best skateboards for pro

The engineering behind the KPC Pro Skateboard Complete, Heartagram represents a genuine breakthrough because of its high-quality 7-Ply Maple deck, reinforced with reliable aluminum trucks and 52mm urethane wheels. Having tested numerous skateboards, I can say this one delivers the perfect balance of flex and stiffness, making it smooth on both streets and ramps.

It offers exceptional grip with its 80-grit griptape, ensuring your shoes stay firm during tricks, and it arrives fully assembled, so you’re ready to shred right out of the box. What truly makes this stand out is its durability—designed for both beginners and pros, yet built with professional-grade materials. Its ability to handle different surfaces and rider styles, while maintaining stability and control, makes it my top pick for serious skaters who demand quality and performance.

Top Recommendation: KPC Pro Skateboard Complete, Heartagram

Why We Recommend It: This skateboard combines professional-level components like a 7-Ply Maple deck, precision ABEC-7 bearings, and high-rebound urethane wheels, ensuring smooth rides on any terrain. Its fully assembled setup and tough grip tape make it ideal for both advanced tricks and casual riding, offering exceptional durability and control that surpasses alternatives like the other boards, especially in real-world skate conditions.

Best skateboards for pro: Our Top 4 Picks

• ANYFUN Pro Complete Skateboard 31″x8″ Checkerboard – Best Skateboards for Advanced Riders
• ANYFUN Pro Complete Skateboard 31″x8″ Kids & Adults Terror – Best for Beginners and Kids
• KPC Pro Skateboard Complete, Heartagram – Best Value
• Exway Atlas Pro 4WD All-Terrain Off Road Electric – Best for Professional Tricks and Off-Road Performance

What Features Make a Skateboard Suitable for Professionals?

When selecting a skateboard for professional use, several features are essential to ensure optimal performance and durability. These attributes define a board’s ability to withstand rigorous demands while providing the best skating experience.

• Deck Material: Professional skateboards typically use seven-ply maple wood or composite materials for enhanced strength and flexibility, allowing for better control during tricks.

• Size and Shape: A wider deck, generally between 8.25 to 8.75 inches, offers stability, enabling pros to land tricks with precision. The tail and nose shapes should facilitate various tricks, like kickflips and ollies.

• Trucks: High-quality aluminum trucks provide necessary support for jumps and grinds. A suitable width ensures alignment with the deck for balance.

• Wheels: The hardness and size of wheels play a crucial role. Softer wheels (durometers of 78A to 87A) aid in street skating, while harder wheels (88A to 101A) are ideal for skateparks due to their speed and agility.

• Bearings: ABEC-rated bearings (usually ABEC-5 to ABEC-9) ensure smooth rolling and minimal friction, essential for high-speed skating.

• Grip Tape: A textured grip tape enhances traction, which is vital for executing tricks without slipping.

These components collectively contribute to a skateboard that meets professional standards, offering the responsiveness and reliability required for advanced maneuvers.

How Do Deck Material and Shape Influence Pro Skateboarding Performance?

The material and shape of a skateboard deck significantly impact pro skateboarding performance. Each aspect contributes to responsiveness, durability, and overall feel.

Deck Material:

1. Maple: Standard in many pro decks, it offers a balance of flexibility and strength. This wood absorbs shock well, providing a smooth ride and reliable pop for tricks.

2. Bamboo: Known for its lightweight nature, bamboo allows for easy maneuverability. While it provides less shock absorption than maple, it offers good flex, making it suitable for certain tricks.

3. Fiberglass: Often used in hybrid decks, fiberglass can enhance durability and allow for unique shapes. It adds stiffness, which can improve performance in technical skateboarding.

Deck Shape:

1. Concave: A deeper concave allows for better foot placement and grip during tricks. Pro skaters often prefer a steep concave for precise control during flips and grinds.

2. Nose and Tail: The shape of the nose and tail affects the board’s responsiveness. A wider nose accommodates pop for tricks like nose manuals, while a steeper tail enables quick transitions into ollies and kickflips.

3. Width and Length: Generally, wider decks (8.0 inches or more) provide stability for street skating, while narrower decks enhance flip tricks and technical maneuvers. The right length aids foot positioning, crucial for precision in performance.

Skaters select their boards based on personal preference and skate style, highlighting the importance of deck material and shape in professional skating scenarios.

Why Are Quality Trucks and Wheels Essential for Pro Skateboards?

According to a study published in the Journal of Sports Science, the design and material quality of skateboard components significantly affect a rider’s ability to perform at high levels. The best skateboards for pro skaters utilize trucks made from durable materials like aluminum or magnesium, which enhance strength while keeping the weight manageable. Similarly, wheels made from high-grade urethane offer superior grip and resilience, allowing for smoother rides and improved impact absorption.

The underlying mechanism involves the relationship between the skateboard’s components and the forces exerted during tricks and maneuvers. Quality trucks provide better turning capabilities and stability, which are crucial for executing complex tricks. Additionally, premium wheels reduce vibrations and enhance traction, allowing skaters to maintain speed and control on various surfaces. Without these essential components, a skateboard would be less responsive, making it difficult for professionals to perform at their peak, leading to a higher likelihood of injury and decreased performance quality.

