10 Essential Christmas Gifts for Beginner Skateboarders

Complete Skateboards for Beginner Skateboarders

A quality complete skateboard is the easiest way to get rolling. Look for a 7‑ply maple deck, aluminium/aluminium alloy trucks, 52–54mm wheels and decent bearings so it rolls smoothly from day one. For sizing; smaller riders usually feel at home on 7.5–7.75" decks, whilst most teens and adults prefer 8.0–8.5" for stability and room for the feet.

Some brands, like Tricks, sell boards designed specifically for smaller children, offering things like shorter boards, soft tops and softer wheels. Slightly softer wheels (around 92–95A) smooth things out on rough pavements, or for smoother parks 99A is a classic, versatile wheel hardness. Whatever you do, avoid toy‑shop boards and go for skate‑shop quality completes from trusted brands so whoever you are buying for can learn faster and safer. For more help on buying a complete skateboard, read our Complete Guide to Skateboard Completes.

Globe Goodstock Neon Purple Complete Skateboard – 8.25"

Enjoi Whitey Panda Complete Skateboard – 7.75"

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Skateboard Helmets & Pads for Beginners

Learning to skate and falling over go hand‑in‑hand, but nobody wants a fall to slow down their progress. That’s why a certified skateboard helmet and a comfortable set of pads (knee, elbow and wrist guards) are the smartest Christmas gifts for beginner skateboarders. Good protective gear keeps confidence high, takes the sting out of early slams and means more time rolling and less time sitting out, which is exactly what every beginner needs.

Route One Triple Pad Set – Black

Route One Classic Helmet – Matte Black

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Skate Tools Are Essential

Every beginner skater needs a skate tool. It is used tp tighten trucks (for stability while learning), swaps wheels and bearings, and keeps the board tight and maintained so progress isn’t cut short by a wobbly setup. It’s the small gift that gets used all year.

Route One Ninja Skate Tool – Black

Modus Utility Skate Tool – Purple

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Skateboard Backpacks

Carrying a board shouldn’t be a faff. Skateboard backpacks with external deck straps keep hands free and stops griptape from chewing through jackets, hoods, and tees. Go for tough fabrics, secure board straps and handy organiser pockets for a skate tool, bearings and spares.

Dickies Duck Canvas Utility Backpack – Black

Carhartt WIP Kickflip Backpack – Black

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Skateboard Wheels for Beginners

For most new skaters, 52-54mm wheels make learning easier. 52mm feels light and solid at the park or on the streets and 54mm adds a little more speed and stability. When picking hardness, choose wheels for the ground you’ll actually be riding on - with 92-95A being great for bumpy pavements and 99A+ being great for smooth park surfaces (and a lot of smoother street roads). There are so many shapes, sizes and brands that deal in skateboard wheels: when in doubt go 52mm and 99A for a classic set.

Spitfire Bighead 99d Skateboard Wheels – 52 mm

Route One Four Corners Wheels – 54 mm

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Bearings for Beginners

Bearings sit inside the wheels and are what allow a wheel to go around. Bones Reds bearings are hard to beat if you want a safe, gift‑able, premium quality bearing. The most iconic and classic bearings on the market, Bones REDS are the most used bearings in skateboarding, and for good reason. But brands like Bronson Speed Co., SKF, and Quantum all deliver smooth, durable rides which compete with Bones’ for quality.

Bones REDS Bearings

Quantum Vector Series Skateboard Bearings

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Socks for Skateboarding

Looking for a stocking filler that gets used? Stance skate socks are a safe bet. They’re the go-to socks for skaters worldwide: soft yet tough, with seamless toe caps, ribbed cuffs that don’t sag and medium cushioning right where skaters need it without jeopardising board control. They cut down blisters, keep feet secure in the shoe and stand up to repeated washes. And if you fancy something special we’ve got limited edition collabs with Star Wars, Pokemon and more. If you’re after weird and wonderful sock designs, instead, our Route One Crew Socks Range; ranging from the funny to the obscene and coming in at 3 pairs for the price of 2, they’ll be a stocking winner this christmas.

Stance OG Classic Crew Socks – White

Route One Lucky Cat Crew Socks – White

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Skateboard Sticker Packs

Sticker multipacks let skaters add their own personal flavour to their deck. Choose from Route One original designs by our in‑house graphic team, as well as graphics from leading skate brands, so you can mix and match all styles.

Route One x ANXTI Sticker Pack – Blue

Hockey SU24 Sticker Pack

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Skate Shoes for Beginner Skateboarders

Proper skate shoes make learning a hundred times easier. They do take a beating though, so pick skate‑specific pairs with suede, leather, or nubuck uppers, reinforced ollie areas and grippy outsoles. Vulcanised soles feel flexible and board‑friendly whereas cupsoles add impact protection for learning drops and stairs. Choose from top brands including Nike SB, New Balance, Vans & adidas Skateboarding.

New Balance Numeric 440 – Route One Exclusive

Nike SB Dunk Low Pro – Black/White/Gum

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Super Baggy Jeans for Skaters

Baggy jeans are the look in skateboarding right now and our Route One Super Baggy Jeans deliver the big, relaxed fit skaters want without compromising performance. The loose leg gives effortless style and freedom to move, while durable, heavy denim and triple-stitched construction stand up to slams, grinds and daily wear. Designed for skaters & made to last.

Route One Super Baggy Denim Jeans – Washed Black

Butter Goods Blotch Denim Jeans – Streaky Blue

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