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Skating Accessories

Best Skateboard Decks in 2024 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

As an avid skater, I was never stuck with a single skateboard deck in my early days of skating because that limited my riding styles and options. That doesn’t mean I owned tons of them, no, I had only 4 in my stock. Over the years, you grow a certain kind of connection with your deck as it stands witness to you numerous skating memories and rightfully preserves them. That’s why you gotta choose the best skateboard deck you can find, which would be capable of holding up with you for a long time.

Technically speaking, a skateboard deck is one of the most critical parts of your skating adventure as it supports your weight when rolling. The type of platform you’re using will impact your overall riding experience and performance. Thankfully, you now have numerous skateboarding platforms to choose from, but the challenge is in choosing the right one for you.

With this in mind, we spent over a month digging the market in a bid to fish out the ultimate skateboard decks out there. This buying guide contains full reviews on our top 10 preferred models and we’ve discussed everything about them. Having the right information might help you make a better buying decision.

Top 10 Best Skateboard Decks Reviews

01 Bamboo Skateboards Graphc Decks (Editor’s Choice)

Bamboo Skateboards Graphic Decks

Bamboo is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of skateboarding decks with headquarters in San Diego, California. Over the years, it has emphasized on flooding the markets with affordable and eco-friendly floors.

This Graphc type is from bamboo and has seven layers making it light, strong, durable, and resistant to shock. The main difference in this one is the extra durability making it a popular choice among skating lovers.

So far, we’ve observed that the edge of the nose and tail didn’t chip off nor lose form throughout the test.

Also, the tail is pointy, making it easy to scoop on the streets while the rounded nose makes it the ideal option for taking various flips.

You’ll find that its concave is a little deep, resulting in more excellent stability. Besides, it’s available in various designs like green fish, power, Nebula, mountain, forest, diamond, and much more.

However, it took us some time to get used to it since it’s much lighter than the regular maple wood boards. But that’s not a turn-off to us since it already ticked all the points for an awesome deck.

We found that the paint didn’t wear off despite the high frequency of use. It came in sizes of 7.75 x 31.5 inches, 8 x 31.75 inches, and 8.25 x 32 inches. You’ll notice that the holes are precut and will fit all standard skateboard trucks perfectly.

On Amazon, it has received an average score of 4.3 stars, which is highly commendable, considering the 102 customers it had at the time of the research. The price, too, is impressive compared to other models on sale as you’ll get it from $30 to $50 depending on the size.

Pros

  • 7-ply bamboo wood
  • High-quality finishing
  • Mounting holes

Cons

  • Feels too light for most users

Our Verdict

This is one of the highest-selling cheap skateboard decks on the market and it exceeds our expectations. It is one of the lightest yet robust, providing the user with much fun. Overall, it’s an excellent option for new skaters who are looking for an affordable and durable board to buy.

02 Blank Decks Warning Skateboard Deck (Budget Choice)

Blank Decks Warning Skateboard Deck

If you’re looking for a pocket-friendly deck, this is the perfect choice for you. This Bamboo board differs from our top pick in the sense the top and bottom layers could be natural or with other solid colors making it easy to customize with paints or stickers.

You can choose widths of 8 inches or 7.75 inches depending on your riding style. It’s also a 7-ply deck with a steep concave though it wasn’t as durable as our top choice.

At the time of the research, it was given an average rating of 3.9 stars on Amazon from 339 customers, which is on the positive. It’s sold between $18 to $30, depending on the size you’re selecting. So, it’s pretty cheaper than our first choice.

Pros

  • Available in the blank option
  • High-quality construction
  • Highly flexible
  • Affordable

Cons

  • No graphics, plain design

Our Verdict

This is one of the best skateboard decks for displaying your artistic prowess. It comes in at a low price so; you wouldn’t break the bank before getting one. If you’re planning to make a skateboard deck on your own, you can experiment with this one to understand the mechanism of a deck.

03 Bamboo Skateboards Blank Skateboard Deck (Durable Choice)

Bamboo Skateboards Blank Skateboard Deck

For extra strength and durability, here’s a good option for you. Like other models from Bamboo company, this professional deck is made from bamboo wood, making it light, flexible, and secure.

Though it’s a 6-ply deck, it’s a combination of maple and bamboo, which is the reason for its improved strength and sustainability. It has a better shock-absorbing ability than our first choice and can withstand prolonged abuse.

These are better than our second choice since they only come in natural color, so you’ll have a good time displaying your paintings on it. The contours are tremendous and did deliver quality pops.

However, a few users preferred a mellower concave for better power distribution; but it’s not an issue to us since it’s a matter of one’s preference.

Besides, performing various tricks was easier since our users didn’t worry about the deck, losing shape or breaking. It comes in multiple sizes than our first and second models making it an excellent for both pro and beginners skaters.

It wasn’t as trendy as our second pick when we last checked, but a rating of 4.3 stars from 49 users proved that many buyers were impressed. Finally, it comes in between $38 to $40.

Pros

  • Extra strength and durability
  • Hybrid board
  • Many sizes to buy
  • Eco-friendly

Cons

  • Most users experienced inefficient power distribution

Our Verdict

This deck is beautiful, durable, and reliable. For the money, it offers a good value and you can enjoy riding it under any weather condition. We think it’s an excellent product for sale and you can safely invest on it.

04 Bamboo Skateboards Graphic Skateboard Deck (Stylish Pick)

Bamboo Skateboards Graphic Skateboard Deck

When considering an elegant option, you can’t go wrong with this one. Unlike our third choice, which is blank, this one features different backgrounds like an eclipse, Nebula, Cosmic clouds, Moso, etc. which you can choose depending on your style.

Since it’s made from treated real bamboo, you won’t experience much difficulty when using it. It’s available in sizes 7.75 and 8.25 inches. Both the nose and tail are round, making it the perfect choice for any street skater with the desire to display various flip stunts.

Like our No. 1 pick, this product has pre-drilled mounting holes for your trucks. It’s also healthy, light, and durable, which is what any serious skater wants.

For the price on Amazon, it comes in at a range between $35 to $45, depending on the size. Its rating was also high, having received 4.3 stars from 32 users.

Pros

  • Durable construction
  • Impressive graphics
  • Rounded tail and nose

Cons

  • Not ideal for customization

Our Verdict

This is a high-quality deck with top-notch graphics that’ll fit your preference. It has received many positive reviews, so it’ll work well for many skaters.

05 Moose Blank Skateboard Deck (Natural)

Moose Blank Skateboard Deck

If you’re trying out skateboarding for the first time but don’t want to spend many funds, this might be the one we’ll recommend for you. The board is super flexible, reliable, and affordable.

It’ll last for about five months of consistent use  showing signs of wear and tear. Amazingly, it’s the only item on this list with grip tape.

Both the front and back are clear so you can create your art on it. The mounting holes are pre-drilled, so you wouldn’t experience any issues with alignment when fixing the trucks.

You’ll notice that it has a U-concave, which ensures your stability irrespective of your skateboarding style. Unlike their Jesus Rocker model they kept its design paint free.

It’s in sizes of 7.25, 7.5, 7.63, 7.75, 8.25, and 8.5 inches making it perfect for persons in different age grades and weight. Besides, it has a standard wheelbase size of 14 inches. However, we don’t recommend it for those that are above 250 pounds.

It’s reasonably priced, between $19 to $35, and did receive fantastic reviews from its users though a few had issues with its durability.

Pros

  • Comes with a grip tape
  • Excellent for customization
  • Ideal for any skateboarding style

Cons

  • Not suitable for rigorous use

Our Verdict

This is the best skateboard deck for people who want to use customized graphics of their decks. It might not be as durable as our top choice, but you’ll enjoy the product for long if you’re not putting it through excessive abuse.

06 Powell-Peralta Skateboard Flight Deck

Powell-Peralta Skateboard Flight Deck

Powell-Peralta is the deck beyond our time because of its hi-tech construction and graphics. The layer is stronger and thinner than the regular ones on sale, allowing you to perfect your flipping skills much easier.

This flight deck is infused with epoxy and reinforced with fiber making it much long-lasting and less prone to breaking. It’s much more extensive than the models we’ve listed above, looking at widths ranging from 8 to 9 and a half inches.

The graphics here are fantastic, giving you a beautiful reflection of artistic work. In truth, this product is engineered to enhance your skating skills at all angles. However, it’s only drawback is the price which is a little above $80.

It was given a score of 4.5 stars on Amazon from 32 reviews. So, we’re confident that it will always appeal to the needs of its users.

Pros

  • High-tech construction
  • Thin and lightweight
  • Suitable for all skill levels

Cons

  • Relatively expensive

Our Verdict

Powell is the creator of some of the finest classic boards in the 80s. This deck is no exception and feels absolutely comfortable for skating on any surface. Great work from Powell, and it’s worth every bit of the money.

07 Moose Blank Skateboard Deck

Moose Blank Skateboard Deck

Moose always offers durable and eye-catchy decks that’re easy to use while improving your maneuvering skills. This one is made from Canadian Maple woods, which is one of the best materials for the skating deck’s construction.

This deck features seven layers of wood that are held together by a strong glue giving it flexibility while making it robust enough to mount on. You’ll also notice that it has a modern concave making it easy to pop and flip on the streets.

Like other models we’ve got here, this one comes in multiple sizes ranging from 7.5 to 8.25, so you wouldn’t experience a hard time choosing the one that suits your style. Besides, they’re available in the blank (natural), solid colors of blue, black, neon yellow, stained purple, etc.

As far as negatives are concerned, we didn’t have any issue with this item, only that most users were not happy with its level of flexibility. Meanwhile, it did serve the purpose for which it was bought.

This Moose model is one of the least expensive decks available, sold between $18 to $35. It scored an average of 3.7 stars on Amazon, which was also good for us at the time we last checked.

Pros

  • Maple wood construction
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Available in blank and solid colors
  • Durable

Cons

  • Heavy and too flexible for most users

Our Verdict

Beautiful deck, sturdy, and perfect for applying your decorations. The pop was good with a decent kick, which was similar to what we got from those expensive pro decks.

08 Vision Original Psycho Stick Reissue

Vision Original Psycho Stick Reissue

Vision deck is unique in a lot of ways considering the color, graphics as well as the fact that it’s made in the USA. So, you can attest to its degree of quality.

It has a wheelbase of 15 inches and overall dimensions of 10 x 30 inches. So, therefore, it’s wide enough for any newbie skater to kick off with ease and also maintain balance. However, it’s made for all categories of riders.

You’ll also appreciate its hole pattern, which is perfect for all standard trucks. Besides, it features the latest concave design so you’ll have an easy time performing your best tricks.

It hasn’t gotten many reviews as our first choice on Amazon, but a score of 4.4 stars from 24 buyers was a sign of exceptional quality. It’s sold a little below $70. However, we loved everything about this product except the price.

Pros

  • Beautiful and sparkling
  • Made in the USA
  • Standard truck holes

Cons

  • A little expensive

Our Verdict

Great board for those intending to experience what’s like to skate again after a long time. Though it’s pretty costlier than our top skateboard deck, you can’t beat its durability.

09 Baker Brand Logo Deck-8.0

Baker Brand Logo Deck-8.0

This is one of the latest packs from Baker Skateboards with a black and white baker logo design that’ll let you ride with confidence. It’s super durable, featuring a 7-ply maple wood that won’t break easily under massive rides.

It’s width and length are 8 inches and 32 inches, respectively. So, both new and pro skaters can hit it. It’s grip and feels under the feet was excellent.

However, it didn’t offer many choices by size or color. So, if you’re a picky type, we’ll suggest you looked elsewhere.

After we’d spent several days riding this deck, we can state that it’s almost 100% proof to wear and scratches. This means you can try it in any terrain without fear.

It wasn’t trendy on Amazon at the time of writing but scored pretty high, looking at 4.9 stars from 12 customers. It costs around $50, so it’s still within the mid-range price.

Pros

  • Quality finishing
  • A good rating on Amazon
  • Top-quality materials

Cons

  • Limited options available for size and color

Our Verdict

You can’t expect anything less from a Baker board though this one seems to crown it all. It’s a cute board and kids would love it. It should be the right choice for gifts, and it’s relatively affordable.

10 Vision Groholski Frankenstein Reissue Skateboard Deck

Vision Groholski Frankenstein Reissue Skateboard Deck

Our second product from Vision is the Groholski Frankenstein, which is also a reissue of a previous model. It features a modern concave shape and classy graphics that are second to none, driving you to deliver your best.

It has dimensions of 10.25 x 31.25 inches, making it an excellent choice for cruising the park and street corners. Like our 8th choice, it features a modern truck pattern that is compatible with almost any standard truck. The nose is rounded with a squared tail making it the right option for street freestyle.

It received a 100% score on Amazon, though from only six consumers at the time of the research. So, we’ll not hesitate to recommend it to any prospective buyer. It’s sold around $70! That might be scary, right? Don’t worry; it’s worth the purchase.