What Are the Leading Brands in Professional Skateboarding?

The leading brands in professional skateboarding are renowned for their quality, innovation, and commitment to the sport.

• Element: Element is known for producing high-quality skateboards and apparel, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Their boards often feature unique graphics and are made from durable materials, making them popular among professional skaters.
• Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz has a rich history in skateboarding and is recognized for its iconic designs and innovative technology. Their boards often incorporate advanced materials and construction methods, appealing to both pro skaters and enthusiasts.
• Baker: Founded by pro skater Andrew Reynolds, Baker is famous for its rebellious image and high-performance boards. Their skateboards are built for durability and performance, making them a favorite among street and park skaters alike.
• Birdhouse: Established by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, Birdhouse focuses on producing quality boards that cater to both beginners and professionals. Their emphasis on creativity and performance has made them a staple in the skateboarding community.
• Zero: Zero is known for its edgy graphics and strong presence in the professional skateboarding scene. With a focus on durability and performance, their boards are designed to withstand the rigors of street and vert skating, making them a top choice for pros.
• Plan B: Plan B is revered for its high-performance skateboards, often used by some of the best professional skaters in the world. Their boards are designed with cutting-edge technology, ensuring optimal performance in both technical tricks and transitions.

Which Brands Are Known for High-Performance Skateboards?

The main brands known for high-performance skateboards include:

• Element: Element is renowned for its high-quality decks that offer excellent durability and performance.
• Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz skateboards are celebrated for their iconic designs and their ability to withstand heavy use.
• Plan B: Plan B is a favorite among professional skaters for its innovative technology and emphasis on performance.
• Zero: Zero skateboards are known for their sturdy construction and have a strong reputation in the skateboarding community.
• Birdhouse: Founded by Tony Hawk, Birdhouse combines creativity with performance, making them a popular choice for pros.

Element: Element skateboards are crafted with a focus on sustainability and performance, often using high-quality materials that enhance the strength and flexibility of their decks. Their team of professional riders contributes to the design process, ensuring that the boards meet the rigorous demands of advanced skating techniques.

Santa Cruz: With a legacy dating back to the 1970s, Santa Cruz skateboards are not only built for performance but also come with a rich history in the skate culture. Their boards feature a variety of graphics and shapes, catering to different styles while maintaining a reputation for durability and resilience under challenging conditions.

Plan B: Plan B skateboards focus on performance-enhancing features, such as advanced concave shapes and pop technology, which allows for better tricks and control. Their decks are frequently used by some of the top professionals in the skating world, highlighting their commitment to quality and innovation in skateboard design.

Zero: Known for their tough decks and distinctive graphics, Zero skateboards cater to aggressive street and ramp skaters. The brand is synonymous with durability and performance, making their boards a go-to option for those who demand high performance and reliability in their equipment.

Birdhouse: Birdhouse skateboards combine artistic flair with functionality, reflecting Tony Hawk’s vision of skateboarding as an art form. Their boards are designed for both performance and style, appealing to a wide range of skaters, from beginners to seasoned pros, who appreciate the balance of creativity and high performance.

What Are the Best Pro Skateboard Models Currently on the Market?

The best skateboards for pro skaters combine durability, performance, and style to meet the demands of advanced tricks and techniques.

• Element Skateboards: Element offers a range of skateboards that are known for their lightweight yet durable construction, making them ideal for pro-level performance. Their decks often feature a unique combination of materials that enhance flexibility and strength, allowing skaters to execute tricks with precision.
• Santa Cruz Skateboards: With a history dating back to the 1970s, Santa Cruz skateboards are revered for their iconic graphics and robust designs. Pro skaters appreciate the attention to detail in their decks and the high-quality components, which provide excellent grip and stability during high-speed maneuvers.
• Almost Skateboards: Almost is known for its innovative technology, such as the Impact Support and Resin epoxy construction, which improves the board’s durability and pop. This makes it a favorite among professionals who need a reliable board that can withstand heavy impacts while maintaining performance.
• Baker Skateboards: Baker skateboards are celebrated for their straightforward, no-frills design, which appeals to many pro skaters looking for functionality over gimmicks. Their boards are constructed with high-quality maple wood and are designed to provide a stable riding experience, perfect for executing complex tricks.
• Zero Skateboards: Zero skateboards are built for durability and performance, often featuring a thicker wood construction for added strength. Pro skaters value Zero for its consistent performance and the brand’s commitment to producing boards that can handle the rigors of professional skateboarding.
• Plan B Skateboards: Plan B is recognized for its collaboration with top pro skaters, resulting in boards that are tailored for advanced techniques. Their emphasis on high-quality materials and cutting-edge design ensures that riders have the confidence to push their limits.
• Anti-Hero Skateboards: Anti-Hero skateboards are known for their rebellious designs and high-quality craftsmanship, making them a popular choice among pro skaters. Their boards are constructed to endure the harsh conditions of street skating while offering a responsive feel that enhances trick execution.

Which Features Should I Consider When Comparing Pro Skateboard Models?

