Everything from your board setup to your apparel affects your skateboarding experience. It’s important to be comfortable, practical, and of course, stylish when skateboarding. Understandably, many novice skaters struggle with what to wear skateboarding.
Baggy pants and a breathable shirt with a flatbill or bucket hat are the best clothing items to wear skateboarding. Avoid wearing shorts unless they are baggy because shorts don’t adequately protect your legs. Make sure to wear skate shoes to get the best grip on your board, and never wear tight pants or you’ll restrict yourself.
Protective gear is essential, and you should wear a helmet at the skatepark, pads are recommended too.
Do Skateboarders Have a Style?
Skaters are known for a specific style that includes loose, comfortable clothing. There have been many fashion fads in the skateboarding world, but loose clothing and hats have persisted. This style is based equally on practicality and fashion.
Your legs and upper body aren’t restricted if you skate in loose clothing. Flatbills, baseball caps, and bucket hats can protect your face and scalp from the sun. This all adds up to a bold yet practical style that people immediately associate with skateboarding.
Do You Need Skate Shoes to Skateboard?
You should wear skate shoes when you skateboard as much as possible. This is especially true if you plan to do tricks such as ollies, kickflips, heelflips, and grinds. Skate shoes are designed to withstand the grit of the grip tape that is on top of your deck. They are flat on the bottom so that you don’t damage the grip tape.
Read why running shoes are not a great choice for skating here.
Choosing the best skate shoes ultimately comes down to comfort. Bulky, mid-to-high-top skate shoes give you extra weight, but they make flip tricks much harder. Classic Vans-style skate shoes are perfect for cruising, bowl skating, and flip tricks alike. Otherwise, the rest of your decision comes down to your favorite brand, color palette, and design.
Does Comfort Matter When it Comes to Skateboard Clothing?
Comfort is quite important when it comes to skateboard clothing. Skateboarding can be physically taxing in many cases, so it’s important to be as comfortable as possible. The last thing that you want is to wear tight, uncomfortable clothes that will restrict your movement.
What Should You Wear Skateboarding?
Tops
There is no limit to popular skateboarding tops between hoodies, t-shirts, long sleeves, and crew neck sweatshirts. Tops with graphics for brands such as Independent Truck Co., Thrasher, and Obey are particularly popular. Baggy tops are currently in style, but it ultimately comes down to comfort.
Shorts
Cargo shorts and lightweight gym shorts are perfect for skateboarding. Volcom, Dickies, and Patagonia shorts are popular among amateur and professional skateboarders. Many skaters, including myself, prefer baggy shorts over tight shorts.
Pants
Chino pants, cargo pants, and sweatpants are popular in skateboarding. Jeans are popular as well, but it’s not ideal to skate in a pair that is too tight. Khaki pants from brands like Dickies are also popular staples in the world of skateboarding.
Hats
Bucket haps and baseball caps or flatbills are the most popular hats for skateboarding. Brands such as The Hundreds and Obey make some of the most popular skateboarding hats. Beanies are also quite popular in skateboarding, especially during the fall and winter.
What to Wear Skateboarding in the Summer?
However, many skaters wear airy, breathable pants during the summer to protect their legs from road rash from wiping out. Any top that is breathable, such as a tank or t-shirt is perfect for the summer. Avoid layers and long sleeves when skateboarding in the summer because it’s difficult to stay out of the sun.
What to Wear Skateboarding During the Cold?
You should wear a comfortable hoodie or windbreaker when skateboarding in the cold. It’s easy to feel colder than it is outside when skating in the cold because of the wind. Beanies are also perfect for skateboarding in the cold because you will want to cover your ears. Make sure you don’t wear too baggy of a beanie if you plan to wear a helmet.
What Protective Gear is Available to Wear Skateboarding?
Helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads are the standard skateboarding protective gear. It’s worthwhile to wear all of this protective gear because it’s hard to protect when you will wipe out. Skaters frequently land on their arms when skateboarding.
Head injuries are also quite common and head injuries are the leading cause of skateboard-related deaths. That is why it’s essential to wear a helmet even if you forego pads.
What Should You NOT Wear Skateboarding
You shouldn’t wear clothes that are too tight when skateboarding. It’s also worthwhile to avoid wearing shorts when skateboarding unless they are baggy. Try to primarily wear clothes that are made of cotton so that it is as breathable as possible. Never wear tennis shoes when skateboarding either because you won’t be able to grip the board properly.
20 Best Skateboard Clothing Brands
Here is a list of my personal top 20 skateboarding brands based on clothing quality and popularity. You can click the images to see the latest prices and related pieces of clothing.
1. Thrasher
While Thrasher didn’t start as a clothing brand, they produce some of the best skateboard apparel. Thrasher is a classic skateboarding magazine that is ingrained in the culture. They make countless shirts, windbreakers, and hats.
2. Vans
Vans is one of the top skateboard apparel companies. They also make some of the best skate shoes on the market. Their shoes are just as comfortable for everyday life as they are for skating.
