All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
Loading...
If you skateboard, you already know that one small tweak can change everything — a smoother bearing, a grippier tape, or the right wheel size can turn a sketchy ride into pure confidence. Accessories aren't just add-ons; they are the secret sauce that tunes your board to your style, terrain, and goals. Think of them like shoes for an athlete: the wrong pair will slow you down and increase your risk of injury, while the right pair helps you perform at your best.
Decks come in a wild range of shapes and widths, measured in inches. Street skaters often choose decks between 7.5 and 8.25 inches wide for flip tricks and agility, while cruisers and transition riders prefer 8.5 to 10 inches for stability and control. The board’s shape — from a mellow, old-school kicktail to a modern popsicle — influences pop, tilt, and how the board sits underfoot. If you’re between sizes, think about your shoe size and riding goals. Bigger feet? Go wider. Want quick flicks? Stick narrower.
Trucks come in widths that should match your deck width in inches. Proper truck width keeps your wheels from biting the deck and gives you predictable turning. Materials range from forged aluminum for strength to lightweight hollow options that shave off ounces without sacrificing durability. Don’t forget the kingpin and bushings: swapping to softer or harder bushings can transform how tight or loose your trucks feel. And always use a solid skate tool for adjustments — it’s the multi-tool of the skate world.
Wheels are measured in diameter in inches and in hardness on the durometer scale. Smaller wheels, around 50–54 inches in diameter, are ideal for street skating — quicker acceleration and easier flips. For cruising and rough surfaces, larger wheels from 56–70 inches roll over cracks and rough patches with more ease. Bearings, often rated by ABEC numbers, dramatically affect roll speed and smoothness. A good bearing plus clean maintenance equals less push and more glide.
Grip tape is the one contact point that keeps your feet glued to the deck during tricks. A fresh sheet offers bite and stability; worn-out tape feels like trying to skate on ice. Tools like the multi-purpose skate tool, bearing press, and a quality file for smoothing edges are inexpensive but indispensable. These small investments keep your setup responsive and safe.
Helmets are non-negotiable. A properly fitting helmet protects your head from hard impacts and should fit snugly without wobbling. Look for helmets that meet safety certifications and match your riding — skate-specific helmets often have a lower profile and better coverage for falls typical in skateboarding. Think of a helmet as your investment in future sessions; it’s cheaper than the cost of a severe injury.
Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards give you the confidence to push limits. For learning tricks or skating rough terrain, pads can be the difference between brushing off a fall and a long recovery. Slide gloves and fist bumps add a layer of protection for freeride and downhill sessions, letting you slide and dab without shredding skin.
Riser pads add clearance between wheels and deck, preventing wheel bite on larger wheels. Shock pads absorb impact and reduce vibrations, which can extend deck life and improve feel when landing hard tricks. Adding or removing small millimeters of height is like adjusting suspension on a car — subtle but game-changing.
Upgrading bearings is one of the fastest ways to notice smoother rides. Premium bearings often come pre-lubricated with high-grade oil and sealed shields to keep dirt out. Regular cleaning and relubing extend their lifespan. Treat them like the engine of your board: keep them clean, and they’ll repay you with effortless roll and less pushing.
Electric skateboards bring a whole new dimension to commuting and cruising. E-boards range from lightweight commuters with small hub motors to powerful setups with dual belt drives built for speed. If you’re shopping, pay attention to battery range (how many miles per charge), top speed, weight, and braking systems. E-boards are closer to an electric scooter in experience, so they need a different kind of care and charging routine. As always, safety gear remains critical — faster speeds mean worse falls if something goes wrong.
There’s no one-size-fits-all brand, but certain names consistently deliver quality parts: Independent and Tensor for trucks; Bones and Bronson for bearings; Spitfire and Orangatang for wheels; Powell Peralta, Santa Cruz, and Element for iconic deck art and durable construction. For electric boards, companies like Meepo and Boosted-style manufacturers (varied models and suppliers) offer popular options across budgets. When comparing options, use a comparison site to see prices from multiple sellers and read verified reviews to find the best match for your needs.
