Skateboards: Fit & Types

Ever since the first skateboards were created, the shape of the boards has changed. From surfboard-shaped wide boards to slalom skis on wheels, board design has run the gamut of sizes, from short to long, thin to wide. The shape of the board, or deck, is a matter of personal preference and the type of skateboarding one plans on doing.

  1. Wide

    • A Vision skateboard from the mid- to late-80's shows the wide style.

      Although not currently in style, wide skateboards can be 9 to 10 inches wide. These skateboards were popular for vert skating (on a large halfpipe ramp), which is a niche style of skating. Some wide skateboards are still made, but they are specialized items no longer in common use.

    Thin

    • A modern skateboard being used for a flip trick.

      Most modern skateboards are much thinner, from 7 to 8 inches. This smaller size makes the boards lighter and easier to maneuver while doing tricks, which makes them popular for modern street skating. Modern boards are, in fact, thinner than the freestyle boards of the 1980s, on which many modern street tricks were first perfected.

    Longboards

    • A longboard skater at rest.

      Longboards are much longer and heavier than standard skateboards. These boards encourage a completely different style of riding. Instead of jumps and tricks, speed and turns are emphasized when riding longboards.

    Concave

    • The upturned sides of a skateboard show its concave.

      The concave of a skateboard is the curve of the skateboard, and it has both an aesthetic and engineering purpose. Some skaters prefer a deeper or shallower concave and feel more comfortable riding with a specific concave. The concave also helps strengthen the board, making it stiffer and longer-lasting.