Graphics and Aesthetics: While the performance features are critical, the visual appeal of a skateboard plays an essential role in a skater’s identity. Many pro models feature unique artwork and branding that resonate with skaters, allowing them to express their personal style on and off the board.

How Do Different Skateboarding Styles Impact the Choice of Skateboard?

Different skateboarding styles significantly influence the choice of skateboard to ensure optimal performance and comfort.

• Street Skateboarding: Street skateboarding involves performing tricks on urban obstacles such as stairs, rails, and ledges.
• Vert Skateboarding: Vert skateboarding is characterized by riding on vertical ramps or half-pipes, focusing on aerial maneuvers and tricks.
• Freestyle Skateboarding: Freestyle skateboarding emphasizes technical tricks performed on flat ground, requiring a versatile and responsive skateboard.
• Downhill Skateboarding: Downhill skateboarding focuses on speed and stability while descending hills, necessitating a board designed for control at high speeds.
• Longboarding: Longboarding is a relaxed style suited for cruising and carving, which requires a longer and wider board for improved stability.

Street skateboarding requires a skateboard that is lightweight and durable, typically featuring a popsicle shape that allows for easier flip tricks. A wider deck also provides better balance when landing tricks on various street obstacles, making it essential for pro street skaters.

For vert skateboarding, a board with a wider tail and nose is preferred, providing ample leverage for performing aerial tricks and grabs. The rigid construction of these boards enhances stability during high-flying maneuvers, making them suitable for pro skaters who frequently hit ramps.

Freestyle skateboarding demands a board that is both maneuverable and sturdy, often with a symmetrical shape and smaller wheels to facilitate technical tricks. The lightweight nature of these boards allows for quick foot movements, essential for executing the intricate tricks that define this style.

Downhill skateboarding necessitates a longboard that emphasizes stability and control, featuring a low center of gravity and wider trucks to handle high-speed turns. Pro downhill skaters often opt for boards with a drop-through design, which lowers the platform for increased stability and easier pushing.

Longboarding is tailored for cruising and carving, thus requiring a longer deck that provides more foot space and stability during rides. Pro longboarders typically select boards with softer wheels to absorb shocks from rough surfaces, enhancing comfort while achieving smooth rides.

What Should I Look for When Choosing a Skateboard Based on My Skill Level?

Graphics and Design: While not directly linked to performance, the visual appeal of a skateboard can motivate and inspire skaters. Many pro skaters choose boards with graphics that reflect their personal style or affiliations with brands, making their equipment a part of their identity.

What Is the Expected Price Range for Professional Skateboards?

This price range impacts both amateur and professional skaters, as investing in a quality skateboard can enhance performance and safety. For instance, a well-constructed board can withstand the stresses of tricks and jumps, reducing the likelihood of breakage and injury. According to a survey by the National Sporting Goods Association, approximately 6.5 million people in the U.S. skateboard regularly, emphasizing the demand for quality gear at varying price points.

The benefits of investing in a professional skateboard include improved performance, better stability, and enhanced control for advanced maneuvers. High-quality boards can also last significantly longer than cheaper alternatives, ultimately saving money over time. Many professional skaters endorse brands known for their reliability, which can lead to a better resale value for the equipment.

Best practices for choosing a professional skateboard involve considering individual skating style, the type of terrain to be tackled, and personal preferences regarding weight and aesthetics. It is also advisable to purchase from reputable brands and retailers to ensure the quality of components and materials, as well as to take advantage of warranties or return policies that protect your investment.

How Can I Ensure I Am Getting Good Value for My Investment in a Pro Skateboard?

To ensure you are getting good value for your investment in a pro skateboard, consider the following factors:

• Quality of Materials: The best skateboards for pro riders are usually made from high-quality materials like 7-ply or 8-ply maple wood. This construction not only provides durability but also enhances performance, allowing for better tricks and stability while riding.
• Brand Reputation: Investing in a skateboard from a reputable brand often guarantees better quality and customer support. Brands that specialize in pro skateboards usually have a track record of producing reliable products that meet the demands of professional skaters.
• Deck Shape and Size: The shape and size of the skateboard deck can significantly affect your riding experience. Pro skaters often prefer specific shapes that cater to their style of skating, whether it’s street, park, or vert, so it’s crucial to choose a deck that matches your intended use.
• Wheel Hardness and Size: Wheel hardness and size are essential for performance, with softer wheels providing more grip and a smoother ride, while harder wheels are better for tricks and slides. Make sure to select wheels that complement your skating style and the terrain you will be riding on.
• Truck Quality: High-quality trucks are vital for stability and maneuverability. Look for trucks that are made from durable materials and have a good turning radius to ensure that they can withstand the demands of pro-level skating.
• Weight Capacity: Different skateboards have varying weight capacities, which can affect their performance and durability. Ensure that the skateboard you choose can support your weight and that of any gear you may carry while riding.
• Reviews and Recommendations: Researching reviews from other skaters and seeking recommendations can provide insight into the best skateboards for pro use. User experiences can highlight both the pros and cons of specific models, helping you make an informed decision.

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