Street skaters favor decks in the 7.5 to 8.25-inch range for faster flip tricks. Wheels around 50–54 inches with a harder durometer provide quick response and good pop. Trucks should be tight for quicker flip recovery, and bearings should be clean and fast. Invest in a quality set of bearings and a fresh grip tape when you want that immediate “spring” on your tricks.
Cruisers and commuters want comfort and rollability. Choose wider decks or pintail cruisers with wheels in the 57–65 inch range to smooth out rough pavement. Softer wheels reduce vibration and make everyday rides feel like skating on a carpet instead of cobblestones. Consider a deck with built-in concave for foot placement stability on longer rides.
Downhill riders prioritize stability at high speeds. That means wider decks, stiff trucks, and larger wheels that range into the upper 60s and 70s inches for a stable platform and better grip. Gloves and slide gear are essential; they let you control speed with hands-on slides rather than relying solely on foot braking.
Regular bearing maintenance is simple but transformative. Remove bearings, soak them briefly in a solvent to clear out grime, let them dry, and add a few drops of bearing lubricant before reassembly. This takes minimal time and returns big performance gains. Clean bearings make pushing less tiring — you’ll push fewer times and enjoy more flow.
Inspect your deck for cracks around the truck holes and tail, check trucks for stripped kingpins, and rotate wheels when uneven wear appears. Swap hardware when screws strip or rust. Little signs of wear are like faint engine noises in a car — ignore them and you risk a breakdown. Address them early, and keep sessions uninterrupted.
When you're ready to buy, comparing options across sellers is the smartest move. A comparison site can be especially helpful because it aggregates offers, price lists, and popular deals so you don’t shop in a vacuum. Look beyond price: shipping speed, seller ratings, warranty coverage, and return ease matter too. Check customer reviews for common complaints like hardware not fitting or bearings arriving gritty — those details save time and frustration.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to feel a difference. Swapping to better bearings, fresh grip tape, and new wheels can often be done for under fifty dollars and will dramatically improve roll and confidence. Even simple items like riser pads or new bushings adjust ride comfort without breaking the bank. Think of these upgrades as inexpensive tuning — they unlock better performance for very little cost.
Price lists can be confusing if you don’t know what items are typically bundled. Look for transparency: breakdowns that show deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, and any included hardware. Popular offers often bundle parts to save you cash, and seasonal sales can drop prices significantly. Track prices over a few weeks to spot real deals versus small markdowns that may be marketing tactics. A bit of patience and comparison pays off.
One classic mistake is buying mismatched truck widths and deck widths — that leads to unstable turning or wheel bite. Another is ignoring wheel size: too-large wheels on a slim deck need riser pads to prevent biting. Also, don’t buy the cheapest bearings and expect them to perform; sometimes spending a little more on reputable bearings saves money over time because they last longer and need less maintenance.
Customization is part of the skateboarding joy. Swap wheels for different terrain, experiment with softer bushings for tighter turns, and try different deck shapes until you find what clicks. Use a simple method: change one component at a time, ride for several sessions, and note the difference. This method avoids chasing phantom improvements and helps you identify what truly enhances your style.
Buying skate gear should feel empowering, not overwhelming. Prioritize safety gear first, choose components that match your riding style, and use comparison tools to find the best prices and verified sellers. Whether you’re a beginner hunting for a dependable first setup or a veteran tightening the last millimeter of your ride, small upgrades and smart shopping deliver big returns. Ready to roll?
Conclusion: Skateboarding accessories are more than optional extras — they shape how you ride, how safe you are, and how much fun you have. Match your gear to your goals, maintain it regularly, and use comparison methods to find honest prices and reliable products. With the right upgrades, every push becomes smoother, every trick becomes cleaner, and every commute becomes more enjoyable. Now go tweak your setup and enjoy the ride.
