FAQs

All commonly asked questions, answered here.

If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase from nhsskatedirect.com, you can return your item(s) for free* for a full refund within 60 days of purchase. (Returned items must be in their original packaging and in new and unused condition.

Please note: We do not accept returns on assembled custom completes. Returns from Mexico, Puerto Rico & USVI aren't free.

Unfortunately, we do not allow any orders to be picked up at our warehouse. All orders will be shipped out.
You will receive a shipment notification when your order ships from our warehouse. Transit times may vary depending on the state the order is shipped to or the chosen shipping method. For more information on shipping please visit our shipping page.
All orders are sent with a receipt that doesn't show any product prices.
Click Here to check your order Status. If you checked out as a guest, please type in your billing email and zip code to find your order. If you have an account, you can track your order in the order history section. We are not liable for packages lost by the carrier or stolen from your address.
If you received the wrong product, or it was received damaged due to shipping or manufacturing please chat, call or email our team for assistance.
Visit the Order Status page or login to your account to view your order history, and follow the procedure to easily return your items in a few clicks.
It may take 4-5 business days for your return to reach our warehouse in Santa Cruz, CA. Once it is received and inspected, your refund will be processed and applied to your credit card or original method of payment. Your card will be credited within 3-5 business days after your return is processed. Please Note: depending on your credit card company, you may not see the credit on your statement for up to 2 billing cycles.
If you entered the wrong address, please call, chat or email us as soon as possible, once the order has shipped we can't modify the address.
We don't currently accept exchanges. If you wish to order a different item, we recommend returning the unwanted item within the 60 day window, and placing a new order.
We'll be happy to help, please chat, call or email our team for assistance.
An order can be canceled for multiple reasons, most common reasons are payment validations, out of stock items, no response to our communications within 48 hours. If you are wondering why your order is not shipped, check your emails, spam and phone.
We can cancel an item from your order for a short period of time after the order is placed before it starts being processed in our system.
We do not have the ability to edit shipping information. Orders can be cancelled for a short period of time after the order is placed before it starts being processed in our system, please chat, call or email our team for assistance.
Orders are shipped within 1-2 business days from when the order is placed. We operate Mon-Fri 6am-3pm. Orders placed after 3pm will start being fulfilled the following day.
If an item gets damaged in the shipping process, we will do our best to replace it even if we are not liable for shipping damages once packages leave our warehouse.
We do not have the ability to add or replace products to an order. All cancellations can only happen for a short period of time after the order is placed before it starts being processed in our system.
Except as disclosed below, we don't sell, trade, give away, or rent your personal information to any company outside of NHS Inc. If you consent and sign up to our email or SMS marketing campaigns, we may use your email, first name, last name and phone number. We also use your personal data for transactional purposes to process your orders & payments when you place an order, but the personal information associated will not be used for marketing purposes nor sold to any 3rd party advertisers.
You may want to review or delete your personal data from our systems, we are happy to help with these requests, please chat, call or email our team for assistance. You can also click the "Do Not Sell My Personal Data" link in our footer.

Ready to shred but your board is in pieces? Skateboarding legend Ron Whaley is here to walk you through putting your skateboard together. 

For a full step by step breakdown please visit our "How To Assemble A Complete Skateboard" blog post.

Santa Cruz has been refining the art of the "sidewalk surfer" since the 70s. For the urban commuter, you want a board that rides like a high-performance vehicle but feels like a couch.

Ultra-gummy wheels with a durometer of 78A or below turn "crusty" pavement into buttery-smooth rides and won't hang up on every stray pebble or crack in the sidewalk.

Longer "longboard" completes (Pintails, Drop Thru, Drop Downs) will provide the most comfortable ride and stability.

Shorter cruisers like our Shark or Street cruisers will feature more kick in the tail for more control in the busy streets, and are light enough to clip to a backpack.

 

We provide as many details as possible in our product descriptions, if you see anything missing please chat, call or email our team for assistance and we will update the description.
There is technically no weight limit to our complete skateboards as this would be related to multiple factors such as rider’s weight, where you ride & how you ride. Common and good sense should be used at any user weight, but even more so if you are someone in the 200 lb to 500 lb range. If you are 150 lbs and can ride off a 3’ platform and land hard,  you can break a skateboard. If you are 350 lbs and step on a skateboard and it flexes very much, and you sense it may break, it probably will.
Size Age W x L Wheelbase
Super Micro 3-6 7.25 x 27 10.5
Micro 4-8 7.5 x 28.25 11.25
Mini 6-10 7.75 x 30 13
Mid 8-12 7.8 x 31 13.5
Full 10-14 8 x 31.25 13.75
Large 14-16+ 8.25 x 31.5 14

 

If you’re (or shop for) a kid or a teenager looking to move beyond just rolling and start learning ollies, kickflips, and grinds, you need a "Popsicle" shape. Unlike cruisers, these boards are symmetrical with a nose and tail designed specifically for "popping" the board off the ground.

