Skateboarding Accessories Every Skater Needs
Whether you are just learning to stand on a skateboard or your first tricks, or you’ve already mastered the sport, you probably know that skateboarding is not just about physical activity. There is a whole subculture surrounding skateboards, which aside from the love and passion for the activity, also encompasses a dressing style, the music, and even the way of thinking. So, of course, aside from the skateboard itself, the lifestyle, comes with a set of accessories, some simply as part of the look and others for specific and important purposes.
Backpacks
Like skate apparel and shoes, skate backpacks are one of the staples of the skateboarding scene. Backpacks provide a lot of storage space, making it easy to carry a lot of items, and they are better for your posture than most other types of bags. However, because the market is flooded with a lot of models, some of which may not be as good quality or as useful for you as others, there are several things that all skateboarders need to consider before they buy skate backpacks, including the materials, the design, the level of comfort and of course, the functionality.
Don’t forget that you may end up carrying your backpack while you are riding, which means that finding a model that is made with the needs of skateboarders in mind, is key. The materials used in the production are probably the number one factor that determines the quality of the product. Along with the quality of the craftsmanship, they are the thing that will determine how long your backpack will last, but also how good it will perform under all kinds of circumstances. Experienced skateboarders buy skate backpacks made of polyester.
You should make sure that the material is waterproof because a lot of the time you will be carrying all of your valuables with you, like your wallet, your phone, your camera or even your new skateboard truck or wheels. A good skate backpack should also be easy to wash, and some are even machine washable, even though to keep it in good shape for a long time, it’s always better to hand wash it.
In terms of comfort, there are several things to consider, and you have to determine what exactly do you need. For instance, you can go for one that can hold your skateboard, so you don’t end up having to carry it in your hands all the time, especially if you like to carry it around town from one park to another, or if you want to take it with you while travelling. Most importantly, to be comfortable it has to fit your body well. Some skateboarding backpacks also feature padding on the back to provide better and softer support.
Protective Gear
Skateboarding is fun and it comes with a lot of benefits for your physical and mental health, as well as your social life, but like any other activity, it also comes with some risks of injury. After all, it is considered to be an extreme sport. This is why you should take the necessary precautions to stay safe. Protective gear is especially important for beginners, even though it’s recommendable that you wear it once you’ve mastered the skill as well.
Knee, wrist and elbow injuries are the most common ones related to skateboarding. This is why basic protective gear for skateboarders consists of knee pads, elbow pads and wrists guard. However, when you are jumping around standing on a board with wheels, the biggest concern should be to protect your head from possible falls. So, a good quality helmet may be the most important accessory for any skateboarder.
Fashion Accessories
Looks play a huge part in the skateboarding scene, so it’s no wonder that skateboarders can usually be easily recognised, even without their skateboards. And while the style has seeped into mainstream fashion, when you are buying skate clothes to wear while skateboarding, you should be cautious. Namely, you should make sure that they can withstand a lot of wear and tear and that they allow you to move freely. Restrictive clothes can be dangerous.
There are a lot of good skatewear brands that offer t-shirts, long-sleeved tees, shorts, pants, hoodies, jackets, and other garments suitable for skateboarding and celebrating the sport and the cultural references that come with it. Graphic t-shirts, whether it’s with a big logo, the brand name, a slogan or an image, are often used by skateboarders. They typically come with a crew-neck cut and are longer than regular tees. Hoodies, sweatshirts and other comfy streetwear tops are also great for skateboarders. When it comes to the bottoms, loose pants and shorts, like cargo pants are the usual choices.
Skate shoes are very recognisable as well, but aside from looking cool, they offer the right support for your feet during skateboarding, so in a way, they are also part of your protective equipment. The quality of the materials and the production, as well as their durability and comfort, are the most important things to worry about. When it comes to skateboarding fashion, there are other smaller items that you can get, such as beanies and caps, some jewellery, wallet chains, wallets, and so on. And, of course, because it is often a part of the recognisable look, a skateboard backpack can be seen as a fashion accessory, too.