Top 12 Best Skateboard Brands That You Can Trust

Whether you’re a newbie or advanced rider who wants to expand your repertoire, the question everyone asks is the same: “What is the best skateboard brand for me?” My experience after making this list is that you cannot name just one because there are too many brands out there. Anyway, I have tried my best to narrow the answer down to the 12 best options out of a bunch based on these criteria:

• Specialties
• Quality
• Price range
• Eco-friendly Manufacture

Let’s get started! See also:

• 16 Best Skateboards For Beginners Adults In 2020
• How to Choose Best Beginner Skateboard for Kids: The Definitive Guide [2020 Update]
• Top 18 Best Longboard For Beginners In 2020 Review – Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide
• Top 15 Best Electric Skateboards In 2020

What are the best skateboard brands?

1. Quest

Founded in 2014, Quest is just like a newborn baby in the skateboarding world. But its lighting speed growth during the last 5 years makes me unable to take eyes off it. This is the top-selling brand in the mid-price range and its rapid development of superb decks, designs, and other components is really worth taking note of. Their priority on customer feedback has helped to improve the brand dramatically in a short space of time. Quest offers a wide range of skateboards for riders at all skill levels, especially for freeriding and cruising. The biggest selling point of their products lies in the trucks – not only they are high-quality, sturdy, but they are also stable and easy to ride. Wheels are another mentionable feature because of their superior strength and shock absorption with an ability to ride smoothly even on rough surfaces. The only gripe in their designs is that there is no advanced feature for trick performance. I wouldn’t recommend Quest skateboards for those who tend to enhance their riding skills. Overwise, for the price, I’ve got no complaint.

2. Element

While there are a huge number of skateboard brands that focus on low cost and basic-function boards for new riders, Element was selected for good reason: Malleable boards, which is a core value that makes their products one of the best options for trick performance. Combined with the mid-range price, it’s easy to win many riders’ passion and trust. Founded in 1992 by Johnny Scillereff – an “OG” in the skateboard world – Element is a reliable brand with a long-history ideal or beginners or intermediates who want to practice to improve riding skills. Whilst having a close connection to skateboarding and art, Element also delivers a wide range of items, from decks, wheels, trucks, and other components to apparel. With Element, customizing your own deck is a breeze. Durability is the next thing I want to mention about Element’s decks. The decks are not prone to chipping after years of abuse and they retain their clean look and good as new look with ease. Because the boards are manufactured in the US, outstanding product quality is assured.

3. RIMABLE

Looking at the skateboard world, it is no surprise that Rimable rates highly. The secret that makes their products outstanding is their clever design that helps newbies step into skateboarding. Not only do they allow you to customize both decks and set-ups, but their superb durability also gives you the peace of mind to make them fly with minimal damage. Rimable is also a good choice for riders who are learning new riding styles or practicing tricks. Another positive is their phenomenal attention to customer service, a decisive feature that helps them improve day by day. The only weakness with Rimable a lack of product variation. At present, their choice of boards is not as large as others, like Quest or M Merkapa.

4. M Merkapa

This is the first young brand in this list – M Merkapa, a company that specializes in outdoor sports and leisure products. Despite being a newcomer to the industry, their lines vary and include skates, scooters, inline skates, as well as accessories. All products come with a guarantee that no other is cheaper. Their target audience is 6 to 14 years old, meaning that the majority of their products are mini cruisers with an emphasis on lightness, compactness, and is easy to ride. Of all the junior skateboard brands, M Merkapa stands out with non-battery LED wheels and multiple unique color choices. Riders are assured of two things if choosing their products: Fun and performance.

5. Powell-Peralta

Founded in 1978 by two masters of their game – George Powell and Stacy Peralta the brand is named after them. Apart from being an OG skateboard company, Powell-Peralta brand is well known because it is also a major sponsor of many big celebrities that include Tony Hawk, Bucky Lasek, Ray Barbee, and Andy Macdonald to name a few. Another well-known fact about about this brand is their long-standing history with many well known names and come, go and then return. The current team includes:

• Ben Hatchell
• Charlie Blair
• Steve Caballero
• Brad McClain

Powell-Perlata is one of the most powerful companies today specializing in producing a superd  in-house range of products. One look at their skateboard collection demonstrates their impressive fusion of unique graphics and colors. A partnership with artist Vernon Courtlandt Johnson (aka VCJ) really adds to their designs. In terms of performance, the key features are the bearings and wheels. Aptly named Bones Bearings, easily, Powell-Peralta is top of the class.

6. Penny Australia

Most skaters have heard of Penny Boards. Many people think the brand is a US brand of a skateboard but it is from a brand, named Penny Australia, founded in 2010 by Ben Mackey. Penny Boards are colloquially used in reference to mini-sized cruisers with emphasis on a plastic deck. The biggest advantage of this new material used today (at that time while other brands focused mostly hardwood maple or bamboo decks) is the extreme durability and ultra-lightness. Up to now, Penny Australia is best known for four major lines:

• Penny – 22”
• Nickel – 27”
• Cruiser – 32”
• Longboards – 36”

Customers can order either a complete board or separate parts to customize them. Penny’s stocklist is vast, covering a wide range of products and by-products, such as backpacks and helmets with impressive designs and of quality.