Pros

  • Modern truck pattern
  • Stable and durable
  • Top-notch graphics

Cons

  • A little pricey

Our Verdict

This one had the highest rating among the models we’d checked, showing that all buyers were satisfied. Except for its price, we had no issue with it, and we will love to rebuy it.

Best Skateboard Decks: Buying Guide

Skateboard Decks Buying Guide

You’ll have a pleasant experience only if you choose the right skateboard deck for riding. Keep the following things in mind when buying a skateboard deck for your needs.

1. Length

Most decks have diameters ranging from 31 to 33 inches though you may find shorter or longer ones. The deck’s length is also crucial for balance and control. For example, you can perform a lot of tricks on shortboards than you would with the longer ones. However, you’ll enjoy more stability, balance, and speed with more extended platforms. Longboards are bigger than the biggest skateboards. But avoid mini models that don’t match your style. Also, it doesn’t matter if you are a girl or a boy, the right length can improve your riding to a great extent.

2. Width

While they come in different sizes, you’ll likely find those with a diameter ranging from 7.5 to 10 inches.

Everyone has their perfect width, depending on their skateboarding style. For example, if you’re into transition skating, which involves vertical ramps and straight walls, you’ll need a wide and stable skateboard. The full board provides better balance and stability for your vertical ascent and speedy descent.

Street skating is mostly carried out in the open involving benches, stairs, and ledges where you’ll engage in various tricks and maneuvering while in the air. So, you’ll need a lightweight and narrow board for the multiple rotations.

However, if you’re unsure of your ideal skating style, it’s better to choose a mid-range deck since they often offer commendable results. Besides, many of the ones on the market are in this range so you’ll experience less difficulty when buying.

3. Shape & Graphics

Here are the trendiest deck shapes depending on your preferred skating style.

  • Street Decks – As the name implies, it’s more common among park and street skaters. They have a rounded nose and tail, which allows the rider to perform various tricks with ease.
  • Bowl and Pool Deck – They’re a little broader than street decks and measures at 8.25 inches.
  • Shaped Decks – These have similar features like the bowl and street decks. They have curved tail and nose making it perfect for transitional skaters who’ll want to switch occasionally into street skating.
  • Cruiser Decks – These offer superb maneuverability and soft feel. They’re ideal for persons with less interest in flip tricks and are available in diverse dimensions. Cruiser decks are from plastics, maple, and bamboo.

In tems of graphics, decks are known for being one of the most versatile platform in the skating world as they have a huge flat surface where a wide range of graphical design is possible. People do custom designs painting Marvel, Disney, Star Wars, Cartoon and even funny characters on their decks. The most popular color schemes include: black, rose gold, red, blue, pink, purple, brigade blue, yellow, chocolate, white and green. For custom painting, first you need to erase the existing graphics from your board using a certain chemical liquid.

Due to their aesthetic appeal, many keep rare models for decorative purposes.

4. Wheel Base

The wheelbase is given by the gap between the two mounting holes on the deck. It’s about a distance of 13 to 15 inches, but your height plays a role in your choice. Short riders prefer a narrow wheelbase, while tall persons prefer the broader base.

Though you’ll get less stability from decks with shorter distances, the smaller radius allows you to turn with perfection. You’ll experience less sharp turns when using packs with ample space.

However, a more extended wheelbase is ideal for transition skaters since it gives you more stability when riding on the walls. Decks with short gaps are more massive, making it difficult to perform tricks.

5. Nose & Tail

The deck’s front is the nose, while the back is the tail. Most newbie skaters experience a hard time identifying these parts by mere inspection.

As mentioned earlier, most decks have a symmetrical design with a rounded nose and tail. You’ll also find ones with fishtails, squared tails, pointy noses, and much more. In each of these designs, your skating purpose will determine the perfect one to buy.

6. Concave shape

Below are the most basic concave shapes on the market.

  • Radial – It has a U shape and provides an excellent grip under any skating style.
  • Progressive – It’s like radial but with a broader base and a steep wall offering better stability and grip.
  • W Concave – The centerline is curved for better transfer of energy from the heel to the toes resulting in fast response and accuracy.
  • Flat – It’s completely flat, giving more space to lay your feet for easy tricks and flips.

