Skateboarding involves constant wear and tear on your equipment. Having the right tools means you can keep things running smoothly, make adjustments as needed, and even customize your setup to suit your riding style. Here's a breakdown of some essential skateboarding tools:

These are perhaps the most common skate tool. Theyre typically T-shaped with Allen wrench ends on one side and Phillips/flathead screwdrivers on the other. They come in various sizes to accommodate different types of hardware, from trucks to wheels. Why You Need Them: Wrenches allow you to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts on your skateboard, ensuring a secure fit for components like trucks, wheels, and bearings. Keeping everything tight prevents wobbling and potential damage during rides.

If you're serious about maintaining your bearings, this tool is essential. It allows you to easily remove and re-install bearings without damaging them. This is particularly useful when cleaning or replacing bearings. Why You Need Them: Clean bearings roll faster and last longer, which translates into smoother rides and better performance. A bearing press/puller makes maintaining your bearings a breeze!

These are specialized wrenches designed to fit the kingpin nut on skateboard trucks. They often come in sets with different sizes to ensure compatibility with various truck brands. Why You Need Them: Adjusting the tightness of your trucks affects how responsive they are and influences turning ability. A dedicated truck wrench makes this adjustment quick and easy.

These combine multiple tools into a single, compact unit. They typically include Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, and sometimes even a bottle opener! Why You Need Them: If you're always on the go or dont want to carry around lots of individual tools, a skate multi-tool is an excellent choice. It offers versatility in one convenient package.

These small, lightweight tools are designed for portability. They usually contain only essential tools like Allen wrenches and screwdrivers, but they're perfect for quick adjustments on the go. Why You Need Them: Ideal for riders who want to be prepared for minor repairs or maintenance while out skating. It fits easily in your pocket or attaches to a keychain, so its always within reach.

While skate multi-tools often include screwdrivers, having a separate set offers greater versatility and precision. You'll need different sizes for various screws on your board. Why You Need Them: Skateboards use different types of screws in their construction, so its helpful to have a screwdriver set handy for tackling all the necessary repairs or customizations.

Similar to screwdrivers, Allen wrenches are essential for various hardware on your skateboard. You'll need them to adjust trucks, tighten bolts, and more. Why You Need Them: Skateboarding hardware often uses Allen wrench heads, so a set of hex keys is indispensable for maintaining and customizing your setup.

This tool helps you remove and install spacers in your skateboard bearings. Its particularly useful when replacing or cleaning bearings. Why You Need Them: Proper bearing maintenance involves adjusting the number of spacers, which affects how freely your wheels spin. A spanner wrench makes this task much easier.

Choosing the right skate tool can significantly impact your experience as a skater. Here are some key features you should consider:

Look for tools made from durable materials like hardened steel or chrome vanadium. These will withstand heavy use and resist wear and tear. Cheaper tools might be made of softer metals that could bend or break easily.

A comfortable grip is essential when using skate tools, especially if you're tightening nuts and bolts repeatedly. Look for handles with textured surfaces to provide a secure hold even in wet conditions.

Ensure the toolset includes a variety of sizes to accommodate different skateboard components. For example, wrenches should have Allen wrench ends ranging from 2mm to 10mm or higher.

If you plan on carrying your tools with you while skating, choose a compact design that won't weigh you down. A multi-tool keychain is ideal for this purpose.

Investing in high-quality skate tools will save you money in the long run by reducing the need for replacements. Read reviews and check if the toolset comes with a warranty.

Regularly using skateboarding tools offers numerous benefits to skaters:

Tightening loose hardware and maintaining clean bearings results in smoother, faster rides. You'll notice less wobbling and more responsive turning.

Proper maintenance extends the lifespan of your skateboard components. Tightening bolts prevents them from stripping or snapping over time. Clean bearings roll better for longer periods.

Loose hardware can pose a safety hazard, especially when performing tricks or riding at high speeds. Regularly checking and tightening everything ensures that your board is secure and reliable.

Skate tools allow you to easily customize your skateboard's setup. You can adjust truck tightness for different styles of skating (cruising vs. street) or experiment with wheel sizes and hardness levels.

Here are a few highly-rated skate tool sets available on the market: