If you have ever wondered what we have in our bags, here is your answer.
I wanted to make a comprehensive list of what I bring on tour. For myself, to check over every year, and for all of you, to make sure you are prepared for whatever tour presents you with. Preparedness is one of the best tools to ensure you can perform at your highest potential.
- Skateboard
- Wheels
- Bearings
- Trucks
- Hardware
- Grip tape
- Footstop
- Toes top
- Torque block
- Toolbox
- Skate tool
- Screwdriver
- Super glue
- Tooth brush
- Spare (Axle, kingpin, hardware)
- Spare spacers (axle & bearing)
- Velcro
- Bushings & spherical bearings
- Bearing lube
- Bearings
- Shoelaces
- Tape Measure
- Speed Rings
- Leathers
- Skins
- Knee pads
- Freeride Knee pads
- Helmet
- Head sock
- Back Protector
- Shoes
- Break soles
- Exercise Bands
- Tennis balls
- Gloves
- Pucks
- Rags
- Yoga Mat
- Bag Scale
- Notebook
- Rain Kit
- Duct Tape
While it’s self-explanatory, I’ll break it down and explain some decisions.
Yes, you want to bring all the components of your skateboard.
For the toolbox, skate tool and screwdriver are classics. I have a ratcheting screwdriver for hardware, and a long screwdriver to help finagle my spherical bearings out of my Rogue Trucks. Those two are the necessities; the rest is to make sure you are ready for anything. Superglue for grip soles or wheel chunks. A toothbrush to help clean your trucks after rainskating. Spares, because you are definitely going to drop one of something, be ready for it. Velcro, if your torque block starts to get loose. Bushings and Spherical bearings, to make sure you have replacements, and alternative options if a track challenges your current setup. Bearing lube, because we are try-hards and bearings, so you can rain skate without too much worry. Shoelaces, because you will fall and rip your shoelaces, or your belt. Tape measure, we know why. Finally, speed rings are my latest addition. I’ve had SOME bearings rub on the axle or axle nut. So to prevent that, I have some spare speed rings that I can put in if that rubbing does occur. I’ve got all my kit organized in a toolbox, like a Stanley, DeWalt, or Milwaukee brand. I recommend getting a good quality box; it’s going to be thrown around, and you don’t want it to break.
You’ll need your leathers. I have three sets, but I admit that is a bit overkill. But if you can, I do recommend having a practice suit, a bit thicker that you don’t mind falling in, and a qualifying and race suit, that is tight and flexible, and probably too thin. Along with your leathers, make sure you have top and bottom skins. My personal preference is to have separate knee pads, so I make sure to pack those too. For open-road skating, I have a separate, hard-shell set of kneepads.
Yes, you need a helmet. I have a headsock to keep my hair out of my face.
If you are planning on doing any freerides in Europe or WDSC races, back protectors are mandatory. I have a SCOTT that slips into my leathers, as well as a vest I can wear without my leathers.
I take the risk of bringing only one pair of shoes. Shoes are one of the most important pieces of kit for me. I trust mine to not break, so I’ve only got one on tour, but maybe that’s just a lesson waiting to be learned. I also make sure to have a few spare break soles to replace throughout the summer.
Exercise bands, mostly for warming up the shoulders and legs before racing. Also useful for workouts on the road. Tennis balls, equally useful for neurological warm-ups at the races, and they don’t take much space.
Bring your gloves, and bring a spare set. Also, make sure to have sufficient pucks.
The rest is miscellaneous. Rags for cleaning the kit. Yoga mat to keep your socks clean, as well as protecting your bag from your griptape. Bag scale to help with packing and avoiding airline fees. Notebook, for notes. Rain kit, to stay dry and enjoy rainskating. And finally, duct tape, for everything you weren’t prepared for.
With this exhaustive list, you should be prepared for just about everything. However, I recommend using this as a starting list, eliminating the things you don’t find necessary, and adding things that you wish you had.
Thank you for reading, and let me know if you think I missed anything or if you have any recommendations.
