Are you just looking for a board to get you from point A to point B? Do you want something that can easily be carried in a backpack? Oftentimes, the typical longboards we review on this site are too heavy or too long for these purposes. There is a solution, however.
Let me introduce you to the Penny Nickel skateboard. Made completely out of plastic and measuring an astonishing 27” inches long, this skateboard is the perfect size to fit inside of backpacks and lockers.
| Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Penny Nickel Graphic Complete Skateboard, 27" |  (9.6 / 10) |  |
With its small size, comes a weight to match. The Penny Nickel skateboard weighs less than 4.4lbs which makes it easy to carry around when you get to those dreaded spots where “skateboarding isn’t allowed”.
Background on the Penny Nickel Skateboard
The Penny Nickel skateboard is made by Penny Skateboards. Penny was founded in 2010 by a guy named Ben Mackay and the company has enjoyed fantastic success since. This company brought back the plastic skateboard where it was once abandoned in the 1970’s.
Fun fact: The company is actually named after Ben Mackay’s sister, Penny.
What are Penny Boards?
The term penny boards is used to broadly describe a number of different sizes of short boards designed for cruising. There are multiple sizes that are commonly sold which include the 22”, 27” (referred to as the Nickel), and 36” deck length. The Penny Nickel is by far the best seller out of all of these sizes.
All Penny skateboards are designed for two main purposes: commuting and freestyle. For commuting, the light weight and length of the boards makes them the perfect size to fit into backpacks and carry around all day if necessary.
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Most penny skateboards also have a kicktail which enables riders to do a number of freestyle skateboard tricks. The most popular trick on these short cruisers is an ollie which can be used to jump curbs, big cracks in the sidewalk, and more.
Another popular trick is a manual in which you tilt the front of the short cruiser off the ground while riding. It’s kind of the wheelie of skateboarding.
Why Penny Nickels are the Best Nickel Skateboards
If you look around for good penny boards, it’s almost impossible to tell the different brands apart. I personally believe that the company, Penny Skateboards, creates the best short cruisers and below I’m going to show you why.
High-quality Components
The most important thing to riders is how the board feels. With Penny boards, that is never a problem. The deck of the Nickel board is made out of a custom plastic with “waffletop design” on top to ensure that your feet remain on the board. This custom plastic is so strong that in the words of the Wikipedia article on Penny Boards,
“Genuine Penny Skateboards will often not break, even if run over by a car as they are designed to absorb immense force.”
Now show me a knockoff brand that can do that!
Besides the strong deck of the board, the trucks are made out of cast aluminum and come out of the box perfectly tuned for maximum carving.
The wheels of this short cruiser are made out of urethane with a strong core made out of plastic. These wheels are designed to be very hard with a hardness rating of 83A.
The advantage to riders is that the wheels on their Penny board will not only last about as long as the deck but are also perfectly suited for slightly rough surfaces like dirty asphalt or a very cracked sidewalk.
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Have you ever been riding on the sidewalk when your board suddenly catches on a crack and you go flying? It’s not fun. With the Penny board that is not an issue at all.
Multiple Unique Designs
A lot of times people will see these short nickel boards as merely an accessory to their style. While I personally believe you should look beyond just the graphic when you get a cruiser, a good graphic always makes your board look a lot better.
Here is another opportunity where Penny rules over the rest of the competition. With over 25 different designs that vary all the way from “space navy” to “baja pink”, you can be sure to find the board that fits your style.
If you want something a little more unique, you can even create your own design on Penny Skateboard’s website.
Who should buy the Penny Nickel?
I’ve been touting the advantages of the Penny Nickel this entire article but they are not for everyone. For instance, if you want to start doing some downhill boarding and start riding at high speeds, this type of cruiser is heavily discouraged for the simple fact that the deck length is too short.
However, if you are a commuter wanting to get to and from class or simply just want to cruise around campus, there is no better board than the Penny Nickel. Often times for under $100, this board represents the ideal cruising/commuting board due to its size, durability, and light weight.
