The 4 Best Skateboard Brands [For Any Level]

July 26, 2022
by Jack Lyons
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For a skater, the quality of your skateboard is essential to your skating success!

While having a good quality skateboard doesn't automatically mean you're destined to be a world-class skater, it really does help.

Lucky for you, the high-quality skateboard brands aren't too hard to find, and they don't break the bank either! 

So, without further ado, let's explore the 4 best skateboard bands to get you the best value for your money! 

What To Look For In A Skateboard 

Before we get stuck into exploring the best skateboard brands, let's look at what we should look for in a skateboard to ensure we are choosing the right board for us.

Skateboard Size 

Before you pick your skateboard, you should have a long hard think about what, exactly, you will be using the board for.

For instance, if you're looking for a board to get you from A-B, you probably don't need a huge board that is difficult to store when you arrive at your destination.

Similarly, if you're looking to learn some tricks to impress your friends, you'll want a certain size board. 

There are three main sizes of skateboard: 

  • Penny Boards 
  • Skateboards 
  • Longboards 

Penny boards tend to be around 20 inches to 24 inches long, while skateboards range from 28 inches to 30 inches.

The longboard is the biggest of all, ranging from 32 inches to 40 inches. 

Usually, if you're using the board for transportation, you'll want a penny board or a longboard, and if you're looking to do tricks, you'll need a classic skateboard.

Kids can get a mini skateboard which is usually around 7.5 inches wide. If you are older, you will likely want a wider board.

Deck 

The deck of the skateboard is made out of wood. It is usually between 5 and 9 plies.

The more plies it has, the heavier the board is, so you may want to get something in between so your board isn't too heavy.   

Wheels 

The average wheel size is around 54-56mm. If you are looking for your board to work as a mode of transportation, you will get a smoother ride on larger wheels.

The bigger the wheels, the better it will ride on the road. Wheel sizes range from around 50-60mm. Smaller wheels are best for trick riding and skating in skate parks.

The average wheel size for those just starting out is around 54-59mm.

Those who like downhill riding or skateboarding on rough terrain usually have a wheel size of 60mm on average. 

Bearings

Bearings are the part of the board that makes the wheels turn. They look like small rings, and they are usually placed inside the wheels.

Bearings are distinguished by the Annular Bearing Engineers' Committee (abec3, 5, 7, 9). If the bearings have a higher ABEC rating, it is more precise than the lower ones. 

Material

Most skateboard decks are made from Canadian Maple, while some are made from materials like Bamboo.

Canadian Maple is particularly sturdy, which is great when you're working with something like a skateboard.

Some penny boards are made from plastic. This is much cheaper.

Build Your Own? 

Before you purchase your skateboard, you'll have to decide whether or not you are going to build your own skateboard or purchase it as a whole.

You have the option to choose the parts of the board separately.

If you opt for this, you get to choose your deck, wheels, bearings and trucks separately and put them all together to create your board. 

However, while it does sound cool, if this is your first skateboard and you're not completely sure what you're doing, it's probably best to buy one that is already complete so that you can trust that what you're purchasing is reliable.

Once you've done this, you can always upgrade parts of the skateboard as your skills progress.

Shape 

Picking the shape of your board is also very important and completely depends on what you are looking to do with it, as well as your experience level. 

You can get boards in all different shapes. For a beginner, a radial concave board is the most common.

This is where the sides of the board come up slightly higher than the middle.

When you're looking for a first board, the most important thing is making sure you feel comfortable standing on your skateboard. 

Tips On Choosing Your Board For Beginners

person riding on a skateboard outside
  • Go for a 7-ply deck for an average weight vs. strength ratio
  • A medium bearing also works well for beginners 
  • For a smooth ride, go for larger wheels, especially if you plan to use your board to get around! If it's just for tricks, though, choose smaller wheels.

What Should You Look For In A High-Quality Skateboard?

Durability 

Durability is a key feature of a skateboard. You really don't want to end up with a deck that snaps when you try a tricky skateboarding trick.

Make sure your deck is made of strong and durable material. 

