Skateboard Buyer's Guide
How to Buy a Skateboard

How to Buy a Skateboard Deck

What size skateboard deck should you skate?

Decks come in many different widths. If you are a beginner to skateboarding, choose your deck according to the width, not the length or wheelbase. The width you need depends on your size, skating style and personal preference. Here are some general guidelines.

7.5" to 8" - Standard board for adult riders skating streets or doing more technical tricks
8.0" to 8.25" - Skating pools, ramps, and parks
8.25" and larger - Vert, pools, cruising, and just going old school

Check out our massive selection of skateboard decks.
If you still have questions about skateboard decks, please visit our Skateboard Deck Buying Guide.

How to Buy Skateboard Trucks

What size skateboard trucks do you need?

Skateboard trucks are the metal T-shaped pieces that mount onto the underside of the skateboard deck. When selecting skateboard trucks, the width of your truck axle should closely match the width of your skateboard deck. The truck size can be measured by the width of the hanger or the width of the axle. Every skateboard requires two trucks.

There are several parts that make up the skateboard trucks. The axle is the pin that runs through the trucks to which the wheels will attach. The hanger, usually made of metal, is the largest part of the skateboard truck that is somewhat triangular in shape. The axle runs through the hanger. The kingpin is the large bolt that holds these parts together and fits inside the skateboard bushings.

When purchasing, you will receive the two trucks necessary to assemble your skateboard. Skateboard trucks come in various sizes and colors, and Warehouse Skateboards carries a huge selection of brands to fit your personal preference.

What truck profile height do I need?

Truck profile is the distance between the bottom of the skate deck and the hanger. In general, a mid-sized truck works well for most skateboarders, but high or low trucks may be preferred for different styles of skating.

LOW
Provides extra stability for flip tricks, designed for small wheels (50-53mm wheel size recommended)

MID
Good all-around profile for street or park (53-56mm wheel size recommended)

HIGH
Great for cruising and carving, designed for large wheels (56mm+ wheel size recommended)

Check out our massive selection of skateboard trucks.
If you still have questions about skateboard trucks, please visit our Skateboard Trucks Buying Guide.

How to Buy Skateboard Wheels

What size diameter skateboard wheels do you need?

Skateboard wheels vary in color, size, and durability. Skateboard wheels are most commonly made of polyurethane. The diameter and durometer of the wheel affect the way the board rides. The diameter and durometer are a matter of personal preference and skating style.

Diameter is the size of the wheel when measured from top to bottom. All Skateboard wheels are measured in millimeters (mm). The smaller the number, the smaller the wheel. Smaller wheels are slower; bigger wheels are faster.

What durometer skateboard wheels do I need?

Durometer measures the wheel’s hardness. Harder wheels are faster; softer wheels are slower but have better grip.

Skateboard wheel durometer is usually measured on a Durometer A Scale which goes from 1-100 to measure hardness. Some companies use the B Scale which measures 20 points lower, allowing the scale to be extended by 20 points for harder wheels. For instance, an 80b durometer is the same as 100a durometer. These skateboard wheels have a larger and more accurate range of hardness. The average wheel durometer is 99a.

Take a look at our insane amount of skateboard wheels currently in stock.
If you still have questions about skateboard wheels, please visit our Skateboard Wheels Buying Guide.

How to Buy Skateboard Bearings

What size skateboard bearings do I need for my skateboard wheels?

All skateboard bearings are the same size, so you don't need to worry about size when selecting bearings.

Skateboard bearings are used to mount the skateboard wheels to the skateboard axle. Skateboard bearings are all the same size and will fit any skateboard wheel that Warehouse Skateboards sells.

While they do not vary in size, they do vary in quality. The rule of thumb tends to be that the more expensive the skateboard bearings, the higher the quality. Cheaper bearings are typically made of lower quality materials, which can get deformed or break completely under the pressure of skateboarding. Inexpensive bearings may also not be sealed as well, resulting in dirt and debris in your bearings that will slow your board down dramatically. The more expensive skateboard bearings are sealed, with higher precession machining, and higher-quality metals. They will remain fast and precise over time with proper maintenance.

ABEC ratings

Most bearings are measured by an ABEC rating. The higher the ABEC rating, the more accurate and precise the bearing will be. This rating system includes grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The ABEC rating does not specify many critical factors, such as load handling capabilities, ball precision, materials, material Rockwell hardness, degree of ball and raceway polishing, noise, vibration, and lubricant. Due to these factors, an ABEC 3 classified bearing could perform better than an ABEC 7 bearing.

Many companies do not use the ABEC rating scale, such as Bones Bearings. Bones Bearings uses their own rating system known as Skate Rated. These bearings do not follow the ABEC ratings because they are superior in quality and the ABEC rating ignores many quality factors in which Bones Bearings prides itself.

How to Buy Skateboard Hardware

Skateboard hardware, also known as mounting hardware, is used to connect the skateboard trucks to the skateboard deck. Skateboard hardware refers to the nuts, bolts, locknuts, and screws used when building a skateboard. The screws can have an Allen or Phillips head. Skateboard hardware comes in many different lengths, and often includes one different colored bolt so that the rider can mark the nose of the skateboard.

Each skateboard hardware set includes 8 bolts and 8 locknuts. The set will be used to attach the skateboard truck to the skateboard deck. If you are looking to buy bolts and locknuts individually, you can certainly purchase them that way as well by searching our skateboard hardware inventory from low to high price.

What size hardware do I need to put together my skateboard?

7/8" to 1" hardware - no riser
1" to 1 1/8" hardware - 1/8" riser
1 1/4" hardware - 1/4" riser
1 1/2" hardware - 1/2" riser

How to Buy Skateboard Grip Tape

Grip tape is sold in single sheets that are 9" X 33". The bottom of the sheet will peel off, revealing a very sticky underside that will stick to the top of the skateboard deck. Once applied to your skateboard, use a box cutter or razor blade to cut your grip tape to fit your skateboard deck exactly.

What is skateboard grip tape?

Grip tape is a gritty, sandpaper-like material that is applied with adhesive to the top of the skateboard deck to provide traction. Grip tape allows the rider's feet to grip the surface of the skateboard deck and helps the skater stay on the board while doing tricks. Warehouse Skateboards offers a variety of colors and patterns of grip tape. Grip tape can be used to brighten a board, add texture, and express your personal style. While grip tape is most often found in black, it is available in clear to allow you to show off a company logo, or die-cut to display a design and/or color of your skateboard deck.

If you still have questions about skateboard grip tape, please visit our Skateboard Grip Tape Buying and Installation Guide.

How to Buy Skateboard Riser Pads

What size hardware do I need if I use riser pads?

Check out the available skateboard riser pads currently in stock.

Do I need riser pads for my skateboard?

A riser is a flat plastic pad that can be mounted between the skateboard truck and the skateboard deck. Riser pads increase the space between the truck and deck, raising the board up so that you don't experience wheel bite. Wheel bite occurs when the wheel touches the skateboard deck during a sharp turn and stops the wheel from rotating. Riser pads come in a variety of colors and thickness levels. Depending on your skateboarding style, riser pads can prolong the life of your skateboard deck by reducing the risk for stress cracks where the deck and the trucks meet.

Skateboard decks that use wheels smaller than 55mm do not typically require risers; however, 1/8” risers can help keep the hardware from vibrating loose.

As the wheels get larger, there's a greater chance for wheel bite, which may cause a nasty wipeout. In general, the longer the board and the larger the wheel, the more height is needed in a riser pad.

If you still have questions about skateboard risers, please visit our Skateboard Risers Buying Guide.