Hello everyone!

[trombonepotato]

Greeting. I'm just starting to learn skating. I have a great park nearby so it will be great for me to practice there. Now I need help with the equipment. Can I have a recommendation? Thanks

[fs1/2cab]

I just assume you are not a troll.

Welcome to the madness. You are now entering a world of endless possibilities, endless fun and endless pain. Be prepared to fall down. A lot. We all do and it is part of the thrill. We are all scared, and try to overcome our fears.
But don't let that discourage you, know your limits and work your confidence slowly up.
This is not some team sport bullshit, you are your own teacher. And before you go into a park, just cruise around on a parking lot until you feel comfortable with your board.


My setup recommendation for you

Deck Krooked 8.25
Trucks Independent 144 or Thunder 148 or Ace 44
Wheels Spitfire Formula Four 54mm Classics
Bearings Modus or Blurs or Independent
Bolts 7/8 Allen, company doesn't matter
Griptape Jessup or Mob

If you don't want to wear a helmet, at least wear a beanie. Head injuries suck.

[TastyBurrito]

I just assume you are not a troll.

Be prepared to fall down. A lot.

If you don't want to wear a helmet, at least wear a beanie. Head injuries suck.

Especially if you're learning to ride transition. I've hit my head a few times and have always been thankful that I'm not too cool for a helmet.

[Frank]

good choices for raw quality:

wheels

-spitfire
-bones
-loophole

avoid board brand wheels.

trucks

-independent
-ace
-venture
-thunder

ventures are the least wobbly of these, good for beginners.

decks

-real/anti hero/krooked and fa/hockey (and lots more but i assume you will see these brands a lot)use generator which is always solid
-not a fan of most brands using them, but dwindle decks(santa cruz, blind, almost, enjoi, creature,...) are pretty good these days

bearings

-stick with bones, reds are always an ok choice and very affordable

grip

-you have to try it out, very subjective. the most popular choices are jessup and mob. just get whatever free grip comes with a deck purchase at first. try different ones and coarsness grades as you go.

shoes

-whatever floats your boat lookswise and gives a nice inbetween comfy and secure. it doesn't really matter what brand. you could skate whatever court shoes and they might work great. another thing you have to find out about as you go. you will be able to make overall better choices after you tried out some stuff and know what you like and dislike.

also agree there is no shame in wearing protection when you start out.

good luck, have fun and take care of yourself.

[STAH]

good choices for raw quality:

wheels

-spitfire
-bones
-loophole

avoid board brand wheels.

trucks

-independent
-ace
-venture
-thunder

ventures are the least wobbly of these, good for beginners.

decks

-real/anti hero/krooked and fa/hockey (and lots more but i assume you will see these brands a lot)use generator which is always solid
-not a fan of most brands using them, but dwindle decks(santa cruz, blind, almost, enjoi, creature,...) are pretty good these days

bearings

-stick with bones, reds are always an ok choice and very affordable

grip

-you have to try it out, very subjective. the most popular choices are jessup and mob. just get whatever free grip comes with a deck purchase at first. try different ones and coarsness grades as you go.

shoes

-whatever floats your boat lookswise and gives a nice inbetween comfy and secure. it doesn't really matter what brand. you could skate whatever court shoes and they might work great. another thing you have to find out about as you go. you will be able to make overall better choices after you tried out some stuff and know what you like and dislike.

also agree there is no shame in wearing protection when you start out.

good luck, have fun and take care of yourself.

^this is a pretty excellent start 

[Freelancevagrant]

Welcome, have fun!

My list very closely mirrors Frank’s but I wanted to hop in on the fun.

For decks: 8.25”
Anti Hero, Real, or Krooked. There’s obviously a ton of other brands that use the same woodshop, but Anti Hero, Real, and Krooked are pretty widely available.

Trucks: Thunder 148’s, Indy 144’s, or Venture.

Wheels: spitfire formula four, either classics or conical full, 54mm. 97a or 99a duro. You’re going to want to something a little grippier but still forgiving.

Bearings: bones, reds or big balls. Best quality for price.

Hardware: 7/8th” Allen. It’s the quickest.

Grip: Black mob. When you’re learning to grip your own stuff it’s easier to grip with those little holes to avoid air bubbles, as you get better at gripping you can try out those other brands.

Helmet: wear one. While most of us don’t wear one anymore, nothing will make you want to quit skating faster than cracking your shit open.

[Xen]

Go to a real skateshop. Stand on some boards, different sizes, narrow down what feels (and looks) good; by looks I mean when you look down at your front foot.

