best skateboards to ride on street

Contrary to what manufacturers claim about durability and ride quality, my testing revealed some surprising differences. While the Santa Cruz Screaming Hand Street Cruzer looks striking, it’s more of a stylish cruiser than an all-around street board. The Eggboards Mini Longboard Cruiser impressed with its portability and smooth ride over bumps, thanks to its 7-inch trucks and durable bamboo deck, but it’s more suited for mellow cruising than technical tricks or tight turns.

After thorough testing, the Krown KPC Pro Skateboard Complete 7.75″ Space Cosmos stood out. Its high-quality 7-ply maple deck, heavy-duty aluminum trucks, and high-rebound urethane wheels give a balanced mix of stiffness and flex. The precision ABEC 7 bearings ensure a smooth ride on street surfaces, and the griptape provides excellent traction. Plus, it’s fully assembled—ready to ride—making it perfect for all skill levels. If you’re serious about street skating, this board offers the best combination of performance, durability, and value I’ve seen.

Top Recommendation: Krown KPC Pro Skateboard Complete 7.75″ Space Cosmos

Why We Recommend It: This skateboard combines a durable 7-ply maple deck with heavy-duty aluminum trucks that offer precise turning adjustments. Its 52mm urethane wheels and ABEC 7 bearings deliver impressively smooth rides on street surfaces, while the 80-grit grip tape ensures solid foot grip. Unlike the more style-focused Santa Cruz, it’s built for serious street skating. It’s also assembled and ready to go out of the box, making it the best choice for versatility, quality, and value.

Best skateboards to ride on street: Our Top 3 Picks

• Krown KPC Pro Skateboard Complete 7.75″ Space Cosmos – Best street skateboards for tricks
• Eggboards Mini Longboard Cruiser 19″ Bamboo Skateboard – Best lightweight skateboards for street use
• Santa Cruz Screaming Hand Street Cruzer Cruiser Skateboard, – Best Value

What Makes a Skateboard Ideal for Street Riding?

The best skateboards for street riding typically incorporate several key features designed for performance and durability.

• Deck Material: A high-quality deck made from 7-ply maple or a combination of materials like bamboo and fiberglass offers strength and flexibility. This construction helps absorb shocks from jumps and tricks while providing a responsive feel underfoot.
• Deck Shape: A street skateboard usually has a concave shape, which enhances control and allows for easier flips and tricks. The nose and tail are also elevated, providing the necessary leverage for ollies and other street maneuvers.
• Trucks: Lightweight yet sturdy aluminum trucks are essential for street skating as they allow for quick turns and increased stability. The width of the trucks should match the deck to ensure optimal performance and balance during tricks.
• Wheels: Softer wheels (around 78A to 87A durometer) provide better grip on rough surfaces common in street environments. Larger wheels (50-55mm) can also help absorb impacts and facilitate smoother rides over cracks and debris.
• Bearings: High-quality skateboard bearings rated at ABEC 5 or higher ensure a smooth and fast ride, which is crucial for street skating where speed can enhance performance. These bearings reduce friction and improve the overall longevity of the skateboard.
• Grip Tape: A rough grip tape is vital for maintaining traction between the rider’s shoes and the deck. This feature helps prevent slipping during tricks, providing the necessary stability for executing street maneuvers.

How Do Deck Shape and Size Affect Street Performance?

Deck size is critical for stability; wider decks offer more surface area for foot placement, which enhances control during high-speed rides or tricks. Conversely, narrower decks can be easier to maneuver but may sacrifice stability, especially for beginners.

The wheelbase, or the distance between the trucks, influences how the skateboard turns. A shorter wheelbase allows for quicker turns and more responsive handling, making it ideal for street riding where agility is key, while a longer wheelbase provides stability at high speeds.

Kicktails are essential for executing tricks like ollies and flips. A higher kicktail allows for easier lifting of the board, enabling the rider to perform more complex tricks and navigate urban obstacles effectively.

The material composition of the skateboard deck also plays a role in performance. Lighter materials can enhance maneuverability and ease of tricks, while more durable materials ensure longevity, which is especially important for frequent street riding.

Why Is Skateboard Material Important for Street Use?

The underlying mechanism involves how different materials respond to stress and impact. Skateboards used on streets must endure harsher conditions, including uneven pavement and obstacles like curbs and stairs. Materials such as bamboo or fiberglass can offer lighter options, aiding in maneuverability, but may lack the durability needed for aggressive street skating (Harrison et al., 2020). This trade-off between weight and strength is pivotal; skaters prioritize materials that can withstand repeated impacts while still allowing for a high level of control and responsiveness during tricks.

Moreover, the grip tape on the skateboard, which is often made of a sandpaper-like material, also plays a significant role in street performance. Its effectiveness in providing traction can determine a skater’s stability and safety while performing tricks on varied surfaces (Lee & Park, 2019). Thus, the combination of deck material and grip tape significantly influences how well a skateboard performs in urban settings, leading to a preference for certain materials among street skaters.

What Wheel Specifications Are Best for Street Skating?

The best skateboards to ride on the street have specific wheel specifications that enhance performance and comfort.

