Penny boards and skateboards have been around for years, but which one is better? Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide.
Penny boards are smaller and more lightweight than skateboards, making them easier to transport and carry around. They’re also great for beginners because they’re easier to balance.
Skateboards are typically wider and longer than Penny boards, giving you more stability and control when riding. They’re also better for tricks and stunts since they have more surface area to work with.
The significant difference between these two boards may look small, but it’s not. Let us go through some factors to explain what makes penny boards and skateboards different.
Penny boards and skateboards are both great choices, but you should consider the pros and cons of each before you decide which one is for you.
Let’s get started,
Related: Longboard vs Skateboard | What Should You Start With? The Great Debate
The Difference Between Penny Board and Standard Skateboard
Here is the main difference between a penny board and a skateboard.
1. Deck Material
The biggest difference between a penny board and a skateboard is deck material.
A Penny Board deck is made from hard plastic, while a skateboard deck is made from wood like maple. This can make a big difference in terms of the feel of the board and the ride itself.
A penny board is typically stiffer than a skateboard, which makes it easier to ride but also less responsive when you want to perform tricks. Conversely, Skateboard decks are made of flexible wood, making them more comfortable for landing tricks.
Another main difference is that Penny boards don’t have any grip tape on them, which means you can slip out easily when you’re riding them. Conversely, Skateboards have grip tape on their decks, making the board more grippy for your feet.
2. Deck shape and Size
Deck shape is the most noticeable difference between penny boards and skateboards. Skateboard decks typically have a more curved and concave shape, which is great for performing tricks, while penny boards are flatter, making them better suited for cruising around town.
When it’s come to deck size,
Skateboard deck length is ranging between 28” to 33” inches and the average deck width is 7.5” to 8.25”.
On the other hand,
Penny board comes in 5 different deck sizes.
| Penny Board Types | Deck Length (inches) | Deck Width (inches) |
| Standard Penny | 22” | 5.9” |
| Penny Nickel | 27” | 7.4” |
| Surfskate | 29” | 10.1” |
| Penny Skateboard | 32” | 8.5” |
| Penny Longboard | 36” | 9.6” |
2. The difference in Wheels
Penny board wheels are soft and bigger than skateboards which gives you more speed. This makes them better for cruising and going over small bumps easily. Soft wheels provide you with a smoother ride at greater speed and more grip on the road.
| Basis | Penny Board Wheels | Skateboard Wheels |
| Wheels Diameter (Size) | 59mm – 69mm | 55mm – 59mm |
| Wheels Durometer (Hardness) | 83a (Soft) | 95a – 101a (Hard) |
| Best For | Cruising | Tricks, Street Skating |
| Grip | More Grippy | Less Grippy |
Due to their soft and bouncy and bigger wheels, penny board wheels are not good for tricks, but they are great for tackling pebbles and cracks easily.
Conversely,
Skateboard wheels are smaller and harder than penny boards, which is great for technical tricks and street skating. Skateboard wheels require more push to gain speed because skateboard wheels are small and hard.
3. Difference in Trucks
Skateboard trucks and penny board trucks differ in several ways.
There are two sizes of trucks available for penny boards, 3 inches, and 4 inches. The 3-inch size is meant for 22″ boards, while the 4-inch size is meant for 27″ boards.
For one, skateboard trucks are heavier and sturdier and made from cast aluminum, which gives them more stability at a higher speed. A penny board truck has a lighter weight and is more maneuverable, so it is better suited to tight turns.
Additionally, skateboard trucks have a wider turning radius than penny board trucks.
What are Penny Boards Used for?
penny boards are first introduced by an Australian-based company in 2010 by Ben Mackay. Penny boards are commonly used as cruiser boards. Penny boards are perfect for cruising around town or campus. They are small, lightweight, easy to carry, and easily fit into your backpack, making them ideal for college students who want to get around campus quickly.
Penny boards are also great for city-dwellers who want to cruise around town without having to deal with traffic.
Penny boards are easy to ride on cracks, bumps, and rough terrain because of their soft and larger wheels and provide you with a smooth ride.
Pros of Penny board
- Great for commuting and cruising.
- Easy to carry and easily fit into your backpack.
- Good for children to learn the basics of skateboarding.
- Generally inexpensive.
- Small, Lightweight, and portable.
Cons
- Penny boards are not good for teens and adults, because it will be difficult for them to balance on penny boards due to their small size.
- Not good for performing tricks.
- Not very stable due to their small size and plastic decks.
- Not as versatile as skateboards.
- Less durable as compared with wooden boards.
What are skateboards Best for?
Normal skateboards are best for people who enjoy skating and doing tricks. Skateboards have been around since the early 1950s, and their popularity has only grown since then. Today, skateboarding is considered an extreme sport, and there are professional skateboarders who compete in tournaments all over the world.
