How to Choose the Right Skateboard Deck

There are quite a few exceptional elements on a skateboard, but one of the most manifestly critical is the skateboard deck. The skate deck is the flat board which you stand on when skateboarding. A shortboard, instead of a longboard or cruiser, is right for street skateboarding and vert skateboarding. It additionally remains the very nice alternative for doing tricks, whether or not you are a novice or a pro.

There are some matters to recollect once you make a decision to construct a whole skateboard, and choosing the right size of deck is the primary of many picks you'll make. Choosing a board shape is also extremely good important. The period, width, materials, and concave of your skateboard deck decide what you will be capable of do on your skateboard.

Depending on how difficult you skate, you'll need to replace your skateboard deck everywhere from after some weeks to a yr. Once the perimeters, nostril, or tail of your skateboard deck show signs and symptoms of splitting, it is time initially a sparkling board. Riding in moist or bloodless regions also can warp the shape of your board and make your skateboard wheels choppy, so be sure to replace your board if you sense or see any symptoms.

Warehouse Skateboards offers a large selection of skateboard decks in a ramification of shapes, sizes, weights, shades, and styles. Check out our stock to discover the skateboard deck that suits your style.

What size skateboard do I need?

Contrary to what you might think, width is the most important part of choosing a skateboard deck, not length or wheelbase. Skateboard decks vary in width from 7.5" to 8.25". The width you need depends on your height, shoe size, skating style, and personal preferences.

If you choose a board with a too-large width for you, you will need to exert excessive power, which can make skateboarding and trick riding difficult. If you choose a board with a too-small width for you, you'll have trouble balancing and won't feel stable. Most teen and adult riders will want at least a 7.5" width, but a wider board may feel more stable depending on your build and shoe size. Below are some general guidelines.

7.5" to 8" - Standard board for adult riders skating streets or doing more technical tricks

8.0" to 8.25" - Skating pool, ramp, rail, and parks

8.25" and larger - Vert, pools, cruising, and just going old school

Choosing a style of the skateboard deck

If you're just getting into skateboarding, it will be helpful to familiarize yourself with the different styles of boards that skateboarders use. Skateboards come in four basic shapes. Each style of deck is designed for certain kinds of skateboarding, so the board shape you choose should match the style you want to skate. From there, you can build a custom complete using components that match your skateboard deck and skating style.

Shortboard

Shortboards are the shortest style board and are designed and shaped for getting air and performing tricks. If you're leaning towards street or park skating, a shortboard style deck will be a perfect match for you. Check out our shortboard skateboards selection.

Cruiser

Cruiser boards often have kicktails but are more designed for simply cruising around. The decks are typically mid-length. Cruisers are versatile and maneuverable, making them good for cruising the streets. Check out our cruiser skateboards selection.

Old School

Old school boards typically have a flat nose and kicktails. They are usually asymmetrical, with a wider nose. Old school boards are an awesome choice for skating pools, ramps, or carving the streets. Check out our old school skateboards selection.

Longboard

If you are now not interested by doing tricks and want a skateboard to push around on for transportation, longboard skateboards, or cruisers, are a fantastic choice. Some longboards are especially designed for downhill racing. Downhill longboards generally tend to have a symmetrical form, sit down lower to the floor, and have wheel cutouts, which permit larger wheels for use. To find out greater about cruiser longboards, check out How To Buy A Longboard and read our longboard decks.

Popular picks for skateboard decks are Element skateboard decks and Zero skateboard decks. These skate decks are properly made, elegant, and to be had in a ramification of patterns.

Features of skateboard decks

Skateboard decks vary in size but most are between 7"-10" wide, and are made of seven-ply wood, bamboo, resin, carbon fiber, or plastic. Deciding which skateboard deck is best for you depends on what you will be skating and, of course, your personal brand preference. Below are some factors to consider when buying your skateboard deck.

