Best Skateboard Brands
It’s hard to say who are the best skateboard brands out there, as it’s always a personal decision based on how you feel about the company itself and their products, however, we thought we’d put together a list of our favourites. So, in no particular order, here are the top skateboard brands at Slick’s Skate Store. Remember, the best skateboard brands are not always the most popular skateboard brands, it's up to you and what board works best for your skateboarding.
Birdhouse
One of the most well know skate brands in the world, Birdhouse was founded by Tony Hawk and pro-freestyle skateboarder Per Welinder in 1992. Birdhouse has a range of sizes constructed with high-quality 7-ply maple wood, ideal for even the most gnarliest terrain. They make boards for all types of skateboard, so if you’re into vert or street, there’s a Birdhouse board for you. Current team riders include Aaron “Jaws” Homoki, Ben Raybourn, Clint Walker, David Loy and Lizzie Armanto.
We have Birdhouse completes available and you can check them out here.
Antihero
Founded in 1994 by Julien Stranger, one of the pioneers of street skateboarding as we know it today, Antihero produces consistently quality boards with bold, diverse and humorous graphics. They are a punk rock, fun, no BS brand with a rich history of sick boards and great riders such as John Cardiel, Frank Gerwer and Tony Trujilloand. Antihero is part of Deluxe Distribution who also distribute, amongst others, Spitfire, Real Skateboards and Thunder Trucks.
We have Antihero completes and decks available and you can check them out here.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the oldest continuous skateboard company in the world. Founded by Richard Novak, Doug Haut and Jay Shuirman in 1973, Santa Cruz has remained one of the top skateboard brands for decades and shows no signs of giving up. One of Santa Cruz’s board features is their Everslick boards that seal the graphics under a player of plastic for smoother sliding and better performance. There is always a great selection of graphics ranging from the famous Santa Cruz Dot logo, Scremaing hand (and other Jim Phillips designs) as well as many other fun and interesting graphics.
We have Santa Cruz completes, cruisers and decks available. You can check them out here.
Baker
Born from the California street skating scene, and founded by the legend that is Andrew Reynolds, Baker Skateboards arrived in 2000 with a laid back, no hold’s bared attitude, gnarly board graphics, and off the board antics, that firmly established Baker as one of the raddest brands out there. Baker boards are constructed from 100% Canadian Maple and they have a stellar pro team joining Andrew Reynolds including Riley Hawk, Sammy Baca, Dustin Dollin and Theotis Beasley.
Check them out here.
Girl
With Mike Carroll, Rick Howard, Megan Baltimore and Spike Jonze behind Girl Skateboards you won’t be surprised to hear their boards are high-quality seven-ply maple wood decks. Again, Girl Skateboards join the list of long standing, influential and well respected board brands that have a rich history in skateboarding and an equally impressive list of past and present pro skates. Current team riders include Sean Malto, Andrew Brophy, Rick Mc-Crank, Mike Mo Capaldi and Cory Kennedy. You really can’t go wrong with Girl skateboards and there are always interesting and creative board graphics, collars and of course, the famous “toilet sign” logo.
Check our Girl Skateboards range out here.
Primitive
In 2008, Paul Rodriguez, Heath Brinkley, Andy Netkin, Jay Partow, and Jubal Jones founded "Primitive", a skateboard and clothing store in Encino, CA. P-Rod, to many peoples surprise, left Plan B Skateboards to forge his own path and, in 2014, Primitive started releasing their own boards and became a huge success and has grown into a global brand, often collaborating with brands outside skateboarding such as pop-culture icons like Marvel Comics, Dragon Ball Z, Rick & Morty and Sailor Moon. Top quality boards and amazing graphics all back up by an impressive list of pros including Tiago Lemon, Miles Silvas, Carlos Ribeiro, and Wade Desarmo.
Check them out here.
Toy Machine
Distributed by Tum Yeto, Toy Machine is owned and run by one of the nicest, most talented guys in skateboarding, Ed Templeton. Founded in 1993, Toy Machine has always put out artist led, fun graphics, many by Ed Templeton himself. A great brand with exceptional ethics, you can’t go wrong with a Toy Machine boars. The seven-ply maple wood construction is solid and durable and retains a good amount of pop, a great choice if you’re looking for new wood.
Check them out here.
