What Size Skateboard Should I Get?

What size skateboard should I get?

Finding the perfect skateboard size can be a tough process, especially if you’re a beginner. Whether you’re a beginner skater or want to buy a new board but don’t want to risk spending your money on a skateboard that’s the wrong size, then you’re in luck. Fortunately, pro-skater and recovery advocate Brandon Novak is sharing some tips on how to pick a skateboard size that suits you best.

Picking Out the Best Skateboard Size

Various factors determine what size skateboard you should get, including your riding style, height, weight, and even shoe size. While there are a lot of different parts to a skateboard, the most important one to pay attention to is the skateboard deck. A skate deck is the flat board that you stand on when skateboarding. Skate decks vary in size depending on where and how you want to use them. For instance, a shortboard is ideal for street skateboarding and vert skateboarding, while skateboards with longer decks are better for cruising and traveling. Another variation of a long skateboard is a longboard, but that’s a conversation for another day. We’re going to go into different skateboard sizes and how to pick a skateboard that suits your needs and style.

What Size Skateboard Do I Need?

As previously mentioned, things you should consider when deciding what size skateboard to get include riding style and terrain, body height, body weight, and shoe size.

Riding Style, Terrain, and Age

There are different kinds of riding styles for skateboarding, including transition skating, which is when you skate vert, parks, or pools. Then there’s street skating, which involves doing flip tricks and skating freestyle. For transition skating, you need a wider surface area under your feet for stability, which means a slightly wider skate deck is important. However, for street skating, you may want a narrower board. Board width is only one part of the entire equation. Below is a list of skateboard sizes and who they’re meant for that can narrow things down for you:

• (Micro) 6.5” to 6.75”: Best for kids 5 and under.
• (Mini/Small) 7.00" to 7.50": Narrow decks are better for youths 8 to 12 years old.
• (Mid Size) 7.50" to 8.00": A medium deck width is best for teens age 13 and older or adult riders who street skate or skate on street terrain.
• (Full Size) 8.00" to 8.50": A slightly wider deck is ideal for both street and transition terrains, including the street, parks, pools, rails, and stairs.
• (Full Size) 8.50" and up: Wider decks are awesome for transition skating, granting the skater more security for bigger street tricks, pools, or just cruising.

Height and Weight

When considering “what size skateboard deck should I get?”, you also have to factor in your weight and height, as you have to choose a skateboard that suits your body type. The basic concept is that the taller you are, the wider the board you’ll need. While most street skateboards are the same length, the main difference is their width. Less than an inch of a difference in width can make all the difference when you’re skateboarding.

Here’s a list of heights to skateboard sizes that you should consider:

• 4ft 6in or shorter: 7.25” to 7.75” board size
• 4ft 6in to 5ft 6 in: 7.75” to 8.00” board size
• 5ft 6 inch or taller: 8.00” to 8.50”

Another thing you should consider when picking out a skateboard is your weight. Being a heavier skater has its pros and cons. For example, while you may have more momentum going downhill, you’re also more likely to sustain a more severe injury if you fall (you know, the bigger you are, the harder you fall sort of thing.)

Here’s a list of skateboard sizes by weight that can help:

• (Micro) 6.5” to 6.75”: 45lbs and under
• (Mini/Small) 7.00" to 7.50": 46 lbs to 59 lbs
• (Mid Size) 7.50" to 8.00": 60 lbs to 101 lbs
• (Full Size) 8.00" to 8.50": 102 lbs to 152 lbs
• (Full Size) 8.50" and up: 153 lbs and over

Shoe Size

An important detail that many skaters, especially beginners, tend to neglect is their shoe size. If your feet are too long or too short for the deck width of your skateboard, it can make for a not-so-fun experience. Doing technical tricks and simply maneuvering your board to turn properly requires a good foot-to-board ratio. This is also why “skate shoes” are a thing. Selecting a deck that works with your shoe size is important to staying safe and properly learning how to skateboard.

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Board Length

Board length is super important and varies depending on your skating style. People who are interested in cruising may prefer a longboard, while street skaters may want a shorter board that allows them to pull off all kinds of tricks and flips. Below are some measurements for skateboard lengths that can help.

• Skateboard width: 7.25": Recommended length: 29.50"
• Skateboard width: 7.50”: Recommended length: 31.12"
• Skateboard width: 7.75": Recommended length: 31.12"
• Skateboard width: 8.00": Recommended length: 31.38"
• Skateboard width: 8.25" and wider: Recommended length: 32.00"

Once you have these details, you can go buy your skateboard. Because you can create your own custom board from scratch, it is one of the reasons why skateboarding is so popular. There’s a whole community of skateboarders that have boards that show off their unique style and skills. As one of the many in the growing list of sober pro skateboarders, Brandon has a deep love and appreciation for the sport because it played a role in his recovery from heroin addiction. While you may not be struggling with an addiction or any similar disease, maybe skateboarding will serve as a fun and creative outlet for you, too.

As a recovery advocate for Redemption Addiction Treatment Centers, Brandon Novak has learned a lot about how to help people with addiction recover and stay sober. He’s even become a certified intervention specialist, allowing him to help loved ones of addicts find the best treatment options. He also has a sober living facility for men called Novak’s House that offers a safe and judgment-free environment where men can rebuild their lives after addiction. If you’re interested in any of his services or have any questions, call Brandon today at (610) 314-6747.