The thrill of riding a new skateboard deck is beyond explanation for many. Kids, teens, and even adults love the feel of the board under their feet. The idea that you can fly in the air and ride through the streets is very exciting.
However, it all depends on how professional you are. Also, the board you use can make a big difference in your street skating. This brings us to the important part of the discussion: how do you choose a perfect skateboard deck when coming to a local skate shop? If you are one of the professional skateboarders or someone who wants to improve their skills, you should select a skate deck that suits your needs.
To help you select only the best skateboards, here is our roundup of the top skateboard deck brands in the world.
How do I choose a skateboard deck?
The deck is the one component of the skateboard that is most important for keeping everything together. Decks for skateboards are more than just their general shape. A layer of grip tape holding the rider is on their stepping surface, and below that are the wheels that allow movement.
When choosing your skateboard deck, you first must consider the dimensions of the board. The deck width should correspond with the height or weight. It is recommended for beginners to use smaller-sized decks. As the experience grows, you might have to take the bigger deck.
Second, it’s important to look at the deck size. There are two main types of skateboards: symmetric and asymmetrical. Symmetrical decks can be used for street skateboarding and flip tricks. Asymmetrical decking is a better choice for downhill races and freestyle riding.
Finally, you must look for decking materials. Decks are constructed of maple wood, recycled wood, or plastic – for example, the Flight deck is recognized as the most durable deck currently available on the market due to its combination of 5 maple plies and 2 carbon plies.
What’s the best skate deck?
Skateboard decks can vary greatly in color and style, with some being plain blank decks while others have elaborate graphics all over them. These designs are mostly present on the bottom of the deck since the top is often covered with grip tape.
The presence or absence of an image on the bottom of the deck has no real bearing on performance. Skateboard decks’ dimensions, shape, level of concavity, and quality of the raw materials used during construction are all important factors that affect performance.
- Bamboo decks appear more frequently on longboards and cruisers. They carry an ample amount of weight, making them stable boards.
- Deck shape is important when choosing high-quality boards. Generally, skateboards have two parts: nose-shaped and tail-shaped. The back and front are the same.
- The deck concave describes how curved the stepping surface of the skateboard is. It has two classifications; deep and mellow concave.
- Deep concave skate decks work best for transition and bowl skating;
- Medium or mellow concave helps skaters obtain better footing and perform tricks.
What to look for when buying skateboard decks?
Often, a skateboard is easily generalized by the popsicle shape that dominates the majority of skate shops. This isn’t always true because the deck selection is based on the following principles and techniques:
Types of decks for your riding style:
There are countless skateboard deck trucks, shapes, and designs, all with unique purposes. However, skateboard decks can be broken up into 3 major categories: pro decks (either classic popsicle or shaped), longboards, and cruisers.
- Pro decks
A popsicle deck is what most skateboard decks on this list are. They have either shaped decks – have a “popsicle” shape with an upturned nose and tail that makes it easier to perform tricks in which the skateboard comes off of the ground, such as vert skating, or classic.
- Longboards
Most riders use longboards for transportation purposes and long roads. With its exceptionally long body of around 34″ and up, a longboard deck helps stabilize movements when going down hills and provides a sufficient stepping surface for the rider to obtain balance.
- Cruisers
This deck is a crossover between longboards and popsicles or pro decks. Most cruiser decks have broad bodies and varied noses and tails, which gives the rider an ample stepping surface to stand on during long rides. Pair it with soft wheels, and you can ride any surface smoothly.
The best skateboard deck brands:
For many years, these skateboards, which will be listed below, have been at the forefront of the market. Therefore, they are the best skateboard brand in the world.
-
Santa Cruz Skateboards
It is currently one of the most popular skateboard brands in the world.
Santa Cruz decks are among the best in the business. They’re constructed with high-quality materials, and they ride smoothly and fast. Whether you’re looking for a deck to bomb hills or just for street skating and park skating, this skateboard deck brand will suit your needs.
