The 26 best skateboard deck brands
Santa Cruz, Powell Peralta and Deathwish lead our ranking of 26 skateboard deck brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Skateboard Deck brands, ranked
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1
Santa Cruz
Screaming Hand and Roskopp-era graphics anchor the range, with pro models ranging from classic old-school shapes to modern artist decks.
Top products: Roskopp Warthog· Winkowski Dope Planet
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Powell Peralta
Bones Brigade heritage art and foil-stamped finishes set these decks apart, often in the Flight shape for a classic feel.
Top products: Flight Zach Doelling· Tommy Guerrero Flaming Dagger
Website: powell-peralta.com |Brands like Powell Peralta
Popularity 7.0/10
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3
Deathwish
Gang-logo graphics and a tight pro team from the John Cardiel circle give Deathwish a hard-edged streetwear look.
Top products: Jamie Foy Paper Foy· Banshee
Website: deathwishskateboards.com |Brands like Deathwish
Popularity 4.4/10
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4
DGK
Collab boards like the soda-bottle and Simpsons designs are the main draw, aimed at riders who want playful graphics.
Top products: Rodrigo TX Teixeira· x Jarritos
Website: dgkallday.com |Brands like DGK
Popularity 4.3/10
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5
Birdhouse
Tony Hawk's brand, with bird and skull graphics and a seasonal Hallows Eve series that sells well at Halloween.
Top products: Tony Hawk Full Skull· Hallows Eve
Website: birdhouseskateboards.com |Brands like Birdhouse
Popularity 3.6/10
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6
Vision
Old Ghost and Gator graphics date to the 1980s, so these decks suit riders wanting old-school street looks.
Top products: Old Ghost Grigley III· Aggressor
Website: visions.ca |Brands like Vision
Popularity 3.5/10
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7
Blind
Reaper and Noose graphics plus cartoon and anime tie-ins give Blind a loud, collectible character.
Top products: Reaper Kenny· Noose
Popularity 3.5/10
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8
Toy Machine
Bold cartoon-style art such as Bloodshot and Void gives Toy Machine decks a bright, graphic look.
Website: toymachine.com |Brands like Toy Machine
Popularity 3.5/10
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9
World Industries
Cartoon-heavy graphics from the Steve Rocco era, like Wet Willy and Mulletboy, make this one of the most recognisable deck lines.
Top products: Wet Willy· Mulletboy
Website: worldindustries.com |Brands like World Industries
Popularity 3.5/10
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10
Alien Workshop
Surreal sci-fi and sketchy art, such as the Abduction graphics, gives Alien Workshop a strong underground feel.
Top products: Abduction
Website: alienworkshop.com |Brands like Alien Workshop
Popularity 3.4/10
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11
Plan B
Cartoon and pop-culture graphics like Duffy Girl and Beavis and Butthead give Plan B a playful range.
Top products: Duffy Girl· Chris Joslin Dev Beavis
Popularity 3.4/10
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12
CREATURE
Baekkel and Partanen pro boards lead the lineup, with illustrated graphics and wide shape options for street and park.
Top products: Feeding Time XX Pro· Wasted
Website: creatures-usa.com |Brands like CREATURE
Popularity 3.3/10
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13
Tech Deck
Spin World - Spin Master Distributors Access Point.
Website: techdeck.com |Brands like Tech Deck
Popularity 3.1/10
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14
Chocolate
Art-driven decks from artists like Evan Hecox and Daewon Song, often sold in series with full art sets.
Top products: Chocolate Bar Series III· Daewon Song Portrait
Website: ocalesit.com |Brands like Chocolate
Popularity 2.9/10
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15
Enjoi
Panda logo decks with satirical graphics, led by the Classic Panda board that anchors the brand's lineup.
Top products: Classic Panda· Whitey Panda R7
Website: enjoico.com |Brands like Enjoi
Popularity 2.6/10
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16
HOSOI
Hosoi Skateboards is a skateboard brand driven by Christian Hosoi with riders Eddie El Gato Elguera, Lincoln Ueda, Allen Losi, Lonnie Hiromoto, Steve Alba, Taylor Jett, Classic and Endless Hosoi, and Lawsen Miller. Boards like the Classic Hammerhead. Featured artist...
