Best Skateboard Brands [A Totally Rad Guide]

There are a lot of companies - but these are the best skateboard brands. We hope you enjoy our list, and be sure to grab a complete skateboard from one of them, if you need a new ride.

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Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz skateboards is a Santa Cruz, California based skateboard company. The company was founded in 1973 by then-professional surfers Richard Novak, Doug Haut and Jay Adams. Santa Cruz has been a leading innovator in the sport of skateboarding since its inception.

Santa Cruz is best known for their signature "Screaming Hand" logo, designed by Jim Phillips, and for their top-quality construction and innovative graphics. Santa Cruz has also produced some of the most iconic skateboard decks in history, including the "Rob Roskopp Face" deck, which became a huge hit in the 1980s.

Santa Cruz continues to be a major player in the skateboarding industry, sponsoring some of the world's top skaters and producing high-quality products that are favored by both professionals and amateurs alike.

Santa Cruz is truly a skateboarding institution, and their influence on the sport is undeniable. If you're looking for a top-notch skateboard deck, Santa Cruz is a great option to consider.

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Powell Peralta

Powell Peralta is a skateboard company founded in 1978 by George Powell and Stacy Peralta. Powell Peralta is credited with helping to pioneer the sport of skateboarding and for popularizing many of the tricks and techniques that are now commonplace.

Among the company's most influential team members were Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Rodney Mullen, Mike McGill, and Lance Mountain. Powell Peralta also produced one of the first successful skateboarding videos, The Bones Brigade Video Show.

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Sector 9

Sector 9 skateboards are known for their high quality and performance. They offer a wide range of products for both beginner and experienced riders. Sector 9 also offers a variety of accessories to help you customize your board.

Toy Machine

Toy Machine was started in 1993 by professional skateboarder Ed Templeton. The company was created with the goal of making high-quality skateboards that would be fun to ride. Toy Machine quickly became known for their innovative designs and signature style.

Toy Machine has always been on the cutting edge of skateboarding, with a team of top riders that includes some of the best skaters in the world. The brand has been involved in some of the most iconic moments in skateboarding history, including sponsoring the first ever trip to China by a pro skate team and being featured in the cult classic film "Kids".

Today, Toy Machine is still one of the most respected brands in skateboarding, and their products are sought after by riders of all levels. The company continues to innovate, with a recent focus on sustainable manufacturing practices and supporting local skate shops.

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Landyachtz

Landyachtz was founded in 1997 by Michael Perrin and Thomas Edstrand out of North Vancouver, BC. Landyachtz started as a longboarding company that produced high-quality boards for downhill racing.

Landyachtz quickly became a leader in the industry, known for their cutting-edge designs and dedication to customer satisfaction. Landyachtz has continued to grow and innovate, expanding their product line to include cruisers, freeride boards, and even electric skateboards. Landyachtz is now one of the most respected brands in the skateboarding world, with a team of iconic pro riders and a commitment to making the best products possible.

Blind

Blind skateboards was started in 1989 by two professional skateboarders, Mark Gonzales and Jason Lee. The company is based in Torrance, California. Blind skateboards has been endorsed by some of the biggest names in skating, including Blind team rider Guy Mariano.

Blind's first products were a set of three Blind decks released in 1990. The decks were designed by Gonzales and featured his trademark "skulls" graphic. These decks quickly became popular among skaters and helped put Blind on the map.

In 1991, Blind released its first line of Blind apparel, which included t-shirts, hoodies, and hats. The clothing was designed to appeal to skaters and featured unique graphics that set it apart from other brands.

In 1992, Blind released its first signature pro model skateboard, the "Gonz" model. This deck was designed by Gonzales and featured his own artwork. The deck was an instant success and helped Blind to become one of the most popular skateboard brands in the world.

Today, Blind continues to produce high-quality skateboard products and is considered one of the most respected brands in the industry. Blind has a team of top professional skateboarders and produces some of the most innovative and stylish products in skating. Blind is truly a brand for skaters, by skaters.

