Choosing the right skateboard brand can be tricky in a world that is oversaturated with them. The trend of pro skaters leaving their team to start a new brand has only become more common, and it shows no sign of slowing down. So, what are the best skateboard brands for adults?
The best skateboard brands are Anti Hero, Baker, Real, Birdhouse, and Deathwish. Other brands like Alien Workshop, Element, and Enjoi also produce incredible skateboards made of 7-ply maple that have impressive and unique graphics. Zero and Girl are among the best skateboard brands as well, and they were both started by iconic professional skaters.
Consider factors such as board width, graphics, the type of wood, and how concave the board is. Follow along as we highlight the 10 best skateboard brands for adults.
What to Consider When Choosing a Skateboard Brand
Deck quality is the most important thing to consider when choosing a skateboard brand. Several umbrella companies own the majority of the popular skateboard brands on the market. For example, Deluxe Distribution owns both Anti Hero and Real.
You can typically count on a skateboard to be durable if it is released by a brand that is owned by Deluxe Distribution or Dwindle. Another thing to consider is how concave a brand’s boards are. A mellow concave is better for cruising and skating vert whereas a steep concave is best for tricks and street skating.
Brands like Birdhouse are known for having mellow-to-medium concave decks whereas Anti Hero is known for their steep concave boards. It’s also worthwhile to consider a brand’s professional roster when you buy a skateboard. Impressive professional skaters are unlikely to join a brand’s team if they make inferior boards. I have always bought Baker and Anti Hero decks because of their quality, but it was their professional roster that first intrigued me.
You can also consider apparel when it comes to skate brands, choose a style that matches your personality.
10 Best Skateboard Brands for Adults
1. Anti Hero
Anti Hero is currently the best skateboard brand for adults. Their decks are sturdy and feature some of the coolest graphics on the market. Both of my current board setups feature Anti Hero decks.
The classic Anti Hero eagle is among the most iconic graphics in skateboarding history. They have mixed things up in recent years with the addition of their Grimple Stix line of decks. Anti Hero has never reduced in quality and their roster of professionals like Robbie Russo and Grant Taylor is on fire.
2. Baker
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Founded by Andrew Reynolds and Jay Strickland, Baker Skateboards is a street skating staple. Their decks come in a wide variety of sizes, so you won’t struggle to find one that matches your style. While Baker is closely tied to street skating, they also produce wide decks that are great for skating transition and vert.
Their 7-ply maple decks are sturdy, and you won’t have to worry about them snapping when you land a trick. Baker is also unique in that their deck’s ply is more compact than most brands.
Interested in their boards? Take a look at their most popular black Baker skateboard deck here.
3. Real
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Real is among the best skateboard brands for adults that like street skating. That is because the nose and tail are quite concave. This makes it easier to pop an ollie or kickflip than a deck with a mellow concave.
Real has recruited some of the best professional skaters in the world, such as Ishod Wair. Their standard logo decks are great, but their fun pro models are among the best on the market. Real is owned by Deluxe Distribution, the same umbrella company as Anti Hero.
4. Birdhouse
Birdhouse is a great all-purpose skateboard brand. Tony Hawk founded Birdhouse in 1992 and the company is still going strong. They make thin boards with lots of pop that are perfect for street skating as well as wider decks that are ideal for skating vert.
Everyone from Clive Dixon to Aaron Homoki rides for Birdhouse. Birdhouse’s logo is synonymous with vert skating, as is the brand’s founder.
5. Deathwish
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Owned by Baker Boys Distribution, Deathwish is almost like a darker version of Baker. Deathwish launched in 2008, and they’ve produced some of the best decks and skate videos since the brand’s inception.
They have become more popular than ever thanks to their roster of professionals such as Jamie Foy, Neen Williams, and Jake Hayes. I bought a Deathwish deck after watching the impressive “Welcome to Deathwish” video, and it was every bit as impressive as classic Baker boards.
6. Girl
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Most of the best skateboard companies were started by respected professionals. Girl Skateboards is no exception as it was founded by iconic skaters like Rick Howard and Mike Carroll. They left World Industries to found Girl, and the brand has consistently put out incredible boards ever since.
While they have always made great boards, their decks seem to have gotten better in the last 5 years. Their decks are made of maple and nicely concave making it easy to pop ollies and perform flip tricks.
7. Zero
Jamie Thomas is one of the best street skaters of all time, so it’s no surprise that his brand is equally impressive. He started Zero Skateboards back in 1996, and the brand has always appeared to the gnarliest skaters. Zero’s decks often feature crazy graphics that pair well with the extreme energy of their videos like “Misled Youth”.
Countless talented skaters have been on the Zero team over the years, such as Chris Cole, Tommy Sandoval, and Adrian Lopez. Zero always makes a point to make pro models that are even cooler than their traditional logo decks, so there are plenty of options.
8. Enjoi
Founded by Marc Johnson, Enjoi produces some of the most instantly recognizable deck graphics on the market. Enjoi is distributed by Dwindle which also releases Almost, Blind, and Darkstar among other brands. The classic panda logo is one of the most iconic skateboard brand logos of all time.
Because they are made by Dwindle, you can also count on Enjoi decks to be durable. They come in several sizes with differences in the concave depending on your style.
9. Element
Element has been around since 1992, but it didn’t become a global phenomenon until the early 2000s. Skaters like Bam Margera, Nyjah Huston, and Tosh Townend helped launch the brand into the stratosphere. Their logo is unique enough that many skaters simply ride their standard logo decks.
However, Element has always done a great job of releasing pro models for everyone on their roster that matches their personalities. Element is also unique in that its clothing line, shoes, and accessories are just as impressive and stylish as its skateboards.
10. Alien Workshop
Alien Workshop started in 1990, and they have the distinction of making some of the coolest deck designs of all time. Whether it be their classic alien logo designs or their Rob Dyrdek pro modes, each of their decks is unique. Their 30-year history has always been consistent, and they have sponsored iconic skaters like Rob Dyrdek, Jason Dill, and Thomas Morgan.
Alien Workshop also makes skateboards with strange shapes. They have made boards in the shape of an alien, and that is hard to beat. The brand shut down in 2014, but luckily, they are back and better than ever.
Final Thoughts
Anti Hero, Baker, Real, and Birdhouse are among the best skateboard brands for adults. Each of these brands makes 7-ply skateboard decks made of durable maple. Other notable brands include Deathwish, Girl, Zero, and Enjoi. I recommend checking out Alien Workshop and Element if you are a fan of colorful and unique deck graphics.
Consider a brand like Birdhouse if you want a board with a mellow concave. However, street skaters who like to land flip tricks should consider Real and Anti Hero decks.
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.