The 5 Best Skateboards of 2023

Although there are several viral videos featuring toddlers dominating the skatepark, multiple organizations say that children younger than five years old should hold off on skateboarding. The reason: A child’s balance and judgment are not fully developed by this age, meaning they are at a higher risk for serious injury. Even when the child is old enough to start, it's recommended that they are supervised for the first year of riding.

First-time riders will want to look for standards, also known as tricks and the lesser-used double-kicks. Banahan says they are the most versatile board since they can be used on all terrains and can be used for tricks. And if you need more convincing, these types of boards are used by Olympic riders. 

Although many skateboards are available online, Banahan highly recommends buying your board in person. “It’s a very individual decision and you have to go with what feels comfortable,” he says. As for where to go, a skateboard speciality shop may be ideal for your first board, as you’ll be able to ask questions and potentially test the ride.

No matter your level, you always need to invest in the right safety gear. Nadji Kirby, Senior Program Manager for Domestic Road Safety at Safe Kids Worldwide, tells The Spruce that a helmet, pads, and wrist guards are all you need. 

“The most important piece of safety gear is a properly-fitted helmet,” she says. “But you should also consider purchasing knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards.”

Safety should always come first when it comes to skateboarding, and that means buying a helmet. Though you may think helmets for bikes and skateboards are interchangeable, Banahan says you should steer clear of using aerodynamic-style helmets for skateboarding, as they don’t always protect from the types of falls you take on a skateboard. Rather, look for a bucket-style helmet. 

 Prior to shopping, measure the circumference of your head, ideally an inch above the eyebrow. This will ensure you purchase a helmet that will stay in place if you try to move it from side to side. From there, check inside the helmet for a Consumer Product Safety Committee (CPSC) sticker. This means the helmet meets the CPSC standard and ensures that it will provide a high level of protection in case of any impact. 

Believe it or not, shoes play an important role in your ride and your safety. According to Banahan, you should avoid wearing a running sneaker or cross trainer as they will have too much grip on the board. You need to be able to maneuver your feet with ease to perform tricks, push, navigate, and even bail on your board for safety. Instead, Banahan recommends any flat sole sneaker, like Vans.

“Once you have a complete skateboard, you never really have to buy a complete skateboard again,” Banahan says. “You can just replace the parts as needed.” Decks, which are often broken first, will have to be replaced if they are shattered. Wheels will need to be replaced when they are irregular shaped or show signs of flat spots, coning, or major flat spots. Trucks have a little more flexibility. While you will need to replace them when they become warped, have small cracks, bent axles, or damaged baseplates, you may be able to replace parts of the truck rather than the whole piece.

Unless your child has been in a crash, Kirby says the Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends getting a new helmet every five to 10 years. This is “based on the wear and tear of your helmet.” Common signs of wear and tear include cracked foam, frayed or weakened chin straps, and faded coloring.