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There are plenty of factors to consider when buying new skateboard trucks, width is the first thing to decide but what about Truck Height? But which is best, high or low? Lets take a look at the options and help you make the right choice. First off, we should make it clear that there are no industry standard truck height measurements and each company make their own heights. When we talk about truck height we are referring to the overall distance from the baseplate to the top of the hanger.
Low trucks are generally for tech skating as the wheels sit closer to the board, creating a tighter center of gravity, making flip tricks a bit easier. You'll want to ride smaller wheels, 48mm to 53mm, to avoid wheel bite. Low Trucks are better suited to ledge grinds and general 'tech' skatepark skating.
High trucks are better for turning as the truck can pivot further as the different geometry allows more movement. Larger wheels can be fitted without wheel bite, 53mm to 58mm, as the axle now sits further away from the deck. You can ride looser trucks as the wheels will have more room to move before hitting the deck.
This is still a contentious point, some say you get more from one over the other. The arguments for and against are generally based around how close to the ground the tail is, how quick you can 'pop' the tail, the angle of the board once you've popped the tail... But in reality there are lots of variables that come into play. For example you can change the overall height of your board with wheel size, so large wheels on low trucks will give the same overall height as high trucks on small wheels. Deck shape and tail steepness will again affect the 'pop geometry' further confusing the matter. In our experience, having skated lots of different trucks, we reckon the 'pop' you get doesn't really differ between high or low trucks.
There is a 3rd option to consider, some truck companies make a Mid truck height which will kind of give you 'best of both'.
It all comes down to personal preference and you will find your prefered set up eventually. Neither truck heights will necessarily be better than the other and to be honest, there are more important influential factors to consider, like truck width and wheel size. But as a rough guide: Tech skater at a skatepark doing flips and ledge grinds - Try Low trucks. Transition skater, bowls, pools, loose trucks, big ollies, street skating - Try High trucks. This is a rough size guide for truck heights by brand:
| Brand | Size | Type | Height | Hanger Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venture | 5.0 Low | Low | 48 mm | 5.0″ (128 mm) |
| 5.0 High | High | 53.5 mm | 5.0″ (128 mm) | |
| 5.25 Low | Low | 48 mm | 5.39″ (137 mm) | |
| 5.25 High | High | 53,5 mm | 5.39″ (137 mm) | |
| 5.8 High | High | 53,5 mm | 5.9″ (150 mm) | |
| Independent | 129 Low | Low | 48 mm | 5.0″ (128 mm) |
| 129 Standard | High | 55 mm | 5.0″ (128 mm) | |
| 139 Low | Low | 48 mm | 5.39″ (137 mm) | |
| 139 Standard | High | 55 mm | 5.39″ (137 mm) | |
| 144 Standard | High | 55 mm | 5.625″ (143 mm) | |
| 149 Standard | High | 55 mm | 5.9″ (150 mm) | |
| 159 Standard | High | 55 mm | 6.15″ (156 mm) | |
| 169 Standard | High | 55 mm | 6.5″ (160 mm) | |
| Thunder | 143 | Mid | 50 mm | 4.5″ (115 mm) |
| 145 Low | Low | 47 mm | 5.0″ (128 mm) | |
| 145 High | Mid | 50 mm | 5.0″ (128 mm) | |
| 147 High | Mid | 50 mm | 5.39″ (137 mm) | |
| 148 High | Mid | 50 mm | 5.67″ (144 mm) | |
| 149 High | Mid | 52 mm | 5.9″ (150 mm) | |
| 151 High | Mid | 52 mm | 6.15″ (156 mm) | |
| Royal | 5.25 Standard | Mid | 52 mm | 5.39″ (137 mm) |
| 5.5 Standard | Mid | 52 mm | 5.85″ (149 mm) | |
| Tensor | 5.0 Low | Low | 46 mm | 5.0″ (127 mm) |
| 5.25 Low | Low | 46 mm | 5.25″ (133 mm) | |
| 5.25 Regular | Mid | 52 mm | 5.25″ (133 mm) | |
| 5.5 Low | Low | 46 mm | 5.5″ (140 mm) | |
| 5.5 Regular | Mid | 52 mm | 5.5″ (140 mm) | |
| 5.75 Regular | Mid | 52 mm | 5.75″ (146 mm) | |
| 6.0 Regular | Mid | 52 mm | 6″ (152 mm) | |
| 5.50 | Mid | 52 mm | 5.5″ (139 mm) |