Santa Cruz & Creature skateboards offer the best quality complete skateboards on the market. You can choose between a budget friendly "Standard" complete made of 7-ply Birch or a more "Premium Complete" range built with 7-ply North American Maple. Maple is denser and stiffer than birch, providing "long-lasting pop" - the "snap" you feel when you kick the tail down. If you're serious about street skating, go Premium. 

This varies. Our (little) Kids sizes do cover sizes 4/5/6/7 pending style. Generally we top out closer to the 5/6 range. Our Girls and Youth ranges start at size small which is a 6/8. Some of our girls tees are available in size XS which is closest to 4/5. All fits are subject to childs actual size as age sizing isn’t always appropriate for all kids.
We launch our Eco collection for Santa Cruz starting Ho21. We currently have some styles that are made of recycled and organic cottons, more being added all of the time. Customer would have to do a search based off of fiber content (** this is only as accurate as the attributes changing based on colorway which I don’t think has been addressed based off of our current platform)
Of course! Every gender can shop across gender categories. You do you! Wear what you like!
VX decks are thinner, stronger, and have more pop than standard 7 ply decks featuring 5 plies of North American Maple and 2 layers of Quad X technology.
Patent Pending chip resistant Powerply technology features two black layers of reinforcement material in the nose and tail, replacing the crosser wood plies of a standard 7 ply deck.
Everslicks are the fastest sliding slick boards out and 5 times stronger than a standard 7 ply deck. The unique graphic application process yields bright colors and high contrast graphics that look great longer.
Overall length of the skateboard does matter as the length of the nose, tail, and wheelbase combine to create the overall length. You should consider your height when choosing a board, smaller size people should choose smaller wheelbases and overall length to correspond with their body size. Longer wheelbase and overall length offers more stability at speed where smaller wheelbases and shorter overall length can aid with flip tricks and street skating.
Shorter wheel bases turn sharper and can aid in flip tricks and street skating for smaller body types where longer wheel base can offer more stability at speed and transition skating.
VX decks are the strongest decks available. VX decks are thinner, stronger, and have more pop than standard 7 ply decks featuring 5 plies of North American Maple and 2 layers of Quad X technology.
Although we do not have a weight limit of our decks we recommend the VX deck construction for heavier body types. VX decks are thinner, stronger, and have more pop than standard 7 ply decks featuring 5 plies of North American Maple and 2 layers of Quad X technology.
Creature offers a wide array of shapes including traditional popsickle sticks and shaped decks that have various shaped nose and tails for a more unique ride and look.
All non-forged models in 109, 159, 169, and 215 sizes come with 6 hole baseplates. All Stage 4 sizes come with 6 hole baseplates. The 6 holes baseplates are compatible with both current decks and old-school ones.
Forged means the baseplate is made of Forged 6061 Aluminum, aircraft grade forged aluminum allows a thinner part while still maintaining high density and strength.
Stage 11 Forged Titanium Silver Standard Independent Skateboard Trucks Ultra lightweight, mid-profile truck with the highest strength to weight ratio - 15% lighter than Stage XI Solid Ti64 Titanium Axle Ultra light weight Titanium axle saves weight while maintaining a high level of strength and rebound.
Inverted kingpin gives you more grind clearance. The newly designed and first ever Independent inverted kingpin can be used with either a 5.5mm Allen key or standard 9/16" hex wrench. The innovative new Shaft Nut in the baseplate creates a rigid and durable solution to lateral movement found in most inverted kingpin designs and increases adjustability.
Independent truck sizes are in mm and have a corresponding "axle width" that should be as close as possible to the width of your deck. Krux sizes are known for being the easiest to pick, the size of your truck in inches is the "axle width" and should be as close as possible to the width of your deck.
Krux K5s are the current model of Krux trucks. Other previous models have been discontinued.
All models with the DLK (Down Low Kingpin) feature an inverted kingpin. This increases grind clearance from the top of the hanger to the kinpin for less hangup on coping, ledges, and curbs.
The DLK kingpin is compatible with all Krux K4 or K5 models and can be used to retrofit other trucks at your own risk.
Bullet Trucks are designed to be a less expensive brand. Since Bullet keeps to basic sizes and colors and doesn’t have to spend money on a team or heavy advertising, it allows Bullet to make great trucks at an affordable price. When it comes to performance, Bullet Trucks turn and skate like the best truck brands. Bullet trucks go through the same quality control as Independent and Krux and test almost as well when it comes to strength and durability.
Skateboard risers give extra clearance between your deck and wheels to reduce wheel bite. Risers are usually recommended for larger wheels 55mm and above, and while not necessary for smaller skate wheels, 1/8" shock pads can always be used to help reduce vibration and stress cracks to your board.
"When attaching your trucks to your board you’re gonna want to make sure your bolts are long enough. If you use risers, you’ll want to run a longer bolt, but you don’t want to go too long or your setup will look all goofy! Use the chart below and everything will fall into place. Wheel Size Riser Size Hardware Size 7 ply deck 9 ply deck 49 - 55 - 7/8"" - 55 - 58 1/8"" 1"" - 57 - 60 1/8"" - 3/8"" 1 1/4"" 1 1/4"" 60 - 65 3/8"" - 1/2"" 1 1/2"" 1 1/2"""
