If you have decided to start and you go to a toy shop, a sports store, your nearest skate shop or an online store, you will find skateboards from 25€ up to 350€. The obvious question is what a reasonable price is and what exactly you are paying for. In this article we break down the real cost of a complete skateboard in 2026, part by part, at three budget levels.
The board by parts: what each piece costs
A “complete” skateboard is made of:
| Component | Entry-level part cost | Mid to high-end part cost | Top-end part cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | 25-35€ | 50-70€ | 75-110€ |
| Grip tape | 4-6€ | 8-12€ | 12-15€ |
| 2 trucks | 30-45€ | 55-75€ | 80-120€ |
| 4 wheels | 15-25€ | 30-40€ | 45-60€ |
| 8 bearings | 12-18€ | 25-40€ | 60-140€ |
| Bolts + nuts | 3-5€ | 5-8€ | 8-12€ |
| 4 spacers (recommended) | 3-5€ | 5-7€ | 7-10€ |
| Total, part by part | 92-139€ | 178-252€ | 287-467€ |
Buying a complete costs less
Brands sell pre-assembled “complete” setups at a more competitive price than you would pay buying the parts separately. You skip choosing every piece, you skip assembling it, and you save money. It is a good option, especially when you are starting out. Brands can offer this lower price because they buy in volume and pass the saving on.
Real comparison:
| Type | Pre-assembled complete | Part-by-part cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (store brand) | 30-50€ | 70-90€ equivalent |
| Entry-level brand (Enuff, Tony Hawk SS) | 60-90€ | 100-130€ equivalent |
| Decent brand (Element, Santa Cruz) | 95-130€ | 150-180€ equivalent |
| Top brand, pro setup | 140-200€ | 250-350€ equivalent |
The 3 real budgets
These are the three real budgets. We leave out boards from toy shops, supermarkets and similar stores, because we don’t consider them real skateboards. They could be a valid option as a gift for a kid, to see whether they enjoy skateboarding, before moving on to something better.
Budget 1: “Let me see if I like it” (50-80€)
What it includes:
- An entry-level complete from a known brand (Enuff Logo, Tony Hawk Signature Series).
- A basic helmet without a premium brand.
Who it is for:
- A teenager who doesn’t know whether they will get hooked.
- An adult who wants to try before spending seriously.
What not to expect:
- That it lasts more than 6 months of intensive use.
- Explosive pop.
- Bearings that still roll smoothly after 1 month.
Budget 2: “I’m going to start properly” (100-150€)
What it includes:
- A complete setup from Element, Santa Cruz, Real, Anti-Hero or similar.
- A TripleEight or ProTec helmet (about 25-35€).
- 10€ set aside for a basic skate tool.
Who it is for:
- Someone who knows they will skate regularly.
- A skater coming back after years who wants to get back into it properly.
- A parent buying for a child of 10+ with a clear intention.
What to expect:
- A deck with good pop for 6-9 months.
- Trucks that last years.
- Decent wheels and bearings that hold up for at least 1 year.
Budget 3: “The best from day one” (200-300€+)
What it includes:
- Premium deck (Powell Flight, Element Push, Santa Cruz VX): about 85-100€.
- Independent Stage 11 Hollow trucks: about 80€.
- Bones STF or Spitfire F4 wheels: about 40€.
- Bones Swiss bearings: about 70€.
- Mob Grip grip tape + bolts + spacers: about 20€.
- TripleEight Sweatsaver or S1 Lifer helmet: about 45-60€.
- A quality skate tool: about 10-15€.
Who it is for:
- An adult with a budget who wants their one board “for 5 years”.
- An intermediate skater changing gear who wants to level up.
- A serious gift (birthday, Christmas).
What to expect:
- A deck with sustained pop for 1+ year.
- Trucks that will last a lifetime.
- Bearings you will barely notice for 5+ years.
Hidden costs: what breaks or wears out
Buying the board is only the start. The realistic yearly cost of continuing to skate could be broken down like this (this applies to skaters who skate regularly and do tricks; for occasional skating without tricks, maintenance cost is minimal):
- Decks: 1-3 a year depending on use. 60-180€/year.
- Grip tape: every time you change deck. 10-30€/year.
- Wheels: 1 set a year (cruising) up to 2-3 (technical street). 30-100€/year.
- Bearings: 1 set every 2-4 years. 10-30€/year averaged out.
- Lost bolts: 5€/year.
- Shoes: not strictly skate equipment, but a cost to keep in mind. Even with skate-specific shoes, which have reinforcements and last much longer than regular sneakers, if you skate a lot you will probably go through 2-4 pairs a year. 70-250€.
Average yearly cost for a regular amateur skater: 100-200€.
What NOT to buy (typical mistakes)
- A 15-25€ “supermarket” board: badly pressed deck, trucks that peel, rock-hard wheels. They last days, not months.
- Retro plastic Penny cruisers: fun for popping to the bakery, but they are no good for learning real skateboarding. Soft wheels, small deck, not made for learning tricks.
- “Branded” setups from Chinese marketplaces (AliExpress, Wish): many are fakes of much lower quality. The label says Element but the parts are not Element.
- Electric skateboards if what you want is to learn classic skateboarding. They are a different sport.
Where to go next
- Read the complete guide to decks to understand what you are paying for.
- Learn how to do your first ollie with your new board.
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