Skateboarding 101: Which Skateboard Is Best For Beginners?

Just starting out with skating? You may ask yourself, which skateboard is best for beginners. Well, it will depend on several factors, but mainly on your personal preference and requirements. 

Why do you actually want to buy a skateboard? Whether it is for performing tricks, getting around, or a bit of both, you need to determine what the main purpose of the skateboard is for you. Thankfully, there are many different skateboard variations that may fit your needs and personal preferences.

Read on to learn more about some specific criteria you should look for in a skateboard, and to see our picks for the best beginner-friendly skateboards on the market!

What To Look Out For In The Skateboard?

It is best for a beginner skater to get an “all-rounder” skateboard, one that performs well in different kinds of terrain. Here are the specifications to look out for when buying your first skateboard:

1. Brand

2. Deck Size

3. Trucks

4. Wheels

5. Bearings

Brand

In skateboarding, brands are not just labels, they are proof of quality. Even if you are a beginner, it is always for the best to get yourself a skateboard backed by a well-established brand, rather than a half-baked offer.

Deck Size

It is best to pick a skateboard deck with a size proportional to your shoe size. We have a table in the next section that further details this size relationship. One thing to keep in mind is that the wider skateboards are often the best picks for beginners, as they offer more comfort and confidence for first-time skaters.

Trucks

A skateboard deck has two trucks, which can vary in size. It is good to know that the truck axle should be the same width as the skateboard deck. Trucks must be properly aligned so that the wheels may run smoothly during a skate session.

Wheels

Wheels determine the speed of your skateboard and are available from different manufacturers in sets of four wheels. Determining what are the best wheels for you depends on personal preference. The best wheel size for beginners is between 52mm to 54mm, which makes them easy to put on the trucks and offer decent performance (which again, can differ, depending on the wheel material).

 

Bearings

Bearings are the smallest part of the skateboard, and you need to be extra careful when picking these. The standard inner diameter of the skateboard bearings is 8mm. You also have an additional factor to look out for in a form of the ABEC rating system. This rating system measures the physical limits of the bearings. Also, you must be prepared to keep the bearings clean and oiled up from the day of your purchase.

What Is The Best Size Of The Skateboard For Beginners?

When buying a skateboard for the first time, one of your concerns would be what size would fit you. Well, you should consider your height and shoe size when looking at a suitable skateboard size. Skateboard deck size is important as it dictates your skating experience. 

On the table below, we have a rundown of skateboard sizes and most suitable users for them.

Skateboard Class	Suitable User Age	Suitable Shoe Size	Skateboard Size
Micro Skateboard	5 years or younger	3 or smaller	27” to 28” of length and 6,5” to 7” of width
Mini Skateboard	Between 6 to 8 years	4 to 6	28” of length and 7” of width
Medium Size Skateboard	Between 9 to 12 years	7 to 8	28” of length and 7,5” of width
Full Size Skateboard	13 years and above	9 or more	29” to 32” of length and 7,5” to 8” of width

5 Best Skateboards For Beginners

For beginner skaters, it is best to choose a pre-built complete skateboard. They are less expensive, with a choice of parts perfectly suitable for beginners. Below, you will find our picks for the 5 best skateboards for beginners:

1. Powell Golden Dragon Knight Dragon 2 Complete Skateboard

2. Roller Derby Skateboard

3. Krown Rookie Complete Skateboard

4. KPC PRO Skateboard

5. MINORITY Maple Skateboard

Powell Golden Dragon Knight Dragon 2 Complete Skateboard

Takes the Crown For: Best Overall Skateboard For Beginners

Dimensions: 31,625” x 7.625”

Material: 7-ply maple wood

Trucks: 7,625-inch aluminum 

Wheels: 54mm 99A high rebound PU wheels

Bearings: ABEC-4 bearings

Weight Limit: up to 220 lbs

Price: 99,95$

Advantages	Disadvantages
Perfect for beginners due to its extra durability that comes with the polymetric strap Soft truck bushings allow for better responsiveness and weight distribution Very attractive aesthetic design Wheels have great grip and high roll speed	Bearing is a bit weak Wheels get slower after some time due to their hardness

Roller Derby Deluxe Skateboard

Takes the Crown For: Cheapest Skateboard For Beginners

Dimensions: 30,75” x 7,5”

Material: 7-ply hard rock maple wood

Trucks: 5-inch T5 indy aluminum

Wheels: 50mm PU wheels

Bearings: Bevo Silver-5 chrome bearings

Weight Limit: up to 220 lbs

Price: 39,99$

Advantages	Disadvantages
Very cheap price for high quality Comes assembled out of the box 4mm angled risers provide additional balance and control for skaters Great for cruising	Bearings are not the best Trucks need adjustment and may cause beginners some trouble

Krown Rookie Complete Skateboard

Takes the Crown For: Most Affordable Skateboard For Beginners

Dimensions: 31” x 7,5”

Material: 7-ply Canadian maple wood

Trucks: 5-inch genuine aluminum

Wheels: 52mm 99A high rebound urethane wheels

Bearings: ABEC-5 bearings along with black grip tape

Weight Limit: up to 200 lbs

Price: 44,95$

Advantages	Disadvantages
Lightweight and durable skateboard Very affordable Comes pre-assembled in the box Black grip tape ensures a comfortable experience for beginners	Not the best board for pulling off different tricks Hard wheels need to be replaced after a while The pre-assembled package sometimes comes with flawed grip tape, wheels, and bearings

KPC PRO Skateboard

Takes the Crown For: Best Starter Skateboard For Beginners

Dimensions: 32” x 7,75”

Material: 7-ply Canadian maple wood

Trucks: 5-inch heavy-duty aluminum 

Wheels: 52mm 99A high rebound urethane wheels

Bearings: ABEC-7 bearings along with 80 grit black grip tape

Weight Limit: up to 200 lbs

Price: 49,95$

Advantages	Disadvantages
Its concave design makes it ideal for learning tricks Very easy to do flip tricks Comes fully assembled out of the box Provides extra stability with the grip tape Its size makes it ideal for beginners and professionals alike	Not the best wheel quality, require replacement after a while Bearings are not of the finest quality Upgrades are on the costly side

MINORITY Maple Skateboard

Takes the Crown For: Most Versatile Skateboard For Beginners

Dimensions: 32” x 8”

Material: 7-ply hard rock maple wood

Trucks: 5-inch genuine aluminum alloy

Wheels: 32mm 102A high rebound PU wheels

Bearings: ABEC-9 bearings made of chrome steel

Weight Limit: up to 220 lbs

Price: 69,98$

Advantages	Disadvantages
High weight limit makes it suitable for a wide range of beginner skaters The concave shape makes it awesome for performing tricks You can choose from 13 different artwork designs The wheel design allows for easy acceleration Very stable thanks to high-quality construction Comes pre-assembled	You need to clean the wheels on a regular basis Needs regular care as the board edges get scratched very quickly Sometimes is incompletely configured or comes with missing pieces

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We hope that we have answered the question on which skateboard is best for beginners? After practicing for a while, you can upgrade to a more professional board. Now that you are here, we can help design your own custom skateboard, free of charge.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to hit us up with an email or via live chat.