Skateboard Buying Guide

Shopping for a skateboard for someone else can be tough. Skaters often have very specific tastes, and it can be tough to know what brands are cool, and what makes a quality skateboard. Here's some tools to use and advice to follow that should make buying a skateboard a whole lot easier!

The most important rule is do NOT buy a cheap skateboard. I know it's tempting to save money when you see a skateboard at the toy store for £20, but there is NO way that a skateboard for that price is going to be a good one. If you want the person who you're buying this skateboard to like it, then you'll need to spend some money on it. For example, here's a review of a Spongebob skateboard that you should NOT buy!

The easiest way to buy a GOOD skateboard is to head down to a local skateboard shop and buy what's called a "complete" skateboard. "Completes" are skateboards that are completely assembled, so there's nothing more you'll need to buy.

Skateboard shops should sell complete skateboards, or they should be able to help you assemble one. But it's important to go to a real skate shop, not a mall chain shop like Zumiez, if you can avoid it. The reason is that chain stores like that hire people who LOOK cool, and who LOOK like skaters, but you very likely won't get anywhere near as good of customer service at a shop like that. Plus, if you or your kid have any questions about skateboarding, local skate shops are much better places to ask questions and get advice.

If you don't have a local skate shop, you CAN shop online, but it's really tough to know then what should should get!

No matter how you shop, here are some brands to look for (there might be other brands that are good too, but with these you should know you're getting a good skateboard):

Honestly, there are just some that I know are good, but there are MANY good skateboard brands out there. This is where shopping at a skate shop will help.

But there's one more thing to consider - it's VERY important that the person you are buying the skateboard for LIKES the way the skateboard looks. I know that sounds lame and juvenile, but the colors and graphics on a skateboard are extremely important to an 8 year old skater. And to a 28 year old skater!

Making sure the skater likes the way the skateboard looks is more important that getting the exact right size and shape of skateboard (especially for kid skaters), but if you are concerned about the size of the board, here's a chart to go by. Compare your skater's height to this chart:

Under 4’ = 29” or smaller
4’ to 4’10” = 29” to 30” long
4’10” to 5’3” = 30.5” to 31.5” long
5’3” to 5”8” = 31.5” to 32” long
5”8” to 6’1” = 32” to 32.5” long
Over 6’1” = 32.4” and up

For your skateboard’s width, it all depends on how big your feet are. Most skateboards are around 7.5” to 8" wide, but can be wider or narrower. If you have larger feet, get a wider skateboard deck.

So, to wrap it up, here's my advice: Take your skater to a skateboard shop, and let them look at the wall of skateboards and let them pick out a skateboard that they like the look of. Ask about a "Complete" skateboard, and see what they have, or what they can put together for you. If you are shopping online, look for "Complete" skateboards, and pick one out that is of the brands above, and that your skater likes the look of.

Follow these steps and you should have no problem buying the perfect skateboard! If you want more in-depth advice on buying each individual skateboard part, read Build Your Own Pro Grade Skateboard.