The Top Rated Skateboard Decks for Maximum Fun

Definitive Skateboard Deck Buyers Guide

Features

Skateboard decks come in various lengths but width is generally between 7-10 inches. The size you choose also depends on what kind of surface you will be skating on. Here are the general features of a deck:

Length

Length of the skateboard deck is the vertical distance between the two tips, the nose and the tail. The length varies for different kinds of skateboards. For example, Penny boards come in 22” and 27” and a short board can have a length anywhere from 28” to 32”. One common mistake that skateboarders make is to choose skateboard depending on length only. While length is important, width is equally important if you want a good skateboarding experience.

Width

The width of the board will determine how smooth your skateboarding is and what your style is. Average width of a skateboard deck is 7.5” to 8.25”. If it is too wide for your feet and height, you will not have a stable ride. If it is too narrow, it will be hard to balance the skateboard. For late teenagers and adults, 7.5” width is fine. For street skateboarders, a smaller width will do whereas for professionals who skate on ramps and pipes a wider width is better.

Wheelbase

On your deck you can see the holes on either side which are called mounting holes. The distance between these holes on each side is called the wheelbase. In other words, it is the distance between the two sets of wheels on your skateboard. The average wheelbase is 13-15 inches. Usually there is only one wheelbase length, but on some boards there are multiple truck holes so you get varied wheelbase. Again, this distance will be determined by your experience and can greatly affect your performance.

Nose and Tip

The two ends of the deck are dubbed as the nose and tip. There is no definite way to distinguish the two but the nose tends to have a bigger kick.

Concave

The curve between the nose and tail is called the concave. There are several kinds of concaves in skateboard decks and determine the control of your ride.

Rails

The edges of the deck along the length are called the rails and are of high importance as they can affect your ride. The rounded rails are the most common and are good for doing tricks. The sharp rails are good for providing grip to your shoes. There is a third type as well called the gas pedal rails. These are special kind of rails that are not do sharp and
reduce the concave of the board. These give more control to the rider with the help of the concave of the deck.

Kicktail

The heightened curve at the tail or nose of the deck is called the kicktail. This kicktail is your ultimate weapon to all the tricks in the world of skateboarding. Not just tricks, even sharp turns, slides and pivots can be aided by these. These help you do ollies which is like the most basic skateboarding trick. Longboards usually have subtle kicktails as opposed to short boards. See some awesome electric longboards here!

Different Concave Shapes

The concave of the deck can determine how much control you have during your rides. The purpose of the concave is to provide more foot hold which a flat board cannot provide. Here are the different kinds of deck concaves:

Radial

This is the most common concave you will find in most decks. It can be considered as an arc of very big circle or a subtle U shape. It provides better grip to your feet which is essential whether you are just riding or performing tricks.

Progressive

This concave is similar to radial but the central part is more flat and the edges higher so as to provide a better locking position for your feet.

W Concave

This curve resembles the letter W and it does not extend to the entire length, only towards the tail. The extra curve allows a smoother energy shift from heel to toes which helps in turning the skateboard.

Flat

Flat decks are very rare and they are usually part of old school styled longboards. These decks, however, provide a lot of room for feet.

Camber V/S Rocker

There is another curve in the deck you should know about which is the curve along the length. The camber is raised in the middle whereas the rocker is steep in the middle. Most skateboards tend to be very subtle in both these curves but they affect the flex of your ride. The rocker, for instance, are better for rides on hilly surfaces as the center of gravity is lower. On the other hand, camber has higher center of gravity which is great for some cruise boards. It depends on your use, which provides better support for your needs and the terrain you will ride it on.

Understanding and choosing the different Styles

Now that you know about the different parts of the skateboard deck, you should know about the styles of skateboards. These styles determine the kind of skateboarding style you will have. You should choose the style you want to do and have the experience for. Here is everything you need to know:

Shortboards

These boards as the names suggests are shorter in length and generally good for doing tricks. These get a lot more air
than other kinds of boards. If you are into street or park skateboarding styles, then this is the skateboard for you. Choose the deck that is short in length and provides support for tricks.