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Plan B

Plan B skateboards was founded in 1991 by Mike Ternasky and Colin McKay. The company rose to prominence in the early 1990s as a premier sponsor of street skating.

Plan B's team included some of the most influential skaters of the era, including Danny Way, Rodney Mullen, and Colin McKay. Plan B's videos are credited with helping to popularize street skating and cement it as a legitimate skating discipline.

Plan B continued to be a major force in skateboarding throughout the 1990s and 2000s, releasing iconic videos like "Questionable" (1992) and "Virtual Reality" (1996). The company has also been behind some of the sport's biggest events, such as the Plan B Superbowl of Skateboarding.

Today, Plan B is one of the most respected skateboard brands in the world, and its team includes some of the sport's biggest names, such as Chris Joslin and PB Planter.

Almost

Almost skateboards was created by two professional skateboarders, Rodney Mullen and Daewon Song. Almost is a subsidiary brand of the larger skateboarding company, Dwindle Distribution.

The company produces high-quality skateboard decks, wheels, bearings, hardware, and apparel. Almost Skateboards has been sponsoring some of the biggest names in skateboarding since its inception, such as Chris Haslam, Cooper Wilt, and Manolo Robles.

Creature

Creature skateboards is a brand that was founded in 1994 by skateboarders Russ Pope and Dangerous Dan McDonough. The company has been credited with helping to revive the Creature Feature subgenre of horror films.

Creature Skateboards has released several videos, including Welcome to Creature Island (2000) and It's Alive! (2005). The company has had a number of team riders over the years, including Chris Nieratko, Joey Ragz, and Scott Mullen. Creature Skateboards is currently distributed by Dwindle Distribution.

Flip

Flip skateboards was created in 1991 by Mike Ternasky. Flip is a subsidiary of Skate One Corporation. The company is based in Costa Mesa, California, and produces skateboard decks, wheels, bearings, trucks, and clothing.

Flip has been home to some of the most iconic names in skateboarding, including Geoff Rowley, Rune Glifberg, Arto Saari, Bob Burnquist, Tom Penny, and Curren Caples.

The company has had a long and successful history in skateboarding. It has been a major sponsor of events like the annual Flip Fest skateboarding competition, and has been featured in numerous skater-owned magazines and videos.

Flip has also been a leader in the development of new skateboarding products, such as the Flipside deck, which was designed to be more durable and easier to skate than traditional decks.

Element

Element skateboards were created in 1992 by Johnny Schillereff. The company was started in Venice, California and has since become one of the most popular skateboard brands in the world.

Element is known for their quality products and unique designs, and they have a team of some of the best skaters in the business. Element's philosophy is all about having fun and enjoying skating, and they strive to make their products and designs reflect that.

Globe

Globe skateboards were born in Australia in the mid ‘80s. The company was started by three friends who shared a passion for skateboarding and wanted to make high-quality boards that were affordable for everyone. Globe quickly became one of the most popular brands in the country, and soon expanded to the US market.

Today, Globe is still one of the leading skateboard brands in the world, and their decks are ridden by some of the biggest names in the sport. If you’re looking for a board that will give you a smooth ride and great pop, Globe is a great option.

Birdhouse

Birdhouse skateboards was founded in 1992 by Tony Hawk and Per Welinder. Birdhouse is a subsidiary of NHS, Inc., which also produces Santa Cruz, Independent, and Spitfire. The company's first team included Hawk, Welinder, Steve Caballero, Lance Mountain, Mike McGill, and Kevin Staab. The Birdhouse team has included some of the most influential skaters of all time, including:

Tony Hawk: Tony Hawk is one of the most famous skateboarders of all time. He started skating at the age of nine and turned pro at fourteen. He is best known for his vert skating abilities and for inventing hundreds of tricks, including the 900° spin.