Convert any Independent truck to an inverted kingpin setup for better grind clearance with our new Independent Trucks inverted kingpin and baseplate set. Features an innovative new shaft nut for a more rigid setup and better turning performance than other inverted kingpin configurations. Use either a standard 9/16" wrench or 5.5mm Allen key.
Wheel durometer is how wheel hardness is measured. The higher the number, the harder the wheel. Most commonly used is the durometer “A” scale. A very hard wheel would be around 101a and a very soft wheel around 78a. Hard wheels roll best on smooth ground and slide easily. Soft wheels roll fast on rougher surfaces as well as smooth. Soft wheels absorb bumps, cracks and pebbles better than hard wheels but don’t slide as easily. Hard wheels like 101a-97a are ideal for skateparks, ramps, and smooth flatground. Soft wheels like 78a-88a are great for transportation, rough skate spots and are the wheels used for cruisers and longboards. Wheels in the 90a-95a range are typically hybrid wheels and have some of the characteristics of hard and soft wheels. For example, a 92a will work on ground that isn’t perfectly smooth and still slide without too much effort.
When it comes to reputable skateboard wheel brands, the name of the urethane or formula isn’t as important as the wheel hardness, size, and shape.
The wheel shape affects how much of the wheel touches the ground, the overall width of the wheel, and the edges of the wheel. A skinny riding surface is going to slide easier than a wider riding surface because there is more wheel in touch with the ground. A really wide wheel is going to be heavier than a skinny wheel because it requires more material. Wheels with edges that have a sharper radius will stay locked on grinding tricks whereas a rounded edge wheel will be easier to get in and out of grinds. Wheels with a completely squared edge aren’t ideal for sliding ledges or powersliding because the edge can chip.
Road Surface, also known as riding surface or contact patch, is the width of the wheel that is touching the ground while rolling. A skinny riding surface is going to slide easier than a wider riding surface because there is more wheel in touch with the ground. A wider riding surface is going to grip the ground better up till the point of sliding. Depending on the shape of the wheel, a wider riding surface may add to the overall wheel width.
Skateboard risers give extra clearance between your deck and wheels to reduce wheel bite. Risers are usually recommended for larger wheels 55mm and above, and while not necessary for smaller skate wheels, 1/8" shock pads can always be used to help reduce vibration and stress cracks to your board.
While most high quality wheels are designed to resist flatspotting, no wheel is flatspot proof. Some wheel characteristics can affect whether a wheel will flatspot easier than another. For example: Hard wheels with thin riding surfaces slide easily but they also flatspot the easiest. A softer wheel with a wide riding surface isn’t going to flatspot as easily but will be more difficult to slide.
G3 bearings are faster than G2 thanks to the Micro Groove Raceway Surfaces, Max Impact Cage Design, Balls Out Technology and Factory Fresh Quality.
You should choose Ceramic bearings if you're looking for the fastest and highest quality bearings. They feature a High Density Ceramic Balls - Precision made, Hot Isostatic Pressure Sintered (HIPS) Silicon Nitride ceramic balls are super-fast, smooth rolling, and durable for extended use. Also, the case doubles as a bearing cleaning unit by following the included instruction sheet and includes 8 extra replacement shields.
Bearings need to be washed regularly in order to maximize performance and durability. Also we highly recommend to use spacers and washers when assembling your bearings, wheels and trucks to minimize the pressure on the side of the bearings.
Bronson bearings adapt and will help you get the most out of ALL skateboard wheels.
We offer 11” wide black MOB Grip and 10” wide MOB Clear that will cover most old-school decks.
Our new MOB Clear formula is optically clear meaning it’s the most transparent grip tape in skateboarding. It allows skateboarders to maximize their individual creativity. They can showcase stickers, pictures, artwork, and anything else beneath a sheet of MOB Clear.
For any warranty inquiries please chat, call or email our team with warranty claim details for assistance.
All NHS manufactured skateboard components are warranted against manufacturer defect in materials or workmanship for 120 days from date of purchase.
All NHS manufactured skateboard components are warranted against manufacturer defect in materials or workmanship for 120 days from date of purchase.
Independent trucks are guaranteed for life* against manufacturer defects in materials or workmanship which includes axle bending, axle slipping, casting or component anomaly, and threading issues at the point of purchase. *The lifetime of a skateboard truck is considered to be over when the hanger is ground down to the axle.
All NHS manufactured skateboard components are warranted against manufacturer defect in materials or workmanship for 120 days from date of purchase.
All NHS manufactured skateboard components are warranted against manufacturer defect in materials or workmanship for 120 days from date of purchase.
All NHS manufactured skateboard components are warranted against manufacturer defect in materials or workmanship for 120 days from date of purchase.
Our login page should allow you to recover your lost password or create a new one, simply use the "I forgot my password" link on the login page and follow the next steps.
If the automated password recovery method isn't working, make sure you check your spam, or feel free to contact our team, we'll be happy to help.
Having an account isn't required to place an order, creating your personalized account will allow you to track your orders, edit billing/shipping info, return items easily and place your orders faster in the future.

