Decks Guide

Here you have some advices about how to look for when choosing a skateboard’s deck.

First of all, we have to say that the choice of a table is a very personal issue for every skater, and that there are not universal rules for choosing one or another.

You can hear many different skaters’ opinions about which deck to choose, the quality of each brand, the best technologies, materials, etc.

Surely, none of them is completely wrong or completely right, and the best deck for a skater could be not that good for another.

Therefore, if you have the opportunity, the best option is to try several decks and find which is the most comfortable for you.

Here we will try to give some information, just based in our personal opinion, and thinking mainly in the amateur skaters, so they can have a guide to be based on their first choice.

Aspects of a skateboard

Brand

The brand is perhaps the most personal issue of all. Some skaters are loyal to a brand for years, while others change without any problem from ones to others. The brands we work with are all specialized in the sector, with history, and they offer a proven quality product. We cannot opt for any particular one because, as we say, is a matter of taste. If we sell a brand in our online store, it is because we are confident in its quality. We recommend you to take a look at your favorite skatepark to the different brands used and to try as many as you can. The differences between marks and others may be: materials, the shape of the table, graphics, team riders, etc.

Material

Most decks are made of wood sheets. The better quality ones use 7-ply maple. There are high-end models in almost all brands, incorporating a fiberglass or carbon fiber sheet somewhere, or various construction techniques that increase the performance and endurance of the deck.

These models have more expensive prices and are not particularly recommended for someone who is starting.

Deck’s Measures and Parts

Here we’ll explain the different measures and parts of a skateboard.

Tail: The part that rises at the back of the deck.

Nose: The part that rises in front of the deck. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the nose and the tail seen from above. The Nose is usually a little longer and lower than the tail, although this depends on each deck.

Length: It is the deck’s length from the edge of the Nose to tail. Most current decks have a length from 30 to 31 inches, and it is not an important thing to worry about when choosing your first table, since all are very similar.

Concave: It is the part between the tail and the nose. It is curved concavely. This makes the feet have a better grip when doing tricks. The deeper the concave is, the better grip you’d have to move the skateboard. The flatter the concave is, the more free moves. Again, it is a personal matter and we recommend trying all kinds so, over time, you will know what is the best suited to your way of skating.

Width: The width of a deck is the most important measurement when buying a skateboard.

The measurements of skate decks for adults (from 13 years old should be used adult decks) have a range from 7.5 to 8.5 inches.

To choose a deck width, you need to consider your feet’s size and what you will use it for.

Broadly speaking, a narrower deck is more effective to do technical tricks, as it is easier to move and rotate (flips etc) but it also give less stability and less space when landing tricks. A wider deck will give you more stability and space, but is more difficult to move it at tricks.

Therefore, for street skating and technical tricks decks under 8 inches are more preferred, and for ramp skating and bowl decks are usually 8 to 8.5 inches.

To use a deck that works fine in every kind of floor, what probably almost everyone wants, the best range is between 7.7 and 8.2 inches.

If what are you going to do is use the skate as a transport medium, or use it in skateparks, etc we recommend the larger part of that range, and if what you want is to make technical tricks most of the time, narrower ones would be better.

As we said above, the size of your feet are also important. If you have big feet, you would have to use a slightly wider table to have more space, regardless of the type of skate you want to practice (street, ramp, etc.)

We insist that, if you can, you should try many decks to know with which are more comfortable for you.

If you have never skated before, and have no measurements’ references, we would recommend a deck about 7.8 inches. Is a medium measure, ideal to learn your first tricks and stable enough to let you feel confident.

General Advice

Some recommendations to resume the information:

Price: Not always a cheaper deck has lower performance, especially in the beginning. We recommend, as a first deck, a more economical range, because you won’t be able to appreciate the differences with the better ones.

There are Spanish brands like Jart, Nomad, Imagine, etc. offering the same quality than the big brands with a lower price. And the best known American brands use to have some first models with cheaper prices.

Drawing and Brand: Although it may seem silly, when you buy something it is also important that you like it, visually. Therefore, if multiple decks fit your size and price range, do not hesitate to choose the brand or ghraphic you like the most. We must tell you that if you are going to learn tricks, the graphics won’t last much in due to impacts.

Measures: As we have explained, mind what are you going to use it for and your feet’s size and, if you have not references, try a 7.7 or 7.8 inches to start.

If you are looking for a deck, here you have our extensive catalog: Skateboard Decks