3. DC Shoes
You may recognize DC Shoes from MTV, but they started as a humble skateboarding shoe brand. DC Shoes continues to innovate the style and navigate the popular trends in the skating community.
4. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a classic skateboard company. They make everything from complete boards and decks to hats and shirts. Their name is synonymous with the early days of street skating in California.
5. Supreme
Supreme has transcended the world of skateboarding. Their apparel is a big part of popular culture, but it all started with skating. They sell out fast, however, so you’ll need to keep an eye out.
6. Volcom
Since 1991, Volcom has been one of the leading names in skateboarding apparel. Popular skaters such as Chris Pfanner, Benny Milam, and Alec Majerus are all sponsored by Volcom.
7. Element
Element is over 30 years old, but it didn’t become as big as they are now until the early 2000s. Professional skateboarders such as Nyjah Huston, Bam Margera, and Tosh Townend made Element a household name. They make a variety of skate decks, shirts, and hats.
8. Converse
Converse has transcended the world of skateboarding. Even still, they are a go-to choice for many skaters. Their shoes and apparel are perfect for casual skaters and professionals alike.
9. Nike SB
Nike SB sponsors a roster of amazing professional skateboarders, such as Nyjah Huston. However, you don’t have to be a pro to appreciate their comfortable and durable shoes.
10. Etnies
Look no further than Etnies if you want a pair of distinct, recognizable skate shoes. They are practical because of their weight and sides that can withstand grip tape.
11. Spitfire
Spitfire makes some of the best skateboard wheels in the world. It doesn’t stop there, however, as they also make hats, shirts, and windbreakers.
12. Obey
Obey is well-known in popular culture and streetwear. However, they cut their teeth as a popular clothing brand that skaters around the world embraced.
13. Emerica
Emerica is a one-stop shop for shoes and clothing that is perfect for any skater. Their distinct logo, color palettes, and roster of professional skateboarders keep them going strong.
14. Quiksilver
Quiksilver is closely associated with surfers, but skateboarders around the world continue to embrace this brand. Based out of California, Quiksilver clothing is appropriate for a day at the skate park or even the beach.
15. Billabong
Much like Quiksilver, Billabong is just as popular among surfers as it is among skaters. Their shirts, bucket hats, and board shorts are comfortable to skate in.
16. Crooks & Castles
Streetwear and skateboarding are synonymous, and Crooks & Castles is the perfect example of this. While their apparel isn’t always skater-specific, skaters have embraced Crooks & Castles.
17. Neff
Started by a former professional skateboarder, Neff is a headwear company. Their sunglasses and clothing are geared toward skaters, and they are quite affordable.
18. Adidas
Much like Nike, Adidas has also ventured into the world of skater apparel. They make some of the most comfortable skate shoes on the market. Adidas also sponsors many professional skaters, such as Tyshawn Jones and Na-Kel Smith.
19. HUF
HUF is one of the most popular streetwear brands, even outside of the world of skateboarding. They frequently do collaborations with pop culture institutions such as Marvel and Cult.
20. The Hundreds
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Similar to Thrasher, The Hundreds is a magazine in addition to a streetwear brand. Their hats and shirts are instantly recognizable, and they are staples in the skating community.
Related Skateboard Apparel Questions:
Are Pants or Shorts Better for Skateboarding?
Pants are typically better than shorts for skateboarding. However, many skateboarders wear baggy cargo shorts or gym shorts as well. Long pants provide your legs some extra protection from road rash when you wipe out. It also helps to keep your skin out of the sun if you plan to skate for several hours.
What Should Girls Wear Skateboarding?
Girls typically wear comfortable, breathable tops and slightly loose pants. Skateboarding is one of the few sports and cultures where there aren’t many differences in fashion when it comes to gender. All of the top skateboarding apparel brands, such as Quiksilver and Obey make the same clothes for men and women.
Can You Wear Gloves Skateboarding?
You can wear gloves while skateboarding, and it’s a great idea. In my experience, it’s all too easy to scrape your palms when wiping out on a rough surface. Vert skaters frequently wear gloves because they frequently grab the nose or tail of their board while in the air. Some professional skaters, such as Chad Muska famously wear gloves as a fashion statement.
Why Do Skaters Wear Baggy Clothes?
Skaters wear baggy clothing because it is non-restrictive. You can easily maneuver your legs or shift your upper body when turning or landing a trick with baggy clothes. Baggy clothes can also help cushion the blow if you wipe out and skid on the pavement.
Final Thoughts
Try to wear baggy and or breathable clothes when skateboarding. Pants are better than shorts when it comes to skating because they protect your legs from the sun and road rash. Look into brands such as Thrasher, Huf, Neff, Etnies, and Crooks & Castles for the best skateboarding apparel.
Nick Durante is a professional writer that primarily focused on action sports. Skateboarding and Longboarding are his particular areas of expertise. When he isn’t writing about action sports, he is catching up on the world of skateboarding and spending time outside.