Of all the many parts of a skateboard, there is no doubt that a deck is one of the most important.Today, I will talk about the best skateboard decks. It is the flat board on which you stand while skateboarding. Basically, it is the surface that comes into direct contact with your foot.
Most modern decks measure between 7 and 10.5 inches (or 18 and 27 cm) wide and between 28 and 33 inches (71 and 84 cm) long. However, long boards are generally bigger and can be as long as 36 inches (or even longer). They are great if you are a speed junkie who skates on rough surfaces. Their downside is that they are relatively expensive compared to standard skateboards.
Having said that, it is important to mention that a good deck will offer you a great skateboarding experience regardless of your skateboard’s size. Below is my guide on how you can get the best skateboard decks in the market.
How to Choose the Best Skateboard Decks
Skateboarding trends have largely affected buying trends in the $4.8 billion dollar skateboarding industry. For instance, the fact that skateboarders are getting older makes some decks more popular than others. According to 2006 statistics, 71% of skateboarders were between 12 and 17 years old. Currently, only 45% fall within that age group. I will explain why age is an important factor as far as choosing a deck is concerned.
In addition to that, over 60% of skateboarders skate in parks and driveways. Such surfaces are not extremely rough and that means you can use a standard size deck (not necessarily a long board deck) on your skateboard and still skate comfortably.
Well, apart from your age and the surface on which you will skateboard, there are crucial factors that should influence your choice of a skateboard deck. Here is a comprehensive buying guide with details that most skateboard deck reviews will not highlight.
1. Style
Skateboards come in four main styles namely, shortboard, longboard, cruiser, and old school. Each style of deck is appropriate for certain kinds of skateboarding. Therefore, the deck that you choose should match your skateboarding style. Below is a summary of each style and its most appropriate kind of skateboarding.
# Shortboard
Shortboards are the shortest skateboards in the market. They are most appropriate for performing tricks. They perform outstandingly well when used on the streets or parks. Therefore, if your style of skating leans towards tricks and stunts then you might want to construct a shortboard. That means you should get a deck that is suitable for a shortboard (between 7 and 10.5 inches wide and 28 to 33 inches long).
# Longboard
Longboards are not the best when it comes to tricks and stunts. They are designed for transportation and pushing around. They are also great for racing because they can accelerate very fast and perform outstandingly well in very high speed. Some are designed specifically for downhill racing. Therefore, if you want a skateboard that you can use for racing or to commute from one place to another then a longboard should be your best bet. In that case, you will need to get a deck that is bigger than that of a shortboard (over 10.5 inches wide and over 36 inches long).
# Cruiser
This is a board that is designed for cruising around. It is meant for leisure skating in the streets or parks. For that reason, it features a mid-sized deck that has kicktails. If you are more interested in cruising than anything else, I highly recommend that you consider a deck that can grip your feet very strongly.
# Old school
Old school skateboards have a vintage touch. They feature an asymmetrical shape that is characterized by a wide nose that is flat. Most of them also have flat kicktails and are great for skating on ramps, pools or carving the streets. If you are constructing an old school skateboard, you should go for a deck that is stylish and sturdy. It should also feature vintage printings.
2. Size
Skateboard decks come in various sizes but most measure 7 to 10.5 inches wide and 28 to 33 inches long. When buying the best skateboard decks, deciding which size is most suitable for you is highly dependent on where you will be skating, your personal preference and age. However, there are certain considerations that you need to put in mind as far as dimensions go.
First, the width of a skateboard deck determines how well you can balance on your skateboard and how much control you will have over it. If the deck is too narrow (compared to your height and shoe size) then you won’t be able to balance on it and you will have trouble riding and performing tricks. At the same time, if it is too wide you will have problems controlling the whole board.
Second, the length of a skateboard deck should not be a factor. Contrary to the width that plays a very big role in determining controllability and stability of the board, the length plays no major role as far as your skateboarding experience goes.
So what is the right size for you? Below is a general guideline that links deck size and age.
# Micro decks: these are decks that measure 6.5 to 6.75 inches wide. They are most suitable for skateboarders who are 5 years old or younger. Such a skater should be (typically) 3¢4² tall and should have a size 3 or smaller shoe.
# Mini decks: these decks measure anything between 6.8 and 7.2 inches wide. They are best for skateboarders whose height ranges from 3¢5² to 4¢4² and who wear shoes of size 4 to 6.
# Mid-size decks: these decks have a width of between 7.3 and 7.4 inches. They are designed for 9 to 12 year olds who wear size 7 to 8 shoes.
# Full-size decks: these decks measure 7.5 inches or more and should be used by a skateboarder who is 13 years or older. A typical skateboarder who uses these decks should be 5¢3² tall and wear size 9 or bigger shoes.