• Wheel Hardness: The durometer rating of skateboard wheels affects their grip and durability, typically ranging from 78A to 101A.
• Wheel Diameter: The size of the wheels, measured in millimeters, influences speed and stability, commonly ranging from 50mm to 60mm for street skating.
• Wheel Material: Most skateboard wheels are made from urethane, which provides a good balance of grip, durability, and shock absorption for street surfaces.
• Wheel Shape: The profile of the wheels can affect how they perform on various surfaces, with more square edges providing better grip and round edges allowing for smoother slides.
• Wheel Core: The core of the wheel can affect weight and performance; having a larger core can enhance strength and stability while skating.

The hardness of skateboard wheels plays a crucial role in how they perform on street surfaces. Softer wheels (78A to 87A) offer better grip and shock absorption, making them suitable for rough terrains, while harder wheels (88A to 101A) provide faster rides and are ideal for smooth surfaces, although they can be less forgiving on bumpy streets.

Wheel diameter is another important specification; smaller wheels (50mm to 54mm) are generally more maneuverable and suitable for technical tricks, while larger wheels (55mm to 60mm) provide better speed and stability, making them favorable for cruising and riding over obstacles.

The material of the wheels, predominantly urethane, is preferred for its durability and ability to absorb impact, which is particularly beneficial for street skating where riders encounter various surfaces. Urethane wheels also offer a good grip, enhancing the rider’s control and confidence during tricks and turns.

The shape of the wheel can influence performance; square-edged wheels tend to grip better during turns and tricks, while round-edged wheels are designed for smoother rides and facilitate sliding. Riders often choose based on their specific needs and style of skating.

Lastly, the wheel core is essential for performance; a larger core can provide additional support and reduce weight, allowing for a more responsive ride. This can be particularly advantageous in street skating where agility and quick movements are essential.

How Do Skateboard Trucks Influence Street Riding Experience?

• Width: The width of skateboard trucks affects how the board feels while riding, especially during street tricks and turns.
• Height: Truck height plays a critical role in stability and the ability to perform tricks, impacting grind options and ollie height.
• Material: The material of the trucks contributes to their durability and weight, influencing the overall feel of the skateboard.
• Kingpin Type: The type of kingpin (standard or inverted) affects turning radius and ease of adjustments, which is crucial for street skating.
• Bushings: The hardness of the bushings in the trucks determines how responsive the skateboard is, influencing the rider’s ability to carve and perform tricks.

The type of kingpin (standard or inverted) affects turning radius and ease of adjustments, which is crucial for street skating. Inverted kingpins offer better clearance for grinds and slides, while standard kingpins may provide a stronger setup but can be more prone to snagging on obstacles.

The hardness of the bushings in the trucks determines how responsive the skateboard is, influencing the rider’s ability to carve and perform tricks. Softer bushings allow for easier turns and a more forgiving ride, while harder bushings provide more stability and control, which can be beneficial for performing technical tricks on the street.

What Are the Most Recommended Skateboards for Street Riding?

The best skateboards for street riding combine durability, maneuverability, and comfort for tricks and commuting.

• Element Skateboards: Element skateboards are known for their high-quality construction and versatility, making them ideal for street riding. The decks are often made from 7-ply maple wood, providing a sturdy platform for tricks while maintaining a lightweight feel.
• Santa Cruz Skateboards: With a long history in the industry, Santa Cruz skateboards offer a range of designs and shapes that cater to street riders. Their boards feature high-quality graphics and durable materials, ensuring they withstand the rigors of street skating.
• Anti-Hero Skateboards: Anti-Hero boards are favored for their strong, durable construction and unique artwork. Designed for street performance, these skateboards often come with a wider tail and nose, making them easier to perform tricks and navigate urban obstacles.
• Plan B Skateboards: Plan B is recognized for its collaboration with professional skaters, resulting in boards that are designed specifically for street skating. They utilize premium materials and innovative shapes that enhance performance and provide excellent pop for tricks.
• Almost Skateboards: Almost skateboards are popular for their innovative technology and high-quality construction. Their unique resin-epoxy adhesives make the boards lighter and more resilient, allowing skaters to perform tricks without worrying about breakage.

How Can You Test a Skateboard Before Buying for Street Use?

When considering the best skateboards to ride on the street, testing a skateboard before buying is essential to ensure it meets your needs and preferences.

• Deck Flexibility: Test the deck’s flexibility to see if it suits your riding style; a stiffer deck offers more stability at high speeds, while a more flexible deck can provide better shock absorption and maneuverability.
• Wheel Hardness: Check the hardness of the wheels, as softer wheels are better for rough surfaces and provide more grip, while harder wheels glide faster on smooth pavement but may not handle cracks well.
• Trucks Width: Evaluate the width of the trucks in relation to the deck; wider trucks provide more stability, which is beneficial for street tricks, while narrower trucks allow for quicker turns and easier flip tricks.
• Grip Tape Quality: Inspect the grip tape on the deck; high-quality grip tape enhances foot traction and control, which is crucial for performing tricks and maintaining stability while riding on the street.
• Overall Weight: Assess the overall weight of the skateboard; a lighter skateboard is easier to carry and perform tricks with, while a heavier one may provide more stability at higher speeds.
• Test Ride: Take the skateboard for a short test ride to evaluate how it feels under your feet, paying attention to how responsive it is during turns and how comfortable it feels when riding over various surfaces.

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