You feel as though you're going to enter a scene from Lords of Dogtown as you stand at the edge of a skatepark bowl with the sun setting and music blaring. Or perhaps you're just dreaming about tacos while gliding along the boardwalk and avoiding gulls. In any case, the unsung heroes that enable those vibes are the high trucks on your skateboard. Why is truck height important? Because it makes the difference between stumbling like a novice and carving like an expert. Let's examine the characteristics, benefits, drawbacks, and best practices of high trucks to see why they are the preferred vehicle for park skaters and cruisers.

What Are High Trucks?

The metal T-shaped powerhouses that connect your wheels to your deck and manage your turns, grinds, and flow are called skateboard trucks. Like a raised Jeep eager to roll over anything, high trucks have more clearance on your board since they sit taller than low or mid trucks.  That extra height changes how your board moves, making it ideal for flowing through skatepark bowls or cruising through town like you’re in a coming-of-age movie montage.

Why High Trucks Rule

High trucks are like that cool uncle who shows up with epic stories and always knows the best spots. Here’s why they’re a game-changer:

Big Wheels, Big Thrills: High trucks pair perfectly with larger wheels (54-60mm), which means you’re zooming over cracks, pebbles, and sketchy pavement like a superhero. Perfect for cruising to your favorite coffee shop or bombing hills.

Carve Like a Dream: These trucks let you lean into turns like you’re surfing concrete waves. Dropping into a bowl? You’ll flow smoother than a sunny day playlist.

Grind Gang: The extra height makes grinding rails or skatepark coping feel effortless—no deck-scraping disasters to kill your vibe.

Speed Demons: Bigger wheels + higher trucks = faster rides. Whether you’re racing to class or cruising the boardwalk, high trucks keep you rolling like you’re in a Fast & Furious chase scene.

High trucks are all about freedom, flow, and feeling like you own the park or the streets.

Where High Trucks Bail

Even high trucks have their off days. Here’s where they might leave you hanging:

Trick Trouble: The higher center of gravity can feel wobbly for technical street tricks like kickflips or heelflips. It’s like trying to skate in platform sneakers—possible, but you’ll need practice.

Ollie Overload: Popping ollies takes more leg power with high trucks, so you might feel like you’re doing a gym session mid-skate.

Less Sleek Vibes: High trucks give your board a bit of a monster truck look—not bad, just less lowkey than a street skater’s low-truck setup.

Perfect For: Park Skaters & Cruisers

High trucks are made for skaters who live for flow and freedom. They’re your ride-or-die if:

Love dropping into bowls, carving transitions, or grinding coping like you’re in a skatepark highlight reel? High trucks give you the clearance and turning radius to flow like a pro.

Rolling through town, dodging pedestrians, and chasing sunsets with your earbuds blasting? High trucks with big wheels keep your ride smooth, fast, and fun.

High trucks handle everything from skatepark sessions to long-distance cruises, making them perfect for skaters who mix it up.

Not into bowls or cruising? If you’re a street skater obsessed with techy tricks, low trucks might be more your speed. But for park and cruise vibes, high trucks are the most valuable pick.

Better for carving, cruising, and larger wheels (ideal for bowls, ramps, and vert skating).

Quick Tips: Best Wheel Sizes & Setup

To make your high trucks shine, here’s the cheat sheet:

Go for 54-60mm wheels for speed and smooth rides. Bigger wheels are your best bet for cruising or park skating without getting stuck on every crack.

High trucks usually have enough clearance to avoid wheel bite, so you can skip risers and keep your setup clean. If you’re rocking super big wheels (60mm+), a thin riser might help, but don’t overdo it.

Loosen your trucks for flowy, carvy turns in the park, or tighten them a bit for more control on grinds. Experiment to find your groove.

Pair high trucks with a wider deck (8.25-8.5 inches) for park skating or cruising to keep things stable and balanced.

Pro tip: Check your bolts and bushings after a few sessions—park drops and long cruises can loosen things up, and you don’t want a wobbly ride ruining your flow.

High trucks aren’t just hardware—they’re your launchpad for flow, freedom, and fast lines. They’re for the skater who drops into a bowl with confidence, carving like they’re painting a masterpiece. They’re for the cruiser who rolls through town, wind in their hair, feeling like the star of their own movie. If you're carving bowls, bombing hills, or coasting through the city like it's your canvas, high trucks are your move.

What’s your favorite high truck setup? Got a wild park session or cruising story to share? Drop it in the comments—let’s keep the skate party rolling! And when you’re ready to ride something that matches your style, check out our truck collection at alcostashop.com.