Can Beginners Ride Penny Boards? [A Rad Guide]

While some people may not have heard of Penny Boards, aka ”The Locker Stuffer”, they are a big part of skate culture. Small, light and affordable, they are an accessible way to start skating.

Today we'll take a look at Penny Boards, and determine if they are a good fit for beginners (or not).

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What Is A Penny Board?

Put simply, a plastic skateboard of any type can commonly be referred to as Penny Boards. However, the official brand that gave penny its name is Penny Australia.

These boards are typically sold as a complete and ready to ride, but you can buy each component separately and make your own unique board. I suggest the casper glow deck, its sick. It glows in the dark!

Usually Penny Boards utilize a classic old school shape, being modeled after classic boards from the 1960s and 1970s. This means they are usually very narrow (6 to 7 inches width being typical), and often have a tapered pointed nose.

Delving further into the design, these boards feature a kicktail, but usually no kick on the nose. Since the traditional Penny Board is only 22 inches long, it may be difficult for some beginners to start on a Penny Board as this is a very small skateboard.

There are bigger versions available, such as a 27 inch and 32 inch deck - and these will likely be better for beginners. Smaller boards will typically be less stable and less forgiving - something that is not ideal for new skaters.

How Are Penny Boards Designed?

As with most skateboards, Penny Boards come in almost any color imaginable. And, per usual, you can get graphics all across the bottom of these boards. I say again...the glow in the dark deck is dope!

Penny Boards will not have grip tape - you'll be skating on a pattern that offers a waffle grip instead. The most common size (the 22 inch model) will mean skaters will have their feet sticking out, and have their legs much closer together than they will on a normal size skateboard.

Penny Boards are lightweight, which makes them great for traveling and carrying. Since they are essentially a miniaturized version of a full skateboard, it's easy to see why Penny Boards are so popular.

Many people commute with these boards, and in fact, Penny Boards can be squeezed into your backpack. Another advantage of Penny Boards, is that they have softer (and bigger) wheels than traditional skateboards.

This means they can go over rough street terrain much easier - without throwing you off the board. Pebbles, cracked pavement, trash, obstacles - they will be less of an issue when riding a Penny Board.

Traditional skateboards will have harder wheels, which are usually also smaller - which is far from ideal for commuting, especially on rough sidewalks. Since Penny Boards are really supposed to be a cruising board, this should come as no surprise.

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Is A Penny Board Good For A Total Newbie?

The answer here, is yes - and no. If you just want to learn how to skate - not do tricks - a Penny Board can certainly be used.

They are fairly affordable, lightweight, easy to transport, and are ok for cruising. If you are completely new to skateboarding, a Penny Board will easily allow you to get all of the fundamentals down.

However, as you progress you may outgrow your Penny Board. Many skateboarders see Penny as a newbie type of skateboard for those seeking a trendy Instagram aesthetic.

If you don't mind this and like the look, Penny can be a good introduction to skateboarding. For riders under the age of 12, we recommend going with the 22 inch version. For riders over the age of 12, we recommend going with the 27 inch version. This will give you more foot room.

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Penny Boards - Are They Good For Learning Tricks?

Our general recommendation on this would be that no, Penny Boards are not ideal for learning tricks on. Plastic does not have the "pop" like maple decks in order to do ollies and flip tricks, let alone the size of the deck is super hard to land on.

This is especially true of more advanced tricks, which can push Penny Boards to the breaking point.

Grinding tricks will be near impossible with a Penny Board, because the board itself and trucks are very small. The grippy wheels will make it difficult to properly get locked in with most grinds (since the wheels are large and soft, not small and hard).

More technical tricks will also be tough to learn with a Penny Board, because you can't easily ollie, and will only have one kick to work with - plus gripping on a Penny Board waffle surface is more difficult than with a traditional grip taped skateboard.

If there are some real basic tricks you want to learn, where you won't be leaving the ground, a Penny Board is okay to learn on. Beyond that, we wouldn't recommend learning tricks on a Penny Board.

What Size Penny Board Is Best For Beginners?

We definitely recommend the 27 inch or 32 inch size of Penny Board, for beginners. The standard 22 inch Penny Board is likely a little too small for adult beginners, but will actually work okay for beginners who are kids.

What Age Is Good For A Penny Board?

This is a common question we see. Adults will do well on the 27 inch or 32 inch Penny Boards, but children as young as five years old can start with a 22 inch Penny Board.

It's important to remember that Penny Boards are typically not great for learning tricks on. They are mainly for cruising, especially on rougher surfaces.

Is It Hard To Learn To Ride A Penny Board?

Generally speaking, no it is not hard to learn how to ride a Penny Board. However, there are some pluses and minuses about these boards.

Firstly, they are very affordable. That makes them ideal for someone looking to just start the process of learning how to skateboard.

However, the smaller size board (22 inches) is a little tough to learn on, especially for full size adults. Kids will likely be fine on this size board, but adults will likely want to opt for the bigger size Penny Boards.

Additionally, it's important to remember that Penny Boards are not exactly like regular skateboards. They have a different grip, different wheels, and cannot really be used to perform advanced tricks with.

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Do Penny Boards Need Grip Tape?

Penny Boards do not have grip tape, by default. Therefore, some skaters may want to add grip tape, to get better balance and stability while riding.

If you are a complete beginner, it may be worth it to add grip tape to your Penny Board. This is a fairly simple process, and there are many YouTube videos out there explaining how to do so, with relative ease.