Skate Direct Rewards is NHS’s loyalty program that lets you earn points every time you shop, engage with us, or celebrate your birthday. Use those points to get cash discounts - because riding the best should come with perks.

To receive your birthday points, just make sure your birthdate is added to your account on our rewards program page at least 30 days before your birthday. When your birthday comes around, the points will automatically be added to your account, no action needed from you!

If a customer enters a birthday that's within the next 30 days, their reward will be delayed until 30 days from the date of entry.

Customer are only allowed to get one birthday gift per calendar year.

After a customer submits their birthday, it's impossible for them to change it. They can only change their birthday by contacting our customer service team.

Sharing is caring, and rewarding!

Send your friends $10 off their first $85+ order. When they treat themselves and check out, you’ll score 200 points as a thank-you. The more friends you bring in, the more points you earn!

Referral purchases will not trigger any reward if if done from the same IP or shipping to the same location as the referrer.

Rewarded points expire a year after date earned. If you want to convert your points to a coupon, the coupon will also be valid for 1 year. The $10 birthday rewards shared on your birthday is only valid for 1 month after being received.

A little, yes! If you don’t hit the annual spend for your tier, you’ll slide down just one level the following year.

  • PRO members become AMATEUR
  • AMATEUR members become FLOW (Starting Tier)

Think of it as a gentle reset, and you can always climb back up anytime you’re ready!

To qualify for AMATEUR, simply spend $270 within a rolling 12-month period.
As an Amateur level member, you’ll have access to double point days, receive exclusive access to sale events, and enjoy a birthday reward each year.

If you spend $450 or more within a rolling year, you’ll level up to our PRO tier.
As a Pro, you’ll have all the AMATEUR tier benefits + access to free ground shipping on all US orders, 50% off Canada ground shipping, and gain access to our most collectible limited releases.

Uploading a photo or video earns you an extra 20 points on your account.

Please note that these points are not awarded in real time, as all submissions must first be reviewed by our moderation team.

Content that will not be approved (and therefore will not receive the 20-point reward) includes:

  • Duplicated content

  • Screenshots of existing product images

  • Random or unrelated photos

Make sure your upload is original and relevant to ensure it qualifies for the reward.

Sadly, we can’t time-travel (yet!). Points can’t be added to past orders, you’ll start earning as soon as you join the Rewards program.

If you cancel or return an order, any points earned from that purchase will be automatically removed from your account.

Your date of birth can be entered directly in our rewards program page on the brick allowing you to enroll for a $10 birthday reward.

Redeeming your points is easy! Just log in, and choose an eligible reward on our reward program page or directly at checkout.

Create an account to unlock your rewards! You'll get points for every purchase made on NHS Skate Direct. You can also earn additional points by following us on socials, referring friends, reviewing our site & products, and celebrating your birthday.