When trying to figure out which is the best skateboard deck brand to go with, I’ve felt extremely overwhelmed in the past; and I’m sure you are too. There are literally dozens of options and they all vary depending on which skate shop you go to.
Luckily there are just a handful of brands you can focus your attention on, that I’m going to help break down for you here.
In terms of choosing a skateboard deck brand to skate, you want to consider the shape, size, and most importantly, graphics that fit your style. Any brand on this list is a good option to go with, so it really depends on which brand you align yourself with the most.
For me, I would always choose the brands that my favorite skaters were riding. For the longest time I would only skate Zero decks because of Chris Cole, then ended up going with Real decks because of Dennis Busenitz. These days I like to opt for the skateboard with the coolest graphics, or even rep whatever decks are available from my local skate shops.
With that said, if you are looking for a cheaper skateboard deck brand, going with a shop deck is your best bet. Since every shop has its own skateboard decks, I won’t be able to list them here. Instead, go into a local skate shop and ask to see their shop boards. They are usually $20 – $30 cheaper than a name-brand deck and are usually pretty awesome. Just remember this does not include large skate franchises (such as Zumiez) since they won’t have shop decks.
The only downside to shop decks is they usually have fewer graphic options, and the sizing or board shapes can be limited. That’s why if you want to have the sickest new deck at your local skatepark, you’ll want to go with any of these skateboard deck brands listed below.
Before you go choosing a skateboard deck, you’ll want to make sure you get one that fits you. Although it does come down to personal preference, the chart below will help give you a guideline of which size deck is right for you!
| US Shoe Size | Recommended Deck Width In Inches |
|---|---|
| US 4 – 5 | 7.5″ – 7.875″ |
| US 5.5 – 7 | 7.75″ – 8.0″ |
| US 7.5 – 9 | 8.0″ – 8.125″ |
| US 9.5 – 11 | 8.125″ – 8.5″ |
| US 11.5 – 14+ | 8.5″ or Wider |
The Best Skateboard Deck Brands
This list is sorted in alphabetical order.
1. Alien Workshop
Alien Workshop, also known as AWS for short, is an American skate company founded by Chris Carter, Mike Hill, and Neil Blender in 1990. The brand picked up a lot of steam with the help of their original team rider, Rob Dyrdek, who was (and continues to be) one of the most well-known skaters in the industry.
Alien Workshop decks are a favorite by many, mostly because of the great pop the decks have. Since the decks tend to have a steeper nose and tail, popping lofty tricks is pretty breezy.
Besides the great pop these decks have, they are made with 7-ply Canadian hard-wood maple making them reasonably durable as far as skate decks go. Just keep in mind that your deck will take a beating regardless of what brand you go with!
These decks typically range in price from $50 – $65 for the deck alone or $100 for a complete. Most of the graphics have a fun sci-fi vibe with vibrant colors, but minimalist designs.
2. Almost
Almost was founded in 2003 by Rodney Mullen and Daewon Song, two of the most legendary skaters of our time. These decks are built as unique as its founder’s skating styles, with 8-ply decks, some with carbon fiber reinforcements.
An added bonus to Almost decks is that they have a lot of size ranges, favoring the smaller end of things. If you prefer skating a thinner deck, Almost may have some more options to fit your style. Although I know many skaters who love Almost decks for how well they flip, some have complained about the wheelbase feeling “too short”.
But I’d say that’s a pretty subjective thing to judge and wouldn’t let that sway your decision.
These decks by themselves cost around $55 – $60 on average, with Almost completes sitting at $90. Especially for beginners, Almost completes are a very reasonably priced board that feel awesome to skate!
Team: Rodney Mullen, Daewon Song, Chris Haslam, Cooper Wilt, Youness Amrani, Willow, Mitchie Brusco, and Lewis Marnell
3. Anti-Hero
Anti-Hero was founded by professional skateboarder Julien Stranger in 1995 following his perception of skateboarding turning stale from becoming more corporate during this time. Anti-Hero was a reflection of the anti-societal norms many skateboarders wanted to represent and has grown to be a stand-out brand today.
The most notable thing about Anti-Hero decks is their exceptionally wide width options, going up to 9.56. With these extra-wide decks, this brand is perfect for heavier skaters or anyone with exceptionally big feet. These larger sizes aren’t so good for tech flip tricks, but are awesome for riding transition.
