NATIVE makes two complete scooters, the Stem and the Format, and each comes in four sizes. Get the size right and your kid will find it easier to ride and easier to learn tricks on.
Start with their age to get close, then check their height to be sure. Kids the same age can be very different sizes.
The quick answer
| Age | Scooter | Rider height |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 10 | Stem Small | 130cm to 140cm |
| 11 to 13 | Stem Medium | 145cm to 160cm |
| 13 to 14 | Stem Large | 155cm to 165cm |
| 14 to 15 | Stem XL | 160cm to 170cm |
| 14 to 15 | Format Small | 160cm to 170cm |
| 14 to 16 | Format Medium | 165cm to 175cm |
| 15 to 17 | Format Large | 170cm to 178cm |
| 17 and up, and adults | Format XL | 175cm and up |
If their age and their height point to different sizes, go with height.
The ten-second check
Stand the scooter next to your kid. The top of the bars should sit around their belly button, or just under. Once they stand on the deck they are 4 or 5cm higher, so the bars end up between their beltline and their belly button, which is where you want them.
So measure from the floor to their belly button and compare it with the scooter's height in the table below.
If the only thing wrong is the bars being a touch tall, ask us to cut them down after you place your order. We are happy to do it.
Street scooters run bigger
The Stem and the Format are street scooters. Street riders spend their time grinding rails and jumping stairs, so they want to stand up comfortably and run a bigger scooter than a park rider of the same height. Park riders like a smaller scooter they can throw around for tricks, and on the bigger park scooters they usually run the bars a bit lower, around the hip. If your kid rides the skatepark more than the streets, see our Root size guide.
From about 15, riders usually have a good idea of what size they want.
Stem or Format?
NATIVE calls the Stem its beginner street complete, and the Format the step up for riders who want to level up. The Format runs wider decks (6.25" to 6.5" against the Stem's 4.75" to 6"), taller bars and NATIVE's Format parts throughout.
The sizes overlap in the middle. A rider around 160cm to 170cm fits a Stem Large or XL and a Format Small or Medium. Go Stem for a first street scooter, Format for the upgrade.
NATIVE Stem Complete: ages 8 to 15
Four sizes, from a kid's first street scooter up to a teenager's. The Small comes with a brake; the other three have a fixed fender. All four run NATIVE's SCS clamp.
Stem Small: ages 8 to 10
Fits riders from about 130cm to 140cm. The bars stand 78cm off the ground, the deck is 4.75" x 19.5" and it weighs 3.3kg.
Stem Medium: ages 11 to 13
Fits riders from about 145cm to 160cm. The bars stand 87cm off the ground, the deck is 5.25" x 20.5" and it weighs 3.7kg.
Stem Large: ages 13 to 14
Fits riders from about 155cm to 165cm. The bars stand 92cm off the ground, the deck is 5.25" x 22" and it weighs 3.9kg.
Stem XL: ages 14 to 15
Fits riders from about 160cm to 170cm. The bars stand 94.5cm off the ground, the deck is 6" x 22" and it weighs 4kg.
NATIVE Stem Complete
$349.95
Sold out right now
NATIVE Format Complete: ages 14 and up
Four sizes, each one stepping up half an inch in bar height, with the decks getting wider and longer as you go. All four have a fixed fender and NATIVE's SCS clamp.
Format Small: ages 14 to 15
Fits riders from about 160cm to 170cm. The bars stand 94.5cm off the ground, the deck is 6.25" x 22" and it weighs 3.85kg.
Format Medium: ages 14 to 16
Fits riders from about 165cm to 175cm. The bars stand 96cm off the ground, the deck is 6.25" x 22.5" and it weighs 3.9kg.
Format Large: ages 15 to 17
Fits riders from about 170cm to 178cm. The bars stand 97cm off the ground, the deck is 6.5" x 22.5" and it weighs 3.95kg.
Format XL: 17 and up, and adults
Fits riders from about 175cm and up. The bars stand 98cm off the ground, the deck is 6.5" x 23" and it weighs 4kg.
NATIVE Format Complete
$449.95
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The eight sizes side by side
| Scooter | Rider height | Ground to top of bars | Deck (width x length) | Bar height | Weight | Wheels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stem Small | 130cm to 140cm | 78cm | 4.75" x 19.5" | 19.6" | 3.3kg | 110mm |
| Stem Medium | 145cm to 160cm | 87cm | 5.25" x 20.5" | 23" | 3.7kg | 115mm |
| Stem Large | 155cm to 165cm | 92cm | 5.25" x 22" | 25" | 3.9kg | 115mm |
| Stem XL | 160cm to 170cm | 94.5cm | 6" x 22" | 26" | 4kg | 115mm |
| Format Small | 160cm to 170cm | 94.5cm | 6.25" x 22" | 26" | 3.85kg | 110mm |
| Format Medium | 165cm to 175cm | 96cm | 6.25" x 22.5" | 26.5" | 3.9kg | 110mm |
| Format Large | 170cm to 178cm | 97cm | 6.5" x 22.5" | 27" | 3.95kg | 110mm |
| Format XL | 175cm and up | 98cm | 6.5" x 23" | 27.5" | 4kg | 110mm |
Common questions
What size NATIVE scooter for a 10 year old?
The average 10 year old is about 139cm, which is the top of the Stem Small range. If they are already 145cm or taller, go to the Stem Medium.
What size NATIVE scooter for a 12 year old?
The average 12 year old is about 149cm, which is Stem Medium size.
What size NATIVE scooter for a 14 year old?
The average 14 year old boy is about 164cm. That fits the Stem Large, the Stem XL and the Format Small. The Stem is the beginner scooter and the Format is the step up, so pick by budget and how serious they are.
Is the NATIVE Stem too small for an adult?
The Stem XL fits riders up to about 170cm. Taller than that, go to the Format Large or Format XL.
What is the difference between the Stem and the Format?
NATIVE calls the Stem its beginner street complete and the Format the step up for riders who want to level up. The Format runs wider decks (6.25" to 6.5" against the Stem's 4.75" to 6"), taller bars and NATIVE's Format parts throughout.
Which Format size should I get?
Each Format size steps up about half an inch in bar height and the decks get wider and longer as you go. Use the rider height in the table, and from about 15 riders usually know the size they want. The belly-button check settles it.
Where these sizes come from
The scooter measurements are NATIVE's own. The rider heights come from the belly-button check above, and the ages come from the growth charts Australian children's hospitals use, which give the average height of boys at every age. Girls track within a centimetre or two until about 13, then most level off around 163cm, so go by height.
They are averages. The tallest kids are a year or more ahead and the shortest are a year or more behind, so measure your kid before you order.
Still not sure? Send us their age and belly-button height and we will tell you which size to get.
