According to Ben Mackay, the founder of Penny Skateboards, skateboarding can be “terrifying”, “exhilarating” and blissful all at the same time. I couldn’t agree more. Eager for adventure and the “wind in your hair” feeling, I purchased my very own Penny board a couple of weeks ago. The little plastic board, which comes in a range of colors and styles, has now become my faithful traveling companion being portable, durable and not to mention, stylish.
Check out our video review of the Penny Skateboard here:
I purchased mine in a lemony pastel color, with light, purplish wheels, but Penny offers so much variety, I was anxiously trying to pick THE board for me. If you can’t roll with the pastel series, try the fluorescents, marbles or even the customizable option. If you’re also feeling particularly festive, there’s a holiday series and a special 4th of July board, boasting patriotic red, whites, and blues.
In terms of features, the board comes in two sizes: the Nickel (27”) and the Original (22”). I will be focusing on the 22-inches. Generally, these boards range from $100.00 to $120.00 a pop (up to $150.00 for the Nickel), but are well worth the money. Despite being made of plastic, the board is definitely durable and made from high-quality materials. In fact, it’s much heavier and thicker than I expected it to be, but still lightweight in general. It’s small enough to carry with you anywhere, and fits conveniently in a large backpack (although some bigger footed people might want to consider the 27”).
But how does it perform?
Amazingly, the board performs superbly – it’s not all looks. Because of its size, the cruiser manages to pick up a lot of speed and provides a smooth, fun ride. Just make sure to be wary of cracks in the pavement, especially if you’re an urbanite, like me. I’ve had some nasty falls, but I don’t blame the board, as much as I blame my lack of coordination and timing. Because it’s also meant to be a cruiser, it might be a little more difficult to perform tricks (due to limited foot room), but don’t be discouraged. It’s still definitely possible and doable.
I don’t blame you if you suddenly feel like a badass after stepping onto one of these bad boys.