3. Shape
The best skateboard decks are designed with a concave shape. The shape allows for a stronger skateboard and a more controlled ride. There are many types of concave decks. Here are the main ones:
# Radical concave: this is the most common concave shape on skateboard decks. It features a subtle U-curve.
# Progressive concave: this shape resembles the radical concave but it has a deeper curve and steep walls.
# Tub concave: also resembles the radical concave but has rails that extend at a sharper angle from the deck.
# W-concave: takes the shape of a W at the area towards the rail.
# Asymmetrical: this type of concave has the skateboard’s rails rising at different angles.
# Convex: these decks arch upwards
4. Material
Skateboard decks come in a variety of materials. However, the most common is maple wood. It is ideal for skateboarding because it is flexible and durable. Therefore, it can be shaped without losing strength. So if you have to choose a deck based on its material then maple wood is your bets bet. Other materials that you can consider are outlined below:
# Plywood: the most ideal plywood for skateboard decks is the Russian Birch or 1/8″ Baltic. It is strong and can be molded easily.
# Bamboo: a bamboo deck is definitely one of the best because bamboo wood is very hard and has spring back qualities.
# Plastic laminate: features layers of resin-impregnated paper and Melamine resin. This material adds stiffness to the deck.
5. Other considerations
# Decorations: choose a deck that is decorated according to your personal preferences. Alternatively, you can choose one that is blank so that you can decorate it yourself.
# Kicktails: these are upward curves at the ends of your deck. If your skating leans towards performing tricks then choose a deck that has highlighted kicktails.
My Top 5 Recommended Skateboard Decks
Looking for a deck? Check out my list of top skateboard decks below.
1. Natural-Maple-Blank-Skateboard
Price: $$
This 15 pound deck is made of high quality 7 ply maple that guarantees durability and stiffness. It features a medium radical concave and is 30 inches long. The package includes a grip tape that is not attached to the deck; therefore you will attach it yourself.
As far as quality and performance go, the deck is really outstanding. It is thin but sturdy and has a great curvature. Its light weight ensures that you won’t face any challenges when performing tricks. The kicktail is well designed for easy control regardless of whether you are cruising or performing tricks. In addition to that, it comes blank and that means you can print it with anything that you want.
2. Mini-Logo Skateboards Deck
Price: $$
This 4.4 star rated deck is manufactured by Mini-Logo Skateboards. It is hand crafted using 7 ply maple for maximum quality possible. Just in case you are worried about defects, the manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects.
This deck should be your ultimate pick if your skateboarding involves intense sessions that might damage a deck. It is very strong and features a moderate concave that not only ensures durability but also makes it easy to control the whole board. The nose and tail come in a perfect size. That means you can trust this deck when you want to perform tricks regardless of whether you are a novice or an experienced skateboarder.
3. Blank Decks Warning Skateboard Deck (Natural)
Price: $$
Blank Decks is famous for manufacturing affordable yet high quality skateboarding products and this 3.9 star rated deck is no exception. It measures 7.5 by 31 inches and weighs a mere 2 pounds.
The dimensions imply that it is meant for a full size skateboard and therefore anybody who is 13 years and above should be able to use the deck comfortably. At the same time, the light weight is an added advantage because even a kid of 13 years can flip a deck that weighs 2 pounds without much difficulty.
If you are interested in a deck that you can decorate yourself then this blank deck should be one of your top priorities because it does not come with any decorations.
4. Moose Blank Skateboard Deck
Price: $$
This deck is manufactured by Moose and comes with a detached grip tape. However, if you are not satisfied with the grip you can always buy another one that you prefer. It measures 31 inches long and is made with 7-Ply Canadian Maple for strength and durability.
It features a radical U-concave that ensures stability even when you are skating under very high speed. The nose and tail are just steep and are designed for a good pop. Therefore, the deck is great for cruising as well as performing skateboarding tricks. You can trust it to outperform skateboards that have decks made with other brands. Alternatively, you can use it to learn new tricks and stunts.
5. Stereo Skateboards Dollar Clint Deck
Price: $$
This is definitely one of the high end decks available in the market. It is designed for pro skateboarders but is also great for amateurs as well as learners. The material used to make it is hard rock Canadian maple wood. Therefore, you should not worry about durability.
The biggest strength of this deck is its feel and design. It gives you the feeling of a pro immediately you start skateboarding with it. Its radical concave is adequately steep for enhanced control and stability. Furthermore, it has a very great pop that should act as an advantage for you if you are new to skateboarding or if you want to learn new tricks.
Final Verdict
At the same time, if you are on a very tight budget, you can always go with a deck like the Moose Blank Skateboard Deck that costs as low as $ . My point is you should get a board that you can afford and one that can serve you best.
So there you have it – a comprehensive guide on how you can buy the best skateboard deck. Remember that whereas price has an influence on the choice of deck that you make, quality is more important. It can make the difference between who learns new tricks and who doesn’t.
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