Choose with confidence

What ABEC ratings mean (and don't), the standard 608 bearing size, steel vs ceramic, shields, built-in spacers and how to clean skate bearings.

Choose a skateboard deck width: 7.75 to 8.0 inches for street, 8.0 to 8.25 for all-round, 8.25 and up for ramps and bowls, plus kids sizes and trucks.

Choose skateboard wheels: durometer on the A and B scales, soft vs hard wheels, diameters for street, park and cruising, wheel bite and risers.

Longboards, cruisers and street skateboards compared for commuting, carving, tricks and portability, with deck shapes, trucks and wheel sizes for each.

Quad skates vs inline skates compared: stability, speed, maneuverability, braking, uses from rink and dance to fitness and commuting, and how to choose.

Choose inline skates: hard vs soft boots, frame types, wheel size and hardness, recreational, fitness, urban and aggressive skates, brakes and how to size them.

Skate helmet standards explained: CPSC bicycle, ASTM F1492 skateboarding, EN 1078, single vs multi-impact helmets, fit, and when to replace a skate helmet.