Best Skateboard Brands: Top 5 Picks for 2024
Introduction
When it comes to finding the best skateboard brand, there are several factors to consider. Quality, innovation, and style are just a few of the things that can make one brand stand out from the rest. Additionally, the type of skateboard you need will depend on your skill level, riding style, and personal preferences.
For example, a beginner may want a wider board with softer wheels for better stability, while a more experienced rider may prefer a narrower board with harder wheels for more control.
In this article, we will explore some of the best skateboard brands on the market today, from established names to up-and-coming brands that are pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Whether you're looking for a complete skateboard or just need to replace your deck, we've got you covered.
So, let's dive in and find your perfect ride!
In a glance
The best skateboards brands for 2024 to keep it short are the following:
- Santa Cruz
- Creature
- Real
- Baker
- Anti hero
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz stands out as one of the most comprehensive brands, offering quality skateboards, parts, and merchandise. While the prices might exceed those of budget alternatives, the performance, durability, versatility, and comfort make Santa Cruz skateboards a worthwhile investment.
Performance and Design
Santa Cruz, one of the oldest skateboard brands, boasts a reputation for quality. Here's what sets them apart:
Universal Appeal: Santa Cruz caters to skaters of all levels with a diverse range of skateboard sizes and shapes. From beginners to professionals, their decks are designed to adapt to different preferences.
Poppy and Sturdy: The boards feature an optimal pop, enhancing trick performance, and their durable maple material with Quad X technology ensures a longer lifespan.
Lightweight: Despite intricate designs with multiple layers, Santa Cruz skateboards remain light, suitable for skaters of all ages.
Components and Specifications
Understanding the catalysts behind Santa Cruz's performance:
Deck Variety: With responsive and sturdy decks in various shapes and styles, Santa Cruz offers options for street, park, or any preferred skating location.
Durable Trucks: Santa Cruz trucks, often original or in collaboration with other brands, boast durability. Skaters can customize turning flexibility with different bushing hardness levels.
Quality Wheels and Bearings: Urethane wheels calibrated for grip and smooth turns, along with lubricated bearings, contribute to a smoother, faster, and more precise ride.
Our recommendation
Buy Santa Cruz Decks Delfino Ego Pro - Black/Green 8.25 IN from our shop
Creature Skateboard
Founded by Jim Thiebaud in 1994, Creature Skateboards aimed to elevate the quality of skating gear. The brand quickly gained recognition for finely detailed boards, both structurally and aesthetically. Creature expanded its product range, offering decks suitable for cruising, street and park skating, and downhill rides, catering to skaters of various levels. Notably, Creature's unique horror-inspired graphics set it apart in the industry.
Features of Creature Skateboard
Creature Skateboards capitalizes on its graphics as a distinctive feature. Pioneering horror-style themes in skateboard design, Creature's products showcase skulls, blood, and eerie creatures, striking a balance between art and edginess. Constructed primarily with sturdy maple wood, Creature skateboards are known for their durability, excellent pop, and slight flex, making them ideal for diverse skateboarding setups.
A notable aspect of Creature's manufacturing process is the handcrafting of boards, resulting in symmetrical and precise deck cuts that enhance overall ride performance.
Performance Evaluation
Creature Skateboards excel in performance, offering:
- Safety: Quality grip tape ensures security and stability for various skating styles.
- Shape: Creature skateboards feature excellent concavity, enhancing trick performance like powerslides.
- Pop: Utilizing high-quality raw materials, Creature skateboards deliver impressive pop for executing tricks.
Buying Guide for Creature Skateboard
Considerations when buying Creature Skateboards:
- Deck Quality: Creature invests in seven-ply maple skateboards, ensuring durability. Various sizes cater to different preferences.
- Board Shape and Aesthetics: Creature utilizes Everslick technology for long-lasting graphics. The brand provides a board shape guide for different age groups.
- Finishing: Precise and aligned deck cuts contribute to a better riding experience.
Our recommendation
Buy Creature Everslick Deck 8.43 from our shop
Real Skateboards
Performance
Real Skateboards has gained a reputation for providing a versatile experience suitable for skaters of all ages and skill levels. The brand offers a diverse range of designs, catering to both beginners and advanced skaters. Smaller decks at around 7 inches are perfect for young kids, while larger designs at 8 inches and above provide enhanced control for adults.
What sets Real apart is its heavy-duty construction, ensuring longevity even under intense usage. It takes hundreds of hours for chips to appear on a Real deck, highlighting the brand's commitment to durability.
