Plan B Skateboard Decks

Buying a skateboard deck online can be a challenge: there are a few things to consider. Thanks to more than 15 years of experience as a skate shop, you're at the right place with skatedeluxe. You'll only find skateboard decks from the best brands and popular core brands. We've got all the information you need about skate decks and we'll explain which deck suits you, which deck width you need and what else is important when buying a skateboard.

Find the answer to your question:

• Which skateboard deck suits me? Find your size!
• Are there kids' skateboard decks?
• How are skateboard decks structured?
• What types, shapes & differences are there?
• What is a skateboard deck made of?
• Which skateboard decks are the best?
• When is it time to change a skateboard deck?
• Which skateboard decks have the best pop?

Skateboard deck size usually means the width. The deck width is given in inches [″]. One inch is exactly 2.54 cm. Most skateboard decks have a width of between 7.5″ and 9″. To determine the skateboard deck size or width, the top of the deck is measured from edge to edge.

There are no special skateboard decks for boys or girls, women or men or other gender identities. Skateboards are completely "unisex" in this respect.

If you want to buy a skate deck that fits you well, you should start with your shoe size. It is a good guide for choosing your skateboard deck.

Skateboard deck width and shoe size

To have sufficient control over your skateboard while skating, your skateboard deck should not be wider than your feet or shoes are long. The rule of thumb is: the bigger the shoe size, the wider your skateboard deck should be. These are only recommendations. It does not mean that you cannot ride a narrow skateboard with big feet.

Example: For shoe size US 9, we recommend a deck width of 8.00″ to 8.375″. For shoe size US 7 we recommend 7.875″ - 8.125″ wide decks, for US 11 8.25″ - 8.5″ wide decks, etc.

In the size chart, you can find recommendations as to which skateboard deck widths fit you and your shoe size. Using the "width" filter in our shop, you can have all decks displayed that match your width.

Length of the skateboard deck and body height

Length can play a role in choosing a skateboard deck as well. Your deck shouldn't be much longer than your legs; this gives you more control over your skateboard.

However, the deck length is less important than the deck width. The skateboard deck length is also related to its width. Wide skate decks are usually also slightly longer. Skateboard decks for children should be slightly shorter.

Example: For someone who's 160cm tall, we recommend a deck length of 31.5″ - 31.875″. If you're 170cm, we recommend 31.75″ - 32.00″ long decks and for a height of 180cm 31.875″ - 32.25″ long decks are suitable.

You'll find a few tips on which deck lengths might suit you in the skateboard deck length chart. Using the "length" filter in our shop you can display all decks of ideal length.

Decks have different characteristics depending on their size. Narrow decks are easier to flip than wider decks, for example. Wide skateboard decks, on the other hand, offer a little more stability, which is helpful when landing tricks.

It's difficult to categorize skateboard decks based on how they're used. In essence, you can skate anywhere with any deck width or length. However, there are a few tips and recommendations you can follow when buying a skateboard deck.

Features of narrow and short skateboard decks

Narrower or shorter boards are slightly lighter and easier to flip. This is a particular advantage for beginners because you need less power for your first tricks. However, narrow boards can be harder to control at high speeds and they offer less surface area when landing tricks.

That's why narrow decks are ideal for technical skateboarding on curbs or flatground.

Recommendations for narrow / short skateboard decks

• Flip tricks & flatground
• Combos & technical curb skating
• Also suitable for children

Features of wide and long skateboard decks

Basically, long or wider boards ride more smoothly at high speeds. But they're also a bit heavier, which makes them more difficult to flip. However, due to the larger surface area, these decks offer more room for catching tricks, which gives you an advantage when landing as well as a wider stance.

So if you're looking for gaps, ramps (transition) or simply high speeds, it's better to buy a wider deck.

Recommendations for wide / long skateboard decks

• Fast downhills ("hill bombs")
• Gap jumping (e.g. stair sets)
• Transition skating (miniramp, bowl, vert)

For children, skateboard decks should be slightly smaller according to body and shoe size. With short skateboard decks, it's easier to learn to ride when you have a small body, and in the end you'll have more fun skating.

Of course, you can start skating at any age! For beginners, we have a guide including checklists that shows you what to consider when choosing and buying skateboards. If you want to make it easy for yourself, you can assemble your skateboard in a few steps with our Skateboard Configurator.

Skateboard decks & trucks

The axle of your skateboard trucks shouldn't be much wider than your deck, otherwise, the deck's centre of gravity will shift to the outside. This would affect the flip behaviour and general boardfeel. If your deck is only slightly wider than your trucks, this isn't a problem.

In general, we recommend that you choose a truck with an axle width that exactly matches your deck width. A deviation of +/- 0.125″ is perfectly okay. For an 8″ deck, an axle width between 7.875″ and 8.125″ would be ideal. You can find more information about this in our Skateboard Wiki.

Skateboard decks & griptape

A skateboard griptape is attached to the deck and usually has a dimension of 9″x33″. For skate decks that are wider or longer, we recommend buying extra wide griptape for your skateboard deck. This ensures that the griptape covers your deck completely.

Alternatively, you can stick to the standard griptape and get creative. In our skateboard assembly instructions, we have a few tips to help you with the standard griptape and wide decks.

A skateboard deck can be roughly divided into three sections: nose, tail and wheelbase. The wheelbase is the length of the distance between the inner truck holes. The skateboard wheelbase is largely responsible for the length of skateboard decks.

