quality grip tape is essential for beginners, as it lets you maintain a firm footing on the board. Plus, grip tape often comes in cool graphics, adding a personal touch to your skateboard.
Choosing the Right Skateboard for Your Needs
Several considerations are a priority when selecting the right skateboard for a beginner. Below are the most important ones to keep in mind:
1. Personal Preferences
Everyone has unique preferences when it comes to choosing a skateboard. When selecting your skateboard size, consider your shoe size and the type of skateboarding you plan to do. Experimenting with different deck sizes, wheel types, and concave levels will help you find the perfect fit.
2. Terrain Considerations
The type of terrain you’ll be skating on plays a significant role in your skateboard choice. Smooth surfaces like skate parks require harder wheels, while rough surfaces like streets need softer wheels for better grip and smoother rides.
3. Budget and Quality
While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest skateboard available, investing in a quality setup is essential for a better skateboarding experience. Look for an affordable skate tool that offers good quality components rather than cheap skateboards with plastic parts.
Tips for First-Time Skaters
- Practice the basics on smooth asphalt: Start with the fundamentals like pushing, turning, and stopping before attempting tricks. Use protective gear like elbow pads and skate shoes.
- Visit local skate shops for advice and support: Connect with your local skateboarding community to learn from experienced riders.
- Learn from professional skaters and online tutorials: Use resources like YouTube to pick up tips and techniques from the pros.
Conclusion
Skating as a beginner can be daunting, but when you have the right skateboard, it becomes fun. However, knowing the terrain you will frequent, the skating style you prefer, your shoe size, and your budget are some factors that help you make an informed decision.
We have reviewed some of the best skateboards for beginners, detailing their unique qualities and how they fit your specific needs.
