Skateboard Brands

The early 1950s is the accepted birth of skateboarding. Surfing had been around for some time, and seeking a way to “ride” outside of the water, shorter surfboards were outfitted with wheels. When not surfing, surfers took to “asphalt surfing.” By 1959 Roller Derby released a properly manufactured skateboard, and then in 1963 “Surf Guide Magazine” released an advertisement for skateboards, the first time boards were officially marketed.

Vans, a brand we all know, was established in 1966 and was the skateboarding shoes for decades until the advent of DC Shoes, Etnies and others. Vans played a critical role in advancing skateboarding as a sport. Kids loved the shoes, and early videos of skateboarders with Vans skating in empty pools in Los Angeles began to catch fire. In the mid-1970s another interesting phenomenon took place. American soldiers stationed in Germany brought skateboards with them, and kids in Munich especially went crazy. The first German skate park was subsequently built, and in 1978 a skateboard championship was held in the same city.

Street skateboarding took its biggest leap thanks to Alan Gelfand and his groundbreaking trick that new skateboarders still learn to this day – the “Ollie.” This simple (although hard to learn) trick led to a host of other tricks, and the number of skateboard tricks today are tough to quantify. There are thousands, and the sport has absolutely boomed with mega-events like ESPN’s X-Games and others that showcase riders in an array of settings.

The skateboard industry is worth a whopping $4 billion annually. There are an estimated 10 to 20 million active riders at a global level, and 50% of those are in the US. It should come as no surprise that the biggest skateboard brands, those selling not only the boards themselves but the wheels, the trucks, and the apparel, all are nearly 100% based in the US. Here’s a look at the biggies …

Element Skateboards

Based out of Irvine, California, Element boards are known for their quality and cheap entry price (as compared to other brands). They employ seven-ply maple wood to make their boards, providing an added thickness but also retaining a high level of flexibility. The only con that gets mentioned with Element is the trucks need to be replaced often. These are the metal T-shaped pieces on the underside of the board that keep the wheels and bearings attached to the board deck.

Plan B Skateboards

Plan B deals mainly in boards, but has been making a move into jackets, jeans and similar apparel. Like Element, their decks are thick, although flexibility is not as present. Some prefer a less flexible board, and this is where Plan B hangs their hat. In conjunction, Plan B wheels and trucks are also quite hard, so their decks are overall resistant to shock. There is plenty of customization available with Plan B boards, but do keep an eye on costs as they can rise substantially as a result.

Alien Workshop

Founded in 1990, Alien Workshop is one of very few successful skateboard brands not located in California. Headquartered in Ohio, Alien Workshop is known for the quality of their pre-assembled boards. One would think that pre-assembling would result in a more costly, final product. Yet, prices are competitive and this adds to their appeal. The aesthetics on Alien Workshop boards are another big draw. They sport some of the cooler designs, and graphics are a big selling point in the skateboard industry.

We ran down just a couple of the big brands. There are literally dozens upon dozens more, and while skateboarding will always be a young man and woman’s sport, you can still watch X-Games competitions and live vicariously through these 20-year-olds flipping and whipping about.