Which Brand Has The Best Skateboards?
There are a lot of different skateboard brands out there claiming to be 'the best brand', and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. Some look cool, but don't perform, others have the inverse problem. The reality is that a lot of the best brands are in fact manufactured in the same 4 or 5 factories (we will get into this later in the article).
There are a few things you should consider when choosing a skateboard brand, including the quality of the boards, the reputation of the brand, and the price:
The quality of the boards is important because you want to make sure that you are getting a good product. The last thing you want is to end up with a board that breaks after your first ollie.
The reputation of the brand / woodshop is also important. Brand reputation kinda aligns with the quality of their gear. You want to make sure that you are buying from a brand that is known for making high-quality products, that have been around for a long time and have built up a good reputation. As mentioned above, a lot of skateboards come from the same woodshops, so it's best to stick with these highly vetted skate brands.
The price is also something to consider when choosing a skateboard brand. You do not want to spend too much money on a board that you are not going to use very often. However, you also do not want to spend too little money on a board that is going to break easily or does not perform well. As a basic rule of thumb, look to spend around $40 on a blank Maple wood deck, $60 on graphic Maple deck and around $100 on a modern hybrid construction board (this price does not usually cover grip tape - around $10).
[Have you tried PSD Underwear?]
Best Skateboard Deck Brands by (reputable) Woodshop
As we hinted above, good boards come from mostly the same place. Sure, the technology and graphics change between brands of the same woodshop, but making sure you pick a board from the following is generally sound advice:
Probably the factory that puts out the most well known brands in the world.
- Real Skateboards
- Krooked Skateboards
- Anti-Hero Skateboards
- Baker Skateboards
- Alien Workshop Skateboards
- Polar Skateboards
- Magenta Skateboards
- Primitive Skateboards
- Alltimers Skateboards
- Habitat Skateboards
- Fucking Awesome / Hockey Skateboards
- Deathwish Skateboards
- Heroin Skateboards
- Isle Skateboards
- Black Label Skateboards
- Birdhouse Skateboards
- Theories Skateboards
- Toy Machine Skateboards
- DGK Skateboards
- Hook-Ups/JK Industries Skateboards
- Pass-Port Skateboards
- Doom Sayers Skateboards
- Element Skateboards
- Welcome Skateboards
- Fireball Supply Co.
The factory of Stacy Peralta and George Powell, two of the most recognizable names in the industry. They manufacturer the majority of the Powell-Peralta range here in the United States.
- Powell-Peralta
Founded by Professor Paul Schmitt, the boards from PS Stix are known to be super poppy and durable
- Fucking Awesome
- Hockey Skateboardse
- Welcome Skateboards
- Habitat Skateboards
- Quasi Skateboards
- Wknd Skateboards
- Toy Machine Skateboards
- Lifeblood Skateboards
- Plan B Skateboards
- Element Skateboards (until 2018)
- Pizza Skateboards
- Snack Skateboards
- Vagrant Skateboards
- Flip Skateboards
Owned by legendary Pro Skaters Rodney Mullen & Steve Rocco.
- Enjoi Skateboards
- Creature Skateboards
- Santa Cruz Skateboards
- Almost Skateboards
- Darkstar Skateboards
- Blind Skateboards
- Palace Skateboards
- Zero Skateboards
- Flip Skateboards
- Globe Skateboards
- Madness Skateboards
- Thank You Skateboards
There are also a few other reputable woodshops, but these 4 cover the vast majorty of brands you should know.
Choosing the best skate decks?
Based on the above you should be able to shortlist a few brands to check out, scope the graphics or different colors and get a feel for whichever is best suited to your individual style. Great!
BUT, when it comes to choosing a skateboard deck, there are a few other things you need to keep in mind too. The first is the size (width) of the deck. You want to make sure that the deck is big enough for your feet, but not too big that it becomes difficult to control.
The next thing you need to consider is the shape of the deck. Some people prefer a more traditional shape, while others prefer a more modern shape. There is no right or wrong answer here, it just depends on personal preference.
Finally, you need to decide what material you want your deck to be made out of. Most decks are made out of either 7-ply maple, but there are some modern decks like the Powell-Peralta Flight Boards or Santa Cruz VX Series that combine fibreglass with maple to increase strength. These are both great materials that will last a long time and provide you with a great ride.
So, what's the best skate deck? That really depends on what you're looking for. If you want a great all-around deck, then go with a standard 7-ply maple deck. If you don't wanna spend too much, but are still looking for the best quality decks, pick up something like our Stoked Ride Shop Blank (Made at Clutch in Mexico). If you're looking for something a little more durable, then something from the Powell-Peralta Flight Series is our choice.
Althought we've tried to make the online experience as informed as possible for you, if it's your first time purchasing a deck, it's best to visit your local shop so they can advise you on the above. They'll likely have a wide range and be able to size you up correctly. Or shoot us an email here. Or if you're intent on purchasing online right away, here's a few of our favorites to get you started:
-
💰
Best Value
Stoked Ride Shop Complete 
- Why it's rad: Deck made at Clutch in Mexico. Complete is hand built in CA. Dragon BUILT Bearings are a premium bearing and the tool + wax are a rad bonus to round out this great deal.
- Buy at Stoked Buy at Amazon
-
👍🏼
Classic Style
Santa Cruz Classic Dot 
- Why it's rad: Made at Dwindle in China. Santa Cruz is a classic company with a heritage that goes back nearly to skateboarding's inception.