Anti-Hero decks are made in a pretty typical shape with 7-ply decks. The graphics are very stand-out to the brand but aren’t all that interesting compared to other graphics on the market. Hovering around the $60 range for decks, this brand is an affordable option perfect for anyone who’s big and tall.
Team: Austin Kanfoush, Chris Pfanner, Daan Van Der Linden, Frank Gerwer, Joh Cardiel, Grant Taylor, Robbie Russo, Tony Trujillo and more.
4. April
April Skateboards is a relatively new brand, starting in 2019 by pro skateboarder Shane O’Neill. The brand has a standard range of deck sizes, and the graphics are pretty simplistic. Considering the clean and put-together vibe of Shane O’Neill, it starts to make a lot of sense where this graphic aesthetic comes from.
The biggest thing to note about these skateboards is that the concave is pretty flat compared to other brands. If you prefer a more mellow deck with concave that doesn’t stand out, April would be a good brand to go with. However, if you like more concave with a steeper nose and tail, this is a brand I would avoid.
April Decks are generally more expensive than other brands simply because most of their decks are pro-models, which bumps up the price. On average, April decks are around $65 and they don’t sell any completes at the time of writing this.
Team: Shane O’Neill, Yuto Horigome, Guy Mariano, Ish Cepeda
5. Baker
Baker Skateboards was founded in 1999 by pro skater, Andrew Reynolds, who is one of the most legendary street skaters of the early 2000s. Baker decks have a very standard popsicle shape and are made with a 7-ply construction.
This brand feels light and poppy to skate while having a slightly more narrow feeling tail than other brands. This isn’t necessarily a downside, but it’s certainly something to be aware of. The concave doesn’t feel too flat either making these decks a viable option for skating street or transition!
These decks are reasonably priced, hovering around $63 on average for a deck, or around $100 for a complete.
Team: Ryan Reynolds, Riley Hawk, Don Nguyen, Dustin Dollin, Terry Kennedy, Bryan Herman, Sammy Baca, Theotis Beasley, and Justin Figueroa.
6. Birdhouse
Birdhouse was founded in 1992 by Tony Hawk and Per Welinder after Per wanted to keep his involvement in skating despite its decline in popularity at the end of the ’80s. Today the brand is synonymous with its 50% owner, Tony Hawk, who is still a household name.
Birdhouse decks are all 8.0 and bigger, which is no surprise considering the team largely skates vert. As of writing, Tony Hawk, Aaron Homoki, Ben Raybourn, Clint Walker, David Loy, Lizzie Armanto, Clive Dixon, Shawn Hale, and Elliot Sloan all ride for Birdhouse.
Birdhouse decks typically cost around $65, or $90 for a complete. Just keep in mind that the quality of the completes typically don’t match that of their decks. If you have the money to spend, I would opt for building a skateboard around a Birdhouse deck rather than getting a complete.
7. Blind
Blind was founded in 1988 by Mark Gonzales and is now under Dwindle Distribution. That means it uses the same materials as Almost, Enjoi, Creature, and more. So if you have skated any of these brands, it’s safe to say you’ll probably like skating Blind decks too.
In the last 10 years, Blind has really stepped up their game. They used to be known as a cheap skate company with low-quality decks, but have since turned things around and upped their quality significantly.
The decks are currently made with Resin-7 construction meaning each board will have an identical shape to the last. So whether this is your first or tenth blind deck, it will still have the exact same feeling you’re used to. This method of construction also helps to make the decks lighter and longer-lasting compared to standard 7-ply deck construction.
Blind is one of the more affordable skateboard deck companies, with decks ranging from $56 – $70 and completes for $90. A Blind complete was one of the first skateboards I ever skated, and there are a ton of awesome graphic designs to choose from.
Team: TJ Rogers, Sewa Kroetkov, Cody McEntire, Kevin Romar, Micky Papa, Morgan Smith, Yuto Horigome, Trey Wood, and Jason Thurtle.
8. Chocolate
Chocolate was founded. in1994 as a sister company to Girl Skateboards. This company is known for very reasonably priced decks that are great for all types of skating.
Chocolate is a decent deck to skate, but the wood feels somewhat “soft” compared to other decks with a seemingly harder wood. With that said, the price difference can make this point easy to overlook.
