Skateboarding has been a favorite sport and hobby of many over the past few decades. As it has evolved, more girls than ever before have taken an interest in skateboarding. As the number of female skateboarders continues to grow, the question arises – are girl skateboards any good?
Girls’ skateboards are as good as boys’ skateboards. Girls looking to enter into skateboarding territory have fantastic options to choose from when it comes to selecting a high-quality board. Just like boys’ skateboards, there are plenty of good skateboards on the market to choose from.
Girls have been skating for decades now, but only now have women begun to explode onto the scene, which, of course, increases the amount of interest in skateboarding. With many famous and inspiring pro female skateboarders leading the movement, there has never been a better time for young girls to be interested in the sport.
Because skateboarding has long been a sport dominated by men, many of the decks and hardware used to construct the boards have been tailored to meet their needs. But times are changing, and it is essential to consider how female skateboards are useful and which decks live up to the hype.
What Is The Difference Between A Boy’s And A Girl’s Skateboards?
Height and weight are the main difference between male and female boards. Consequently, height and weight are two of the most important factors to consider when picking a board. Selecting the most suitable board for your height and weight will result in the most comfortable ride.
Other than the specifications and comfort of the deck, it is important to remember that good wheels are good wheels, good bearings are good bearings, and good decks are good decks. The answer is simple, and girl skateboards are great if they are made with good parts!
Where Can I Buy A Girl’s Skateboard?
If you are looking for your first female skateboard, the best place for you to start is a local skate shop. They will have the level of expertise and time to spend with you to ensure that your board is of good quality and a perfect fit. Skate shops typically have the high-quality products you need to make sure that your board is in tip-top shape.
Local skate shops are also a great place to find unique materials to use to construct your skateboards, such as bamboo, fiberglass, or plastic. One place that you will not be able to find a quality girl skateboard are toy shops and mall skate stores. Boards and parts found at these stores are usually low quality and fail to give you that perfect pop, lock, and drop.
What Makes A Good Girl’s Skateboard?
It should be clear that finding a good skateboard for a girl depends on the quality of the parts used to create your board. Picking the right parts will make or break the quality and riding experience of your board.
A multi-ply deck with quality wheels and adequately sized trucks are necessary for ensuring an excellent ride and superior board. A few other parts of your board that you will want to make sure are of excellent quality are the bearings and the grip.
Deck
When choosing the deck, you want to ensure that you choose one that is best suited for your measurements.
There are four different board sizes to choose from:
| Deck Size | Approx. Deck Width | Ideal Age |
|---|---|---|
| Full Sized | 7.5+ inches | 13+ Years Old |
| Mid Sized | 7.25 to 7.49 inches | 9-12 Years Old |
| Mini Sized | 6.80 to 7.2 inches | 6-11 Years Old |
| Micro Sized | 6.5 to 6.75 inches | 5 Years Old or younger |
Aside from the size, there are different shapes from which you can choose.
Trying different deck shapes is the best way to figure out which is best for you. Girls who are just entering into the sport should stick with a quality beginner board before moving on to retro shapes and cruisers.
Learn more about longboard decks by reading “What is a Kicktail Longboard?” and “What Is A Pintail Longboard?”
Wheels
Choosing high-quality wheels is an integral part of ensuring that your female skateboard rides well. Just like there are different boards, there are different wheels from which you can choose. For example, street skating wheels are usually smaller than park wheels and are more lightweight and responsive so that they are easier to flip.
Wheels are measured in millimeters, so the larger the wheel, the better, the better they are for speed, airs, and grabs. Some of the best skateboard wheels are made by brands like Orangatang, Ricta Clouds, Sector 9, Spitfire, and Shark Wheel.
Trucks
Determining which trucks to pick depends on your deck size. The axle length should match your deck’s width, which means that once the trucks are on, they should not be sticking out past the board or too narrow for the board. They should adequately align to ensure rideability and comfort.
