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Step 1
The first thing you will want to consider is the size of the board. Skateboards normally come in 3 standard sizes: 7.5” wide, 7.625” wide and 7.75” wide. If you are very young and have kind of small feet, then you may wish to try the 7.5” board, or if you have bigger feet, try the larger sizes. Try standing on a variety of boards at the shop to see what size feels most comfortable for you.
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Step 2
Consider how concave the board is. What this means is how steep the angle of the nose and tail are at the ends of the skateboard. Low angles make the board easier for new riders to control, or if you have a little experience, you may wish to have a skateboard with steeper concave, which allows you to get more air when doing flips and jumps.
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Step 3
The trucks on the bottom of the skateboard are the next consideration. Trucks hold the skateboard wheels, and also aid with grinding and sliding. There is not a lot to be said about which truck is best to use, with the exception of saying to make sure you get the trucks that are the right size to match the skateboard size you selected in Step 1. The skate shop can help you double check to make sure you are getting the right size.
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Step 4
The size of the skateboard wheels is the next consideration. The larger the wheel, the easier it is to obtain and maintain speed with your board. Most sizes are 50-56mm, but you can choose any size that is comfortable to you.
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Step 5
The firmness of the wheel is also to be considered. If you will be riding on rough surfaces, then soft wheels are recommended, because they will form to the contour of the ground as you ride. Hard wheels work best for smooth surfaces, and are generally much faster than soft wheels, but can slide very easily. New riders should ask for a wheel with a hardness rating of 99A.
