We get a lot of questions about equipment, so we thought we’d make life easier with a simple guide to buying a first skateboard.
Buying someone’s first skateboard can be tricky. You want something that’s good quality, but won’t break the bank. we’ve picked a few beginner-friendly completes with both budget and quality in mind.
If you want a ballpark figure, we’d say you usually need to spend around £40+ to get a skateboard that isn’t going to be terrible, but there are a couple of exceptions if you shop smart.
In our book, I run through each component of a skateboard and what to look for. The cheapest and easiest way to start is to buy all the parts together. These are known as completes or set-ups. If you Google complete skateboards you’ll be spoilt for choice, so this post is here to stop you scrolling for days.
One quick reminder: you get what you pay for. A rubbish skateboard can be so difficult to ride that it puts people off skating altogether.
Quick jump
- Skateboard sizes (by age)
- Mini, midi, and full-size (length matters too)
- Local shop picks
- Best buy deals (Rollersnakes sales)
- Premium option (Blast Skates)
- Second-hand bargains
- Avoid these boards
Skateboard sizes (by age)
Skateboard sizes are measured by width, usually somewhere between 7 inches and 9 inches (sometimes wider). For a first board, shape matters too. The classic popsicle shape is the easiest and most versatile place to start.
A simple beginner sizing guide
- Age 3 to 5: 7.25 to 7.5 is ideal
- Age 6 to 8: 7.5 to 7.75 works really well
- Age 9 and up: 7.75 and upwards (most beginners are happy somewhere between 7.75 and 8.25)
Mini, midi, and full-size (length matters too)
It’s not just width. Many smaller boards are also shorter, which makes a big difference for smaller skaters because the wheelbase and overall length feel more manageable.
A handy rule of thumb
- Anything 7.5 or below is often smaller in length as well as width
- These are commonly sold as mini completes (and sometimes midi depending on the brand)
- Full-size boards are usually 7.75 and up and have a longer standard deck length
Different brands label things differently, so always check the actual deck width and whether it’s described as mini, midi, or full-size on the product page.
Local shop picks
These two are here on purpose. If you can, shop local. Nothing beats going into a skate shop, picking a board up, standing on it, and getting a feel for the size and shape before you buy. Route One and Ocean Sports are shops we recommend, with knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the right set-up.
Route One pick (best for trucks)
One thing that often lets beginner completes down is the trucks. They either do not turn properly, or the bushings are rock hard, which makes it hard for lighter skaters to steer.
Route One’s own-brand complete is a standout because the trucks feel really similar to Independent Trucks in the way they turn. That matters a lot for beginners because being able to carve and steer confidently makes everything easier.
Our verdict
- Deck shape and concave: solid
- Wheels and bearings: do the job
- Trucks: the reason we rate it, they turn properly and feel great for learning
Ocean Sports pick (Krooked 7.75)
Ocean Sports stock a Krooked complete in 7.75, which is a brilliant “normal sized” option for most kids aged 7 and up, and loads of teens too. It’s a great all-rounder size and it’s from a proper skate brand.
Our verdict
- Great first full-size width for most beginners
- Proper brand deck
- A really solid option if you want something that feels like a step up without overthinking it
Best buy deals (Rollersnakes sales)
If you catch the Rollersnakes sales at the right time, you can sometimes pick up Flip or Blind completes for around £30 to £40. For the money, that is seriously good value and often far better than a random budget complete at the same price.
Our verdict
- When the sales are good, this is one of the best value ways to get a proper complete
- Worth checking before buying anything else
Premium option (Blast Skates)
Blast Skates, My First Skateboard
This one is different from everything else on the list, but we had to include it.
Made by UK company Blast Skates, this shaped skateboard comes in great packaging and includes instructions for putting it together, plus a tool. Even though it’s wide, it’s much shorter than a standard board at 26 inches, which makes it perfect for the smallest beginners.
It even has a space between the two grip patches for the skater to write their name.
Our verdict
- The coolest beginner board by far
- Proper quality
- Expensive, but brilliant if you want something special and you’ve got the budget
Potential bargain: second-hand
Facebook Marketplace and eBay can be hiding places for bargain skateboards, but also loads of rubbish.
A genuinely decent second-hand setup can last ages. Often the deck goes first and the rest keeps rolling for years. The problem is, if you do not know what you’re looking for, it’s easy to buy something that was cheap and bad even when it was new.
A couple of quick checks
- If the wheels look like hard shiny plastic, avoid
- If the trucks look like toy metal, avoid
- If it looks like it’s been left in the rain and the wood is splitting, avoid
If you want a quick sanity check, have a look at the brand and see if it’s in the list below, if so then it’s a definite no.
Avoid these boards
Some brands consistently sell boards that barely roll, do not turn properly, and make skating feel ten times harder than it needs to be.
We’d seriously avoid:
- United Skates
- No Fear
- Airwalk
- Osprey
- Rampage
- Decathlon, Oxelo
- Anything in Argos
Final thought
A good first skateboard can kick off a lifelong hobby. A bad one can put someone off forever. If you buy a board that rolls properly and turns properly, you’re giving them the best chance to enjoy skating.
Want help learning?
Come and book a trial at our skate park and we’ll help you get started with the basics, safely and confidently.
Want a beginner guide in book form?
Our book How to Train Your Skateboard covers everything a beginner might need, what to wear, where to skate, basic skills, and first tricks. Written by our very own head coach, Jack Francis.
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