by Nathan Vail

Created on: December 13, 2008   Last Updated: December 18, 2008

There are many factors to consider in choosing a skateboard deck; some of the most important of these are the deck size, your height and shoe size, and what types of skating you plan to do. Let's look at each of these, beginning with the deck size.

The length of modern boards range from 29 to 33 inches, and it determines the wheelbase, which is the distance between the inmost mounting holes of a board. These two factors affect how easily you can maneuver and control a board. If the deck length is too small or long, skating on it will be awkward and difficult.

The widths of most decks range from 7.5 to 8.5 inches, though they can be smaller or wider. The width of your deck affects your stability and how easily you can perform and land tricks. Narrow boards flip fast, but may prove less stable for high speeds or transition skating. Wide boards provide more stability for speed and transition, but take more time to flip.

In deciding the right deck size, consider your height. How comfortable you are with a board length often correlates with your height, so as a rule, the greater your height, the longer your board needs to be. Finding the right length is important because the wrong size will make a board more difficult to use.

Here is a rough guideline for length: for heights from 4' to 5'3", a deck length from 29 to 31.5 inches should be fine; for heights from 5'3" to 6'1", a deck length from 31.5 to 32.5 inches should suit you. Heights above 6'1" should look for a deck length from 32.5 to 33 inches.

When considering what width of deck to pick, check your shoe size. You may have a narrow board that flips fast, but if your feet are too large for it, landing on it may prove difficult. You're also more likely to land on it incorrectly, which could result in a fall or breaking the deck. The bigger your feet, the wider the deck should be. If you can, test a deck by standing on it before you buy it.

Height and shoe size, while important, are not the only factors to consider when choosing a deck size. What type of skating you plan to do is another essential factor, because there are different deck sizes more suited for each style of skating.

For street and technical skating, decks less than 8 inches wide is a good choice, because they're easier to use for tricks. For park, bowl, or vert skating, look for deck widths from 8 to 8.5 inches, since they provide for more overall stability. For the same reason, they're also great for just cruising around or bombing hills. On the other hand, if you want to be more of an all-around skater, decks ranging from 7.7 to 8.2 inches should work for you.

The above are the basics, but there are a few more points worth mentioning. First, the deck's concave, which is how curved the sides, nose and tail of the board are. This affects the responsiveness of the board; the more concave, the quicker the response. You should choose concave by your preference; the best way to decide is, again, to simply stand on it before buying it.

Secondly, if you're a beginner or looking to buy a skateboard as a gift, you should avoid generic boards (e.g., Wal-Mart or K-Mart) because they're below the industry standard and break easily. Look for a skate shop or order online from a legitimate skateboard company instead. These decks are more expensive, but they're better in quality and last much longer.

Finally, remember that these are only general guidelines to help you decide. If you find that something else works, go for it. How natural and comfortable you feel on the deck is the most important factor in choosing one.

Learn more about this author, Nathan Vail.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.