Best Skateboard Decks for Tricks: Top 2023 Picks

Choosing the right skateboard deck can greatly enhance your skating experience, especially if you're into tricks. The deck's shape, concave, and materials play a crucial role in your board's performance and maneuverability. Let's dive into the best skateboard decks for tricks, along with their key features and benefits.

First and foremost, consider the skateboard's shape. It's like the foundation of your skatepark assault. oval-shaped decks, for instance, are popular among street skaters and are excellent for performing tricks. They offer more surface area for your feet, allowing you to perform complex aerial tricks with confidence.

The Perfect Deck Shape

Skateboard decks come in various shapes, each catering to different skating styles. For trick-focused skaters, two shapes stand out: the ovular shape and more traditional popsicle shapes.

Oval or "Pintail" Shapes

Oval or "pintail" decks are wider and feature a more rounded or squared-off tail and nose. The additional surface area provides a stable platform for landing tricks. They excel at aired-out techniques, such as flip tricks, grinds, andverts.

Popsicle Shapes

Popsicle-shaped decks, with their symmetrical design and slightly upturned noses and tails, offer greater versatility. They're an excellent choice for both street and parks, accommodating a broader range of tricks, from manuals and shuvits to kickflips and tre flips.

Concave and Kicktails

After settling on a shape, consider the deck's concave (curve) and kicktail (tail's upward curve). These features significantly impact your board's handling and how you interact with it during tricks.

The concave defines the bowl-like curve of the deck, dictating how your feet will sit on it. A medium concave is ideal for tricks, allowing your feet to lock in while providing enough grip for quick, responsive turns. A low concave provides more stability but less control, whereas a high concave makes it more challenging to maintain balance during high-speed skating or advanced tricks.

Kicktail Height

The kicktail's height and curve affect your board's lift-off and landing. A higher kicktail offers more pop for tricks, making it easier to launch into the air. However, it might be less stable for landing due to reduced contact with the ground. A lower kicktail provides better stability but could limit your board's pop.

Concave Types

There are three primary concave types: progressive, constant, and combination. Progressive concave curves more gradually, making it more comfortable for cruising and learning tricks. Constant concave features a consistent curve throughout, offering the best grip and control for advanced tricks. Combination concave blends the two, providing a well-rounded deck for various skating styles.

Deck Materials

The deck's construction materials contribute to its durability, weight, and responsiveness. Choosing the right material can significantly enhance your trick versatility and overall skating performance.

Maple is the industry standard for skateboard decks due to its excellent durability, strength, and flexibility. A maple deck provides a good balance between weight and responsiveness, making it an optimal choice for most skaters. However, hybrid materials, like bamboo and fiberglass, are becoming popular alternatives due to their eco-friendliness and unique performance characteristics.

Maple Deck Advantages

Maple decks are lightweight yet robust, providing excellent snap (pop) for tricks. They're also versatile, catering to various skating styles, from street to transition and vert. Plus, they're affordable and easy to find in a range of shapes, concave types, and sizes.

Hybrid Deck Materials

Bamboo decks offer increased stiffness and durability compared to maple, improving your board's pop. They're also lighter, reducing the impact of slams on your ankles and joints. Fiberglass decks, on the other hand, provide superior strength and flexibility, enhancing your board's responsiveness. Some hybrid decks combine these materials for the best of both worlds.

Trick-specific Deck Recommendations

Now that you're well-versed in skateboard deck characteristics, here are some recommendations for specific trick specialties:

For street-focused skaters who prioritize flip tricks, considerations like concave depth and kicktail height are crucial. A medium concave and higher kicktail provide the pop needed for tricks like kickflips and tre flips. The Popsicle Shapes performs exceptionally well in these situations.

For bowl and park skaters aiming for aerial tricks, a wider, stable platform is preferred. Oval decks, with their increased surface area, excel at launched tricks like flip tricks and grab techniques. Additionally, bowl-specific decks often feature a boogie board-like shape with an elongated, concave nose for better scooping and nose-picking.

Ultimately, the best skateboard deck for tricks depends on your personal preferences, skating style, and the tricks you want to master. To find your perfect match, consider factors like shape, concave, kicktail height, and materials. Don't hesitate to ask fellow skaters, consult online reviews, or even test different decks at your local skate shop to make an informed decision.

Skating is a lifelong journey of continuous improvement. As you refine your technique and push your tricks to the next level, you'll naturally evolve your skateboard setup to complement your skills. Embrace the process, and never stop exploring the endless possibilities in skateboarding.