A Guide to Skate Accessories: Hardware and Sizing

For the best skateboarding experience possible, it’s important to make sure you have the highest quality parts and accessories. If you’re new to skateboarding or used to buying complete boards, assessing each individual component can be easily overlooked. 

If you’re building a custom skateboard or inspecting the individual parts of your board, skateboard hardware (also called “mounting hardware”) are the bolts and nuts that connect the trucks to the deck. For those who are new to building custom boards, shopping for hardware can be a tricky process!

Buying skate hardware is not a one size fits all solution, but buying the right parts is essential to your setup. Keep reading below to learn more about skate hardware, how to choose the right size, installation, and maintenance. 

Hardware Sizing

When buying skateboard hardware, you need to make sure you’re buying the correct length. The size you need depends on the style of your skate deck and whether or not you’ve installed riser pads. Hardware should be long enough to reach through the deck and truck baseplate while still leaving enough threads sticking out to thread the lock nut onto the bolt. While you want to make sure there’s enough threads sticking out, you don’t want to get hardware that’s too long either. 

If you don’t have risers or shock pads installed, you’ll likely only ever need 7/8 inch to 1 inch hardware. If you decide to add risers or shock pads, you’ll need to account for the height adjustment between the deck and the trucks. See below for a general hardware sizing guide. 

• If you have no risers, select 7/8” to 1” hardware
• 1/8” risers will need 1” to 1 1/8” hardware
• ¼” risers will need 1 ¼” hardware
• ½” risers will need 1 ½” hardware

What Type of Skate Hardware Do I Need?

Skate bolts come in two different varieties, the Phillips (cross) head and Allen (hexagonal) head. While both types function the same, there are some key differences. 

Phillips Head

The Phillips head is the more common type and can be easily screwed in with a common screwdriver. Most skate tools should also be outfitted with a Phillips key. Phillips heads have the potential to strip and ruse more easily, so they may need to be replaced more often than their Allen counterparts. 

Allen Head

Allen heads are classified by their hexagonal tops. These require an Allen key or 1/8” Allen wrench, which can be more difficult to find than a screwdriver. However, most skate tools should have an Allen key, and many Allen hardware sets come with the correct wrench. While Allen heads usually don’t strip as easily as Phillips heads, the hardware will wear down naturally over time, especially if you’re an avid trickster. 

You may come across a third type of skate hardware, called dome-shaped or pan head. This variety should only be used on longboards and can affect your ability to perform tricks if mounted to a classic skateboard. 

Skateboard Bolt Color

Hardware is usually sold in sets of eight (four pairs for each truck), and many skate hardware sets will include one differently colored bolt. This bolt can be used to mark the nose of your skateboard for easy reference. 

How to Install Skate Hardware

Installing skate hardware might take a little practice if you’re completely new to it, but with the proper tools, it should be relatively simple. 

Tighten the hardware from both sides with a ¾” wrench or socket from the nut side, and either the Phillips screwdriver or Allen wrench from the bolt side. Once again, having a skate tool on hand can make this process much easier. 

Tighten until the hardware is flush with the top of the deck, but don’t let the hardware sink too far into the deck, as this can cause cracks. 

Maintaining and Replacing Your Skateboard Hardware

Over time, your hardware will eventually wear down, especially if you perform a lot of tricks. You might not even notice unless you happen to see a bolt missing. While you technically can skate with one or two missing pieces of hardware, we definitely recommend replacing your hardware as soon as possible. Ideally, you’ll want 4 bolts on each truck at all times. 

The most effective way to ensure your hardware stays in place is to make sure it’s properly tightened. Hardware can loosen from the vibrations caused by riding, so be sure to check your bolts regularly and tighten when needed (this is another recommendation to keep a skate tool, screwdriver, or Allen wrench in your skate bag with you for easy fixes on the go). Skating with loose hardware is not only distracting, but it can also throw you off balance. 

If your hardware is repeatedly loosening or shows signs of stripping, it’s probably time to replace it with a brand-new set!