Width

Choose your skateboard deck according to the width, not length. The average width of a skateboard deck is 7.5"- 8.25". The right width depends on your size and skateboarding style. If you buy a deck that is too wide for your height and shoe size, you will need to exert more power, which can make skateboarding and trick riding difficult. If you choose a board that is too narrow for your height and shoe size, you'll have trouble balancing and won't feel stable. Generally, teen and adult riders will want at least a 7.5" width. Larger skateboarders and those skating ramps and vert ramps should go with a wider deck, and street skaters usually need a smaller deck.

Length

Skateboard length is the distance from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Shortboard length falls between 28"- 32" but only advanced skaters refer to length. Width and wheelbase should be top considerations when building your skateboard, rather than length.

Wheelbase

The wheelbase is the gap between your board's inner mounting holes. The distance among those mounting holes determines how a long way apart your front and back wheels can be. Manufacturers determine wheelbase via wherein they drill the truck mounting holes on the deck. The common wheelbase is 13"-15". Although many decks only feature one set of holes, some skateboards have multiple mounting holes for vans (or "wheelbase options"). Adjusting wheelbase can dramatically affect how the board performs. Your experience degree will imply the right wheelbase for you.

Nose and Tail

The nose is the "front" of your skateboard and the tail is the "back." Which end is which can be hard to differentiate, but most decks provide you with graphics to tell the two apart. Many skateboard decks have a bigger kick on the nose and mellower kick on the tail.

Mounting Holes

Mounting holes are pre-drilled holes where the skateboard trucks are attached. Arranged as two sets of four holes; one set is near the nose, the other near the tail.

Ply

Ply is the thin levels of wood that are tightly pressed together to make the skateboard deck. Rather than making a deck from one solid piece of wood, most manufacturers layer the wood in a cross-grain pattern to create a supremely strong board. The typical skateboard is seven-ply, and most boards aren't over nine-ply.

Concave

Concave is the curve of the wood between the deck's nose and tail. Concave allows a more controlled ride and a stronger skateboard. Read our concave guide below for more information about different concave shapes.

EFP

EFP is short for Effective Foot Platform. Unlike wheelbase, which measures only distance, EFP describes the area on the topside of the deck that riders stand on to control the board. EFP indicates the part of the deck between the front and rear trucks. You can think of EFP the space of a skateboard deck that isn't the nose or tail.

Rails

Rails are the edges along the length of your board, and their shape can make a difference in how your board rides. Rounded rails are common for skateboards, and their shape makes them good for flip tricks. Sharp rails have a blunt edge, which keeps your shoes securely in place during slides. Gas pedal rails (or GPs) are a specialized rail shape where areas of the rails have been cut to a beveled edge. GPs subtract the rail's sharpness and decrease the concave. Gas pedals give you better control and comfort when doing slides. What your rails can do also depends on the concave of the board.

Skateboard concave shapes

Concave is a major factor in board performance. Skateboard manufacturers are always experimenting with new concave shapes to accommodate new types of skateboarding. Most concave shapes allow riders more foothold than a flat skateboard, which can take sliding, drifting, and turning to the next level. Here are a few of the main types of deck concave.


	Radial Concave This concave shape may look familiar to you. The subtle U-shaped curve is the most common deck shape, though some boards have a deeper curve than others. This type of concave allows your feet better grip, which can be useful in nearly all styles of skateboarding.

	Progressive This shape is a similar but more dramatic version of the radial concave. The steep wall on the rail combined with the wider base allows more secure footing and a more locked-in feel.

	W-Concave The W-shape does not extend the entire length of the deck, just the area towards the tail. The extra curve in the centerline allows you to shift more energy from your heel to your toe. The result is a highly precise, responsive board that can turn quickly.

	Tub Tub concave (also called flat-cave) is similar to a radial board, but instead of a gentle curve, the rails extend at a sharp angle from the deck. Tub boards keep your feet flatter, which makes for a mellower ride, but the sharp rails can still provide sudden shifts in energy.