1. Deck width
2. Wheelbase
3. Nose
4. Tail

A nose is the front part and the tail is the rear part of a deck. The nose and tail start behind the outer truck holes. Usually, the nose is slightly longer than the tail. This makes it clear as to where the front and back of your skateboard are.

If you're unsure and don't want to measure, you can use the graphic on your skateboard deck or the engraving on the top of the deck as a guide. Deck graphics are usually designed with the nose at the top or right side.

One term that you'll come across when buying a skateboard deck is "concave". Concave is the longitudinal curvature of a skateboard deck, or "how much the long edges of a deck are bent upwards". Note that the concave does not necessarily say anything about how steep the nose and tail of your skate deck are.

1. Low Concave
2. Medium Concave
3. High Concave

A distinction is made between low, medium and high concave. Low concave has a slight curvature. Decks with high concave have a strong curvature. The stronger the curvature, the more responsive the deck is. The concave, therefore, influences the steering behaviour of your skateboard as well as the flipping behaviour.

Most decks have a medium concave, which many skaters like to ride. You'll find out which concave is the right one for you by trying it out over time. We recommend that beginners and intermediate skaters buy a medium concave skateboard deck.

Shaped Decks

Shaped decks, unlike Popsicle decks, do not have a uniform shape. They are mostly characterized by special shapes of the nose or tail, which are more angular, pointed or shaped otherwise.

Most skateboard decks consist of seven layers of maple wood, which are glued and pressed together. The individual layers or veneers are called plies. The term "7-Ply" skateboard deck, therefore, means that a deck with a classic construction is made of seven layers of wood.

Wood is not indestructible and decks are exposed to high wear and tear during skating. Therefore, there are many constructions that are supposed to make decks stronger and more durable. Additional layers of wood, special adhesives or materials such as fiberglass or carbon fibers are used. In our Skateboard Deck Wiki, you'll find explanations for all skateboard deck technologies that are available in our shop. We also have an article with more details about skateboard deck manufacturing.

Finally, skate decks differ in their design. The graphics of skateboards sometimes have a long tradition and there are whole books and exhibitions focused on the art on skateboard decks. Each skateboard deck brand has its own style, which may make it a little easier for you to buy a skateboard deck.

We've been in the skateboard business for several years and are convinced that brands are important to support the scene. Therefore you won't find blank decks or decks without graphics in the skatedeluxe skate shop. We've summarized the "why" for you in our blog about blank skateboard decks.

The question "Which skateboard brand is the best?" comes up frequently and is difficult to answer. Skateboard decks & skate brands are simply a matter of taste.

Find out which deck brands were particularly popular last year in our Top 15 Skateboard Decks.

It's important that you buy a skate deck that was produced by "real" skateboard brands. This is the only way to make sure that the quality is right and that you'll have fun with it for a long time. In the skatedeluxe skate shop you'll only find decks from established brands from within the scene, whose decks you can order with a clear conscience.

There are world-famous skateboard brands, such as Girl, Real, Anti Hero or Flip, which have been producing high-quality decks for decades. However, in the last few years smaller, independent brands have been added. Decks from Hockey, Snack or Carpet Company are becoming more and more popular. At skatedeluxe the best brands come together and you'll find a wide selection of many top skateboard deck brands in our skate shop, whose decks you can easily order.

In the past, the majority of all skateboard brands came from the USA. Today there are more brands from Europe, like Palace, Polar Skate Co., Isle or SOUR Solution, as well as decks produced in Europe. These are of the same high quality as US skate decks and deserve your attention. In our top lists, you can find out which deck brands were most popular last year.

Once you have found the new skateboard deck for you, we have a few more tips for you to have long-lasting fun with your deck. A question that is often asked is: "When should you change a skateboard deck?" There is no clear guideline for this, but a few pointers.

It's time for a new skate deck

• if it shows heavy wear on the nose or tail (Razor Tail).
• when it's lost its general stiffness (Pop).
• if it's cracked or completely broken.

Wear of the deck graphics is normal and part of skateboarding, but you should never continue skating with a cracked or broken deck, because the risk of injury increases. Sometimes new griptape helps to extend the life of your deck a little bit.

Recommendation: skateboard decks for flips

If you want to learn flip tricks and make it a little easier, we recommend a relatively narrow skateboard deck. It should still fit your shoe size or body size. Decks with medium to high concave can also give you an advantage.

Recommendation: skateboard decks for slides

If you want to buy a deck that you can do lots of long slides with, so-called Slick decks could be interesting. These decks have a special construction of the lower veneer. This makes Slick decks slide especially good on many different surfaces. You can find Slick decks by using the "Construction" filter.

"What is Pop?", "Which decks have the most Pop?" and "When does a deck lose its Pop?" - again, it's difficult to give a concrete answer. Basically Pop is related to how high skateboard tricks are performed. There are a few explanations for Pop, which are more or less common in the skateboard scene.

Skateboard deck Pop can mean:

• The stiffness and responsiveness of a deck - "The deck has Pop."
• A skater's bounce - "Gilbert Crockett has Pop. He popped the trick high."
• The angle between the skateboard & the floor when the tail is pushed to the ground. - "The Pop angle" (very technical approach, involving many components and rarely used)

So the meaning of Pop depends strongly on the context. Decks that lose their stiffness have less Pop over time. Which skateboard brands offer decks with the most Pop? That can't be answered, because it also depends on skaters and their setup. Many skateboard deck constructions are about decks that retain their Pop longer. In our skate & product tests, you'll find detailed reviews of various deck technologies.