Standard skateboards are versatile and can be used for cruising, transportation, or tricks. It is a great option for beginners as well as experienced skaters.
Pros of Skateboard
- Skateboard is ideal for performing all kinds of challenging tricks.
- Skateboards are more stable than penny boards due to their large size.
- Highly durable.
- On a skateboard, learning tricks is easy.
- Skateboards are available in a wide range of sizes and colors, so you can choose accordingly.
Cons of Skateboard
- The size and weight of skateboards make them harder to transport as compared with penny boards.
- If you choose skateboards that are long and wide, require more effort to push and accelerate.
- If you perform advanced tricks, it may cause your shoes to tear up more quickly.
- It is more dangerous to perform advanced tricks on a skateboard if you are not careful.
Which Lasts the Longest? Penny board or skateboard?
There are a lot of variables to consider when trying to determine which type of board will last longer – it all depends on how you ride and where you ride, and which terrain you ride.
Generally speaking, a skateboard will last you much longer than a penny board. Here’s a breakdown of why that is.
Penny boards are made from plastic material and are much lighter in weight than skateboards. They also have softer wheels, which makes them less durable. Penny boards are not made to handle the same wear and tear as skateboards, they simply don’t last as long – even with gentle use.
Skateboards, on the other hand, are made from sturdy materials like maple wood. Wooden decks can take a lot more abuse as compared with plastic decks. The wheels are hard and made to withstand more impact.
If you take care of your board and ride it properly, it should last for many years regardless of which type of board you have.
Penny board vs skateboard – Which one is Easier to Learn?
Penny boards and skateboards are both popular choices for beginner riders. But which one is easier to learn: a skateboard or a penny board, both have their own unique difficulties.
Well, there are two cases,
The first one is, If you are a teenager or an adult, then
Generally, a skateboard will be a good option for you and easier to learn than a penny board. The main reason for this is that the deck on a penny board is significantly smaller and does not provide you with proper space. This can make it difficult for your feet to stay in place and may lead to more falls.
In the second case
If you are a beginner kid,
Then
The Penny board might be a good option for you. Penny board is perfect for you to learn the basic fundamentals of skateboarding.
Penny boards are smaller and lighter than skateboards, making them easier to control. They also have softer wheels, which makes them ideal for beginners kids.
Skateboards, on the other hand, can be more difficult to control. They’re also heavier, so they may not be as easy to maneuver.
If you’re looking for an easy ride, go with a Penny board. But if you’re willing to put in a little extra effort, a mini skateboard may be the better choice.
Should I Buy a Penny Board or a Skateboard?
The best way to choose between a penny board and a skateboard is to consider what you want to use it for.
If you just want to cruise around town or in crowded areas, then a penny board is a great option. They’re small and easy to carry, and they’re not too expensive.
However, if you’re interested in performing advanced tricks, then you should go with a skateboard. Skateboards are larger and have more space for your feet, and hard wheels make tricks easier to perform.
If you’re looking for something that will help you develop your skills as a skater, then the best choice would be a skateboard instead of a penny board.
Also, if you want to do extreme tricks on a penny board, it’s going to be harder for you because penny board wheels are big, soft, and bouncy which is not ideal for cool tricks.
So it’s not really recommended for that purpose unless you really want to learn how to do tricks on a penny board.
Which one is Better? Skateboard or Penny Board
There are a few things to consider when it comes to which one is better.
First, let’s look at versatility. A skateboard is much more versatile than a penny board.
Skateboards can be used for transportation and can do all sorts of tricks and stunts on a skateboard while Penny boards are just designed for cruising and are not meant to be used for tricks.
Second, let’s look at options. skateboards give you more options than penny boards. There are many different types and high-quality boards available in the market. You can choose different styles, sizes, shapes, and colors of skateboards to suit your needs, but there are only a few different types of penny boards available.
This means that you have far more options when it comes to choosing a skateboard than you do when choosing a penny board.
Finally, skateboards are typically made from better materials than penny boards, which means they will last longer and perform better.
Skateboards are made from stronger and more durable materials than penny boards. That means they’ll last longer, even if you ride them hard.
Conversely,
Penny boards also have a tendency to break more easily than skateboards. That’s because the materials they’re made from are cheaper and of lower quality, so they can’t handle as much wear and tear.
Last words on Penny Board vs Skateboard
Lastly, I would say that both penny boards and skateboards have their pros and cons.
It really depends on the rider’s preferences. Some people may prefer the smaller size and portability of the penny board, while others might prefer the stability and versatility of the skateboard. Ultimately, it is up to the rider to decide which one suits their needs best.
I hope this blog post will help you to make your decision about penny board vs skateboard, which one is better for your riding style.