	Asymmetrical Asymmetrical concave is when the skateboard's rails rise at different angles. This allows riders more power in their heels for turns.

	Convex Convex boards feature an upwards-arching deck. They are uncommon, though some slalom and downhill skateboarders love the more natural foot placement convex boards provide.

	Flat Skateboard decks with no concave are rare, with the exception of reissue old school decks. Some cutout and dropdown longboards also feature flat decks. They allow lots of space for your feet, and allow room for board walking and other showy tricks.

Camber & Rocker

The lengthwise curve of your skateboard deck also plays a role in how the deck feels and what kind of skateboarding you can do on it. Skateboard decks with a raised middle are known as camber skateboards, and those with dropped middles are called rocker skateboards. The angle of camber and rocker is typically mellow, but even the subtle difference in shape can affect the flex of your board.

The majority of skateboard decks have a neutral deck camber (not to be confused with deck concave), though some cruisers and longboards feature camber-style decks. In decks with positive camber, there will be much more flex because of the higher center of gravity. Rocker decks have a low center of gravity, and many riders find the sloped shape more comfortable to stand on. The minimal flex makes rocker boards a good choice for carving and going downhill at high speeds.

Kicktail

The upward curves on the ends of your skate deck are known as kicktails. If you plan on doing any tricks on your skateboard, you will need a deck with kicktails. Kicktails makes it possible to ollie, which is the first step to the vast majority of skateboard tricks. Most decks have kick on both the nose and tail, which allows for even more advanced skate tricks. Kicktails and kicks are also important for sharp turns, pivots, slides, and general maneuvering in street skating.

Some longboards also feature kicktail, although it is usually mellow. Most riders don't do advanced tricks on their longboards, but kicktails still help during turns and lifting the front trucks over sidewalk cracks and debris.

Skateboard decks construction

Before you learn to master riding your skateboard, it's a good idea to learn how the skateboard deck is actually constructed. Though manufacturers tweak their processes to achieve specific results, the basic steps and materials have remained the same for decades.

Maple timber is a great wood kind for skateboards; it is bendy, but durable, allowing it to be easily formed without sacrificing energy. It's still the most common cloth used for skateboard decks. Even inside maple decks, the amount of ply can vary. Ply is the measure of how many skinny sheets, or veneers, of timber, make up the deck. These wooden veneers together certainly make for a stronger board than an unmarried, stable plank. The maximum common creation is 7-ply, even though decks may additionally boom or decrease veneer to both growth power or lower weight.

Constructing a skateboard deck starts offevolved with setting the veneers on top of each other. Beyond the quantity of ply, the course the wood grain is going through could make a large distinction in the board's overall performance. Alternating between veneers that run lengthwise and veneers that run widthwise, or move-beaming can increase the board's sturdiness. Once the veneers are glued into the area, they are fashioned under a hydraulic press, which compresses the wooden layers into an unmarried, sturdy strip. This is likewise the level of the procedure wherein the specific nose, tail, and concave of the board are fashioned--the press bends the timber layers into form. The board is left within the press at the same time as the glue units and this can also play a component within the board's last performance. The longer the glue sets, the greater evidently the board is held together.

Next, holes might be drilled into the deck to allow trucks to be attached. From there, a band noticed is used to cut the deck's form from the huge piece of formed wood, that is then rounded and sanded clean. The deck is also varnished and sealed to guard the wooden against warping and getting broken. Lastly, manufacturers will add photographs to the deck. Many skateboards are screen-revealed, although a few agencies offer custom hand portray as nicely. The skateboard deck will dry and set in the manufacturing unit until it is ready to be sold.

The artwork of skateboard manufacturing has been subtle during the last few many years, and manufacturers are constantly experimenting with new technology, substances, and snapshots trends.

Check out our big choice of skateboard decks.

For extra data on skateboard decks and other additives, check out How To Build A Skateboard.

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