7. ENKEEO

ENKEEO is an international one-stop-shop for any sports lover to find the best skateboards. The 5 Major lines of ENKEEO are:

• Classic scooter
• Caster board
• Longboard
• Cruiser
• Complete skateboard

Their items are produced using high-quality materials making them not only sturdy but also wear-resistant able to handle outdoor use and abuse. Research shows that there are no customer complaints about damaged or broken decks, which is quite impressive. Take note that ENKEEO boards are only suitable for beginners or new riders who want to cruise and freeride. If you’re an advanced skateboarder looking for a board for tricks or stunts, you might need to look somewhere else.

8. MINORITY

The best thing about Minority is that not only do they provide ultra-affordable skateboards to riders of all skills but also they also offer advanced models for tricks. Something that other low-priced brands hardly do. With Minority, I can confidently say that their vast product line (with awesome graphics and 250-pound weight capacity) can meet the needs of any rider. Another good thing about the quality of their graphics is that they are chip-resistant and able to withstand years of day-by-day punishment. Whether you’re a beginner rider or practicing turns and tricks, rest assured that this beast will never wear out.

9. KPC

KPC is a good example for Good Designs Don’t Need To Cost A Fortune. It’s among the top of all low-priced skateboard brands on the market where beginners or riders on a tight budget can find reliable and fabulous skateboards by spending very little. In general, a KPC board can carry between 200 to 250 lbs, perfect if you are a heavy rider. Their products are also very user-friendly with high standards of professional assembly and a wider deck that you can learn to ride on out of the box. Made with standard components and unique grip tape, two things you will feel right away on riding a KPC board are Control and smooth turning ability. Like Minority, advanced riders can practice incredible tricks or stunts on this.

10. MEKETEC

Although a young brand, Meketec is much-loved worldwide riders for the development of exclusive board technologies. Like other low-priced brands in this list, the product lines are aimed at new riders and beginners who have just stepped into skateboarding. Meketec’s core market segment is kids and teenagers, which is why the majority of their boards are mini cruisers with many eye-catching color options. What makes them different is:

• Compact body making them easy to carry around or slip into any skateboard backpack
• Lightweight but robust decks to handle years of hard riding
• CE certification for safe usage
• Bendable polypropylene material helps for smoother rolling in all terrains.

Meketec is also known for producing bearings and trucks. For the rest of the board components, they work in cooperation with reputable brands to give customers peace of mind when choosing Meketec.

11. Cal 7

Cal 7 is one of the rare skateboard brands that is built on the raw skate culture of the 1970s and is the reason for their exclusive vibe in graphics and color choices. Impressively, Cal 7 is California-based but their products are well priced. While quality is guaranteed for any skateboard produced in the US, they produce diverse lines, using separate components, accessories for completes, and cruisers. It’s a versatile choice for riders of all abilities without breaking the bank. I personally love the variations in deck materials (plastic and wood) and designs (double kicktail, medium concave, to symmetrical deck) that ensure they provide the most comfortable ride. Out of all board components, their trucks are the best. Year after year, they don’t wrap or wear out and deliver terrific steadiness. Combined with high-quality bushings, Cal 7’s trucks allow you to practice tricks with minimal wheel bite.  

12. Skatro

Skatro is a well-established brand but still fairly small. They have only recently moved into skateboards, which is the reason few riders know about this brand. This does not mean there was a lack of planning and careful preparation before the move. In Skatro Boards, there is a separate team made up of skateboard enthusiasts and engineers only who also develop exclusive Skatro technologies. For example, the Skatro Adhesive technology in longboards and Skatro Flexy Technology in mini cruisers, making their products stand out from other brands. Advances in performance and comfort are the two biggest developments from Skatro boards, all thanks to their suppliers used when producing skateboard components allowing them more control over-engineering and quality. Hence, allowing them to achieve exceptional performance machines. Within no time at all, Skatro proved its quality through rapid growth in the USA and European markets. Now, they are planning an expansion into Australia and Japan. [sc name=”211″]

Conclusion

Overall, if you’re a beginner or new rider needing an easy-to-learn board without breaking the bank, my suggestions are:

• M Merkapa
• Powell-Peralta
• Meketec
• Skatra (for kids and teenagers)

With more budget on the table, Penny Australia is worth investing on for long-term skateboarding, especially for female riders. For those who want to improve their skills, like practising tricks and stunts or wanting to make this sport their life, Quest and Element are my top recommendations. But on tighter budget you can choose:

• Rimable
• ENKEEO
• Minority
• KPC
• Cal 7

When considering your budget and riding skill, don’t forget to pick the best graphics. Because skateboarding is fun and the mindset, the lifestyle, they are all you!