Skateboard Brands Worth Knowing, From Decks to Bearings (2026)
The established skateboard brands behind the decks, trucks, wheels and bearings skaters trust, and how to tell a real skate brand from a toy.
Why Brand Matters in Skateboarding
Skateboarding has a long tradition of skater-owned companies that make decks, trucks, wheels and bearings for skaters. These brands sponsor teams, make videos and test their gear in real skating. Buying from an established skate brand means better wood, stronger trucks and wheels that roll properly. Toy-store boards often look similar but use cheaper materials that make learning harder. Here are the brands worth knowing, grouped by what they make.
Deck Brands
| Brand | Founded | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Powell-Peralta | 1978 | The Bones Brigade team and classic 1980s graphics |
| Santa Cruz | 1973 | One of the oldest skate brands; iconic Screaming Hand |
| Real | 1990 | San Francisco street skating roots |
| Plan B | 1991 | Technical street and big-ramp skating |
| Element | 1992 | Accessible completes and a big global team |
| Birdhouse | 1992 | Co-founded by Tony Hawk; popular beginner completes |
| Girl and Chocolate | 1993 and 1994 | Influential videos and creative graphics |
| Toy Machine | 1993 | Founded by Ed Templeton; distinctive art |
| Creature | 1994 | Horror-inspired graphics; transition skating |
| Zero | Mid-1990s | Founded by Jamie Thomas; hard-hitting street skating |
| Baker | 1999 | Founded by Andrew Reynolds; raw street skating |
| enjoi | 2000 | Panda logo and humor |
| Almost | 2003 | Co-founded by Rodney Mullen and Daewon Song; technical skating |
| Polar Skate Co. | 2011 | Swedish brand known for artistic videos |
Popular Completes From Deck Brands
Element Popsicle Complete
Element completes are widely available and a common first board for kids and beginners.
Check Price on AmazonBirdhouse Complete
Birdhouse completes are well-built boards for learning, with standard sizes for kids and adults.
Check Price on AmazonSanta Cruz Mini Complete
Santa Cruz offers completes in smaller sizes for younger skaters, with the brand's classic graphics.
Check Price on AmazonTruck Brands
| Brand | Founded | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | 1978 | Durable, smooth-turning trucks; a long-time standard |
| Venture | 1985 | Lower, stable trucks popular for street and grinds |
| Thunder | 1986 | Lightweight, responsive trucks for street |
| Krux and Ace | Various | Popular alternatives with distinct turning feel |
Wheel Brands
| Brand | Known For |
|---|---|
| Spitfire (founded 1987) | Formula Four urethane; street and park standard |
| Bones | STF and SPF wheels for street and parks |
| OJ Wheels | Soft cruiser wheels like Super Juice |
| Ricta | Clouds soft wheels and street wheels |
| Orangatang | Longboard and cruiser wheels |
See the best skateboard wheels and longboard wheels.
Check Price on Spitfire WheelsBearing Brands
Bones (Reds, Super Reds and Swiss) and Bronson Speed Co. are the most widely used skateboard bearing brands. Spitfire and Zealous also make popular bearings. See the best skateboard bearings.
Check Price on Bones RedsLongboard and Cruiser Brands
- Sector 9: founded in 1993; one of the best-known longboard brands.
- Landyachtz: Canadian brand known for the Dinghy cruiser and downhill boards.
- Loaded: flexible bamboo carving and cruising boards.
- Arbor: wood-focused boards, including the Dropcruiser and Pilsner.
- Atom: budget-friendly drop-through longboards.
- Penny: the Australian brand that popularized plastic mini cruisers.
- Carver: surfskates with pivoting front trucks.
See longboards, cruiser skateboards and surfskates.
Shoe and Apparel Brands
Skate shoe brands such as Vans, Nike SB, adidas Skateboarding, DC, Emerica, Lakai and New Balance Numeric design shoes with grippy soles and durable uppers. See the best skate shoes.
How to Spot a Real Skate Brand
- Decks made from 7-ply maple (or similar quality laminates).
- Metal trucks with replaceable bushings and kingpins.
- Urethane wheels with a listed size and durometer.
- Standard bearings with brand markings.
- Sold in skate shops and backed by a skate team.
Avoid boards with plastic trucks, unlabeled hard wheels or decks that bend easily. Read types of skateboards and skateboards for beginners before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best skateboard brand?
There isn't one best brand. Skater-owned deck brands such as Baker, Girl, Element, Santa Cruz and Powell-Peralta all make quality boards. For parts, Independent and Thunder trucks, Spitfire and Bones wheels and Bones and Bronson bearings are widely trusted.
What skateboard brand is best for beginners?
A complete from an established skate brand, such as Element, Santa Cruz, Birdhouse or Powell-Peralta, is a safe choice. Avoid toy-store boards with plastic trucks and hard, slow wheels.
Are cheap skateboards worth it?
Very cheap boards often have weak decks, poor trucks and slow wheels, which make learning harder. A budget complete from a real skate brand costs a little more but rides far better.
Which brands make the best skateboard trucks?
Independent, Thunder, Venture, Krux and Ace are among the most popular truck brands. Each turns and feels a little differently.
What are the best longboard brands?
Sector 9, Landyachtz, Loaded, Arbor and Atom are well-known longboard brands, covering everything from budget drop-throughs to premium carving and downhill boards.