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Testing methodology
Every recommendation on SkateTested follows the same process, so you can compare pages with confidence.
Setup over hype
Every recommendation explains how each part fits the rest of the setup and your riding.
A clear verdict
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Kept current
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
Where our facts come from
We use manufacturer specs and size charts, the CPSC and ASTM F1492 standard for skateboarding helmets, ASTM F1447 for bicycle-style helmets, and ABEC and ISO bearing tolerance classes as published by manufacturers.
What we check, by product type
| Skateboards and decks | Width, length, wheelbase, concave, construction and complete component quality. |
|---|---|
| Trucks, wheels and bearings | Truck axle width and height, wheel diameter and durometer, bearing type and shields. |
| Longboards | Deck shape and mount (top or drop), flex, truck type and wheel size. |
| Roller and inline skates | Boot type and fit, plate or frame, wheel size and hardness, bearings, brakes and sizing. |
| Protective gear | Helmet certifications, pad coverage, strap system and fit. |
Hands-on testing versus research
A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.
Prices and codes
Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date, email info@skatetested.com and we'll check it and fix it.