Girls Skateboards and Skate Clothing: A Buyer's Guide

par Skatewarehouse sur September 21, 2026

Do girls need a different skateboard to boys?

Short answer: no. There's no such thing as a technically different "girls' skateboard" and a "boys' skateboard". A skateboard is a skateboard. Deck shape, trucks, wheels and bearings all work the same way whoever is riding.

What changes in the search results is marketing, not mechanics. A lot of boards sold as "girls skateboards" online are just standard decks with a different graphic. That's not a bad thing. Riding a board with a design you love matters for confidence. But it's worth knowing the graphic doesn't affect how the board performs.

The real questions to ask when choosing a board for a girl are the same ones you'd ask for any beginner: how tall are they? What's their shoe size? What do they want to ride: street, park, or just cruising to a mate's house? Get those right and you'll end up with a board that actually suits the rider, not just one that matched a search term.

Choosing the right size skateboard for a girl

Size should be based on height, age and riding style, not gender. Here's the guidance we give in the shop, whoever's asking.

  • Under 5ft (roughly ages 3-10): a junior complete is usually the best starting point. Most junior boards are around 29 inches long and 7.25-7.5 inches wide, which makes them easier for smaller riders to carry, stand on and turn.
  • Ages 10-13, still on the smaller side: a full-size complete around 7.75 inches wide is a good middle ground. Light enough to be manageable, but sized for a rider growing out of junior boards.
  • Teen beginners: an 8.0 inch complete is the best neutral starting point. It suits most teenagers and gives them room to decide whether they want to go wider or narrower once they've ridden it for a while.
  • Taller riders or adult beginners: 8.25 inches gives more stability without feeling oversized.

Shoe size is worth a quick check too, but treat it as a final sense-check rather than the main factor. A narrower deck with size 6 shoes and a wider deck with size 6 shoes will both work. It comes down to personal preference and riding style as much as foot size.

Complete skateboards worth starting with

For a first board, a complete skateboard is almost always the easiest choice. It arrives built and ready to ride, with grip tape already applied, so there's no guesswork over matching parts.

Our junior and mini youth complete skateboards collection is the natural starting point for smaller riders, with sizing scaled down so the board is easier to control. For teens and adults just starting out, our complete skateboards for beginners range covers the 7.75-8.25 inch sizes that suit most new riders.

If you're shopping for an adult who has never skated before, don't assume they need something different just because they're older and new to it. The same beginner-friendly logic applies. Our beginner-focused ranges work well across ages.

Custom builds have their place once a rider knows what they like, a particular truck brand, a specific wheel hardness, but for a first board, a complete takes away the risk of mismatched parts and gets someone rolling faster.

Girl Skateboards: a dedicated brand worth knowing

Here's something most buying guides miss: Girl Skateboards is an actual skateboard brand, not just a generic search term. It's one of the respected names in skateboarding, known for its graphics and team riders, and it isn't a brand exclusively for female skaters. The name refers to the brand itself, in the same way Chocolate Skateboards or Toy Machine are brand names.

If you searched "girl skateboards" hoping to find boards specifically designed for girls, it's worth knowing you might land on this brand instead, and that's a completely different thing to a board sized or styled for a female rider. Both are valid things to shop for. You just want to be clear on which one you're actually after.

You can browse the Girl Skateboards range directly if it's the brand you're after. If you're looking for a beginner-friendly board sized for a girl rider, the sizing advice above is what to follow, regardless of brand.

Skate clothing and footwear for girls

Skate clothing needs to do a job, not just look the part. Loose-fitting tops and trousers give you room to move and crouch without restriction, and thicker fabrics hold up better to the odd scrape from a fall.

Our women's skateboard clothing collection covers teens and adults, while kids' skateboard clothing is better suited to younger riders who need smaller, more practical sizing. Both are built around genuine skatewear rather than fashion pieces that only look like skate style.

Footwear matters just as much as the board. Skate shoes have flatter soles and grippier rubber than standard trainers, which makes a real difference when you're learning to feel the board underfoot. Our skate shoes range includes styles suited to narrower and wider fits, so it's worth trying a couple of options rather than assuming one brand fits all.

What to avoid when buying a first skateboard

A few common mistakes are worth flagging before you buy:

  • Toy-shop boards. These often use lower-grade decks and loose trucks that make learning harder than it needs to be. A proper complete skateboard, even at entry level, rolls and turns more predictably.
  • Sizing based on graphics rather than fit. A board with a design a girl loves is genuinely worth prioritising for confidence, but check it's close to the size guidance above first.
  • Skipping protection. Falls happen when learning, whatever your age or ability. A helmet and pads aren't compulsory, but they help new riders practise with more confidence. Our helmets">helmets and pad sets ranges are worth a look alongside the board itself.
  • Buying a board that's too advanced. A narrow, lightweight street deck can feel unstable for someone who has never stood on a board before. Start with the sizing guidance above rather than the setup a favourite pro rider uses.

Gifting a skateboard? What to check before you buy

Buying a skateboard as a gift is a bit different to buying one for a rider who can test it themselves. A few practical checks help:

  • Confirm height rather than just age. A tall 9-year-old may need a different size to a shorter one.
  • Check shoe size as a general guide, not a strict rule.
  • If you're unsure on size, an 8.0 inch complete is a safe middle-ground choice for most teens, and a junior complete for anyone under 5ft.
  • Consider adding a helmet or pad set to the gift. New riders are far more likely to keep practising when they feel confident falling safely.
  • If you're still not sure, our how to choose a skateboard: beginner's guide and buying your first skateboard guides cover the basics in more depth.

FAQs

Do girls need a specific skateboard, or can they use any board? Any properly built skateboard works for any rider. Choose based on height, age and riding style rather than gender-specific marketing.

What size skateboard is best for a girl aged 8-12? It depends more on height than age. Under 5ft, a junior complete around 7.25-7.5 inches wide is usually best. Closer to 5ft and taller, a 7.75-8.0 inch full-size complete tends to work better.

Is Girl Skateboards a brand for female skaters specifically? No. Girl Skateboards is a well-known skateboard brand name, not a product line designed exclusively for girls. It's worth checking which one you're actually looking for before you buy.

What should a beginner girl skater wear? Loose, comfortable clothing that allows a full range of movement, along with proper skate shoes with flat, grippy soles. Avoid restrictive fabrics or anything that limits crouching and turning.

Are complete skateboards or custom builds better for a first-time girl skater? Complete skateboards are almost always better for a first board. They arrive built and ready to ride, removing the risk of mismatched parts. Custom builds are worth considering once a rider knows their preferences.

What skate shoes work best for girls just starting out? Look for flat soles, grippy rubber, and a snug but comfortable fit. Fit varies between brands, so trying a couple of styles is worth it if you're unsure on sizing.

Still not sure what to choose? Have a look through our complete skateboards for beginners and junior and mini youth complete skateboards ranges, or get in touch and we'll help you find the right size.

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