How to Choose a Skateboard
Setting up your first skateboard, or upgrading from a department store board, is straightforward once you understand what each component does and which specs matter for how you want to ride. Most people overthink the deck graphic and underthink the setup. Here is what actually matters.
The short version
- Deck width for most adults: 8.0 to 8.25 inch
- Trucks: Independent, axle width matched to the deck
- Wheels for street and park: 52 to 54mm at 99a to 101a
- Wheels for cruising rough ground: 54 to 60mm at 78a to 87a
- Bearings: Bones Reds, kept clean
- First board? Buy a complete, not a custom build
- If you are still unsure: an 8.0 inch complete from a real skate brand suits almost everyone starting out
What we cover: Complete or custom · Deck size · Trucks · Wheels · Bearings · Griptape · Cheap boards · FAQ
Should you buy a complete or build your own?
Buy a complete for a first board. A complete skateboard comes fully assembled with deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, hardware and griptape, and it is the fastest and easiest way to start skating. A good quality complete from Globe, Santa Cruz, Girl or Anti-Hero rides well and holds up to actual skating.
A custom build means choosing each component separately. It gives you more control over how the board rides and is worth doing once you know your preferences: which truck brand you like, which wheel hardness suits your skating, which deck shapes you prefer.
For a first board, complete. For an upgrade or a rider with specific preferences, build it. Every complete we sell is inspected, adjusted and checked before it leaves the shop.
What size skateboard do you need?
Deck width is the most important spec decision, and shoe size is a reliable starting point. Riding style matters too: street and technical skaters generally prefer narrower, transition and bowl skaters generally prefer wider.
| Deck width | Shoe size (US) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5 to 7.75 inch | 7 to 9 | Technical street skating, younger riders |
| 7.75 to 8.0 inch | 8 to 10 | General street and park, most common adult size |
| 8.0 to 8.25 inch | 10 and above | All round street and park |
| 8.25 inch and wider | 10 and above | Transition, bowls, vert, cruising |
Deck length is largely determined by width. Most 8.0 inch decks fall in the 31.5 to 32 inch range. Wheelbase affects how snappy or stable the board feels, but for most riders that is secondary to width. For a deeper breakdown, see our skateboard size guide.
What size trucks do you need?
Match truck axle width to your deck width.
| Deck width | Truck axle width |
|---|---|
| 7.75 to 8.0 inch | 139mm |
| 8.0 to 8.5 inch | 149mm |
| 8.5 inch and above | 159mm |
Independent is the most widely ridden truck brand for a reason: consistent quality, strong axles, good geometry. Thunder rides slightly lighter with a different turn feel. Venture is a reliable mid-range option. Ace has a strong following in transition skating.
Tightness is personal preference. Tighter trucks are more stable, looser trucks turn more easily. Most beginners benefit from slightly tighter trucks while they are learning to balance.
Which wheels should you choose?
Two specs matter: diameter and durometer, which is hardness.
| Riding | Diameter | Durometer |
|---|---|---|
| Street and skatepark | 52 to 54mm | 99a to 101a |
| Transition and bowl | 54 to 58mm | 97a to 101a |
| Cruising and rough ground | 54 to 60mm | 78a to 87a |
Hard wheels are faster on smooth surfaces, better for slides and manuals, and more responsive. Softer wheels absorb vibration and roll over cracks and rough concrete without jarring. If you are skating mainly at a park or smooth spots, go hard. If you are skating street on rough Australian concrete or want to cruise, go softer. Spitfire Formula Four is the benchmark for street and park, Bones STF for slick surfaces.
Which bearings are worth buying?
Bearings are a standard size and fit any skateboard wheel, so this is a simpler decision than it looks. Bones Reds are the best value option and outperform most cheap bearings while lasting well when kept clean. Bones Swiss and Bronson are the step up for riders who want the best. Bearing lube extends the life of any bearing significantly and is worth having on the shelf.
Does griptape matter?
Not much, as long as you buy a quality brand. Jessup is the standard: consistent grit, reliable adhesion, holds up well. Most setups come with black grip, and clear or coloured grip is available if you want to show off the deck graphic. There is no meaningful performance difference between most quality grip brands.
Is a cheap skateboard worth buying?
No. A department store or toy shop board uses lower grade materials throughout. The deck delaminates faster, the trucks are imprecise, and the wheels slide unpredictably in a way that catches beginners out. A quality complete from a real skate brand costs more upfront and lasts significantly longer, which usually makes it cheaper across a year of skating. Buy once, buy right.
Want the actual numbers before you commit? Our skateboard cost guide breaks down real Australian pricing for completes, custom builds, replacement parts and protective gear.
Not a standard skateboard you are after?
If you want to cover distance, commute or carve rather than skate tricks, a longboard or cruiser is the better tool. Start with our longboard, cruiser and surf skate guide. If you are cross-training from surfing or snowboarding, read the surf skate buying guide for the CX, C7 and YOW truck comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size skateboard do I need?
An 8.0 to 8.25 inch deck suits most adult riders. Use shoe size as a rough guide: US 8 to 10 sits well on 7.75 to 8.0 inch, US 10 and above on 8.0 inch and wider. Go narrower for technical street skating, wider for bowls and transition.
Should I buy a complete or build my own skateboard?
Buy a complete for your first board. It arrives assembled with parts chosen to work together, and a quality one from Globe, Santa Cruz, Girl or Anti-Hero rides properly and holds up. Build custom once you know which trucks, wheel hardness and deck shape you actually prefer.
What size trucks do I need for an 8.0 inch deck?
139mm Independent trucks, or the equivalent width from another brand. Axle width should roughly match deck width: 139mm for 7.75 to 8.0 inch, 149mm for 8.0 to 8.5 inch, 159mm above 8.5 inch. Trucks far wider or narrower than the deck upset how the board turns.
Which skateboard wheels should I choose?
For skateparks and smooth street, 52 to 54mm at 99a to 101a. For cruising and rough Australian footpaths, 54 to 60mm at 78a to 87a. Harder wheels are faster on smooth ground and better for slides, softer wheels absorb vibration and roll over cracks.
Are cheap skateboards from department stores worth buying?
No. The deck delaminates faster, the trucks are imprecise and the wheels slide unpredictably, so it usually costs more across a year than one real complete. A quality complete from an actual skate brand lasts significantly longer. Buy once, buy right.
Can I try a skateboard before I buy in Melbourne?
Yes. Come into our Richmond showroom at 435A Bridge Road. We have setups on the floor and staff who skate, and every complete is inspected and adjusted before it leaves. Free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $90.
Still not sure?
Give us a ring on 03 9421 2293 or drop into the Richmond store and we will sort you out. We skate what we sell, there is no commission on the floor, and free shipping applies Australia-wide on orders over $90.
Shop: Complete Skateboards · Decks · Trucks · Wheels · Bearings · Griptape · Protective Gear
Keep reading: Skateboard Size Guide · How Much Does a Skateboard Cost? · How to Choose a Skateboard Setup · Best Skateboards Australia 2026 · Best Skate Shoes Australia 2026 · Skate Helmet Size Guide
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