With an almost endless list of skateboard choices, it’s always possible to land on the perfect one. Yes. No matter your skating preference, size, age, and level, there is a deck for you.
If skateboards come in different sizes, so are a skater’s feet. Now imagine having a pair of size 11 feet. You head to the skateboard store and ask, “what size skateboard do I need for size 11 feet?” My friend, you need a 7.5″ to 8″ deck size to guarantee an ideal skating experience.
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need a 7.5″ to 8″ Skateboard
A skateboard’s length and width vary based on age groups, skater heights, and foot sizes. And these variations do not come without a purpose. Differences in skateboard dimensions yield comfort, balance, and other benefits to a rider.
So, if you plan to skateboard with size 11 feet, the way to go is using a 7.5″ to 8.0″ skateboard deck width. How about skateboard length?
While such an aspect is less important, picking a long enough deck does more good than bad. Thus, look for a skateboard with an average length of 29″ or 73.66 in cm.
Besides being big enough for size 11 shoe, products with the above dimensions are perfect for technical skating and riders who practice on the streets more often.
What about people with larger feet?
If you find shoe size 11 a bit unusual, let me tell you some have larger feet with sizes 12 or 13. Is there a skateboard for them? Absolutely!
Note that skateboard decks can be broader than 8″. So it’s not the end of the world if you have feet bigger than 11.
For people with shoe size 12, the best deck width would be around 8.25 or 8.38 inches. Meanwhile, if you wear shoe size 13, you can use up to a 10-inch skateboard.
Wide Deck vs Narrow Skateboard Deck
Is a broad size deck better? Or does a narrow board allow better trick execution?
A smaller skateboard width makes skateboarding more agile. That means those who skate the streets and perform tricks will choose this configuration.
On the other hand, decks with a broader stepping surface are perfect options for transition, bowl, and vert riders. Why? This is because there is enough space for the rider’s feet to move and adjust their stance. The most common skateboard size for this purpose is 8.25” or higher.
Let’s see more skateboard sizes and find where in this sizes chart you fall under.
Micro skateboard
- Length – 27.2″ to 27.6″
- Width – 6.5″ to 6.75″
- Skater age – 5 years old and below
- Shoe size – 3 and below
- Skater height – 3’4 and below
Mini skateboard
- Length – 28″
- Width – 7″
- Skater age – 6 to 8 years old
- Shoe size – 4 to 6
- Skater height – 3’5 to 4’4
Mid-size skateboard
- Length – 29″
- Width – 7.3″
- Skater age – 9 to 12 years old
- Shoe size – 7 to 8
- Skater height – 4’5 to 5’2
How about the bigger skateboards? We know that 7.3″ isn’t the broadest a skateboard can get. Let’s see the average size of a skateboard for different skating styles.
- Street and technical skating – 7.5″ to 8″
- Vert and drainage ditches – 8″ to 8.75″
- Pools and cruising – 9″ and higher
How to Measure a Skateboard?
We have thoroughly discussed different skateboards dimensions and what they fit best. Now, it’s time to know how to obtain these figures.
- Grab a tailor’s measuring tape.
- Lay the tip of the measuring strip on a point on one side of the deck.
- Run the tape flat, across, and perpendicular to the board’s length. You now have the width of a skateboard.
- Lay the tape measure’s end on the tip of the deck’s nose.
- Run the strip flat across the length of the skateboard up to the tail’s tip. Take note of the board’s span.
- Finally, place the end of the measuring tape in one of the inner truck bolt holes.
- Run the tape flat towards the mirroring hole. Now you have obtained the skateboard’s wheelbase.
How to Choose the Right Size?
Before you get immersed in the numbers discussed above, let us remind you that no size calculator can supersede checking the deck yourself. Thus, here is a short skateboard buyers guide when you pick a skateboard size.
- Start with an 8″ deck. According to many skaters, the best size skateboard for beginners is 8”, somewhat like a typical size.
- Ride the skateboard and assess its comfort and stability.
- If you feel shaky, try to use broader decks.
- If you need a more agile board for technical skating, you might as well downsize.
- Consider the following factors.
-
- Skating style
- Height
- Skater age
- Shoe size
Frequently Asked Questions
What size skateboard do pros use?
If you want to try the same board as professional skaters, here is a quick guide based on skating styles.
- Micro / Specialty Deck – 6.5″ to 6.75″
- Cruising – 7.3″
- Street – 7.5″ or larger
Which Size Deck Should I Get Girl With Size Shoe 11?
The recommendation we gave above should suffice. A deck with 7.5 inches or more in width will do for women’s size shoe 11, and those with size 10 and up can try it as well.
Conclusion
Skateboarding isn’t only about grabbing a deck from a skate shop without knowing its styles, sizes, and intended users. It may sound unimportant, but these aspects could make you comfortable or stressed during your rides.
So, always keep a list of these significant factors when you choose a skateboard. By then, you won’t have to ask, “what size skateboard do I need for size 11 feet?” Again, if you have such a shoe size, get a 7.5″ to 8″ board that’s 29″ long.
Leave the confusion behind. There is always a deck for you.
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.