Chocolate skateboards cost around $55 for a deck, or $92 (on average) for a complete.
Team: Kenny Anderson, Justin Eldridge, Jesus Fernandez, Stevie Perez, Chris Roberts, Raven Tershy, James Capps, Carl Aikens, and Erik Herrera.
9. Creature
Creature was originally founded in 1994 by Russ Pope, who eventually decided to leave the company, completely stopping operation. However, in 2005 Darren Navarrette and Lee Charon revived the company bringing it to what you see today.
Although their standard deck models are traditional 7-ply construction, they have higher-end models with VX construction. VX is a hybrid maple and quad X design that makes the deck thinner and lighter while offering longer-lasting pop and added strength.
Creature decks are only made in large sizes, typically 8.0 and wider, making them ideal for skating bowl or if you have larger feet. They also have a lot more variety in deck shapes compared to other brands which is nice!
Team: Chris Russell, Cody Lockwood, Collin Provost, David Gravette, Jimmy Wilkins, John Gardner, Kevin Baekkel, Milton Martinez.
10. Deathwish
Deathwish was founded in 2008 as a sister company to Baker to begin work with a different distribution company that Baker was stuck with at the time.
Deathwish doesn’t have any exceptionally unique features to it compared to other brands, but it is just as good as any. There is great pop and they are relatively durable considering they are built with a standard 7-ply construction.
The biggest plus to Deathwish is their variety of cool graphics and unique style that’s synonymous with the vibe of their team.
Team: Erik Ellington, Jim Greco, Lizard King, Jon Dickson, Neen Williams, Taylor Kirby, Jamie Foy, Pedro Delfino
11. DGK
DGK, short for Dirty Ghetto Kids, was founded by Stevie Williams and has some of the best graphics of any skateboard deck brand. These decks are pretty standard in terms of shape and construction, using traditional 7-ply to craft the decks.
DGK makes boards in all the most common sizes, ranging from 7.75 to 8.25, along with a few outliers. So for just any about size of skater, DGK has tons of sizing options to choose from.
Now in terms of pricing, the average DGK decks cost around $60, with their completes averaging around $95. They make some great decks that are reasonably priced and equally durable to any other brand.
Team: Stevie Williams, Dane Vaughn, Josh Kalis, John Shanahan, Marcus McBride, Chaz Oritz, Boo Johnson
12. Element
Element is an American skateboard company founded in 1992 by Johnny Schillereff, originally under the name of “Underground Element”. Eventually, the brand dropped the first part of the name and switched the brand to “Element” that we know today.
The logo was conceived by Johnny Schillereff to represent the life cycle of natural wood and being “one” with the board. In other iterations of the logo, it is seen with the four elements of Wind, Water, Fire, and Earth. This brand has a ton of awesome graphic styles, along with some of the most popular completes I’ve seen skated around where I live.
On average, Element decks are pretty affordable compared to other brands, sitting around $53 for the average deck. As for Element completes, those are slightly more expensive than others, going for $110. In terms of shape and build, Element boards don’t have anything exceptionally unique, with a standard popsicle shape with a 7-ply construction.
Team: Ethan Clements, Bam Margera, Lucas Xaparral, Bastian Bello, Tarell Lee Jr T.J., Raymond Meza III, Tom Schaar, Madars Apse, Brian Gaberman, Nick Garcia, Mike Kershnar, Ethan Loy, Mark Appleyard, Brandon Westgate.
13. Enjoi
Enjoi is well known for its often humourous designs and its unique panda logo. Founded in 2000 by pro skater, Marc Johnson, who began the company and skate team by recruiting friends to join. Today it’s another popular skate deck brand that’s easy to spot with its unique designs.
In terms of shape, these boards have an average concave and tail. They are available in a wide range of sizes but don’t offer many sizes beyond 8.5. Some of the Enjoi decks are made with Resin-7 construction, helping to keep the shape consistent between all their decks. Resin-7 also helps to make their decks lighter and longer-lasting than standard decks.
I have always liked Enjoi for its graphics and its price point. Their standard logo decks can be grabbed for $45 in some cases, with their pro models closer to $60. As for their completes, they are super affordable starting at $85 and going up depending on the build.