Quality

The quality of the whole product is essential for the same reason as above.

Do you want to be skating home when suddenly your wheel pops off? Didn't think so!

Make sure you're purchasing a good quality board, where you can also replace the parts if need be.

Price 

You need to ensure you're getting good value for money. Don't pay over the odds for a mediocre board! 

Customer Reviews

Listen to the customer reviews. While some of them can't be trusted and should be taken with a pinch of salt, the user's experience is very important.

If your friends are skateboarding, ask them to recommend a board to you. Experience really is knowledge, in this case, so make sure to ask/read around!

Benefits Of Skateboarding

There are many benefits that skateboarding can bring to your life.

It is great for your health, can be a very social activity, and it gives you plenty of freedom. Read on for the benefits of skateboarding: 

Health Benefits And Coordination

Skating is fantastic for coordination. It gives you plenty of practice with coordinating between your eyes, hands and legs.

Skateboarding is also a great form of exercise which is fun and exciting. 

Very Cheap 

All you need to participate in this sport is to buy a skateboard in the first place. After that, you can practice the sport for free!  

What Are The Best Skateboard Brands?

There are so many different skateboard brands to choose from, and this can get very overwhelming!

It may seem completely impossible to choose between the many options.

Skateboard brands really do matter, and choosing the wrong one can really have a negative impact on your skating skills.

Read on to find out the best skateboard brands!

Best All-Rounder: Element Skateboards

Element X Star Wars Skateboard Complete 8.0' Assembled

Element skateboards were founded by a skateboarder, making them tailored to the target market's needs by being made by the target market!

Johnny Schillereff founded the company, and they have been making successful, high-quality boards for over 30 years.

The brand is an eco-friendly, American brand that has gone on to become successful worldwide. They are also known for their sportswear. 

The design of the boards are fantastic, and they are very distinctive looking - everyone will know you're skating on an element!

They offer many different designs, and they also provide the option to put together your own board, as mentioned above.

Most of the decks for Element are made of maple wood. Maple wood is comfortable under your feet and very flexible. 

Element skateboards are easily customized, and you can change the wheels whenever you like!

On some of these products, the trucks will need replacing after a while, but this is normal on these products!

Pros 

  • Eco-friendly brand!
  • Durable and flexible deck. 
  • Comfortable and stylish.

Cons

  • Often suffers from wear and tear, so some features may need replacing after a while.

Best For The Skatepark: Plan B

Plan B Stained Skate Deck-8.25 Black

Plan B boards are absolutely fantastic for showing off with your friends at the skatepark! 

Plan B boards look fantastic. They are designed to catch attention with their pop-art style prints. They are also very durable and of very good quality.

The deck is made of seven-ply maple and, because of this, is very durable. It is also very flexible, which is why it's so well suited to doing tricks or jumps.

Plan B boards come in varying sizes and colors, so you can take your pick depending on what you're looking for!

Plan B skates are available for customization, and you can choose your deck, wheels, trucks and bearings separately. 

Pros 

  • Cool designs that stand out from other brands. 
  • Strong, flexible and durable deck.
  • Can customize each part of your board 

Cons 

  • Because this board is used mainly for tricks and difficult skating, the board can sometimes crack.

About Plan B

Plan B was founded by 4 friends in 1991 in California. It is considered to be one of the leading manufacturers of skateboards today.

When, in 1994, the group lost one of its founders in a car accident, the company temporarily ceased business, reopening again in 2005.

Thank God they did because who knows where today's skaters might be without them! 

Best For Road Use: Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ 8.0' x 31.25' Skateboard Complete - Screaming Hand Full, Black

The Santa Cruz skateboard is very popular - you're bound to recognize their logo!

The Santa Cruz board is made out of North American maple wood, which is very durable and reliable.

Santa Cruz are very popular when it comes to longboards, so they are very well suited for skaters who are looking for a mode of transportation.

They do also have plenty of boards that are great for doing tricks, though!

The Santa Cruz boards are great for those who are new to skating, as well as those who are seasoned pros!

Their venom wheels are great for when you're skating on the road or in the park, as they allow for a smooth ride. The trucks are also great for road riding. 

