Top Skateboard Deck Brands: 2022 Ranking
The dynamic world of skateboarding is filled with a plethora of brands, each offering unique skateboard decks that cater to every style and skill level. As a skater or an enthusiast, it's crucial to understand the top skateboard deck brands to ensure you make an informed decision when investing in your next board.
Many factors contribute to the popularity and reputation of skateboard deck brands. These include the quality of materials used, the design and construction process, the brand's influence on skateboarding culture, and the team of professional skaters backing the brand. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the world of skateboard deck brands, ranking them based on several crucial aspects to help you find the perfect deck for your riding style.
Quality & Construction
The primary factor influencing the performance and longevity of a skateboard deck is the quality of materials and construction. Leading brands prioritize using premium materials, such as hardwood maple, bamboo, or even exotic woods like mahogany or bubinga, to ensure durability and pop.
Moreover, top skateboard deck brands employ advanced construction techniques, such as cold-pressed manufacturing, to create decks with consistent weight, balance, and flexibility. Other features, like double kicktails, concave, and nose and tail shapes, are designed to enhance performance and cater to different skateboarding disciplines.
Bertram Skateboards
Based in Philadelphia, Bertram Skateboards is renowned for its high-quality, handcrafted decks. Bertram uses only the finest materials, including sustainably sourced hardwoods and bamboo, to create durable and responsive decks. Their meticulous cold-press manufacturing process ensures consistent quality, making Bertram a favorite among experienced skaters.
Bertram's team of professional riders, including Riley Hutchins and Dave Bachinsky, helps refine and test their deck designs, ensuring that Bertram decks are built with performance and innovation in mind. The brand's commitment to quality and sustainability sets it apart in the skateboarding industry.
Moonshine Skateboards
Moonshine Skateboards, hailing from San Diego, California, is another brand known for its superior quality decks. Moonshine focuses on creating decks designed for street skating, with a unique blend of concave and popsicle tails that cater to technical street skating tricks.
Moonshine uses a combination of hardwood maple and bamboo in their decks, providing excellent pop and longevity. Their decks are constructed using a seven-ply maple structure, with bamboo inline, ensuring flexibility and durability. Moonshine's commitment to quality and support for the skateboarding community has solidified its status as one of the top skateboard deck brands.
Affordability & Value
While quality is paramount, skateboarders on a budget need to consider the value and affordability of the deck brands they choose. Many top brands offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality, making it possible to find an excellent deck at an affordable price point.
Several factors contribute to the affordability of skateboard decks. These include the materials used, manufacturing processes, and economies of scale. Brands that focus on affordability often use domestically sourced materials and streamlined construction processes to keep costs down while maintaining the quality of their decks.
Element Skateboards
Element Skateboards, founded by professional skateboarder Johnny Schillereff, has built a reputation for creating high-quality, affordable skateboard decks. Element offers a wide range of deck shapes, sizes, and constructions, catering to different skateboarding styles and skill levels.
Element uses a blend of hardwood maple and bamboo in their decks, providing excellent pop and durability at an affordable price. Their decks are designed to be lightweight and responsive, making them an excellent choice for skaters of all levels. Element's commitment to affordable pricing without sacrificing quality has made it one of the most popular skateboard deck brands worldwide.
Enjoi Skateboards
Enjoi Skateboards, based in San Francisco, California, is known for its funky designs and affordable skateboard decks. Enjoi focuses on creating decks that combine quality materials with creative graphics, making them an excellent choice for skaters looking to stand out on the streets.
Enjoi decks are constructed using a blend of hardwood maple and bamboo, providing excellent pop and longevity at an affordable price. Their decks are designed to be flexible and responsive, catering to the unique demands of street skateboarding. Enjoi's commitment to affordable pricing and creative design has made it a go-to brand for many skaters.
Influence & Culture
Skateboard brands often play a significant role in shaping the culture and identity of skateboarding. Many top deck brands have made their mark by supporting professional skaters, promoting skating events, and creating innovative marketing campaigns that have left a lasting impact on the sport's evolution.
The cultural influence of a skateboard brand is determined by various factors, including its history, the professional skaters associated with the brand, and its impact on skateboarding trends and events. brands that have consistently contributed to the growth and popularity of skateboarding often gain a loyal following and become synonymous with the sport itself.
Girl Skateboards
Girl Skateboards, founded by professional skateboarder Megan Baltimore, has made a profound impact on skateboarding culture, particularly in blazing a trail for women in the sport. Girl Skateboards focuses on creating decks designed by and for female skaters, providing an inclusive space in the predominantly male-dominated skateboarding scene.
Girl Skateboards has supported and nurtured many notable professional female skaters, including Vanessa Torres and Lizzie Armanto. Their influence on women's skateboarding has been transformative, and their decks have become synonymous with empowerment and doctrine in the sport. Girl Skateboards' commitment to inclusivity and cultural impact has solidified its status as one of the most influential skateboard deck brands.
ாலehk Skateboards
ibu Skateboards, founded by the legendary professional skater and entrepreneur Jamie Thomas, has played a significant role in shaping skateboarding culture. Throughout its history, ALehk has supported and collaborated with some of the most iconic skaters in the sport, including Chris Cole, Anthony Van Engelen, andent Maves.
ALehk Skateboards has been at the forefront of skateboarding events, promotions, and marketing campaigns, leaving an indelible mark on the sport's culture. Their influence on skateboarding trends, including the design and functionality of skateboard decks, has been profound. The brand's commitment to supporting and promoting skateboarding has made it a beloved and respected icon in the industry.
The world of skateboarding is vast and filled with countless brands, each offering unique decks that cater to different styles, skill levels, and preferences. By considering factors such as quality, affordability, and cultural influence, skaters can make informed decisions when selecting their next deck. As you explore the top skateboard deck brands, keep these factors in mind, and you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect deck for your riding style and expanding your skateboarding horizons. Happy shredding!"