For new skateboard decks, there are tons of options out there. But before deciding it’s best to choose what you want from your deck. For example, if you’re going to be doing a lot of cruising, and still want the ability to play skate, Krooked has some dope options. From the Zip Zinger to the fatty Reyes Guest deck, these bad boys give you the ability to carve the concrete and pop ollies.
If you want a longboard for serious cruising and hills, you can go with more of a traditional flex surfboard, or the longer skateboard decks style. A longer, bouncier longboard will give you more speed, while the shorter ones give you agility and precision for maneuvering in the city.
Grip tape is also important. You want a nice balance of sticky and grindy. If you’re doing hella tricks, beware that the harder tape will ruin your shoes (which will get ruined anyway, but the harder tape does it faster). There are also crazy colors and styles with cool little designs. Or you can go with the traditional black. Grip tape is what you will be seeing every time you look at your board, so don’t be afraid to get funky.
It’s no secret that we skateboarders have a particular style. If you line up some hippies, hipsters and skaters, it’s going to be pretty obvious who’s who – not just because the hippie is wearing beads, the hipster is in oversize dark glasses, and the skater is carrying a skateboard or longboard. That might sound overly stereotypical – but it’s not far from the truth.
Skateboarding style is all about jeans, a cool t-shirt (either long or short sleeve), a hoodie or a jacket, a beanie, a backpack…and of course, skateboard shoes. The easiest way to achieve a skater look is to buy skater brands of apparel. Some of my favorites are Alien Workshop, Mystery, Almost and Fourstar. I’m not like some of my skater friends who wear the same thing over and over til it’s ripped and full of holes.
I pretty much live in my purple and black striped beanie. It looks awesome and is also functional – keeps my head warm when I’m in the skate park in winter. As for hoodies, I have loads: an Alien Workshop blue and white striped number, a black Baker sweatshirt, and an Almost Flocker bright green sweat with a yellow star on it – my girlfriend’s fave. My baggy indigo jeans are by Blind – I definitely prefer skate clothing to the tight stuff. And I have loads of awesome pairs of skater-brand socks by Alien Workshop.
If you want a longboard
for serious cruising and hills, you can go with more of a traditional flex surfboard, or the longer skateboard decks style. A longer, bouncier longboard will give you more speed, while the shorter ones give you agility and precision for maneuvering in the city.