How Much is Too Much Money for Gear?

[steeloctopus]

With all the new "premium" brands in popping up in skating, I'm starting to wonder what's the limit for price (in general) for gear before skaters change the way they skate to preserve equipment or start turning to 2nd hand or homebrew options.

For example, if trucks were $150/set (USD) would you skate differently? Oski's new truck company sells for $90 a set (presumably because of the manufacturing costs in Sweden).

Jessup is starting to sell premium griptape designs for $25/sheet. How would your approach change if your local shop was selling grip for $20/sheet?

Is $95 for a deck too much? $70 for a set of wheels? $15 for hardware? Obviously eventually prices will get there in 20-30 years, but I want to know if anyone else has been thinking about this.

[camel filters]

Your proposed situation is what I tell myself everytime I buy gear I don't need. My hoarding tendencies have made sure I will be able to tap into my reserves and not have to buy gear for the rest of my skating career.

[beatifk]

When I moved from USA to Europe all my gear costs instantly increased by like 30-40%.

I make wheels last longer by using them until they were super small then switch those wheels onto my board I mostly use on smooth flatground. I keep a cruiser still, but it's more of a 'normal' skateboard, no more zip zingers with big soft wheels. Buy shoes on sale when I can, or only buy shoes I really want.

You adjust. Skating is too fun to give it up for a few bucks.

[backinaction]

With all the new "premium" brands in popping up in skating, I'm starting to wonder what's the limit for price (in general) for gear before skaters change the way they skate to preserve equipment or start turning to 2nd hand or homebrew options.

For example, if trucks were $150/set (USD) would you skate differently? Oski's new truck company sells for $90 a set (presumably because of the manufacturing costs in Sweden).

Jessup is starting to sell premium griptape designs for $25/sheet. How would your approach change if your local shop was selling grip for $20/sheet?

Is $95 for a deck too much? $70 for a set of wheels? $15 for hardware? Obviously eventually prices will get there in 20-30 years, but I want to know if anyone else has been thinking about this.

I have enough trucks (8-10 sets), and a wide enough variety in sizes and brands that I could never buy another set in my life.  If trucks were $150 I probably wouldn't buy another set.

I don't pay for grip tape designs.  Standard black Jessup on boards I flip more (8.5 and down) and Mob on boards that are primarily bowl boards (8.75 and up).

I have paid $83 for a deck - Powell Flight - and it is worth it.  As prices for 7 ply go higher I'm looking more at the Tactics shop decks.

I have about 10-12 sets of wheels that are still in fine shape with none missing more than 1-2mm and all round still.  At $70 I'm probably going to skate what I have. 

But I seriously doubt prices will get there in my skate lifetime.  I'm 49.

[disclosed]

the funny part is those prices are actualy normal, if not cheap in many places that are not the US, so i don't want to imagine what prices are going to be in those places.

i already usually pay about 100 euros for a deck. i love Blast Skates from the UK but import vost really fucks you over now. i've had to pay about 130/140 euro for some of their decks. but i'd rather not.. buying more that one deck makes import cheaper. but they allways release one deck at a time soyou can often only buy more of the same.

luckily right now due to corona i have nothing else to spend money on. when things get back to normal im going to have to be cheaper.

[IUTSM]

I wonder how many people who post here are living a low income life, scraping by sorta life. US minimum wage is $7.50/hr. That's 2 work days after taxes to buy a standard deck at the age old price that hasn't budged too much.

As a kid whose parents wouldn't buy them anything skate related after snapping the first board they bought, I was able to skate only because it was relatively cheap and the occasional kickdown from an older dude. The prices of skate shoes today really blows my mind though. Idk, guess we all gotta adjust

[Velcro Wallet]

All those prices are what everyone in Australia pays. FA boards go for up to $180. Spitfires $79. Etc.

[GlenSuggittsflexfit]

You can come up if you monitor your local kijiji/craigslist. Just copped a 9" eagle, 161 thunders, 53 f4 og classics with spitfire cheapshots for $100 (everything but the deck was brand new).

I prey on the weak.

[layzieyez]

As a middle aged skater, I could be blowing money on classic car restoration or sports memorabilia, sports betting etc. Skateboarding is cheap in comparison and much more fulfilling.

[big_kev_215]

As a middle aged skater, I could be blowing money on classic car restoration or sports memorabilia, sports betting etc. Skateboarding is cheap in comparison and much more fulfilling.