When To Get A Penny Board (And When Not To)

If you're a kid, a Penny Board is an excellent option. The standard 22 inch size board won't be an issue for you, and you can quickly and easily learn the basics of skateboarding.

However, adults will want to opt for a bigger size Penny Board, like the 27 inch or 32 inch models. This will make it easier to balance, and it will also give you more stability (as well as leg room).

If you want to learn advanced tricks, a Penny Board is definitely not the right choice, however. Penny Boards are built for cruising, not doing difficult tricks.

If you want to commute, cruise, or have a board that can easily fit in your backpack or school locker - a Penny Board is definitely a great choice. These are the ideal scenarios for utilizing a board like this.

Some adults may also prefer to learn on a standard skateboard (also known as a popsicle design). These boards differ from Penny Boards, and offer the added benefit of being able to do advanced tricks.

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The 10 Best Penny Boards For Beginners

Blackout Edition

The blackout series from Penny is just like it sounds. Murdered out black skateboards that look sleek.

Cactus Wanderlust

Best Budget "Penny" Boards

2. Retrospec Quip Skateboard

With tons of stellar reviews, and a very affordable price point, this is another great choice for a Penny Board. All of the colors available really make this board stand out, and beginners will love the options for different sizes.

The molded waffle pattern offers a good grip for your feet, and you'll look very cool cruising around on this board. While you can certainly spend more, this is a great budget pick for anyone looking to get started with a Penny Board.

3. Dinbin Plastic Cruiser Board

A great pick for kids, this 22 inch Penny Board is very affordable, and is super fun to cruise around on. The colors make it stand out, and the manufacturing quality is incredible (especially for the price).

It's easy to carry around (or slip in your backpack), and it also comes fully assembled. Great for a birthday gift, or just as a fun way to slide around town, we definitely recommend this board.

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4. KMX 22 Inch Mini Cruiser Skateboard

This awesome (and affordable) Penny Board comes in a huge array of colors, and is absolutely perfect for beginners. We're fans of the classic black, but there are so many other great color options to choose from.

Some reviewers have noted that you may want to loosen up the wheels and trucks to give yourself a smoother ride, so be sure to take that into consideration. Highly recommended, especially for those looking to just start on a board.

5. WhiteFang 22 Inch Kids Skateboard

These super colorful and fun Penny Boards have tons of great reviews, and are very well regarded. They offer a smooth ride, and wheels that are slightly larger than most 22 inch boards.

These boards are also waterproof, and are also non-slip. You can easily rinse off any residue or dirt you pick up, and we highly recommend this product for both beginners and children alike.

6. Penny Australia 22 Inch Flame Penny Board

This awesome flame covered board will certainly turn heads. As a bonus, it's also made by the brand who made Penny Boards famous - Penny Australia.

While not the cheapest option on our list, this board may just be the most durable. We love cruising around on this 22 inch board - and we know you'll love it too.

7. Gonex 22 Inch Skateboard

This cool 22 inch Penny Board comes in spectacular colors, and is also very affordable. It's also backed by tons of great reviews, and is surprisingly sturdy (especially for the price).

While not the most deluxe option imaginable, this board is perfect for anyone getting started. We highly recommend it for kids, or even teenagers.

8. Merkapa 22" Complete Skateboard With Colorful LED Light Up Wheels

We love the colors on this Penny Board - as well as the LED light up wheels. Kids seem to gravitate towards this model, and it's easy to see why.

Many reviewers even noted this was a great choice for riding around their college campus - so the appeal is not limited to just teenagers and children. Perfect for learning the basics of boarding, this is a great choice for anyone who wants to make learning skateboarding as fun as possible.

9. Ko-On Complete 22 Inch Mini Cruiser

Another awesome looking (and performing!) board, this affordable model is decked out in all kinds of cool colors. Whether you want checkered patterns, or a T-Rex - they've got you covered.

Perfect for children and adults alike, this Penny Board is also extremely inexpensive. Perfect for cruising around an apartment complex, or commuting to a part time job.

10. Rimable Complete 22 Inch Skateboard

This simple and affordable Penny Board delivers exactly what you need - good performance, at a very reasonable price. You'll also look sleek, cruising around on one of these nifty looking boards.

Even 5 year old kids should have an easy time hopping on one of these and learning, and they also make for great fun to ride around an open office. While you need to run it by your boss first, we think this board would make a perfect gift for just about everyone in your company - just don't spill your coffee.

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Other Factors To Consider

Penny skateboards are hugely popular - and for good reason. These plastic decks offer a small size, and are great for first time riders.

 

While it won’t be a longboard, there are lots of penny boards on Amazon to choose from. The type of board you go with is crucial, and if you’re looking for your first skateboard, you may want to go with a penny board or nickel board.

 

Skateparks everywhere offer high quality skating experiences, and you can do sharp turns, grind curbs, and freestyle. A plastic board is definitely different than a normal short board, so you may want to avoid skate parks with them, in practice.

 

A narrow board (like a penny nickel board) is a totally different experience than a longboard, and small boards have different wheelbases and front trucks, as well. Skateboard decks aren’t usually made of plastic, but skate shops still see lots of sales of penny boards.

The Bottom Line About Penny Boards

If you're a kid - Penny Boards are a very affordable option to learn on. Adults can learn on them too - just opt for a size bigger than 22 inches.

If you want to cruise, Penny Boards are a perfect choice. However, Penny Boards should not be used for learning advanced tricks.