The 6 Best Caster Boards
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in September of 2016. Though they may resemble skateboards, the unique construction of caster boards makes riding one feel more like snowboarding or surfing. Rather than simply propelling yourself forward with a kick, they rely on the twisting motion of your hips and legs to create momentum. If you're searching for a new way to get around town or perform tricks and stunts, these may be just what you are looking for. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
August 31, 2019:
Caster boards offer a ride like nothing else. While this means they may take a little getting used to, once you get comfortable on one, you'll instantly be hooked. For a while, there were a number of companies producing them, but they were all based on the design pioneered by the original Razor Ripstick. Unfortunately, they were of poor quality and generally scorned by unhappy buyers. Because of this, most are no longer on the market, which is why our list is completely dominated by Razor products. We did consider adding a couple of models from Street Surfing, but as with many of the early knocks offs of the Ripstick, these also had too many complaints off poor quality.
Since all of the items on our list are essentially variations of the Ripstick, it is just about determining which one best fits your needs. Those who are looking for a board well suited to tricks should consider either the Razor RipStik G or Razor RipStik DLX. Both feature aluminum torsion bars, compared with the rubber-coated ones in other models. However, the one in the Ripstick G spins to make for exceptionally smooth grinding. On the other hand, the RipStik DLX may edge out the G in the speed department.
The Razor RipStik Ripster is best for smaller riders, as it is shorter and lighter, making it good for those with less power or a narrower stance. All RipStiks are recommended for children eight years of age and older, so if you have a younger child you want to include in the fun, the Gomo Spinner Shark is the only choice, though even this has a minimum age recommendation of six.
The Razor Ripsurf is unique in that it features a single-piece deck with a flexible torsion bar. Riders generally agree it feel the most like surfing, so it is great for those days you just can't make it to the beach.
Whichever model you decide to buy, to ensure a fun and safe experience, we recommend that you and your children always wear pads and a helmet whenever riding a caster board.