12 Best Skateboard Brands to Maximize Your Fun

Looking for the best skateboard brands? This article lists the top 12 brands in the industry, including Element, Plan B, and Zero Skateboards. Learn about each brand's history, products, and unique approach to skateboarding.

Skateboarding is not just a sport; it’s a way of life. And if you want to get into it, you need to start with the right equipment. Choosing the best skateboard brands is essential; this article is here to help you make an informed decision. We've compiled a list of the 12 best skateboard brands, along with their characteristics and more. So, whether you're a beginner or an experienced skater, read on to find out which brands should be on your radar.

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Table Of Contents

1. Plan B Skateboards

Plan B Skateboards is a San Diego-based company founded by Mike Ternasky, Danny Way, and Colin McKay in 1991. The trio's combined talents enabled them to assemble a team of some of the best skateboarders at the time, making them one of the best skateboard brands today.

Key features:

• Free worldwide shipping on orders over $100
• Tough decks made of 7-ply maple wood.
• Deck designs range from geometric to Americana, all with a clean finish
• Slim yet focused catalog of decks, wheels, and skateboards
• Collaborations with professional skateboarders for deck designs

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2. Girl Skateboards

Established in 1993 by professional skateboarders Mike Carrol, Rick Howard, Megan Baltimore, and filmmaker Spike Jonze, Girl Skateboards aimed to improve their perception of other deck-producing companies in California.

Girl Skateboards has also played an important role in shaping modern skateboarding culture by sponsoring many skateboarding events. As a subsidiary of Crailtap, they create apparel, boards, decks, and wheels, with an average complete skateboard costing around $100, making them more affordable than other brands.

Key features:

• Creates apparel, boards, decks, and wheels
• More affordable complete skateboards
• Best brand for beginner skateboarders
• Free shipping on US orders over $75
• Important in shaping modern skateboarding culture

Related Products of Girl Skateboards,

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3. Creature Skateboards

Creature Skateboards is an artistic subsidiary of NHS, Inc., a sports company recognized by their iconic screaming hand logo. Founded by three California surfing bros in 1973, this brand offers customers the ability to create their own skateboards through customizable templates or a completely unique design. They also produce decks, wheels, stumps, hoodies, and t-shirts in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Key features:

• Customizable templates for building skateboards to individual preferences
• Skateboards for all ages, including children aged 3 and up
• Free shipping on orders over $75
• Wide variety of board shapes and sizes to choose from

Related Products of Creature Skateboards,

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4. Blind Skateboards

Blind Skateboards, founded in 1988 by Mark Gonzalez in California, boasts one of the most diverse rosters of skateboarders, including Nassim Lachlab and Sora Shirai. They also prioritize sustainability, implementing a regrowth plan where they plant three trees for every tree harvested. Blind Skateboards are recognized by their iconic dwarfish grim reaper logo, and their skateboards are designed for street and vert skating. Though slightly pricier than average, their complete skateboards, like the Blind Logo Glitch First Push Skateboard ($114), are worth the extra cost, knowing that the extra money goes towards sustainability efforts.

Key features:

• Recognized by their iconic logo
• Robust sustainability practices, including tree planting and fair labor
• Skateboards designed for street and vert skating
• Diverse roster of skateboarders

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5. Almost Skateboards

This brand offers three types of decks: the Support Decks, Impact Light Decks, and Impact Plus Decks, each with a specific purpose, from providing long-lasting boards with powerful pops to delivering lightweight decks.

Almost Skateboards' complete skateboards are more affordable than most brands on the market, usually priced between $80 to $90 even when not on sale.

Key Features:

• Affordable pricing for their complete skateboards.
• Offers three types of decks, each with a specific purpose.
• Newsletter sign-up provides a 10% discount.
• Founded by two influential skateboarders, Rodney Mullen and Daewon Song.

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6. Globe Skateboards

Discover Globe Skateboards, the Australian-based brand that stands out from other skateboard companies with its diverse roster of professional athletes in not only skateboarding, but also surfing and snowboarding.

Apart from its focus on action sports, Globe Skateboards is also committed to sustainable practices in its manufacturing, using sustainable fibers and resin glue to create high-quality skateboards that last.

