Nickel boards are larger with a curved deck, raised tail, and softer wheels for a smoother ride on rough terrain.
On the other hand, penny boards are a little smaller. With features like a flat deck, no tail, and harder wheels, they are better for cruising and carving.
Let’s see the differences between nickel boards and penny boards so you can decide on the best option for you.
Table of Contents
Nickel Board vs Penny Board: How Do They Differ?
| Comparing factors | Nickel | Penny |
| Length | Longer | Smaller |
| Width | Wider | Narrower |
| Truck | Wider | Narrower |
| Stability | More | Less |
| Comfort | More | Less |
| Speed | Faster | Slower |
| Maneuverability | Less | More |
| Portability | Less | More |
| Price | Pricier than pennies | Cheaper |
Length
The most prominent visible difference between pennies and nickels lies in their length. In fact, penny boards are the smallest version of skateboards with just 22” deck length.
Nickel boards are also smaller than regular skateboards but 5” longer than pennies. Although the mere 5-inch length may sound nothing, it actually makes a big difference in your skating experience.
Width
Nickel boards are 6” wide while pennies are 5” that makes balancing nickels a little easier, though that impacts your maneuverability.
Trucks
The trucks of a penny are only 3.125” wide while those of nickels are 4”. Wider trucks offer more stability and control, which is great for cruising and carving.
However, narrower trucks are lighter and more responsive that the street skaters enjoy more.
Stability
The wider and longer decks of nickels provide a more stable platform for the skaters.
While penny boards are less stable, they make up for this lack by being more easily maneuverable. Their narrower trucks allow you to make sharper turns and quick movements.
Comfort
Although comfort is not a priority in skating, the decks of nickels are more comfortable than pennies as your legs won’t be too close to each other, neither will they be too much out of the deck.
Speed
Although they both have the same wheel size, nickels are slightly faster because of their stability on rough terrain. And this stability comes from being comparatively larger than pennies.
Riding
Nickel boards are better for cruising longer distances, riding at higher speeds, and performing more tricks or maneuvers that require stability and control.
Penny boards, on the other hand, are great for short commutes, riding in tight spaces, and performing quick turns and sharp movements.
Nickel boards are more beginner-friendly since they do better in the “stability” department.
Portability
The smaller pennies can easily fit into 90% of backpacks. They are also easy to carry around by hand.
For nickels, you will need a larger backpack for sure.
Price
They both have the same price range. The knockoffs and cheap boards will cost you $20 to $30 per board while those from good brands are priced anywhere between $100 to $150.
Pros and cons of penny boards
Pros:
- Portable and lightweight
- Maneuverable and great for tight spaces
- Good for performing quick turns and sharp movements
- Available in a wide variety of colors and designs
- Great for short commutes and casual riding
Cons:
- Less stable and comfortable than larger boards
- Not suitable for long distances or high speeds
- Limited deck space for your feet, which can be uncomfortable for some riders
- Those with larger shoe sizes won’t like these boards
Pros and cons of nickel boards
Pros:
- More comfortable than smaller boards
- Better for longer distances and higher speeds
- More suitable for cruising and carving and for performing tricks and technical maneuvers
- A wider deck space provides better foot placement and control
- A large selection of colors and designs
Cons:
- Less portable and heavier than smaller boards
- Less maneuverable in tight spaces
- Not so quick to turn or perform sharp movements
- Do not suit smaller shoe sizes
Penny Board vs Nickel Board: Which One to Choose?
After going through this “nickel board vs penny board” blog, now you surely know that if you are a beginner then you should pick nickels because you will get a more balanced ride from them.
For a large person, it will also be uncomfortable to ride a penny because your feet will be too close to each other to ride comfortably.
To be specific, if your shoe size is larger than 10 then stay away from pennies since most of your feet will hang out of the deck during the ride.
For long commutes, you should prefer nickel over penny as long rides can hurt your ankles due to the lack of comfort.
Now, let’s see what goes on behalf of pennies…
In case of portability, If you need to carry your board in your standard-sized backpack then a penny is the more perfect choice as you will need a larger-sized bag for a nickel.
Remember that pennies are also easy to move and turn because of their smaller size.
FAQs
1. Are penny boards good for kids?
Ans: Of course, thousands of kids are learning to skate on pennies across the globe. You can give your kid a penny board if they are interested regardless of their age.
But 6-to 8-year-old kids do better with pennies as at this age they can control the speed, balance themselves, and learn quickly.
2. Are nickel boards good for cruising?
Ans: Yes, nickel boards are a good choice for cruising. Both nickel and penny boards are smaller and lighter than traditional skateboards. But nickels are slightly larger than penny boards, which makes them more stable and easier to ride for longer distances.
3. Can you ollie on a nickel board?
Ans: Technically, you can ollie on a nickel board but it might be more challenging than on a traditional skateboard because of its smaller size and shape. You will need a lot of precision and pop to ollie that‘s not so easy to perform on a nickel board because of the smaller deck size and wheelbase.
4. Is penny boarding harder than skateboarding?
Ans: No, it’s not. It is even easier to ride a penny board than a skateboard due to its smaller wheels. Moving around will be effortless for you as your hands can be used to turn and push the board.
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