If you’re a skateboarder, an aspiring skater, or someone who is interested in skateboarding as a hobby, then you have most likely asked yourself the question: How much does a skateboard weigh?
After all, it makes perfect sense why this would be an important factor to consider – after all, your board’s weight can determine both its performance and style when on the street or during tricky ramps. But just how heavy are those decks?
That’s exactly what we aim to investigate within this guide. We’ll explore everything there is to know about the weight of different decks – from their components to construction materials – so that no matter your style and preferences, you’ll come away with all the info necessary for selecting the right set-up for yourself.
So whether you’re a newbie looking for reliable advice or even already experienced riders looking for some fresh facts concerning boards’ weights, this article has something for everyone.
How Much Does A Skateboard Weigh?
Skateboards typically range from 7 to 8 pounds depending on the brand, materials used, and quality of construction.
➞ Smaller boards (7” to 8.5”) tend to weigh the least, around 7 pounds or so.
➞ Boards that are 8.75” and larger will usually weigh a bit more – around 8 pounds.
➞ Cruisers and longboards are usually the heaviest at around 8.5 pounds or more.
The materials used to construct skateboards also play a major role in determining the board’s weight.
Skateboard Weight Table
Type of Skateboard | Average Weight (lbs) |
---|---|
Longboard | 4-7 lbs |
Standard Skateboard | 2-5 lbs |
Cruiser Skateboard | 3-6 lbs |
➞ For example, wood and plastic decks will typically weigh less than those made with aluminum or steel.
However, experienced skaters know that lighter weight doesn’t necessarily translate to improved performance – in fact, too light of a board can actually be detrimental to your skills.
That said, lighter boards tend to be the more popular choice when it comes to urban or street skating.
Factors affect the skateboard weight
If you are a skateboarder, you know that weight plays an important role in your performance. A skateboard’s weight can affect its maneuverability, responsiveness, and overall feel when riding. But what factors contribute to the weight of a skateboard? Let’s find out.
Deck Size & Design
One of the biggest factors affecting the weight of a skateboard is its size and design.
Generally speaking, longer boards are heavier than shorter ones, as they require more material to construct them.
Also, wider decks tend to be heavier than narrower ones because they require more material for their construction as well.
Finally, certain deck designs may also add extra weight depending on how much material is used in each deck’s construction.
For example, double-kick decks usually weigh more than single-kick decks because they require more material for their construction.
Trucks
The truck is another major factor when it comes to a skateboard’s overall weight.
Trucks come in different shapes and sizes with varying amounts of metal used in their construction—all of which can affect their weights.
Trucks that use thicker metal tend to be heavier than those that use thinner metal since they have more mass overall.
Additionally, larger trucks (such as 8″ models) are usually heavier than smaller trucks (such as 6″ models).
Wheel Type & Size
The type and size of wheels you choose will also affect the overall weight of your skateboard.
Larger wheels tend to be heavier than smaller wheels due to their increased mass and size; however this isn’t always the case since some wheel materials can be very light despite being large in diameter.
Similarly, harder wheels tend to weigh more than softer ones because they are made with denser urethane compounds that create a higher mass overall.
Bearings:
Bearings play an important role when it comes to the total weight of your board since they add additional mass with each bearing added onto the axle assembly.
Bearings come in many different sizes and materials; lighter bearings typically use less metal which reduces their overall mass while still providing adequate speed and longevity for most riders’ needs.
However, if you are looking for maximum speed you may want to opt for higher quality bearings that provide extra speed even though they may add extra weight when compared with cheaper versions available on the market today.
How to reduce skateboard weight?
• Choose a smaller deck size
• Install lighter trucks and wheels
• Replace heavier bearings with lighter ones
• Upgrade to lighter materials such as carbon fiber or bamboo
• Remove any unnecessary parts from the skateboard
• Opt for smaller wheels
• Choose lighter hardware such as bolts and nuts
• Use thinner griptape or none at all
• Buy a pre-built lightweight setup
By following these tips, you can reduce the weight of your skateboard without sacrificing performance or compromising on quality. Doing so will make your board easier to maneuver and more
The benefits of a lightweight skateboard
When it comes to skateboarding, having the right board is essential. What’s more, having a lightweight skateboard can make all the difference in your performance and experience.
A lightweight skateboard helps you stay agile on the board while performing tricks and gives you more control over your movement.
Let’s take a look at five benefits of using a lightweight skateboard.
Improved Maneuverability –
A lightweight board is easier to maneuver than its heavier counterparts, thanks to its lighter weight.
This means that you can turn with greater ease when going around corners or dodging obstacles on the street, giving you an edge over your competition.
The lighter weight also makes it easier to perform tricks such as ollies or kickflips since your arms won’t be weighed down by heavy boards during these maneuvers.
Easier Transportation –
When compared to heavier boards, lightweight boards are much easier to carry around for long periods of time.
This means that if you don’t have access to a car or other mode of transportation, you won’t be weighed down by carrying around your board for long distances.
This allows riders to save energy and makes it much simpler to move from one location to another with ease.
Increased Speed –
With their lower weight, light boards are infinitely more responsive to the rider’s direction and can quickly gain speed on smooth surfaces.
Not only that, but their reduced mass-to-force ratio enables them to accelerate or decelerate faster when maneuvering through various terrains and obstacles during a ride.
All these features make lighter boards far more agile than heavier ones – perfect for those who want an exhilarating experience.
Improved Performance –
Skateboards that are lightweight provide superior performance with no sacrifice of stability or balance.
Whether you’re riding through hills, ramps, or other terrain conditions lighter boards offer a well-rounded ride in terms of agility, speed, and overall performance without any drawbacks.
Longer Lasting –
Finally, they don’t require as much effort as heavier boards do while riding them around town or on the streets/skateparks.
This leads to less wear and tear being done onto the board itself which in turn helps increase its lifespan throughout time significantly.
Skateboarding tricks for beginners
Ollie:
The ollie is one of the most basic skateboard tricks and is essential for any beginner looking to hone their skills.
To do an ollie, the skater needs to place their back foot on the tail of the board while their front foot remains near the middle of the board.
They then need to bend their knees and jump off the ground while pushing down on the tail at the same time.
This will cause the board to jump up in the air and land back on the ground again. With practice, it can look like you’re jumping off your board without actually leaving it.
Kickflip:
A kickflip is one of the most popular skateboard tricks among beginners and experienced skaters alike.
To do a kickflip, a skater needs to start by placing their lead (front) foot slightly above center on their board and then pushing down with that foot as they simultaneously pop off their tail with their back foot.
This will cause your board to flip in mid-air before landing back on its wheels again.
Shove-it:
A shove-it is a trick where a skater spins or flips their board 180 degrees in midair before landing back on its wheels again with no hands involved; just feet.
To do this trick, a skater needs to start by bending their knees into a crouched position while holding onto their board with both feet close together near its center point before popping off and spinning it in midair using only their feet as leverage against it.
Frontside Grind:
A frontside grind involves sliding along an edge or ledge using only your trucks (the metal piece that connects each wheel of your skateboard).
To do this trick, stand sideways along an edge or ledge and press down lightly so that your front truck begins grinding against it while your other truck remains in contact with the ground.
This will create friction between them both which allows you to slide forward while maintaining balance.
Manual:
The manual is another fun trick for beginner skaters that involves balancing on two wheels at once instead of four.
This gives you more control over your movements as well as looking more stylish when doing other tricks.
To perform this trick start by crouching low with your rear leg bent towards your chest while keeping both feet flat against either side of your deck (the wooden part).
Then push off from one side before transferring all your weight onto that side as you maintain balance by leaning into it until eventually lifting off entirely.
Final Words
In the end, weight plays an important role in skateboarding as it can affect both its performance and style.
Lightweight boards are preferred for their superior maneuverability and longer-lasting capabilities, while heavier boards offer more stability and durability.
For those who are just starting out, lighter-weight skateboards might be the way to go as they will provide a better experience overall. Regardless of your skill level or preference, there is surely a board out there that will work for you.
Once you find the perfect board, practice different tricks like ollies, kickflips, shove-its, and manuals until they become second nature. With that, you can get out and shred with confidence.