Penny Board VS. Skateboard: A Bold Comparison for Beginners
The best part of childhood for me was skating about for most of the time. Even though I constantly got hurt, I had an unquenchable enthusiasm for skating. Thankfully, it’s becoming increasingly widespread and well-liked. By 2025, the skateboard market may be worth $2.4 billion (PRNewswire).
People are getting involved and taking the sport seriously. Some people are purchasing skateboards to use as daily transportation. Due to the resurgence of skateboards, people get confused between traditional skateboards and penny skateboards. In short, they offer different experiences.
In this article, I will give a comparative discussion on penny board vs. skateboard. After reading this article, you will be able to find out which type of board best suits you.
Here you will find an explainer on penny boards vs. skateboards and how they differentiate. To help you decide, I will also list the advantages and disadvantages.
What Is A Penny Board?
Penny skateboards are a type of skateboard that is lightweight and compact. Instead of using maple wood for the board, they use plastic, and they taper in at each end. These skateboards are shorter than usual, ranging from 22 to 27 inches. Local penny boards cost very little.
Australian company Penny Skateboards first started making smaller plastic boards. Founder Ben Mackay named this board after his sister Penny. It started in 2010, and it found tremendous success and became popular all over the world. Since then, it has become a generic name for boards of this type.
They didn’t stumble on success by accident. The penny boards offer a lot of advantages that suit many people. However, authentic penny boards cost higher than local ones. I recommend getting the real ones even if they cost more as they provide better design, stability, and safety.
According to the Public Skatepark Guide, roughly 70% of all skateboarders are younger than 18. So penny boards are designed to be very safe. I strongly advise kids to learn skateboarding on normal skateboards first and then move to penny boards.
Some of the highlights of the penny board are given below.
Advantages:
- Pennyboards are portable and easy to carry around and travel with
- Pennyboards are more comfortable and better suited for daily commuting
- They come in a wide variety of colors and designs
- They are relatively cheap and affordable
- Pennyboards are enjoyable for skilled drivers
- They are very fast
Disadvantages:
- Pennyboards are not ideal for newcomers
- Pennyboards are not safe for performing tricks
- They shouldn’t be used on ramps
Check the following chart to memorize “Pennyboards” quickly
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Portable and easy to carry | Not ideal for newcomers |
| Comfortable for daily commuting | Not safe for performing tricks |
| Wide variety of colors and designs | Shouldn’t be used on ramps |
| Affordable and relatively cheap | |
| Enjoyable for skilled riders | |
| Offers high speed |
What Is A Skateboard?
Skateboards are the ones that have wooden decks made of maple wood instead of plastic. They are heavier and bigger. The sizes range from 28 to 32 inches. These skateboards are more for serious skateboarders. They are safer for use in skateparks.
At present, there are different types of skateboards, and it is a generic term. As for traditional skateboards, there are longboards, popsicles, shaped cruisers, etc. Right now, popsicle skateboards are the most popular. In 2018, 50.7% of all skateboard revenue came from popsicle keyboards (Grandviewresearch).
Skateboards cost a little bit more. There are cheap skateboards and high-end skateboards. I think it’s better if you spend a little more and get a far better product. However, they are sturdier, more durable, and safer.
Moving on to the pros and cons of skateboards
Advantages:
- Skateboards provide more balance and a stable stance
- Skateboards are easier and optimal for beginners to learn on
- They come in varying lengths and widths
- They are better for tricks, flips, and skateparks
- Skateboards are very safe
Disadvantages:
- They are heavier
- Skateboards are not portable
- Takes more time to reach top speed on a bigger board
Check the following chart to memorize “Skateboards” quickly
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| More balance and stable stance | Heavier |
| Easier and optimal for beginners | Not portable |
| Varying lengths and widths | Takes more time to reach top speed on a bigger board |
| Better for tricks, flips, and skateparks | |
| Very safe |
FAQs Regarding Penny Board vs. Skateboard
Skateboards are getting more popular by the day. Some factors like an increase in free time, female participation, and the sport becoming more accepted have played a key role. Currently, only 31% of skaters are female, while 69% are male (NSGA). The numbers are expected to grow even more.
So, due to the surge in popularity and increase of skaters, it’s normal to have some questions. Beginners and especially parents might have some questions. I will now try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions-
Is it easier to skateboard or Penny Board?
In terms of general use, only smaller people will find it easier to skate on a penny board. But skateboards will always be easier to use for people irrespective of height differences. To answer in short, skateboarding is easier.
Are Penny boards better for beginners?
Penny boards are better at the beginning for a smaller person that wants to learn the very basics like turning. But it’s easier to learn skating on a skateboard than on a penny board as they are longer, more durable, easier to crouch on, control, etc. I recommend learning to skate on a popsicle skateboard.
Are Penny boards safer than skateboards?
Penny boards are safer only in a select few conditions like plane areas. But for hilly areas, skate parks, etc., skateboards are safer.
What age are Penny Boards for?
Penny boards are typically for young children and smaller teenagers. Bigger penny boards can be used by teens but I prefer skateboards over penny boards.
Do Penny Boards need grip tape?
Yes. Penny boards need grip tapes. I suggest not using them without gripping tapes as they are unstable.
Conclusion
Some people are concerned about the safety of skating. For Parents, I advise you to let your kids skate only when they get a little older. Young kids make poor decisions. However, if you are wearing safety gear, you should be safer as skateboarding injuries happen to only 2% of people (NSGA).
With that, I conclude today’s comparative discussion of penny boards vs. skateboards. My intention was to provide a better understanding of the topic. I hope you learned a few things and were able to pick your type of board.