Like many skateboard brands, Santa Cruz uses five layers of maple wood and makes its decks in standard sizes. On the downside, these decks might be pricey.
The design of their skateboard decks is quite versatile, which makes it attractive among young riders. The durability has been provided in the build, which makes the rider fearful while performing even the riskiest of feats.
-
Powell Peralta
Powell Peralta skateboard deck is also one of the best skateboard brands in the world.
The Powell Peralta has changed the norm and introduced some changes in the build of the deck. The decks are relatively thinner and on the other hand very strong with a long-lasting pop which is enough to make it one of the best skateboard deck brands.
The company has had many high-level pros ride for its team, the most famous being The Birdman himself, Tony Hawk. This particular deck – the Skull & Sword 249 Shape – from Powell Peralta is ideal for those that like big air and high speeds! With a more pronounced concave, this deck is more responsive to turning, and it is easier for the rider to feel where their foot is on the board.
-
Girl Skateboards
Their decks are great for street skating. Especially if you’re more of a technical skater and specialize in manuals and ledges more than stairs and handrails. Their steep concave lets you do tricks with less effort and helps to do flip-in and out combos.
Many of their decks provide girly designs, which makes the brand stand out among all others, but this doesn’t mean that the quality has been compromised. The durability has been ensured in all the decks and this is the main point that has made Girl Decks a renowned name in the action sports industry.
-
Real
Since its establishment in 1991, Real Skateboards has produced skateboards of the highest caliber. Some of the best skateboarders to ever push a tree have been a part of the Real Skateboards team for 30 years.
This deck brand is the definition of toughness. Like Real Renewal Doves, a real skateboard deck has a special blend of new maple and repurposed wood. Due to this feature, skateboards are very reasonably priced and environmentally friendly.
-
Creature
Creature skateboards, one of the most popular skateboard decks, are suitable for all levels and waiting for you to take it to the city or to skate parks. It is a versatile board that you can take to the street or ramp. With the right parts already assembled, it’s ready to ride as soon as it’s out of the box.
The small 52 mm skateboard wheels are ideal for skating through streets and make it easy to do skate performances where good bounce and stability are needed.
FAQ
What is the best brand of skateboard deck?
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to skateboard brands. Even though it all depends on the personal preference of street skaters, the above-mentioned brands are best known for high-quality decks.
What decks do pro skaters use?
Most skateboard professionals have chosen 8′ 5-foot decks on their important trips. This type of board should have less controllability than others such as 8′ and even 7’75”.
Which skateboard decks are the strongest?
The strongest skateboard is Lithe Skateboard 3. The wood combines carbon fiber and oak to form two layers. The head is reinforced through a hybrid polymer which is incredibly resistant to scratches and razor-like tails.
What is the best quality of skateboard?
Due to the substantial skateboarding market, excellent maple wood boards, skate shoes (which come in all shoe sizes), and even pricey carbon-made fiber boards are readily available. To purchase the best skateboard trucks, you should also visit your neighborhood skate store. A customized board will perform virtually as well as a board used by professional skaters.
Do deck brands matter?
This has long been the subject of debate among rink enthusiasts. Some swear by a brand, but some don’t even care. At some point, it’s all about individual preference. A few skating fans prefer certain brands due to their designs and quality boards. Others just do the easiest thing they can find. There aren’t any good answers for the skateboard industry.
You have to know what your liking is. Don’t become swept by the hype, ride what you want.
What decks have the most pop?
Without a doubt, bamboo, which is a high-quality wood, makes a terrific deck material for skateboards that have the greatest pop compared to other decks. Top deck brands in the skateboarding industry with such features are:
- Element decks
- Plan B
- Girl
- Baker decks
- Toy Machine
- Complete skateboard
Conclusion
Best skateboard decks are a common feature of every above-mentioned brand, but most often you can only feel it while riding a skateboard. Only one conclusion can be drawn here – choose any brand and try. Read about goofy vs regular skateboard in the article