Website: hosoiskateboards.com |Brands like HOSOI
Popularity 2.6/10
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17
Dogtown
Z-Boys-era heritage and 1970s old-school shapes, with Shogo Kubo and Biggest Boy decks for riders after classic looks.
Top products: Shogo Kubo OG 70s Classic· Biggest Boy
Website: dogtownskateboards.com |Brands like Dogtown
Popularity 2.5/10
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18
Madrid
Old-school shaped decks with horror and film collabs, such as the Evil Dead cellar series, suit cruising riders.
Top products: Evil Dead x Madrid 45th Anniversary Cellar
Website: madridskateboards.com |Brands like Madrid
Popularity 2.4/10
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19
Darkstar
Exotic leather is worth a luxury, which is what a brand, Dark Star Leather, ensures to its customers. It believes that leather is an art itself. One can perform creativity and artistry on exotic leather. They design and create several...
Popularity 2.4/10
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20
Real Skateboards
Skateboarding as a sport is thrilling and exciting, rousing the body and mind to an unbelievable rush of adrenaline. At Real Skateboards, the needs of every skateboarder are catered to with their range of professional-grade skateboards. Crafted with expert guidance...
Website: realskateboards.com |Brands like Real Skateboards
Popularity 2.4/10
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21
Black Label
Most people prefer skating over any other outdoor activity for their pastime or playtime, and for that, they are always searching for suitable skateboards. One of the producers and manufacturers of skateboards and related stuff in the market is Black...
Popularity 2.3/10
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22
Girl Skateboards
Girl's team decks, backed by Mike Carroll and Rick Howard, lean on clean graphics and a long-running pro roster.
Website: girlskateboards.com |Brands like Girl Skateboards
Popularity 2.3/10
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23
SK8MAFIA
With the young generation exploring different hobbies and outdoor activities, Skateboarding has garnered a lot of popularity amongst them. SK8MAFIA saw a rise in popularity and started manufacturing skateboards that are not only superior in quality but also feature quirky...
Website: sk8mafia4life.com |Brands like SK8MAFIA
Popularity 2.0/10
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24
Welcome
Skateboarding is a risky sport, but using quality skateboards and protective clothing ensures the user's safety while performing stunts and tricks. Welcome Skateboards specializes in manufacturing premium skateboards and accessories to suit the active lifestyle of their customers. They offer...
Website: welcomeskateboards.com |Brands like Welcome
Popularity 1.9/10
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25
Zoo York
Graffiti-inspired graphics from New York street art give these decks a gritty city feel that matches its apparel.
Website: zooyork.com |Brands like Zoo York
Popularity 1.5/10
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26
Skate Mental
Skate Mental Skateboards featuring Pro Riders Jack Curtin, Tom K, Wieger, Dan Plunkett, Brad Staba, Shop here or Take a Hike @ skatemental.com
Website: skatemental.com |Brands like Skate Mental
Popularity 1.5/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powell Peralta | powell-peralta.com | /powellperalta | powellperalta | @powellperalta | – |
| Deathwish | deathwishskateboards.com | – | – | – | – |
| DGK | dgkallday.com | /dgk | dgk | @dgk | dgk |
| Birdhouse | birdhouseskateboards.com | /BirdhouseSkateboards | birdhouseskateboards | @birdhouse | BirdhouseSkateVideos |
| Vision | visions.ca | /VisionsElectronics | visionselectronics | @visionsdeals | – |
| Toy Machine | toymachine.com | – | – | – | – |
| World Industries | worldindustries.com | /worldindustries | worldindustries | @worldindustries | worldindustries20yrs |
| Alien Workshop | alienworkshop.com | /alienworkshop | alienworkshop | @alienworkshop | alienworkshop |
Skateboard Decks Buying Guide
For many people, skateboarding is a thrilling, addictive and an intense sport. Your skateboarding journey can begin by taking baby steps, but before you know it, you would have acquired serious skills and techniques that are second to none. As you progress, you will soon come to the realization that the skateboard deck you ride on plays a significant role in the way you skate.
