01 / Look down at the deck
Start with the outline.
A popsicle is the familiar rounded, double-kick shape you’ll see all over the street and park. A shaped deck might have a squarer tail, fuller nose or a wider section under your front foot. Neither is a skill level. Pick around the skating you want to do and the platform that feels comfortable.
Check the actual nose and tail rather than assuming a deck is identical at both ends. And remember: a deck listing is the wooden platform, not automatically a complete skateboard.
02 / Feel across the width
Concave is the scoop.
Concave is the side-to-side curve that makes the deck feel like a shallow tray. Mellow feels flatter; deeper concave gives a more noticeable pocket underfoot. Nose and tail steepness are separate features, so “deep concave” doesn’t describe the whole shape.
Don’t buy a skill upgrade. There’s no concave that does the learning for you. If you can, stand on a few decks in the shop with permission and compare the feel. Describe what you like instead of chasing a “pro” label.
03 / Read the smaller numbers
Width isn’t the whole story.
Listed deck wheelbase is usually the distance between the inner mounting holes. A longer wheelbase generally feels steadier; a shorter one generally feels more willing to change direction. The trucks you fit affect the final axle-to-axle distance too.
Compare length, usable standing space and nose/tail shape alongside width. If a new deck feels odd, check those details before deciding that every board in that width is wrong for you.
Make a useful shortlist.
- Choose the job: learning street and park basics, cruising, or a mix.
- Find a width and standing platform that feel comfortable. Our beginner size guide covers that first decision.
- Compare two or three shapes, then check concave and wheelbase.
- Before ordering a deck, work out which trucks, wheels and other parts you need with it.
Like a bold old-school shape? Go for a look you enjoy, then check the dimensions and setup. You don’t have to earn a certain outline by skating a certain way.
A couple of quick ones.
Does deeper concave mean more pop?
No simple guarantee. Concave, nose/tail geometry, deck condition and your technique all play different roles. Buy a feel you like; give the ollie practice its own time.
Should I change everything when I buy a new deck?
Only replace what needs replacing or no longer fits. Check the condition and compatibility of your existing parts. Keeping familiar parts can help you feel what the new deck actually changed.
Bob Gnarly’s take
Feet first. Graphic second.
Get the shape feeling right, then choose the artwork you’re stoked to skate. Tell us what board you’ve ridden and what felt good or awkward — that gives us more to work with than a shoe size alone.
Further reading: Arbor’s deck design guide.
