Trucks are the most expensive part of a complete skateboard and the component that most defines how your board behaves. The most common decision when you buy new trucks is between Hi and Lo — two heights of the hanger (the horizontal piece where the wheels mount).
What “Hi” and “Lo” measure
A truck’s height is measured from the baseplate to the highest point of the hanger. The best-known manufacturers (Independent, Thunder, Venture, Ace) sort their trucks into three heights:
- Low (Lo): ~48-49 mm. Low profile, centre of gravity closer to the ground.
- Mid: ~52-53 mm. In-between height, versatile.
- High (Hi): ~55-57 mm. Tall profile, more clearance between board and ground.
A difference of 7-8 mm sounds tiny, but you feel it a lot in your tricks.
When to choose Hi
Hi (or High) trucks are the pick if you skate:
- Ramps and bowls — the board turns faster, your entry angle into carves is more natural, and you get more room to adjust your line mid-air.
- Bigger wheels (54 mm+) — Hi trucks help you avoid wheelbite (the wheels rubbing the deck when you turn). With 56-58 mm wheels, Hi is practically mandatory.
- Cruising and speed — more stability at speed, and the kicktail has more travel for manuals and kick-turns.
When to choose Lo
Lo trucks shine in street and flatground:
- The lower centre of gravity makes flips feel faster and your pop more explosive.
- Better connection to the ground for long grinds and rail slides.
- With small wheels (50-53 mm) there’s no wheelbite risk, and you gain agility.
Mid: the “can’t go wrong” option
If you skate a bit of everything and don’t want to specialise, Mid trucks are the safe answer. Plenty of pro street skaters ride Mid precisely for the versatility.
Width: the forgotten factor
While you’re deciding on height, don’t forget the hanger width — it needs to match the width of your deck:
| Deck width | Hanger width |
|---|---|
| 7.5” – 7.875” | 129 mm |
| 8.0” – 8.25” | 139 mm |
| 8.25” – 8.5” | 149 mm |
| 8.5” – 9” | 159 mm |
A hanger that’s too wide or too narrow throws the board off balance. When in doubt, go with the closest match without going over.
Compare prices
You can compare the prices of the most popular trucks across more than 400 European shops:
Or browse the full trucks catalogue with filters by brand and shop.
The practical takeaway
If you have to choose right now:
- You mostly skate street with small wheels → Lo 139 mm (if 8.0”-8.25”) or Lo 149 mm (if 8.25”+)
- You skate bowls, ramps or cruising → Hi
- You’re not sure → Mid
And remember: trucks last years. They’re one of the few parts you can keep for life. It’s worth spending a little more and buying a quality pair.