The design of the Santa Cruz boards are fantastic, and, as aforementioned, they are a very recognizable brand.

They're sure to be recognized when you're out and about!

Pros

  • Suitable for everyone. 
  • Can change all of the features of the boards.
  • The deck is very strong, and the designs are great!

Cons 

  • Some of the parts wear over time, especially the bearing.

About Santa Cruz 

Santa Cruz is one of the world's most established and oldest skateboarding companies. They began trading in 1973 in California.

They were founded in Santa Cruz, unsurprisingly. It wasn't until 1985, however, that the screaming hand logo was created for the brand. This is very recognizable today.

Best For Beginners: Krown

Krown Rookie Complete Skateboard,Green Flame

Krown boards are very popular with beginners. This is because they are great value for money, so you don't have to spend lots of money on a hobby that you may not even enjoy!

As well as this, Krown's boards are great for using on the road as well as in skate parks, making them a great all-around option for beginners.

The boards are of high quality and make for smooth riding and reliable tricks.

Krown makes their decks from Canadian maple wood. It is lightweight but also very strong and durable.

This means that it is comfortable to use but also very reliable.

The decks are available in many different shapes and sizes, with loads of great designs available!

They have small wheels, which is much easier for a beginner to work with, as well as the shape and design of their boards are perfect for entry-level skaters.

Pros 

  • The decks are lightweight with great designs.
  • Great boards for beginners on both road riding and in skateparks. 

Cons 

  • The wheels are small. This is great for beginners, but they can wear away quite quickly, so they may need replacing after a while.

About Krown 

Krown began manufacturing skateboards in 1996. They are known for their budget boards but their high-quality products.

Customers are very satisfied with the value for money they get from the Krown boards.

The designers of these boards are experienced skateboarders themselves, which means they are designed with experience.

Safety Tips 

Skateboarding can be dangerous! There are a few things you should do to ensure that you don't sustain too many injuries when you're out on your board:

Wear Safety Gear 

Make sure you're wearing all the best equipment to keep safe. Wear a helmet that fits properly to protect yourself if you have a fall. This should be a sports helmet - or even better than this, one that is specifically designed for skateboarding.

You should also make sure you're wearing wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads to protect yourself. Wear sensible shoes.

Ride Your Board In Safe Places 

Make sure the surface you're skating on is smooth, and never skate in wet weather as it can get slippy!

When you're starting out, stay away from all the busy roads and get used to it in an empty car park or your driveway. 

Skate parks can be dangerous places with all the experienced skateboarders practicing their tricks, so ensure that you're cautious and you stick to all the rules! 

Always look before you enter and try to only skate when it's not too crowded. Never wear headphones when you're skating! You really need your wits about you.

When You Fall

Falling is an inevitable part of learning this sport, and learning to fall properly will really help to prevent injury.

You should practice falling before you start on a grassy surface, so you know how to fall.

If you are falling, crouch down simultaneously so that you won't have too far to fall.

Try to land on the parts of your body with more flesh rather than bones, and don't stiffen up when you fall. 

Skateboarding - Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few common FAQs when it comes to skateboarding.

Is Skateboarding a Sport?

Yes! Skateboarding is a very fun sport, but it can also be competitive. You can opt to skate for fun, or you can get into the competitive side of things. 

Is Skateboarding a Safe Way to Commute? 

For some, skateboarding is a great solution to their daily commute.

You don't have to pay for parking or find a space, and you can get from A-B quickly and safely if you make sure you stick to all the rules. Be careful if you're skateboarding in busy areas. 

Is Skateboarding Exercise?

Skateboarding is a great way to exercise. It is good for your body and mind and gets you out in the open air.

It can be really taxing on your body, so make sure you're careful and enjoy a hot bath if you get achy bones from all the skating.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you now have all the information you need on the best skateboard brands available for your specific needs.

I know the sheer amount of different options available can be extremely overwhelming, but after reading this article, you should now have a good idea of which boards will suit you!

You might also be interested in: The 5 Best Longboards For Beginners [Cruise in Style]

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