- Buy at Stoked Buy at Amazon
-
🤙🏼
Staff Pick
Birdhouse Tony Hawk Falcon -
- Why it's rad: Made at BBS in Mexico. We remember playing with this board in Tony Hawk Pro Skater. While the components could be better, the deck is classic.
- Buy at Stoked Buy at Amazon
Further Questions:
The most popular skateboard brands among professional skateboarders are Girl, Zero, Baker, Deathwish, and Enjoi. These brands are known for their high-quality decks, trucks, wheels, and bearings. They also make apparel and accessories that appeal to skateboarders of all styles so you can rep the brands too.
Girl is a street skating brand that was founded by professional skateboarders Mike Carroll, Spike Jonze, Megan Baltimore and Rick Howard in 1993. The brand is known for its iconic graphics and stylish clothing. It's also one of the largest skateboard companies founded by a female.
Zero Skateboards is a technical street skating brand that was founded by Jamie Thomas in 1996. The brand is known for its innovative products and team of world-class skateboarders. Zero's decks are made with 8-ply maple construction and feature a variety of unique graphics.
Baker is a skateboarding company that was founded by professional skateboarder Andrew Reynolds in 2000. The brand is known for its high-quality decks, trucks, wheels, and bearings. Baker also makes apparel and skateboard accessories.
Deathwish is a street skating brand that was founded by professional skateboarders Jim Greco and Erik Ellington back in '08 as a way to keep living the dream and support their homies through their love for skateboarding. The brand sits under the Bakerbous Distribution network, which started one year before by Greco, Andrew Reynolds (Baker, above) and Terry Kennedy.
Enjoi is a fun-loving skateboarding brand that was founded by professional skateboarders Rodney Mullen and Marc Johnson in 2000, as part of Dwindle Distribution (owned by Mullen). The brand is known for its original graphics and fun-loving attitude. Enjoi's decks are made with 7-ply maple construction and feature a variety of unique graphics.
[Here are the best skateboard tools.]
Again, personal preference comes into play here, however as a general rule of thumb here's what to look for:
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Medium or steep concave (allows for easier flip tricks)
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7.75" - 8.0 will flip faster on tricks
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8.25" - 8.5" will be more stable
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7-Ply Canadian Maple Construction
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14" ish wheelbase
The reality is that a lot of the best brands are in fact manufactured in the same 4 or 5 factories (which you can find in the article above).
There are a few things you should consider when choosing a skateboard brand, including the quality of the boards, the reputation of the brand, and the price.
[A guide to snowboarding for beginners.]
Yes, but not as much as the factory. Board brand reputation is linked to the factorie they are made at. Use our guide above to find reputable brands. It's all about what you like and what works best for you. So, don't get too caught up in the hype - just ride what you enjoy and have fun.
[Everything to know about bouldering.]
Tony Hawk is one of the most popular skateboarders in the world, and he is known for riding a variety of different board brands over the years. His current board of choice is a Birdhouse deck. Birdhouse is his skateboard company with ex-Powell-Peralta rider, Per Welinder that he started in 1992.
He has helped to design some of their most popular models, and his signature series is one of the most popular lines that they offer
The short answer - When choosing a skateboard deck, the first thing you need to consider is the size of the deck. The width of the deck should be in proportion to your height and weight. Then make sure it comes from a reputable brand (see list above).
The long answer - We wrote this Ultimate buyers guide on street and park skateboards, where you can learn everything you need to know about skate decks.
[Dave Mirra - one of our heroes.]
It depends how hard you skate, but the average skateboard will last anywhere from six months to a year. Skateboards that are made with high-quality materials and construction can last longer, while those that are not as well-made (ahem, amazon brands) may only last a few months.
Proper care and maintenance of your skateboard can help to extend its life.
There is no question that Santa Cruz decks are among the best in the business. They're constructed with high-quality materials and they ride smooth and fast. Whether you're looking for a deck to bombing hills or just to cruise around town, Santa Cruz has a deck that will suit your needs. Their graphics are also some of the most iconic in skateboarding, so you can be sure that your deck will turn heads when you're skating around. All in all, Santa Cruz is a great option if you're looking for a new skateboard deck.
We love the Santa Cruz Everslick board, but there are a ton of great complete boards from awesome skate companies.
[What do you know about low trucks?]
Here are a few other awesome skateboard brands you may like, whether you’re buying a complete skateboard on Amazon, or customizing your own board.
-Antihero
-Toy Machine
-Element Skateboards
-Girl Skateboards
-Powell Peralta
-Primitive
-Krooked
-Baker Skateboards
-Blind Skateboards
The top skateboards will vary in deck width, but no matter what deck size you go with, choose one of the best skateboard decks from one of our list of the top skateboard deck brands. There is a big difference between companies like Thank You Skateboards (Dwindle), owned by professional skaters Daewon Song and Torey Pudwill, and a junky $20 amazon special, complete with a poorly photoshopped 'skateboard' at the local skate parks.
The skateboarding industry is huge, so the good news is there are a ton of great boards and brands to pick from. Find a popular brand that fits your style. You should also head to your local skate shop to browse the boards, and get a feel for what you like. Plus, they'll set you up with the best skateboard wheels and trucks to get you rolling.
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