Bearings
An excellent set of bearings gives a smooth and speedy ride. These round metal disks are also responsible for the stability and safety of the board. Keep an eye out for bearings that claim anti-slip or waterproof properties as they allow for a better grip.
Grip
Grip tape is the sandpaper-like surface that attaches to the top of the skateboard deck. This tape offers traction to keep your feet from slipping off of the board while you perform tricks.
You can find this in many different colors and designs, but it is best to consider the original style of black grip tape for a good board and riding experience. It has the most grip and is made with the highest quality grip.
Top Girl Skateboards To Get Started
For most, it is not a question of whether or not good skateboards are available. Instead, the focus should be on finding top-quality boards and parts to create the best possible rider experience. There are many fantastic girl skateboards that you can use to get started!
Below, you will find a few excellent boards for girls to use to begin their skateboarding journey. These boards are high-quality and possess impeccable integrity of parts.
Punisher Skateboards Butterfly Jive Complete
Punisher creates beautiful boards that are specifically designed to complement female skateboarders. For those who enjoy a fast and adrenaline-driven ride, this board is a fantastic choice.
Created with 7 Ply Maple, this board gives the rider a stable ride that provides sturdiness and a healthy dose of speed. Equipped with ABEC-7 Bearings and Heavy Duty Grip Tape, the Punisher Butterfly Jive is a multi-functional and steady board.
The board’s slight concave gives you extra control, which allows for more precisions. Pre-assembled with a gorgeous design, the Punisher Butterfly Jive offers a fantastic beginner’s board.
Punisher Cherry Blossom Complete Skateboard
Another Punisher board to consider, the Cherry Blossom Complete Skateboard offers as much quality and performance as the Butterfly Jive board from the same brand. Decks with a higher ply value indicate a better caliber board. The Punisher Cherry Blosson is fitted with a 9 Ply Maple deck. With a 7.75-inch width deck and slight concave, many riders will enjoy a smooth ride with plenty of control.
Excellent bearings help to maintain control throughout tight and quick turns. The only downside to decks with beautiful designs is that they likely peel or fade after extended use, especially if exposed to water, sun, and other elements that can compromise the deck’s underside. Overall, this is a very stable and reliable board for female riders.
Roller Derby Roller Street Series Skateboard
Every girl skateboarder looks for two things in a board, excitement and safety or stability. It also doesn’t hurt if the design is absolutely sick. Roller Derby boards come equipped with a firm grip tape that allows the rider to maintain a stable stance while using their board.
A top-quality, 9 Play Maple deck and a double kicktail is a great combination that lets any rider build a strong foundation. The wheels on the Roller Derby are large and smooth, so cracks and bumps are no problem for this board. Top-performing bearings also provide extra support for a tighter ride.
Yocaher Pika Punked Complete Skateboard
Talk about a sick deck! The Yocaher Complete Skateboard will give any rider an exciting and stylish ride. One great feature is that this board has a few customizable styles to choose from – perfect for girls who like to have their options.
The construction is sturdy as the deck is made with strong and pure Canadian Maple. A low concave provides outstanding control for those looking to cruise around on the Pika Punked Board.
Fitted with 99a wheels, you can be assured that you will not be tripping over any potholes or cracks. Premium Grip Tape and ABEC-7 bearings are great for those who like to ride with some speed. Ultimately, this is a great board for those who want a bit of everything.
Conclusion
There are plenty of great decks to choose from if you are a girl skateboarder. The most important thing to understand is how to pick out the right deck for you.
The most important thing to keep in mind while deciding on your board is to consider the quality of the parts used in constructing the entire board. You can make your own board by purchasing a separate deck, wheels, trucks, tape, and bearings. Or you can choose a completed skateboard like on the options listed above.
The most important thing to remember is choosing a board with well-made pieces specifically designed for your height, weight, riding style, and goals.
If you’re not sure if skateboarding is for you, maybe longboarding is. Check out “Why Longboarding Is Better Than Skateboarding,” to learn more.
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