7. Mounting Holes

The trucks are attached to the deck via the mounting holes. As it with longboard trucks, when fitting a skateboard truck, most floors have one set of drilled points, while others come with many holes.

8. Rails

The edges of the decks are known as rails. Like other features, rails are crucial to your performance. For example, you’ll be able to make twists with rounded ends than you’ll with blunt edges since they provide a halting point for your shoes.

9. EFP

Effective Foot Platform or EFP is the central place where you position your foot on the board. It lies in the middle of the deck, between the front and rear mounting holes.

10. Ply

Most classic boards have different layers of wood making it stronger and durable than those with a single piece. Decks with seven-ply and above are sturdier and reliable though the weight might increase.

11. Durability & Construction

The most popular material for decks is maple woods and bamboo because of their strength and flexibility. As mentioned earlier, these woods are laid in layers, making them more robust and sturdier. Advanced tech and expensive models are made out of the storngest materials, such as carbon fiber, resin, Aircraft-grade aluminum and other metals. For electric models, the construction materials are usually stronger.

Construction of skateboarding decks commences with the placement of the plies by their lengths and widths. Then, they’re glued and pressed, holding them together. The next step is the drilling of holes and painting. Custom made models using DIY techniques are also popular and you can try it yourself watching a few videos on Youtube. Trendy hip-hop style skaters often customize their boards using unique graphical works.

12. Other Features

You’ll also ask yourself whether to buy the camber or rocker board. The middle of the former is raised while that of the latter is dropped. However, raised decks offer better flexibility for improved performance. Besides, floors with kicktails at the noses and tails are great for making turns and twists.

Skateboard Decks Maintenance Tips

Your new skateboard has arrived? Not sure how to twist the nuts and keep it in good condition? You’re right there! We’ll provide you with the essential guide.

  • Proper Storage – Don’t just throw your decks anywhere after each use. Hang your skateboard decks in a proper place so that it doesn’t get damaged.
  • Truck Adjustment – The condition of the truck’s assembly can influence your output in a lot of ways. Fresh skaters should go for tighter trucks since they’re easier to turn, but you’ll need to loosen it overtime to get total control of your deck. Making a half quarter-turn of the significant nut using a 9/16 socket wrench will create the change you seek.
  • Axle nuts adjustment – Tighten these nuts to the fullest before and after each ride. Ensure that they’re not too tight, so they don’t affect the spinning of the wheels.
  • Grip tape air – Push out the bubbles surrounding the grip and the board using a pin or razor. However, the air may go by itself with repeated skating.
  • Mounting bolts adjustments – A set of four bolts help to secure the truck to the board. These nuts may loosen by itself, check them regularly, and lock accordingly.
  • Grip tape cleaning – You can remove a stubborn mark with the help of an eraser or soft toothbrush. But if you don’t like the appearance after cleaning, you can opt to replace the grip. We recommend that you visit a local shop for help if you’re not sure about doing this yourself.
  • Bearings cleaning – The bearings on the boards need regular cleaning and lubrication to keep them in good condition. Accumulation of dirt could prevent the wheels from spinning, which is an excellent time to clean. However, if you still have issues with the rotation of the wheels, then it’s time for a bearing replacement.

Final Words

We’ve considered the best skateboard decks available on the market, and we believe they’re the perfect option for you.

If you love displaying your creativity, we recommend you to pick a blank board so you can customize it to your taste. Or, if you want to boost your morale with graphics, there’s still a model for you.

If you’re buying a skateboard for the first time, it’s better to research your perfect skating style to know the right size and shape to choose. Next you might also be asking: how much do skateboard decks cost? If you follow our links you’ll get the most reasonable price. While your budget is an important consideration, all our decks are great in many ways and will help boost your overall performance.

There you go, we hope this article would give you enough information to choose the right model. Always remember to wear a helmet and sufficient safety gear before you start rolling around on your skateboard.

Happy shopping!

About the author

Brian G Smith

“Hey, are you out of your mind?” - this is what I often hear when people see me performing some really dangerous stunts. While most people use scooters to commute, I use mine to hone my stunting skills. Yes, that’s me, Brian Smith. I’ve a small group of like-minded people in my team that love to do all sorts of stunts with their kick scooters and skateboards. My fans also ask me to teach them a thing or two every now and then. This is why I am here. In my leisure time, I like to write about what I do with my scooters and what I am going to do next. One thing I want to say to all my fans - Don’t hit the streets without proper information and training..

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