Let’s admit it. We tend to neglect a minor size difference in clothing when our preferred sizes aren’t available. And more often than not, they still feel as if they were our size.
Like clothing and footwear, skateboard sizes also vary, especially the width. Frequently, these numbers range from 7″ with increments of 1/4 of an inch.
Let’s say you’re in a skateboard store and find a pair of quality street skateboards sized 7.75″ and 8″. So, 7.75 VS 8 skateboard, which should you choose?
Keep reading this article as we discuss how this difference in size affects other aspects of your skateboard rides.
Table of Contents
What Are 7.75 and 8 Skateboards?
Small or big, the skateboard sizes we pick boil down to our preference. Yes, just because others find your board size unfit for them doesn’t mean it’s not the best for you.
7.75 skateboard
How big is a 7.75 skateboard? It is on the larger end if we consider all skateboard widths. Skateboards of this type often belong to riders who stand at 4’6″. They may not be the standard, but there are reasons to support their existence.
Most adults, often with foot sizes 9, complain about narrow boards because they find it hard to land tricks on them. However, some shorter skaters also find 9-inch skateboards challenging to use because of their weight.
Hence, if landing tricks is a priority, we had better opt for a board whose weight we can manage. 7.75 inches happen to be that for many people.
Also, 7.75 inch skateboard decks belong to the mid-size range. So, these boards are best for riders weighing 60 lbs to 101 lbs. And this weight range often matches the height we just mentioned.
8.0 skateboard
Perhaps the skateboards size 8 are the most popular street or park boards today.
If we check skateboard size charts, an 8 inch skateboard could be the narrowest board a 5-foot-6 skater can use. It is big enough, but people at this height can also opt for more spacious decks at 8.5″.
In skater’s weight, this board size handles more than 7.75 inch ones, at around 102 lbs to 152 lbs. It belongs to the full-size range of boards from 8″ to 8.5″.
7.75 vs 8 Deck: Differences
We’ve discussed the skater’s body requirement to suit a 7.75″ and 8″ skateboard. Let’s now see how much these boards differ.
1. Skating terrains
7.75 skateboard VS 8 inch ones, which is more rideable? It’s pretty challenging to distinguish these boards by riding terrain because of their minor differences. But checking a size chart, a skateboard size 7.75 fits the streets best.
8.0 skateboards also work well for the streets. But other than that, they are on the more versatile end, adding stairs, rails, and other skatepark obstacles to the list.
2. Length
Common practice requires that your shoes be proportionate to the skateboard’s width and deck lengths.
We’ve noted a 1/4-inch difference between the widths of a 7.75 and 8.0 board. It may not be the exact figure, but such a deviation also extends to length.
For the record, a 7.75 skateboard complete has a length of 31.12″ 0r 79 in cm. And not far beyond these numbers, 8″ decks are 31.38″. So, that’s roughly 0.26″ longer, close to the width difference.
3. Shoe size and truck size
Unlike the previous factors that distinguish both deck sizes, this aspect serves more as a consideration when buying boards.
Why? Because when choosing decks, we should also consider that our feet fit their width. So, how? Here’s a short guide.
If you are a skater with a foot size of 4-6 for men or 5.5 to 7.5 for women, 7.75 boards work better for you. These foot sizes will suit 8.0-inch skateboards as well. However, this deck size is slightly more flexible as it can also fit riders with feet sized 6.5-9 and bigger.
Note that like your shoes, trucks should also be proportionate to the deck’s width. Hence, a 7.75 skateboard truck size should be close to the deck’s span. 7.75 boards often go with 5-inch wide trucks, while its 8-inch counterpart needs trucks that are 0.25 inch bigger. Choosing the most trusted skateboard trucks from best brands here.
Pros and cons
Even with minimal differences, each board size has an advantage over the other. Similarly, these sizes also have drawbacks. Let’s get into each one of them.
7.75 skateboards
- Light enough for better control
- Perfect for lightweight skaters
- Slightly challenging to land tricks
8.0 skateboards
- Spacious for landing tricks
- More versatile in riding styles and foot sizes
- None so far
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get a 7.75 or 8.0 skateboard?
Of the mentioned differences between 7.75 and 8 skateboards, the shoe size matters more. Why? Because our shoes should be a perfect fit for the deck’s width.
Generally, your shoes’ front and back tips should span the same as the board’s width. These shoe parts may also exceed the deck’s edges, but not a lot. Otherwise, you might need a broader skateboard.
Is a 7.75 skateboard a good size for beginners?
Perhaps, the skater’s level is not the vital factor in picking decks. It’s the riding style that matters more, whether you are choosing a 7.75 skateboard or not.
Nonetheless, if the beginner skateboarder wants to begin technical skating, a 7.75 fits him best. It should allow him to skate on flat bars, ledges, and other similar obstacles.
How tall should you be for a 7.75 skateboard?
We mentioned that skaters who are 4’6 fit a 7.75 skateboard deck. But other Reddit experts also have their take on this match.
Some say that 7.75 skateboards are part of a size range suited for skaters standing 3’5 to 5’2. Others also claim these boards are for 5’3 or taller riders. Nonetheless, it’s still your preference and the appropriateness of your shoe size that are more relevant.
Conclusion
Skateboards come in sizes to suit different people regardless of their age, skill level, and preferred style. And while these differences limit us in some aspects, they only ensure we’re getting our skateboarding progress right.
Now that you know the features and differences between a 7.75 VS 8 skateboard, choosing the best size will not have to be tough. All you need is to be mindful of the details we shared and identify what makes you most confident skating.
Eventually, you can land all the tricks you want and skate the pavements with sufficient support.
Hi, I am Charles Harris. I opened this site to write as much as I can about my biggest passion – skateboarding!
I started as a clumsy yet passionate rookie 10 years ago to now a still passionate yet much better skateboarder! But I have to tell you, the whole journey has always been fun and rewarding, indeed not without hardship.