A skateboard is barely half the setup. The accessories you bolt on, strap to your body, and keep in your bag are what decide whether riding feels smooth or sketchy — and whether you’re back rolling next week or icing a wrist. We’ve gone through a lot of helmets, ground down a lot of wheels, and re-greased more bearings than we’d like to admit, so this page is the honest shortlist of what’s worth buying.
The good news: nearly everything here is cheap relative to the board itself, and most of it is one Amazon search away. The tricky part is that the accessory aisle is full of look-alikes — a $12 helmet next to a $45 one, a $9 bearing pack next to a $35 one — and the differences aren’t always obvious until you’re rolling. We’ll tell you where spending more genuinely pays off, and where the budget option is perfectly fine.
Below you’ll find eight accessory types every skater eventually needs, organized so you can shop by what you actually want — safer rides, faster rolls, longer-lasting setups, or a first kit for a brand-new skater. If you’re still picking a board itself, start with how to choose the proper skateboard first, then come back to kit it out.
Top picks at a glance
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change — check the live listing. We only recommend gear we’d ride ourselves.
Skateboard Accessories by use case
Safety gear
If you buy nothing else from this page, buy a certified helmet and pads. Falls in skating aren’t a maybe — they’re a when — and the difference between a scraped palm and a broken wrist is usually a $15 guard. For kids especially, a full set (helmet, knees, elbows, wrists) should go on before the board ever does. Not sure what board they’re protecting? See our Shop Kids Skateboards picks for age-appropriate completes.
Performance upgrades
Want your current board to feel faster and smoother without buying a new one? Bearings and wheels are where the magic is. Fresh ABEC bearings restore roll speed almost instantly, and the right wheel durometer transforms how a board handles your terrain. Pair those with new trucks and you’ve essentially built a better board for a fraction of a complete’s price. If you’re curious how different setups ride, our guide to the different types of skateboards breaks down what each is built for.
Maintenance & repair
Skateboards are simple machines that reward a little upkeep. A skate tool, a fresh grip sheet, and a hardware set cover 90% of repairs you’ll ever do — tightening loose trucks, re-gripping a worn deck, or swapping out stripped bolts. Keeping bearings clean and wheels rotated also stretches their life by months. Building a maintenance kit early saves you from sidelined boards later. Browse full setups on our Shop Skateboards page to see what your parts should match.
For beginners
New skaters need three things before tricks: protection, a board that fits, and the patience to let both do their job. Start with a helmet and pad set, add wrist guards, and keep a skate tool handy for the inevitable loose-truck adjustment. Don’t overspend on premium bearings or exotic wheels yet — a solid complete plus safety gear is the right first investment. If you haven’t bought a board, how to choose the proper skateboard walks you through sizing it right the first time.
What to look for
- Helmet fit & certification: Look for a CPSC + ASTM dual-certified skate helmet that sits level, low on the forehead, and snug enough that it doesn’t shift when you shake your head. A loose helmet is a decoration, not protection.
- Pad coverage & fit: Hard-cap knee and elbow pads should fully cover the joint and stay put through a slide. Measure the limb circumference against the size chart — pads that migrate during a fall protect nothing.
- Wheel durometer & size: Durometer (the a number) sets hardness — 99a-101a for street and parks, softer 78a-87a for rough roads and cruising. Size matters too: 50-54mm for tricks, 54-60mm+ for speed and stability.
- Bearing quality: Sealed bearings with built-in or included spacers and speed rings roll smoother and last longer. ABEC-7 to ABEC-9 is plenty for nearly everyone; chasing higher ratings rarely pays off.
- Grip tape grit: Coarser grit bites harder for tricks; finer grit is gentler on shoes and good for cruisers. Make sure the sheet is at least as wide and long as your deck so you can trim to fit.
- Tool completeness: A good skate tool handles all three nut sizes (axle, kingpin, mounting hardware) plus a bearing socket and ideally a screwdriver bit. One complete T-tool beats a drawer of mismatched wrenches.
- Hardware sizing: Mounting bolts come in lengths — longer for riser pads, shorter for flush mounts — and trucks should match your deck width within about a half inch for predictable turning.
A closer look at each pick
Certified Skate Helmet
Everyone — the one accessory you never skip
Look for a dual-certified (CPSC + ASTM) multi-impact skate helmet with a round shell, not a vented bike helmet. A snug, level fit matters more than the brand on the side.
Knee & Elbow Pad Set
Beginners and anyone learning tricks or ramps
A combined knee/elbow set with hard caps absorbs the slams that bare joints can’t. Get the size right — pads that slide down do nothing on the way down.
Wrist Guards
New riders and the most-broken bone in skating
Wrists take the first hit in almost every fall, and a splinted guard spreads that load across your forearm. Cheap insurance that fits in a jacket pocket.
Replacement Skateboard Wheels (set of 4)
Refreshing a worn setup or changing ride feel
Swapping flat-spotted or rock-hard old wheels for a fresh 52-54mm set is the cheapest way to make a board feel new. Pick durometer and size for your terrain.
ABEC Bearings (set of 8)
Restoring roll speed and killing that grinding sound
Eight sealed bearings with spacers will make a tired board roll noticeably faster and quieter. Mid-tier ABEC-7/9 packs are the sweet spot; you rarely need to spend more.
Grip Tape Sheet
Re-gripping a deck or customizing a board
A fresh sheet of coarse grip restores the bite that keeps your feet locked in for tricks. One sheet covers a full deck with room to trim.
Skate Tool (all-in-one)
Anyone who owns a skateboard, full stop
One T-tool covers every nut and bolt on a standard setup — axle nuts, kingpins, and mounting hardware — plus a socket for the bearings. Toss it in your bag and never search for a wrench again.
Replacement Trucks & Mounting Hardware
Upgrading a worn complete or rebuilding a setup
New trucks sized to your deck width transform turn and stability, and a fresh hardware set means no stripped, rattling old screws. Match truck width to deck within about a half inch.
Guides & related reads
Why trust ScooterMcGoo?
We ride this stuff before we rank it, and we tell you the truth — including when something isn’t worth your money.
Frequently asked questions
What skateboard accessories do I actually need to start?
Three essentials: a certified helmet, a knee/elbow pad set (add wrist guards), and a skate tool for adjustments. Everything else — replacement wheels, bearings, grip — comes later as parts wear out. Don’t let a long shopping list delay your first session; protection plus a board is enough to begin.
How do I know when to replace my wheels or bearings?
Replace wheels when they’re flat-spotted, coned (worn unevenly), or so small that turning feels twitchy. Replace bearings when rolling feels gritty, slow, or noisy even after cleaning. A fresh set of either makes a tired board feel new for very little money.
What’s the difference between hard and soft wheels?
Hard wheels (99a-101a) slide easily and feel snappy for tricks and smooth park surfaces. Soft wheels (78a-87a) grip and absorb cracks, making them far better for cruising rough sidewalks and commuting. If your rides are bumpy, softer is almost always the more comfortable choice.
Do I need an expensive skate tool, or will any wrench work?
You can get by with separate wrenches, but a single all-in-one skate T-tool is cheap, fits in your bag, and handles every fastener on a standard setup including the bearings. It’s one of those rare accessories where the budget version is genuinely all you need.
Are bike helmets okay for skateboarding?
Not ideally. Many bike helmets are single-impact and shaped to protect the front and top, while skate falls often hit the back of the head. A round-shell helmet that’s dual-certified (CPSC + ASTM) for multi-impact and skate use is the safer pick, and it’ll survive more than one spill.