Per Welinder: Per Welinder is a Swedish former professional skateboarder. He is best known for his work with the Birdhouse Skateboards team and for inventing the nollie 180° heelflip, also known as the "Welinder Flip."

Steve Caballero: Steve Caballero is a professional skateboarder and musician. He is best known for his vert skating abilities and for being one of the first skateboarders to successfully land a 900° spin.

Lance Mountain: Lance Mountain is a professional skateboarder, artist, and filmmaker. He is best known for his street skating style and for being one of the founders of The Bones Brigade, an influential skateboarding video company.

Kevin Staab: Kevin Staab is a former professional skateboarder. He is best known for his vert skating abilities and for being the first person to land a 900° spin on a vert ramp.

Birdhouse has been influential in the skateboarding community and has produced some of the most iconic skateboards and skaters of all time.

Zero

Zero skateboards was founded in 1996 by Jamie Thomas. Zero is a skateboard company that produces decks, wheels, apparel, and accessories. The company is based in Carlsbad, California.

Alien Workshop

Alien Workshop was founded in 1990 by Chris Carter, Mike Hill, and Neil Blender. The company started out as a small operation, selling boards out of the back of a van. But it quickly grew into one of the most successful and respected skateboard companies in the world.

Girl

Girl skateboards was started in 1993 by Spike Jonze and Megan Baltimore. Girl's first pro team included Mike Carroll, Rick Howard, Tim Gavin, and Guy Mariano. Girl has been distributed by Chocolate Skateboards since its inception. Girl's graphics are often created by artists associated with the company such as Cory Kennedy and Laura Lynn Denton.

Girl's focus has always been on fun and promoting skating for girls. The company has produced several iconic skateboarding videos over the years including Yeah Right! (2003), Pretty Sweet (2012), and Cherry (2016). Girl has also sponsored some of the most influential skaters in the industry including Leticia Bufoni, Lacey Baker, Samarria Brevard, and Elissa Steamer.

Enjoi

Enjoi skateboards were founded in 2000 by professional skaters Marc Johnson and Rodney Mullen. Enjoi is distributed by Dwindle Distribution. The Enjoi team consists of Joseph Hill, Nestor Judkins, Cairo Foster, Louie Barletta, Jerry Hsu, Caswell Berry, Jose Rojo, Ben Raemers, Wesley Mark Adams and Nestor Traiano. Enjoi's logo is a panda head.

Habitat

Habitat Skateboards was founded in 1994 by professional skateboarders Silas Baxter-Neal and Gustavo Esteves. The company's first products were a line of decks, wheels, and clothing. Habitat has since expanded its product line to include footwear, soft goods, and accessories.

In 2003, Habitat was acquired by Tum Yeto, Inc., which is also the parent company of Foundation Skateboards and Toy Machine Skateboards.

Habitat Skateboards is known for its innovative designs and high quality products. The company has been awarded numerous industry accolades, including "Brand of the Year" at the Transworld SKATEboarding Awards (2009) and "Deck Brand of the Year" at the annual Skateboarder Magazine Readers' Poll (2010).

The Bottom Line On The Best Skateboard Brands

The best skate brands will have established a good reputation, likely have been around for a decade or more, sponsor seriously good pro skaters, and will always make high quality stuff. Most skate companies also make a variety of products, like the following.

-7-ply Canadian Maple wood quality decks

-longboards

-skateboard wheels

-carbon fiber decks

-complete boards

-grip tape

-stickers

Some companies even make skate shoes. You can grab a new skateboard from Amazon (especially okay if you’re buying your first skateboard), but as you advance in talent, you’ll likely want to opt for a brand that isn’t Walmart (like Antihero).

Beginner skateboarders won’t usually know the difference between a top skateboard and a basic board, so be sure to ask an experienced rider at your skate park, if you need help. There are different sizes when it comes to a skateboard, as well as varying personal preferences.