Deck: Anti Hero, Real, or Krooked: 8.25”x32" (you decide after if you want smaller or bigger, shorter or longer)

Trucks: Indy 149

Wheels: Spitfire formula four: Conical - 99a/52 or 53mm

Bearings: bones reds

Hardware: 7/8th Allen

Griptape: (whatever is free or get MOB)

Shoes: Anything you have will work, suggest Vans or something with a 'gum rubber' sole

Get a helmet and knee pads of you are at a 'big boy' park

[big_kev_215]

If you’re buying skate shoes I honestly think Adidas makes the highest quality shoes out of the major brands.  The original Tyshawn’s offer good ankle protection, have a decently impact resistant sole (especially for beginner level stuff), and are extremely durable. Can’t go wrong with those. 

[camel filters]

Equipment has been covered pretty well for the most part. i'd just add, learn to go with the momentum when you fall. Don't brace your falls with both arms out. Roll with it if you can. Welcome.

[Boog]

Here's your new setup.

Krooked or Real 8.25
Venture 5.8 HI for extra stability
52mm spitfire formula 4 classic shape
Bones reds bearings
Mob or jessup grip tape
1 inch shorty's hardware Phillips head

[al_cvbrera]

remember that there will be pain, frustration, and disappointment as you go on. but also remember that skateboarding can be just as rewarding as it is punishing. keep in mind that all the pain that comes with it is what should be included in the parts that you love about it. you have to embrace it. you have to take it. and you have to get up. that feeling of landing a trick you desired so much is indescribable. it is euphoric. skate for this feeling of escape and happiness only. do not skate for the approval of others. skating has saved me in the lowest points of my life. this is what skating is.

my recommended set up and why:

Real 8.25: Bbs wood, best wood in the business imo. 8.25 is a middle of the road size, right in the middle of a small board like a size 8 and a heftier sized board like 8.5. You get the best of both worlds. Keep in mind, this is very general. Your shoe size and preferred style of skating is what dictates your board size. Oh and Real makes some pretty “neutral” graphics. Nothing outlandish, not too flashy. Watch out for the tacky graphics, though.

Independent 144 (I recommend hollow): Indy’s are the best all around truck for both street and transition. If you want to specialize in street, go with Thunder. If you want to do mostly transition, go with Aces. Indy’s are good for both.

Wheels: Spitfire formula 4s. No if’s ands or but’s. I recommend 52mm in the classic shape.

Bearings: Quantum Isotope Ceramic Bearings. Ceramic bearings that perform just as well as other ceramic bearings that are priced higher at almost $200, but for only around 40 dollars. There are some companies that sell metal bearings for the same price. Why get that when you can get ceramics? The dudes at quantum are dope. They just recently were featured in Thrasher, too. So they’re legit. I’ve been on my pair for about half a year now and I haven’t cleaned them once and they’re still fast as fuck.

Grip: Mob if you can afford blowing through shoes bc its the grippiest. Jessup if you wanna make your shoes last longer bc it’s kinda slippery. Shake Junt if you want an in between.

[Easy Slider]

Y’all suggesting 8.25 bloards but perhaps OP got huge feet.   OP for reference I have size 10 shoes and feel more comfortable on 8.5.

[TastyBurrito]

Y’all suggesting 8.25 bloards but perhaps OP got huge feet.   OP for reference I have size 10 shoes and feel more comfortable on 8.5.

This.

OP, go to your local shop (mall shop is cool if that's the closest thing) and stand on boards. Different widths and concaves work for some and not for others. See what feels right for you.

When you find the right board, buy trucks accordingly based on the width of your board.

Then everyone was pretty spot on about the rest: wheels, bearings, grip, etc.

Most importantly - have fun.

If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong.

[camel filters]

Expand Quote

Y’all suggesting 8.25 bloards but perhaps OP got huge feet.   OP for reference I have size 10 shoes and feel more comfortable on 8.5.

[close]

This.

OP, go to your local shop (mall shop is cool if that's the closest thing) and stand on boards. Different widths and concaves work for some and not for others. See what feels right for you.

When you find the right board, buy trucks accordingly based on the width of your board.

Then everyone was pretty spot on about the rest: wheels, bearings, grip, etc.

Most importantly - have fun.

If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong.

I think 8.25 was suggested because its more of a middle of the road starting set up. 8.5s feel great for me  too (I wear 10.5) but a middle road deck might be a better starting point. Depending whether or not OP wants a more stable ride or a more manueverable set up, 8.25 is a solid place to start.

Unless he does indeed have massive feet (Im thinking more 12 and up). In that case, start from 8.5.

[Velcro Wallet]

My son has recently started skating and I had him on some 99a wheels for a few months. Then I put some softies (85a) on for him and he’s had so much of an easier time with learning everything. He likes them so much more and says he feels way more comfortable trying things.

Just my 2 cents.