Buying Guide: Skateboard Rails & Tailbones

Skateboard rails and tailbones are iconic protection accessories rooted in skateboarding history. Popularized in the 80s old-school scene by legendary brands like Powell Peralta and Santa Cruz, they are making a massive comeback in pool, transition, and street skating.

Why should you put rails on your deck?

Mounted under your skateboard deck, these ultra-durable plastic strips provide key technical advantages:

• Consistent slides: High-density skate rails allow you to slide smoothly over rough ledges, pool copings, and unwaxed surfaces.
• Graphic preservation: Keep your deck art intact by taking the friction impact on the plastic strips.
• Better grab control: Rails create a lip under the board that makes air grabs much easier to catch.

What is the purpose of a Tailbone?

A tailbone (or tail guard) screws directly under the end of your board's tail. It protects the wood layers from razor tail caused by popping tricks and braking on concrete, keeping your board's original pop for much longer.

Mounting tips and hardware

Mounting your rails is straightforward:

• Align the rails parallel to the edges of the board.
• Use the self-tapping wood screws included in your rail pack.
• Tighten securely into the ply without over-drilling through the top wood layer.