Team: Ben Raemers, Caswell Berry, Deedz, Jackson Pilz, Louie Barletta, Nestor Judkins, Samarria Brevard, Thaynan Costa.
14. Flip
Flip is a UK Brand that moved to the US in 1994 where they sold all types of skate-related hard goods. These boards have a lot of awesome graphics to choose from, but most of their sizes are 8.0 or larger.
One nice thing about Flip decks is that they have a few different board shapes. Some boards have more of a cruiser shape, while others have the standard popsicle shape with a wide nose and tail.
Since I am quite a stickler when it comes to deck brands and their cost, Flip sells a lot of well-priced decks, many of which are under $50. As for their completes, the options are pretty limited and aren’t as high-quality as other completes out there.
Team: Lucas Rabelo, Luan Oliveira, David Gonzalez, Alec Majerus, Matt Berger, Tom Penny, Denny Pham.
15. Girl
Girl is the parent company to Chocolate skateboards, founded in 1993 after Mike Carroll and Rick Howard left World Industries to start up their own company. These decks have pretty basic graphics, most with the Girl logo in a variety of textures and colors.
In terms of construction, they have a relatively flat concave from my experience but are built with the same 7-ply build as other decks. They have adequate pop and feel comfortable to ride for any level of skater. With that said, their completes are definitely worth considering as they offer a lot of value at a good price point.
A good thing about Girl decks is that they have some pretty small sizes such as 7.6, which is ideal for kids or anyone wanting a board that’s easy to flip. Just avoid something that small if you have big feet!
In terms of price, the average Girl deck costs around $55, while their completes going for around $90.
Team: Cory Kennedy, Mike Mo Capaldi, Mike Carroll, Rick Howard, Sean Malto, Guy Mariano, Rick McCrank, and Jeron Wilson.
16. Habitat
Habitat was founded in 1999 by pro skaters Chris Carter, Mike Hill, and Neil Blender. The company is a sister brand to Alien Workshop, but Habitat is best known for its Skylite Construction, which creates a lighter and stronger 7-ply deck.
To add to the Skylite Construction, all the decks have a laminated finish to help reduce friction when popping tricks. However, the difference this makes is negligible in my experience.
Many of their decks are basic logo graphics, but other options utilize a lot of muted tones and contemporary designs. Sitting in the middle in terms of price among other decks, Habitat is another good brand to go with. On average their decks are around $55 with their completes going for around $90 or less.
Team: Austyn Gillette, Marius Syvanen, Brian Delatorre, Silas Baxter-Neal, Stefan Janoski.
17. Krooked
Krooked was founded by Mark Gonzales in 2002 where he was largely responsible for the brand’s marketing, graphics, and material usage. Since Krooked is a part of Deluxe Distribution, they are closely related to other skate brands like Spitfire, Real, and Anti-Hero.
Krooked has a lot of colorful and simplistic graphics that use a lot of patterns. However, their most affordable decks tend to have the standard Krooked logo, or the half-squinted eyes synonymous with the brand.
Krooked decks are pretty average in terms of build but have great pop and a board shape similar to Anti-Hero. The brand also has quite a few options for cruiser decks, rather than the standard popsicle shape skate deck.
On average, Krooked decks cost around $60, with their completes going for closer to $100.
Team: Bobby Worrest, Brad Cromer, Brian Anderson, John Lucero, Mark Gonzales, Mike Anderson, Ronnie Sandoval, Sebo Walker.
18. Powell Peralta
Powell Peralta is one of the older skate companies on the list, founded in 1978 by George Powell and Stacy Peralta. Considered as more of an underground brand, this company makes extremely unique deck shapes and tend to sponsor skaters with very unique styles.
Powell Peralta decks are unlike any other deck you’ll find, with sizes going up to 10.25. For cruising around, this is probably one of the best deck brands to go with but is less ideal for street skating.
With that said, their smaller board sizes have a 247 Shape meaning there is a mellower tail and nose shape. This helps create more snappy pop and level out flip tricks easier than a standard-shaped nose and tail.
The price point for these decks varies widely, depending on the size and shape of the deck. In most cases, you can get a Powell Peralta deck for $50 – $90.
Team: Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, Kevin Harris, Salman Agah, Nicky Guerrero, Frankie Hill, Bucky Lasek, Andy Anderson, and more.