To keep up with the vibe of skateboarding, you must choose a deck that fits your personal preferences, riding style and of course, budget. And as such, picking out the perfect skateboard deck can be a daunting task for both newbies and seasoned skateboarders.
The Deck Width
The deck width refers to the measurement of the deck’s top part, usually from one rail to the other. The width is often measured in inches and usually ranges from 7” to 10” or greater. Generally, the rule of thumb is that the wider a skateboard deck, the more stable and comfortable it will be for beginners, whereas, for advanced skateboarders, narrower decks offer better maneuverability.
A deck width that is around 7.5” - 8” is most commonly used by amateur skateboarders for street-riding, while decks that are 8.25” - 8.5” are preferred by professional skateboarders as they offer optimal balance and stability. You should, however, go for a deck width that you feel most comfortable riding on as it will significantly impact your performance on a skateboard.
Deck Construction and Materials
Going for a skateboard deck that has a strong and durable construction is crucial to how long it will last you. The materials commonly used for skateboard decks include maple, bamboo, carbon fiber, and other composite materials.
Maple Decks
The most prevalent material used in skateboard construction is maple because of its durability and sturdiness. Maple skateboard decks are constructed by pressing and layering different grades of maple wood veneers, which results in a robust and hard-wearing deck. Maple decks also have excellent pop, which is the ability to spring up from the ground after performing an ollie.
Bamboo Decks
Bamboo decks have become a popular alternative to traditional maple decks because of their eco-friendliness, flexibility, and lightness. A major advantage of bamboo decks is that they offer a more comfortable ride as they absorb vibrations and shock. Bamboo decks are also more environmentally friendly as they grow faster and replenish more quickly than maple trees.
Carbon Fiber Decks
Carbon fiber decks are high-tech decks constructed with a revolutionary material that has excellent strength and durability. They are lightweight, strong and designed to last long, especially during intense skateboarding sessions. Carbon fiber decks are relatively expensive, but their cost is justified by their superior performance, flex, and strength.
Trucks Compatibility
Trucks are the T-shaped metallic structure upon which wheels are mounted. The trucks must be compatible with the skateboard deck. The spacing of the bolts on the trucks must match the one on the deck so that they align perfectly. Skateboard decks have two types of hole patterning; the old school hole pattern and the new school hole pattern. The old school pattern has two elongated holes at the top and bottom, while the new school pattern has regular holes spaced equally.
Trucks also have different widths which should align perfectly with the width of the deck. For instance, an 8” truck should be used with an 8” deck. Using trucks that don't align or are too wide or too small for your deck can result in catastrophic accidents and decrease your skateboard's performance.
Deck Shape and Concave
Skateboard decks come in different shapes, inclinations and concaves. The shape of the skateboard and its inclination affect skateboarding in different ways.
Popsicle Shape
The most popular skateboard shape is the popsicle shape, which is rectangular in shape and has minimal alteration in the concave with a symmetrical design. This shape is preferred because it offers a balanced surface area for both tricks and cruising.
Old School Shape
The old school shape, which is less common but has begun to gain traction recently, was the standard shape of skateboards in the 1980s. It is similar to the popsicle shape, but the tail is larger than the nose, and the deck has a quasi-elliptical side profile.
Cruiser Shape
Cruiser decks are designed for cruising because of their flat and more extended deck shape, and a slight tail kick on one end. They have a high concave for stability and control, making them an excellent choice for beginners looking for a comfortable ride.
Concave
The concave of a skateboard deck is the curvature or slope of the deck, and it affects the way you balance and ride. A higher concave provides a better grip, and you can comfortably execute complex tricks. Lower or milder concaves allow more flexibility and are more comfortable for beginners.
Price
The price of a skateboard deck is dependent on the quality of the construction materials, the reputation of the skateboard and the brand. Generally, the price range of a decent-quality skateboard deck falls within $45 - $100; however, professional skateboarders may pay much more for a high-quality deck. Quality should always trump price as cheaper decks may easily break or have diminished performance.
Conclusion
Investing in a skateboard deck that works for you and your riding style is vital to improving your skateboarding skills. With so many options on the market, it is essential to consider the width, material, shape, concave and compatibility with other skateboard components to choose the right skateboard deck for you.
