Whether you are just starting out or have already acquired the basics, you can opt to buy a custom-made skateboard that you will compose entirely. In this case, you must start by choosing a board that is adapted to your size and your style of practice.
In general, for beginners, we recommend buying a complete skateboard, ready to ride. For more information on this subject, see our guide"Choosing my skateboard to start ".
What size for my skateboard deck?
This is the main criterion for choosing your board. The size of the board is always noted in inches (") and it expresses its width. The choice of the size depends on your size and your shoe size. The following table summarizes the correspondence between the size of the shoe and the size of the board:
| Size (EU) | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45+ |
| Minimum tray width (in") | 7.25 | 7.25 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.75 | 7.75 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.125 | 8.125 |
| Maximum table width (in ") | 7.5 | 7.625 | 7.75 | 7.75 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.25 | 8.25 | 8.25 | 8.375 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
If we stick to the chart, we can see for example that an adult who wears size 44 should opt for a size between 8.125" and 8.5".
Your program. You can refine your selection by thinking about the discipline you want to practice or that you already practice. Indeed, depending on your use, you will need a larger or smaller size.
- A narrow skateboard deck will be lighter and easier to handle. It will be a better choice for street and "Flip Tricks" lovers.
- A wider deck will offer more foot room and more room to reposition tricks, and it will allow for a more stable board by installing wider trucks. This will be a better choice for skaters who only do curves (Ramp and Bowl) or Cruising.
Good to know: Keep in mind that there is no such thing asa perfect size. You can theoretically use several sizes without any problem. It's hard to know until you've tried several different sized skates. To begin with, it is necessary to go for the unknown and to decide for a precise size!
What is the concave?
All skateboards have a concave. The concave is the curved shape of the board when viewed widthwise. A skateboard deck is rarely flat, it is always more or less concave.
The concave has 3 uses:
- to offer more control during tricks,
- to wedge the foot when riding,
- to improve the solidity of the board.
In general, there are 3 types of concave: weak, medium and strong. Depending on the brand, they can be named differently (Light or Mellow, Medium, High or Strong). It is very rare to find a completely flat board, except on the reissues of old-school boards.
It is important to know that the concave can be different on two boards, even if they are both rated "Medium". Indeed, each brand keeps its own manufacturing process and some skaters prefer certain brands for their particular concave.
If in doubt, for a first skate, it is better to choosea medium or light concave.
And apart from the size and the concave?
Then, it's almost done! All you have to do is choose the decoration that suits you best and you're done!
As mentioned above, there are differences between the trays of the different brands. Some have more pop (ability to "explode" to jump higher) and others are known to be more solid for example.
These are criteria that are very difficult to judge, especially for a beginner. Most skaters have different opinions, and it is advisable to try it yourself to make your own opinion!
Also note, there are asymmetrical boards, that is to say that the nose and the tail have a different shape and that the skateboard is used in one direction only. These boards, available in large sizes, are generally reserved for Pool lovers. If you don't know what to do, don't go for this kind of board.
The exceptions: Flight, Everslick, Impact, VX
There are some exceptions and some skate decks have real differences in construction compared to the classic wooden decks.
This is the case, for example, with the "Flight" range from Powell Peralta which has a special maple and carbon construction. These decks are very solid and much softer, which is not necessarily suitable for skaters in street. They are also much more expensive.
Same thing for the "Everslick" range of Santa Cruz and Creature on which a plastic sole is added under the deck to improve the solidity and the glide for the boardslides. We find this particularity with other brands like Plan B and its boards "Black Ice".
You can sometimes find on some boards carbon reinforcements at the level of trucks which improve the overall strength. This kind of feature is usually specified on the corresponding product sheet. At Enjoi, this is the IMPACT series.