The number of options in skateboarding is genuinely overwhelming if you're starting from scratch or upgrading for the first time. Every brand claims to make the best product. Most spec comparisons tell you almost nothing about how a board actually feels. Here's what we tell people in store.
Start With Deck Width
Deck width is the single most important spec decision. Everything else — trucks, wheels, hardware — follows from it. Get the width right first.
The practical guide: match deck width to your shoe size as a starting point, then adjust for riding style.
- US shoe size 6–8: 7.5–7.75 deck
- US shoe size 8–10: 7.75–8.0 deck
- US shoe size 10–11: 8.0–8.25 deck
- US shoe size 11+: 8.25 and above
Riding style adjustment: street and technical skating suits the narrower end of your range. Transition, bowl, vert and cruising suits the wider end. Park skating that mixes both sits in the middle.
Deck length, wheelbase and concave are secondary decisions. Most riders develop preferences for these over time but they're not the right starting point for a first setup. Width first.
Trucks — Match Width to Deck
Truck width should match your deck width. Trucks that are too narrow make the board feel unstable. Trucks that are too wide make the board feel clunky and slow to respond.
Independent sizing guide as a reference:
- 7.75–8.0 deck: 139mm Independent (or equivalent)
- 8.0–8.5 deck: 149mm Independent
- 8.5+ deck: 159mm Independent
Thunder and Venture use different sizing labels for equivalent widths — check their size charts if you're comparing. The principle is the same: axle width should sit within a few millimetres of deck width on each side.
Tightness is personal. Tighter trucks are more stable for straight-line riding and high speeds. Looser trucks turn more easily. Most beginners benefit from tighter trucks while they're building balance. Adjust with a skate tool as your preferences develop.
Wheels — Diameter and Hardness
Two specs: size (diameter in mm) and hardness (durometer, the 'a' number).
For street and skate parks: 51–54mm, 99a–101a. Hard wheels are faster on smooth surfaces, slide predictably, and don't slow down the board's flip response. The trade-off is they feel harsh on rough terrain.
For outdoor parks and rough concrete: 54–58mm, 95a–99a. Slightly softer absorbs the chip and crack in most Australian outdoor skateparks without killing speed entirely.
For cruising: 56–65mm, 78a–87a. Soft wheels roll over rough terrain smoothly. Not suitable for technical skating — they're too grippy for slides and the larger diameter slows flip tricks.
If you're skating primarily at a smooth indoor skatepark: hard wheels, smaller diameter. If you're skating rough Australian outdoor concrete: go slightly softer and larger. If you're doing both: 54mm, 97a is a workable compromise.
Bearings — Don't Overthink It
Bearings are universal fit — they work in any skateboard wheel regardless of brand. Bones Reds are the benchmark for price to performance and will outperform most cheap alternatives. Bronson and Bones Swiss are the step up for riders who want the best. The difference between decent bearings and premium bearings is noticeable. The difference between premium bearings and mediocre ones is significant. Don't skimp on bearings.
Keep them clean and lubed. A bearing lube kit extends the life of any set of bearings significantly. We stock both in store.
Complete vs Custom Build
Complete skateboard — assembled, ready to ride, one price. Right for: beginners, riders who don't have strong brand preferences yet, anyone who wants to ride immediately without researching components.
Custom build — deck, trucks, wheels, bearings and hardware chosen separately. Right for: riders who know their preferences, anyone upgrading specific components, experienced skaters who want a setup dialled to their riding.
Don't buy a cheap complete from a department store. A Globe, Santa Cruz or Anti-Hero complete at a proper skate shop price rides like an actual skateboard. A $60 complete from a sporting goods chain rides like a toy and makes learning significantly harder.
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