Moreover, Real Skateboards are known for their excellent pop, contributing to the execution of impressive tricks. This blend of sturdiness and responsiveness makes Real a preferred choice for many skaters.
Components and Specifications
Decks
The durability and responsiveness of a skateboard often hinge on the deck. Real Skateboards employs a unique R1 construction for its decks, incorporating a ribbed polymer into each of the seven maple layers. This results in a consistent ride quality and a significantly extended skateboard life.
Trucks
Real's skateboard trucks, included in the complete skateboard package, feature a heavy-duty aluminum body capable of withstanding rigorous usage, mirroring the reliability of their decks.
Wheels and Bearings
Real Skateboards manufactures its own wheels in various sizes and hardness levels, contributing to overall functionality and ride quality. The bearings, with an ABEC 5 rating, strike a balance between precision and speed without overburdening the skater.
Our recommendation
Buy Real Deck Spectrum Distortion 8.5 IN from our shop
Baker Skateboards
Durability and Longevity
Synonymous with durability, Baker Skateboards, crafted from resilient Canadian Maple Wood, resist warping, splitting, or cracking, ensuring longevity under high-impact tricks. Ideal for riders seeking a deck that withstands the test of time.
Versatile Design
Baker Skateboards offer flexibility with various sizes, shapes, concaves, and tail options, catering to diverse skating styles. Whether conquering the streets or perfecting tricks in the park, Baker's range suits every rider's preference.
Impressive Performance
Crafted through rigorous processes, Baker Skateboards deliver high-performance levels. Featuring a good pop for tricks like ollies and flips, these boards provide impressive traction for a stable ride, suitable for skaters of any skill level.
Distinctive Style Statements
Renowned for unique designs and graphics, Baker allows riders to showcase their style. Collaborating with top designers ensures a diverse range, making Baker a go-to for those who want their skateboard to be an extension of personal expression.
Trusted Industry Brand
With over a decade in the business, Baker Skateboards is a trusted name. Sponsoring top skaters worldwide, Baker solidifies its reputation for quality, style, and performance. Choosing Baker means aligning with a brand that stands the test of time.
Our recommendation
Baker Brand Logo Deck-8.0 Black/White Skateboard
Anti-Hero
Embarking on a skateboarding journey entails a commitment to the skating experience, and three months ago, our team skater took the plunge with an Anti-Hero skateboard deck. The ensuing experience has been nothing short of impressive. Here's a detailed breakdown of their encounter.
Looks: Aesthetic Brilliance
Opting for the "Nothing's Free" deck, the skater was immediately captivated by the detailed eagle design. Priced at $45, the graphic exuded inspiration, making a solid 10/10 impression upon the initial impact. However, as expected, normal wear took its toll over time.
Pop: Springy and Responsive
Initial skepticism about skateboard pop faded away as the Anti-Hero deck turned our skater into a firm believer. The wood's exceptional response outshone their previous DGK and Habitat decks. Even after three months, the pop remains impressive, earning a commendable 8/10.
Durability: Defying the Norm
This is where the Anti-Hero deck truly shines. While our skater's previous decks typically lasted a month, this one tripled that lifespan. It never broke, snapped, or cracked. The only reason for a replacement was the worn-down tail—a testament to its excellent durability. A perfect 10/10 in this department.
Shape: Tail and Concave Harmony
The tail's bluntness and the slightly pointy nose, coupled with the preferred steep concave, created a shape that resonated perfectly with our skater's style. The concave was ideal, offering the control and feel they crave. Another solid 10/10 for the shape.
Overall Verdict: A Skater's Delight
Anti-Hero skateboard decks deliver exceptional durability, impressive pop, and captivating looks—all within the standard price range. The pop retains its vigor, and the tailored shape enhances the overall skating experience. Whether you're a seasoned skater or just starting, Anti-Hero proves to be a reliable companion.
Our recommendation
Buy Anti Hero Complete Grimple Full Face - Blue 8.25 IN from our shop
Conclusion
Ultimately, the "best" skateboard brand is subjective and depends on individual preferences, riding styles, and the skating experience one seeks. Whether you're drawn to the classic appeal of Santa Cruz, the artistic uniqueness of Creature, the versatility of Real, the craftsmanship of Baker, or the impressive performance of Anti-Hero, the vibrant world of skateboarding welcomes enthusiasts to find their perfect ride and enjoy the thrill of the sport. Happy skating!