Written by VenRod, interview editor of the Klitty CrewSkateboard decks with cat designs: for riding and for your wall
Hello, VenRod here. Before I interview a skater, I study first and ask later, so I spread a few cat-graphic decks across a table at the Ole Ole Bar in Zurich, opened my notebook and started reading the fine print. Here is what you should know before you pick one.
What a deck is, and what is not included
The deck is just the wooden board you stand on. Everything else is bought separately:
- Trucks: the metal axles that hold the wheels and let you turn.
- Wheels and bearings: wheels plus the small bearings pressed into them.
- Grip tape: the sandpaper-like layer on top. Some decks come with it, many do not, so check each offer's description.
- Hardware: the bolts and nuts that fix the trucks to the deck.
Choosing the width
Width is the measurement that matters most, usually given in inches. Common street decks sit roughly between 7.75 and 8.5 inches.
- Narrower (around 7.75–8.0): lighter and quicker to flip, popular for technical street skating and smaller feet.
- Medium (around 8.0–8.25): a good all-round choice if you are unsure.
- Wider (8.25–8.5 and up): more stable under bigger feet, for ramps, bowls and cruising.
Your truck axle should roughly match the deck width, so choose the deck first.
Shape, concave and wood
Most popsicle-shaped decks have a raised nose and tail for ollies and tricks. The concave is the curve across the width: deeper concave feels locked-in for flips, mellow concave feels relaxed. Good decks are made from several thin layers of maple pressed together, typically 7-ply, which keeps them strong and springy.
Deck graphics as street art
The underside is a canvas, and cat graphics turn a board into a piece you can hang. A plain shelf bracket, a pair of wall hooks or a simple deck mount is enough. Hang it away from direct sunlight so the print does not fade, and if you collect, keep a deck unridden, since every slide scratches the art.
Care and storage
- Keep decks dry: water makes the wood swell, go soft and lose its pop.
- Avoid heat, like radiators, hot cars or the sun behind a window.
- Store flat or upright on a wall, not with heavy things stacked on top.
Safety when riding
Wear a helmet, and consider wrist guards and knee pads, especially when learning. Skate in places that suit your level, check your board for cracks now and then, and keep an eye out for people walking by.
One of my questions for later was: "Ride it or hang it?" My answer after all that study: why not both? Buy one deck to skate and one to frame.
Roll safe and keep the art alive, from my notebook to your wall. VenRod
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