Skateboard Decks are constructed by gluing 7 layers of hard maple ply together. Later, the boards are laminated, cut to shape, sanded, and finished. When deciding what deck to purchase one must keep in mind the following factors: length, shape, width, and whether it is flat or concave. Each of these variables has a different effect on the ride the deck offers.

Length and Shape

The length of a skate board (from the nose to the tail) determines the velocity and strength of the board as well as the skater’s ability to control their movements. Longboards are perfect for fast pace skating and offers a stability that smaller boards cannot. If you are into cruising, carving, or downhilling, a longboard is what you are looking for. However, longboards do not offer the capacity of a smaller board when it comes to control and flip tricks. If you are interested in having the versatility of ramps, skate parks, or street skating, a smaller board is what you need. Another detail to pay attention to is the size of the skater themselves. If the skater is a small person, then they should ride a small board.

Skateboards come in two different shapes: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical means that the board is the same shape on both ends. This gives the skater the ability to kick-flip and also offers the option of riding the board in reverse. An asymmetrical board is rounded on the front side (or nose) of the board and straight on the back (or tail). These boards are for skaters who ride forwards most of the time while cruising, carving, ramp riding, or downhilling.

Width

As with length and shape, width should also be determining factor based on the type of skating desired. Width is typically measured at the widest position of the board. Ramp skaters should skate with boards that are 8–9 inches wide. Because they offer more surface space, wider boards are easier to balance on. Narrower boards are designed for street or trick skaters and range in width from 7.5-8 inches. A deck that is less than 8 inch is best for beginners because it is easier to learn tricks on. Another thing to take into consideration is the size of the skater themselves: big feet on a small board tend to give the rider a feeling of instability.

Concave

Concave means “rounded inward”. When a skate board is concave, the nose, tail, and sides of the boards are raised while the middle of the board is shallow. The concave of a board has a significant effect on the response of the skateboard to the skater. A deeper concave board allows the skater to be more hard-hitting with their tricks due to the stiffness of the deck. It also helps to keep the skater’s foot centered. The Mini-logo deck is an example of a deck with a deeper concave. In giving their boards this option, they have also reduced the thickness and weight of the board without loosing pop and response.