The skateboard and long boarding industries have seen huge advancements and innovations since first becoming popular over 30 years ago. Reports estimate that there are over 18 million skateboarders in the world, with some using the boards for recreation and others as transportation, which is why bones bearings are so popular. The primary demographics for skateboard use are males under the age of eighteen.

Since becoming popular in the 1970s, skateboards have remained largely the same as far as their designs go. All skateboards are made up of a few different pieces. These are the deck, truck, wheels, and others.

The size of a skateboard deck varies with make, model, and age of the board itself; however, most modern decks run about 7-10 inches wide and 28-34 inches long. They are commonly covered in what is called grip tape, which is a sandpaper-like tape that is affixed to the board to provide extra grip and traction for riders. Oftentimes, the underside of the deck is painted or otherwise decorated with the makers logo, personal stickers, or other designs.

Skateboard wheels come in different sizes, with each having its own pros and cons. Larger wheel sizes are known to allow faster speeds as well as a better performance over any divots or cracks in the pavement. Smaller wheels have the advantage of a decreased center of gravity but they do not handle uneven or cracked pavement as well.

For most skaters, the desire for a smooth and safe ride is paramount. A smooth ride is best achieved by the use of the proper bearings mounted onto the boards axels. Ball models are mechanical elements which consist of round housings which hold a varying amount of steel balls, usually 7 in the skateboard world.

Bones bearings come in a wide range of models, types, and sizes. There is a noticeable difference in quality from brand to brand, so most skaters choose carefully. Bearings can be purchased from skate shops as well as through many different online retailers.