Key Features:

• Single deck pressing process to eliminate inconsistent finishes
• Resin glue used to create a durable yet light board
• Offers premium apparel alongside skateboarding merchandise
• Free shipping on orders over $100, available in over 100 countries
• The only Australian company on the list of best skateboard brands.

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7. Flip Skateboards

Flip Skateboards is a top skateboard brand founded in the UK and now based in the US, with a reputation for resilience and design. Here are some key features of the brand:

• Started in 1987 by pro skateboarders Jeremy Fox, Ian Deacon, and Graham McEachran as Deathbox, then renamed and relocated to the US.
• Known for their regular and P2 model decks, with the latter being more durable and thinner than industry-standard decks.
• Their team includes well-known riders such as Tom Penny and Rune Glifberg.
• Offers a variety of products, including decks, accessories, and complete skateboards.
• Known for their clean and rebellious designs, capturing the spirit of skateboarding.

Related Products of Flip Skateboards,

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8. Santa Cruz Skateboards

It is known for its iconic screaming hand logo and its wide range of products, including decks, wheels, complete boards, and accessories. Here are some key features:

• Inclusive Fashion Line: Santa Cruz Skateboards offers clothing for all genders, including men, women, babies, and teens.
• Widest Product Catalog: They have one of the most extensive product catalogs among the best skateboard brands, with a range of options for all levels of riders.
• Affordable Prices: With complete skateboards priced around $110, Santa Cruz Skateboards provides quality products at an affordable price.
• Professional Rider Collaborations: The company has a long history of collaborating with professional riders to develop and test their products.
• Iconic Logo: The brand's famous screaming hand logo is one of the most recognizable symbols in skateboarding culture.

Related Products of Santa Cruz Skateboards,

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9. Zero Skateboards

Zero Skateboards is a top-rated skateboard brand that originated in Carlsbad, California, in 1996. Jamie Thomas, a former X Games Gold Medalist, founded it.

Their products include skateboards, apparel, hats, beanies, socks, belts, and stickers.

Their skateboards are well-regarded and they have even collaborated with the punk legends Misfits.

Key features:

• Offers a wide range of skateboard sizes
• Emphasizes edgy and horror-inspired designs
• Won three King of the Road titles from Thrasher Magazine
• Offers free shipping to the US for orders over $80.

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10. Element Skateboards

Element Skateboards, founded in 1992 by Johnny Schillereff, is a leading skateboard brand that draws inspiration from nature and urban culture. The brand features naturalistic and psychedelic deck designs and partners with big names such as Star Wars. Element Skateboards has an inclusive employee roster and a loyalty program for customers.

Key features:

• Unique and naturalistic deck designs
• Regularly available discounts on the website
• Worldwide store locations
• Inclusive employee roster
• My Element rewards program with savings and free shipping.

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11. CCS Blank Complete Skateboards

The CCS blank complete skateboard is a good choice for beginner skaters who want to learn the basics of street skating and technical tricks. It features a 7-ply maple wood deck with decent pop and mellow concave, CCS trucks, Mini Logo bearings, and CCS branded wheels.

Key Features:

• Durable deck that can withstand the abuse
• CCS trucks can handle beginner-level tricks
• Comes with a skate tool for tweaking the trucks
• Suitable for smooth surfaces like concrete and asphalt
• Budget-friendly option for those who are just starting out.

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12. Landyachtz Tugboat Skateboards

The Landyachtz Tugboat is a stable, comfortable cruiser board with wide trucks and a steep, concave deck. It offers a plow-like feel and can handle rough surfaces with ease. The board is versatile enough for laid-back riding or aggressive carving. Its extra-wide trucks feel comfortable, and the 60 mm, 78A wheels provide a smooth ride.

Key Features:

• Steep concave deck with wide pockets for comfortable foot placement
• Extra-wide Bear trucks for stability and comfort
• 60 mm, 78A wheels for grip and a smooth ride
• Versatile for both laid-back cruising and aggressive carving.

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Bottom Line

Choosing the best skateboard brand is essential for both beginner and experienced skaters. The article offers tips on how to shop for a skateboard, what safety gear to wear, how to maintain your board and more. From Girl Skateboards to Element, each brand offers something different regarding product and approach to skateboarding. By reading this article, readers can make an informed decision on which brand is right for them.

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