19. Real
Real was founded by Tommy Guerrero and Jim Thiebaud who both skated for Powell Peralta before starting Real. This brand is one of my favorite decks to skate with its colorful graphics, and light board feel.
Although some of Real’s decks are standard 7-ply construction, others are built with R1 which ensures the decks are pressed with equal force across the entire board. This creates more uniform concave as well as helps the strength and durability of the decks. Throughout this process, Real also uses non-chromium glue with 2 X-band to further strengthen the deck without sacrificing flex.
Real sells decks in just about any size and vary in price depending on the model. On average, the decks range in price from $60 – $65 while their completes are closer to $100.
Team: Dennis Busenitz, Ishod Wair, Chima Ferguson, Kyle Walker, Mason Silva, Jack Olson, Tanner Van Vark, Harry Lintell, Zion Wright, Jake Donnelly, Davis Torgeson, Justin Brock, Robbie Brockel, Max Shaaf.
20. Santa Cruz
The first-ever Santa Cruz decks were made in 1973 which puts this brand as the longest-running company on the list! Starting as a surf company, Santa Cruz began looking for other means of income and began first producing skateboards with leftover surfboard materials.
Initially focused on surf-inspired decks, many of Santa Cruz’s boards had a cruiser shape meant for carving or riding bowls. However, they now create mostly standard street decks.
I’ve skated several Santa Cruz decks and loved the mild concave with snappy pop. Some of the graphics also have metallic or matte finishes that make them appear a bit nicer than standard deck graphics.
This brand is one of the more affordable options in terms of skate decks, averaging under $60 for most of their boards while their completes sit around $100.
Team: Blake Johnson, Devin Flynn, Emmanuel Guzman, Eric Dressen, Erick Winkowski, Fabiana Delfino, Henry Gartland, Jake Wooten, Jereme Knibbs, Justin Sommer, Kevin Braun, Mario Mccoy, Steve Alba, Tom Asta, Tom Remillard, Tom Knox, Yndiara Asp, Zion Effs.
21. Toy Machine
Toy Machine was started by Ed Templeton in 1993 under the Tum Yeto distribution company, which also distributes Habitat skateboards.
These decks have pretty mellow concave with minimalist graphics, typically with the toy machine character as the focus of the designs. If you prefer a less aggressive concave, these boards are a great option to go with.
Since they are made with general 7-ply construction, these boards are one of the more affordable brands that work well for any type of skating. For a Toy Machine deck, you’re looking at the $56 price range, with completes going for $110.
Team: Ed Templeton, Billy Marks, Josh Harmony, Leo Romero, Matt Bennett, Collin Provost, Daniel Lutheran, Blake Carpenter, Jeremy Leabres, Axel Cruysberghs, CJ Collins, Myles Willard, Braden Hoban, Georgia Martin, Daiki Ikeda, Susie Heath, Jay Richards, Dashawn Jordan.
22. Zero
Zero was founded in 1996, originally starting as a clothing brand and then expanding into skateboarding. Started by Jamie Thomas and distributed by Black Box, Zero has long been a recognized brand in the skate industry.
From my experience with Zero decks, they have great concave and a ton of pop. The only downside is that the decks do feel a bit heavier than others of an equal size. This wasn’t something that made me dislike the brand, but it’s worth mentioning.
Most Zero decks come in sizes above 8.0, all with grunge-themed graphics and the iconic Zero skull logo. In terms of construction, these decks are made with standard 7-ply construction, making them comparable to any other skate brand.
Zero decks are all reasonably cheap, including the pro models, with decks averaging around $55. At the time of writing, Zero does not sell completes.
Team: Jamie Thomas, Tommy Sandoval, Dane Burman, James Brockman, Tony Cervantes, Windsor James, Adrian Lopez, Chris Wimer, Adam Arunski, Gabriel Summers, Jonno Gaitan, Regie Kelly.
Choosing the best skateboard deck brand can feel pretty overwhelming, but just rest easy knowing you can’t go wrong with just about any option. At the end of the day, all skateboard decks are quite similar, and they won’t make or break your skating. To help make the choice easier, choose a brand you align best with, and a deck you love the graphics of! This is what has always helped me choose new skateboard decks, and it hasn’t failed me yet!
Happy Shredding!
– Brendan 🙂
