Man, I remember walking into my first skate shop at 14. Felt like a candy store with all those colorful decks. The guy asked what size I wanted and I froze. Ended up with a 7.75" because my friend had one. Bad move. For months I wobbled like a baby giraffe on ice. That's why we're talking about what size skateboard you should get today – so you don't make my mistakes.
Why Deck Size Actually Matters (More Than You Think)
Skateboarding ain't one-size-fits-all. Grab something too narrow and you'll feel like a circus bear on a tiny ball. Too wide? Good luck flipping that boat. I learned this the hard way bombing hills on my cousin's old-school banana board – wiped out hard when I couldn't turn fast enough.
Real talk: Your height, shoe size, riding style, and even where you skate change everything. A park rat grinding ledges needs different gear than a cruiser commuting to class.
Your Shoe Size Doesn't Lie
Biggest myth? "Size doesn't matter." Try telling that to my size 12 friend who snapped a 7.5" deck landing crooked. Your feet need real estate.
| Shoe Size (US) | Recommended Width | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Kids 1-4 | 7.0" - 7.5" | Lightweight for small feet, easier flips |
| 5-8 | 7.75" - 8.0" | Balance of control and maneuverability |
| 9-11 | 8.0" - 8.25" | Room for comfortable footing, stable landings |
| 12+ | 8.25" - 8.5"+ | Prevents toe drag, better weight distribution |
That said, I skated an 8.0" with size 10.5 Vans for years. Switched to 8.25" last summer – game changer for my kickflips. Landings just stick now.
What's Your Poison? Matching Deck Size to Riding Style
Watching dudes at the local park made me realize something: tech skaters ride toothpicks, transition beasts ride dinner plates. Here's the breakdown:
| Style | Ideal Width | Best For | Brands I'd Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street/Tech (flips, ledges) | 7.75" - 8.25" | Quick flips, lightweight feel | Baker, Girl, Chocolate |
| Transition (bowls, vert) | 8.25" - 8.75" | Stability at speed, carving control | Santa Cruz, Powell Peralta |
| Cruising/Commuting | 8.5"+ | Smoothes out cracks, comfy pushing | LandYachtz, Arbor |
| Old School (pool, slalom) | 9.0"+ | Retro feel, insane stability | Dogtown, Z-Flex |
The Wheelbase Factor Everyone Ignores
Deck width gets hype, but wheelbase (distance between trucks) is sneaky important. Shorter wheelbase = snappier turns. Longer = stable at speed. My current setup:
- Deck: 8.25" Baker
- Wheelbase: 14.25"
- Trucks: Thunder 149s
- Wheels: 54mm Spitfires (99a)
Why this combo? The slightly longer wheelbase compensates for narrower trucks when I'm hitting ramps. Took three tries to nail it though.
Height Matters Too (But Less Than You'd Think)
Tall skaters don't need wide decks – but it helps. At 6'1", I felt cramped on anything under 8.0". Here's the cheat sheet:
| Height | Starter Width | Adjustment Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5' | 7.5" - 7.75" | Go narrower for quicker rotations |
| 5' - 5'6" | 7.75" - 8.0" | Standard range fits most tricks |
| 5'7" - 6' | 8.0" - 8.25" | Add width for better leverage |
| Over 6' | 8.25"+ | Prioritize stability over flip speed |
Saw a 6'4" dude rip a 7.8" deck at the park last week. Proof that skill trumps size – but man did he work for those landings.
Warning: Brands measure widths differently. Always check specs – my "8.0" Habitat was actually 7.9". Felt like skating a razor blade.
Beginner? Here's Your No-BS Starting Point
New skaters overthink this. You need forgiveness, not pro specs. My recommendations after teaching dozens of friends:
- Kids (under 12): 7.5" - 7.75" completes (like Mini Logo or Enjoi)
- Teens/Adults: 8.0" - 8.25" completes (avoid Walmart boards)
- Bigger Adults (200+ lbs): 8.25"+ with 7-ply maple
Complete boards save cash but upgrade bearings immediately. Those stock Reds clones? Garbage. Swapped mine for Bones Swiss after two weeks.
Advanced Tweaks for Seasoned Riders
Once you're popping consistent ollies, experiment. Current pro trends:
- Narrower decks (7.8" - 8.0"): Gaining popularity for flip tricks
- Wider noses/tails: More pop without full width penalty
- Asymmetrical shapes: Different nose/tail lengths for specific tricks
Tried an 8.38" flight deck last month. Weirdly light but felt disconnected during grinds. Not for me.
Budget Reality Check
Skating ain't cheap. Here's what you'll actually pay:
| Component | Budget ($) | Mid-Range ($) | Pro ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | $35-$50 (Mini Logo) | $55-$70 (Almost, Enjoi) | $75+ (Baker, FA) |
| Trucks | $35 (Bullet) | $45-$55 (Tensor, Krux) | $60+ (Thunder, Indy) |
| Wheels | $20 (Shop blanks) | $25-$35 (Ricta, Spitfire Cheapshots) | $40+ (Bones STF, Spitfire F4) |
| Complete Setup | $80-$100 | $120-$160 | $180+ |
Don't cheap on trucks. My $30 knockoffs bent in a month. Indy's lasted two years before grinding down.
Final Size Recommendations by Rider Type
Still stuck? Match yourself:
| Rider Profile | Ideal Width | Sample Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Kid (age 8-12) | 7.5" | Mini Logo 7.5" Complete |
| Teen Street Skater | 8.0" | Girl 8.0" Deck + Thunder 147s |
| Adult Beginner | 8.25" | Almost 8.25" Impact Complete |
| Transition Specialist | 8.5" | Santa Cruz VX 8.5" + Indy 159s |
| Cruiser Commuter | 8.75"+ | LandYachtz ATV 8.75" Complete |
Golden rule: When asking "what size skateboard should I get," stand on decks before buying. Your feet know better than any chart.
FAQs: Real Questions from Skaters Like You
What size skateboard should I get for street skating if I'm 5'7"?
Start with 8.0". It's the sweet spot for most street skaters. Downsize to 7.75" if you want faster flips, up to 8.25" for stability.
Is 8.25 too big for tricks?
Depends. Chris Joslin kills it on 8.5". But if you're learning kickflips? Might feel heavy. Try before you buy.
What size skateboard should I get for cruising to class?
8.5" or wider. Pair with soft wheels (78a-87a) for vibration absorption. Avoid penny boards - they're ankle breakers on cracks.
Do skateboard sizes run true to measurement?
Nope! Baker decks run slightly wider, Chocolate slightly narrower. Always check specs online before ordering.
Parting Wisdom from My 15 Years of Slams
After snapping more decks than I can count, here's my hard-won advice:
- Demo decks whenever possible. Many locals shops offer rentals.
- Your perfect size changes. I've gone from 7.75" to 8.25" as my style evolved.
- When in doubt, go middle ground. 8.0" works for 80% of skaters.
Final thought? Don't stress about "what size skateboard should I get" forever. Grab something reasonable and skate it. You'll figure out what works through concrete kisses.
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