Cruiser

Cruiser boards have kicktails but they are optimized for riding only. Again these boards are not too long length wise. They are easy to maneuver and are generally used by both kids and adults.

Longboards

These skateboards have decks with longer lengths. You can consider them as a skateboard designed for transportation only. Longboards are not good for performing ricks because they tend to be heavier and not easily managed.

Old Schools

This kind of skateboard does not have a kicktail and sometimes has a plain flat deck. If you are looking to get an old school just for riding around, a flat deck or a deck with low or no kicktail should be used. These are also good for skating over ramps.

Materials Used in Skateboard Decks

Where shapes and size determine different riding styles, the material from which the deck is made from determines the quality and life of it. They are generally made from maple, plywood, bamboo, carbon fiber or plastic.
Maple wood is a good material for decks because it is flexible and can easily be molded into the desired shape without compromising on quality. It is also one of the most commonly used materials in this regard. The ply or amount of sheets varies for different boards. All these layers come together and make a strong 7 ply deck. The weight depends on the number of these layers. It is constructed in layers instead of a whole piece of wood to provide extra strength which obviously is necessary.
The carbon fiber and plastic decks are relatively newer and are common for cruise and shortboards. Longboards commonly have wooden boards. The molded plastic is no less strong than wooden boards. Another advantage of plastic is that the skateboard is lightweight which is ideal for kids and skateboarders who want to do tricks. If you want more control and will be carrying around your skateboard a lot, then plastic will make a better choice.
The manufacturing process has refined over the years but the process at its root is essentially the same as it was in the early days, especially for maple board construction. Now newer technologies are being used to make the process easier and the product much stronger and stable.

Pricing & Brands

Decks vary in prices depending on different brands but are generally affordable. You can find a decent quality one in under $100. The important part in choosing the right one for yourself is determining your style and needs and the corresponding size and shape that will best support it. Brand can be a personal preference as long as you are getting the right thing for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the deck last?

Durability is a big concern in any purchase and if you are wondering about the deck’s life, you should know it depends on both the quality of it and your use. Generally speaking, you will have to replace it anywhere between a few months to two years. It depends on the strength of the deck as to how much weight it can bear and how frequently you use it.
If you are someone who uses skateboards as a mode of transportation, and uses it a lot, for example at a college campus, then buy a deck that is more suitable for riding. That product is made with the prolong use of riding in mind. Penny and cruise boards although short are better for riding purposes as compared with others that are designed for doing tricks. Longboards too can make a good choice, provided you are able to handle them. On the other hand, learning and performing tricks can take a toll on the board too if you are not too experienced.
As for materials, both plywood and plastic are strong and there is no winner here. At some point they will have to be replaced because after repeated use you will feel that your ride is not as smooth as it was on day one. It is a good idea to replace the deck every year so that your performance stays the same.

Kicktail or no kicktail?

Having a kicktail in your board will not affect your ride in a negative way. In fact, with a kicktail it is much easier to make sharp turns and if you are ever going to learn any tricks then this is essential for you. If you are a beginner, you are probably not going to use this part in particular. But as your ride gets stable, you would want the kicktail to play around.
Almost every deck has a kicktail; some have it more prominent and higher than others. If you are really all about tricks and flips then you should get a deck with a proper kicktail. It will help a lot in raising the board to avoid cracks or rocks.

How to maintain the deck?

The life of this crucial component of the skateboard also depends on how good you take care of it. If you maintain it well, chances are it might last longer. For starters, use a cloth to clean it from time to time. You can use a grip tape to decorate it and provide more support. Also, the panel can always be replaced so your board will look as good as new.
It is never a good idea to use the skateboard during rain. If you really must use it in rain or if it comes in contact with water somehow, make sure you dry it just as you get a chance. This is even more crucial for wooden boards because they will soak up water and bend, eventually losing all the strength.

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