Pick your first skateboard with confidence – our guide simplifies choices, top picks, and avoids beginner pitfalls.
Choosing your first skateboard can feel scary with endless options and confusing terms like 'trucks' or 'durometer.' Beginners often worry about wasting money on something too hard to ride or that breaks right away. This guide cuts through the noise for street skating newbies.
We'll explain what really matters, share top Amazon picks that are easy to ride and forgiving, and show you how to start cruising confidently. No prior knowledge needed – just follow along to get shredding safely.
📋 In This Guide
• Why Beginners Struggle with Skateboard
• What to Look For (Key Features)
• Top 4 Beginner-Friendly Skateboard
• Essential Accessories for Beginners
• Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
• Your Progression Path
• FAQ & Learning Resources
😰 Why Beginners Struggle with Skateboard
New to skateboarding? You're hit with shiny pro boards, technical specs, and videos of tricks that seem impossible. Common pains include wobbly rides from cheap parts failing, confusing sizes (too big or small for your feet), and fear of injury without knowing basics.
Forums like Reddit's r/NewSkaters overflow with stories of beginners buying $20 junk that snaps or stiff setups they can't control. Overwhelm from 'complete' vs 'deck only' leads to frustration. Most don't know street skating needs stable, grippy boards for learning ollies and manuals without slipping out.
🔍 What to Look For: Key Beginner-Friendly Features
Focus on 'complete skateboards' – pre-assembled with deck, trucks, wheels, and bearings – so you ride day one, no tools needed. Look for 7.75-8.25 inch wide decks for foot stability (fits most adults/teens), soft 83A wheels for smooth pavement grip without sliding, and aluminum trucks that turn easily.
Skip pro features like tiny wheels or hard bushings yet; beginners need forgiving setups that tolerate push errors. Good ones have strong 7-ply maple decks (explained: layered wood for flex without snapping) and ABEC-5+ bearings for smooth rolls. Check reviews for 'easy push' and 'stable for learning.'
✅ Essential Features for Beginners
•Complete pre-assembled setup – ride immediately, no assembly hassle
•7.75-8.25" wide deck – stable under feet, fits beginners' stance
•Soft 83A wheels – great street grip, forgiving on cracks
•Loose trucks with soft bushings – easy turning, less wobble
•7-ply maple construction – durable, flexes for smooth landings
•ABEC-5 or 7 bearings – rolls far with little push
•Double kicktail shape – perfect for first ollies and pop
🏆 Top 4 Best Skateboard for Beginners
#1
💰 Budget
Element Section Complete Skateboard
Learning Curve: Easy
$69.99
Difficulty: 1/5
Why Great for Beginners:
This pre-assembled board has a stable 7.75" deck perfect for new feet placement. Soft wheels grip streets well, and loose trucks make turning forgiving for shaky pushes.
✓ Beginner Pros
+Super affordable entry
+Lightweight and maneuverable
+Durable for falls
+Cool graphics motivate
✗ Beginner Cons
-Basic bearings slow quicker
-May need grip tape soon
👍 Best for: Teens/kids trying street skating casually
Balanced 8.0" deck with quality trucks offers stability for ollie practice. Smooth bearings let you roll farther, building confidence on longer cruises.
A skateboard has a deck (wood board), trucks (metal axles holding wheels), wheels (urethane for grip), and bearings (balls inside wheels for spin). For street skating – curbs, ramps, manuals – get a 'popsicle' shape: symmetric tails for tricks.
Beginners thrive on complete boards sized for 5'4"-6'0" heights. Realistic start: cruise flat ground, push smoothly, stand still balanced. 'Beginner-friendly' means stable speed, easy turns, survives drops. Avoid longboards (too fast downhill) or cruisers (less trick potential). Marketing like 'pro graphic' is fluff – prioritize ride quality from reviews.
🔧 Essential Accessories for Beginners
Triple Eight Certified Helmet
⚠️ Essential
$49.99
When to buy:
Day one
Falls happen first sessions – this protects your head on concrete. Adjustable fit for all sizes ensures comfort during long practices.
Ask: What's your height/weight? (Medium build: 8" deck). Budget? Street focus? Test mentally: want tricks soon or just cruise? Start under $100 for trial, $80-120 sweet spot for lasting fun.
Budget for basics only; recommended gets smoother parts. Premium if committing long-term. Red flags: under $40 (weak trucks snap), no assembly (DIY nightmare), hard wheels (slide city). Plan growth: beginner boards handle up to basic tricks before upgrade.
💰 Budget Guide for Beginners
200+
Avoid unless serious – overkill for first pushes
80 - $120
Sweet spot – smooth, durable for months of learning tricks
120 - $200
Premium beginner – pro-level parts, lasts to intermediate
Under $ - $80
Entry level – basic complete to test waters, may creak or slow fast
⚠️ Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Beginners grab flashy cheapies from big box stores that wobble and snap, quitting fast. Skipping safety gear leads to scary falls, killing motivation. Wrong size (tiny pro decks) causes slips; forums rant about this.
Avoid by sticking to completes under $120, measure feet first, read 'easy for beginners' reviews. Instead of pro boards, get forgiving ones – experienced skaters say basics build skills 10x faster.
×Buying incomplete decks needing assembly
×Choosing too cheap (<$40) that breaks
×Skipping helmet/pads and getting hurt
×Wrong size deck (too narrow/wide)
×Hard wheels for rough streets
×Ignoring truck setup (too tight/stiff)
×Not getting grip tape
×Upgrading too soon without basics
📈 Your Progression Path: Beginner to Intermediate
Start: Balance stationary, push straight, turn gently (week 1). Week 2-4: Ollie basics, small manuals on grass. Practice 30min/day.
Outgrow beginner board at consistent ollies/kickflips, wanting faster speed. Upgrade trucks/wheels first (~6 months). Intermediate: Custom setups, harder spots. Most stay beginner 3-6 months.
📚 Learning Resources for Beginners
📖Skateboard Book by Jim Grebb (ASIN: B07Z5N7Q2R)
📖Mastering Skateboarding by Per Welinder (ASIN: B08L7K9P3M)
Most beginners: Almost Skateboards Complete (B07P8Z9A4B) – perfect balance of easy and growable. Budget: Element Section (B08L5M2N4K). Premium: Santa Cruz VX (B09K4L2M3N).
Grab helmet + pads day one. You're ready – start slow, fall safe, fun awaits. Push off today!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
The Almost Skateboards Complete (B07P8Z9A4B) – stable 8in deck, smooth for street learning without frustration.