That’s always my justification for stocking up on an unnecessary amount of decks every time something catches my eye - what if my hobby was golf or something instead…

[MysticalTypeExperience]

I'm not sure how much is too much; I've bought enough parts for more than 5 completes since I started skating again last August. I've gotta be like $700 deep at least.

[rocklobster]

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As a middle aged skater, I could be blowing money on classic car restoration or sports memorabilia, sports betting etc. Skateboarding is cheap in comparison and much more fulfilling.

[close]

That’s always my justification for stocking up on an unnecessary amount of decks every time something catches my eye - what if my hobby was golf or something instead…

Or cycling, those guys spend upwards of 6k for a bike and their gear madness is way more expensive.

[GlenSuggittsflexfit]

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As a middle aged skater, I could be blowing money on classic car restoration or sports memorabilia, sports betting etc. Skateboarding is cheap in comparison and much more fulfilling.

[close]

That’s always my justification for stocking up on an unnecessary amount of decks every time something catches my eye - what if my hobby was golf or something instead…

[close]

Or cycling, those guys spend upwards of 6k for a bike and their gear madness is way more expensive.

Can confirm. My friend quit skating to race road bikes and he just dropped 10gs on a bike.

[Cthunderw]

I think if the decks get $10 more expensive on average, we're gonna see a lot more shop decks until a new balance is found. I feel like people are caring less and less about graphics and if prices go up more, it's gonna be cooler to be seen supporting a local shop than your favourite brands.

[Paul_Glider Skateboards]

I think if the decks get $10 more expensive on average, we're gonna see a lot more shop decks until a new balance is found. I feel like people are caring less and less about graphics and if prices go up more, it's gonna be cooler to be seen supporting a local shop than your favourite brands.

Sadly, it's the supply chain and inflation that dictates a lot of the pricing (demand too)... so if pro boards go up in price, expect the same from your local. Obviously scaled to the original price point so will still be cheaper but just something to consider

[Cthunderw]

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I think if the decks get $10 more expensive on average, we're gonna see a lot more shop decks until a new balance is found. I feel like people are caring less and less about graphics and if prices go up more, it's gonna be cooler to be seen supporting a local shop than your favourite brands.

[close]

Sadly, it's the supply chain and inflation that dictates a lot of the pricing (demand too)... so if pro boards go up in price, expect the same from your local. Obviously scaled to the original price point so will still be cheaper but just something to consider

Yep I agree, but thats what I mean when I say that there will need to be a new balance; shop decks are gonna stay cheaper than graphic decks until they can't, but a lot of shop decks are also not increasing in price as quickly as FA, Baker, etc.. I think pretty soon, paying the full price of a normal deck will be way less common.

I imagine that if supply chain issues continue for another year, a lot of the companies will have to choose between simplifying their supply line or creating more artisanal products.  Simplifying the supply line maybe means uninspiring board graphics and less unique releases/sizes, while artisanal products are inherently gonna cost most.  I want my deck to be high quality to an extent, but I'm not interested in tacking in any extra cost for finishing touches.

In that scenario above, if I'm given the choice between boring brand logo decks and overpriced art pieces, I'm probably going to go with the shop deck to save what's now about 30%. 

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

As a middle aged skater, I could be blowing money on classic car restoration or sports memorabilia, sports betting etc. Skateboarding is cheap in comparison and much more fulfilling.

yeah, try something like collecting watches! Skateboarding is super cheap when you’re in your 40s

[alraunen]

The last Christmas complete cost me more than 250 euros even if I got Ace's on half price... I don't care much because I can afford it, but I thought it was a little too much.

I can agree with the other mid 30's-40's hobbies: Cameras, Bikes, Cars, Golf, Tennis etc are way more expensive than skateboarding.

[FrontsideFrank]

There's always gonna be (some kind of) a market for premium goods in any industry. Now that there is actually an aging base of skaters, with grown up incomes, I'm all for people tailoring to it. It's not gonna change the way I buy gear. I've been hunting in the bargain bins and clearance shoe piles since I was a kid. As others have said, even if we finally see an actual (and probably needed) increase across the board, the cost of equipment is still minimal when compared to almost any other sport/activity. It's dumbfounding that I can still buy gear for the same price I did 20 years ago.

