Ever wonder what ingredients make the perfect recipe for a kickass skate sesh? If you said yes, remember one thing: we will look beyond the obvious: the skateboard and killer skate shoes. So, if you’ve ever had a surprise bolt loosen, cassette tapes for rails too sticky, or a lack of proper foot protection ruin your day, this post is especially for you!
Ten items skaters can’t live without
Skaters, especially those committed to their craft, rely on several essential items to facilitate their skating, protect themselves, and maintain their gear. Here are ten essential items that most skaters consider indispensable:
- Skateboard: The skateboard itself is the primary and most essential tool for a skateboarder. Without it, one cannot skate. Skateboarding, by definition, revolves around the skateboard. It’s the basic requirement to perform any trick, ride, or move on wheels.
- Safety gear: Safety gear is paramount for skateboarders, especially those who push their limits, try new tricks, or even want to ensure longevity. Using safety gear significantly reduces risks. It allows skateboarders to enjoy the sport more fully, learn effectively, and remain in it for longer.
- Proper footwear: Skate shoes are designed with a flat sole to maximize grip on the skateboard. They are typically durable and provide the necessary protection and support.
- Skate tool: A multipurpose tool that helps tighten or loosen the trucks, replace wheels, or adjust other parts of the skateboard or inline skates.
- Spare parts: This includes extra wheels, bearings, and hardware. Skaters often carry these in case of breakage or wear and tear.
- Bearing cleaner and lubricant: Clean bearings roll more smoothly and extend the life of the bearing. A good lubricant ensures that the bearings operate at their best.
- Grip tape: For skateboarders, grip tape is essential for maintaining traction between their feet and the board. Extra grip tape or a cleaner can help maintain optimal performance.
- Skate wax: Used to reduce friction on surfaces like rails and ledges, making them more slide-able and grind-able.
- Portable speaker or headphones: Many skaters enjoy skating to music. A portable speaker or headphones can enhance the experience, but safety should always come first. Ensure that it doesn’t impair your ability to be aware of your surroundings.
- Water bottle and snacks: Skating is physically demanding. Staying hydrated and having energy-boosting snacks can keep a skater going during long sessions.
Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings
- High-speed
- Pre-lubricated
- Inexpensive
I may earn a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
How are these items helping shred smarter?
Let’s lay it out clearly: the goal isn’t about skating harder; it’s about skating smarter. These essential items not only have the potential to enhance your performance but can also add valuable lifelines to our much-cherished gear and protect us from avoidable injuries!
Free Download: My 20 Essential Skateboard Tricks PDF
Sign up to receive my 20 Flatground Tricks Checklist—a systematic approach to tracking and landing flatground tricks.
Here’s my take
I’m not a pro skater. I’ve been on the board for only a couple of years. But having these items handy has literally saved my skin more times than I can count. I crashed into this pothole the other day, and my board snapped in half. Instead of a long walk home, this bad boy literally held my board together long enough to make the return.
“In the crazy, unpredictable world of skateboarding, it’s always better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!”
So, don’t hesitate to grab these essentials, and you won’t find yourself in the same boat I was in (hopefully not as often). Share your own skateboarding experiences with us! If you’ve had a nasty bail, share your story here. It’s not about laughing at each other but learning from our collective experiences. Just remember to laugh it off and learn—that’s pretty much the skater’s way.
A well-prepared skater isn’t just someone with all the cool moves. Equipped with all the essential items, skaters become juggernauts, ready to face any challenge. Here’s a fact-based table showing why each essential item is indispensable for any skater:
| Essential Item | Why is it necessary? |
|---|---|
| Skate tool | Prevents unnecessary stops to tighten loose bolts |
| Golf wax | Offers cost-effective solution for better slides |
| Spare hardware | A safety backup for any bolt mishaps |
| Insoles | Keeps the ride comfy and the feet protected |
| Duct tape | Fixes almost anything temporarily |
Advantages and disadvantages of carrying your skater’s survival kit
Being prepared with a skater’s survival kit has pros and cons. Let’s break them down for a better understanding.
Advantages
Better preparedness equals less downtime, leading to a great skate sesh. Here are some pros:
- There is no need to call it a day because of a sticky rail or a loosened bolt
- Quality insoles cushion your feet, protecting them from high-impact jumps
- Golf wax and spares mean you can avoid unnecessary brand tax!
Disadvantages
- Carrying around these extra items can become a bit tiresome
- Skaters could rely too much on their kit and not store hardware properly.
If you are a visual learner, check out the video below from YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
From your first grind to becoming a seasoned skater, there will always be questions surfacing. Here are some that often get asked about these essentials we’ve been discussing.
How frequently should I change my insoles?
The lifespan of insoles can vary based on usage, but generally, changing them every 3–6 months is a good rule of thumb. If you’re experiencing discomfort or see visible damage, consider replacing them. More information about the wear and tear of equipment can be found here.
Can duct tape be used to fix a snapped board permanently?
Duct tape can be a temporary fix but cannot structurally reinforce a snapped board. If your board has snapped, it’s time to consider a replacement.
Is golf wax really as good as skate wax?
In terms of functionality, yes! However, some skaters might prefer the feel of a specific brand of skate wax. It’s a relatively inexpensive item, so feel free to experiment and find what suits you the best.
Final thoughts
Through all the flips, grinds, and slides, it’s essential to remember that every skater can make their life easier with just a few additional items in their kit. The skater’s survival kit can save our skin and our beloved gear if used correctly. What essential items do you vouch for in your skateboard kit, and why? Let me know in the comments section below. I read and reply to every comment. If you found this article helpful, share it with a friend, and check out my full blog for more tips and tricks on skateboarding. Thanks for reading, and remember, keep your wheels spinning!
Key takeaways
This article covered items that every skater can’t live without. Here are some key takeaways:
- Always have a skater’s survival kit handy. It’s not just about skating harder but smarter.
- A skate tool, golf wax, spare hardware, insoles, and duct tape can be lifesavers in making the shred life easier.
- Choose insoles based on comfort and change them every 3–6 months or whenever you see visible damage.
- Remember, golf wax is a budget-friendly alternative to overpriced skate waxes.
- Duct tape fixes almost everything temporarily. But always have proper fixes in place at the earliest opportunity.
EN 
ES 
FR 
DE 
IT