[manysnakes]

As a middle aged skater, I could be blowing money on classic car restoration or sports memorabilia, sports betting etc. Skateboarding is cheap in comparison and much more fulfilling.

I'm also a cyclist and the cost for a year's worth of skateboarding is like half of the price of a complete yearly overhaul of a single one of my bikes (I do all the work myself, but still).

[goodatmeth]

Bushings that cost more than a truck? That's too expensive. Another reason not to ride krux I guess

[Uncle Jeffrey]

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As a middle aged skater, I could be blowing money on classic car restoration or sports memorabilia, sports betting etc. Skateboarding is cheap in comparison and much more fulfilling.

[close]

I'm also a cyclist and the cost for a year's worth of skateboarding is like half of the price of a complete yearly overhaul of a single one of my bikes (I do all the work myself, but still).

Yup. And that's obviously not accounting the initial cost which is much higher. Your first set of apparel will be a Christmas complete if you're thrifty or 2-3x that. Bike can vary a ton, but will be 10+ years of completes probably.

You can definitely get by cheaper road biking than mountain though. An aluminum and thrifty tiagra set up will pretty much get you anywhere you need to go. But cheap mountain bikes are definitely to be wary of.

[AlumarX]

I started skating just 2 years ago, but in that first year I think I spent $800 on a longboard, cruiser and a couple decks. I'm also set on trucks for the next decade or two.

[Xen]

Bushings that cost more than a truck? That's too expensive. Another reason not to ride krux I guess

Hang on...Krux has 88a bushings?

The recent deck price hikes have been a bit extreme...we went from $49 (some brands are still around there) to $65 to $79, it's pretty insane...I get it, pandemic, lumber shortage, shop safety, etc., they were long overdue for one but damn. Blanks (and shop decks like mentioned) are going to take off.

Most bearings are overpriced...especially the mid range 'ABEC 7' category....but that's on the buyer. One can get Mini logos for $10 or $25 Andeles...

Any branded die-cut grip that's more than $5. Seriously, fuck off. Also, graphic grip prices are just outright ridiculous...I get it, there is more work involved, potential licensing fees, but $15+ for graphic MOB? Over $10 for a generic ass Shake Junt logo? $15 DBZ primitive grip? Suckers are born every minute.

I feel the worst culprit in the industry are Skate Shoes. The quality you get for the price is shit compared to bball or training shoes, especially for something that gets trashed much faster. Skate shoes have this pay less feel to them (most of them), especially the uppers. I'd never skate it, but the feel of the Nygel shoe approaches quality seen in hikers/crosstrainers/runners.

That all said, it's just like any other industry, there are quality brands at good prices, the mass market items and the mass market 'premium' (licensed shit).

Trucks and wheels are also creeping up but have been pretty solid...the MSRP of almost $50 for the top few brands is pretty extreme tho.

I don't buy as much shit as I used to (I'm set for trucks and wheels these days) but when I do it's sale gear only.

[backinaction]

I feel the worst culprit in the industry are Skate Shoes. The quality you get for the price is shit compared to bball or training shoes, especially for something that gets trashed much faster. Skate shoes have this pay less feel to them (most of them), especially the uppers. I'd never skate it, but the feel of the Nygel shoe approaches quality seen in hikers/crosstrainers/runners.

I don't think I have paid more than $30 for a pair of skate shoes in a couple years.  I just go to eBay and get sales from Addias Official. I think I have enough shoes to last through 2022.

Currently you can get two pair of Busenitz Vulc IIs shipped for $54.   They are $36, and you save 25% on purchases over $45. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154772892988?var=454866175615

[Xen]

Expand Quote

I feel the worst culprit in the industry are Skate Shoes. The quality you get for the price is shit compared to bball or training shoes, especially for something that gets trashed much faster. Skate shoes have this pay less feel to them (most of them), especially the uppers. I'd never skate it, but the feel of the Nygel shoe approaches quality seen in hikers/crosstrainers/runners.

[close]

I don't think I have paid more than $30 for a pair of skate shoes in a couple years.  I just go to eBay and get sales from Addias Official. I think I have enough shoes to last through 2022.

Currently you can get two pair of Busenitz Vulc IIs shipped for $54.   They are $36, and you save 25% on purchases over $45. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154772892988?var=454866175615

I was speaking to retail prices, sale prices are what most skate shoes are actually worth TBH (with a few exceptions).