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Ask five skaters which brand is best and you'll get five different answers. That's because "best" depends on what you're actually doing on a board.
A brand that's perfect for a beginner learning to ollie isn't necessarily the same brand a street skater with ten years' experience reaches for. A cruiser rider wants something different again. Rather than chase a name because it looks good on a t-shirt, think about three things: your skill level, your riding style, and whether you want a complete setup or a deck you build yourself.
There's also something a lot of generic brand round-ups skip over: deck brands, truck brands, and wheel brands are not the same thing. A skateboard is made up of separate parts, and they don't need to match. You could ride a Santa Cruz deck with Independent trucks and Bones wheels, and that's completely normal. Sticking to one brand across every part is a personal choice, not a rule.
With that in mind, here's a proper breakdown of where the well-known names actually fit.
If you're just starting out, the brand matters less than getting a complete skateboard that's the right size and properly put together. A cheap toy-shop board with plastic trucks will fight you at every turn, no matter how enthusiastic you are.
For new riders, we'd point you towards:
Our complete skateboards collection is the easiest starting point, since everything arrives gripped and assembled. If you want something specifically chosen for new riders, our beginner-friendly completes collection filters that down further.
At this stage, don't worry about chasing a specific pro's signature deck. Focus on getting a properly built, correctly sized complete. A 7.75-8.0 inch deck is a sensible starting width for most teen and adult beginners.
Once you're comfortable pushing, turning, and landing an ollie, you'll likely start looking at more skate-specific brands built for tricks, ledges, rails, and transition.
Well-regarded names in this space include:
For trucks and wheels to match, Independent and Thunder are the two most trusted names in street trucks, and Spitfire and Bones wheels are the standard choice for park and street riding.
At this level, personal feel starts to matter more than brand name. Two decks from different brands at the same width can feel quite different in concave and pop, so it's worth trying a few if you get the chance.
For riders who are skating regularly and know their setup preferences, pro-level decks are built to a higher, more consistent standard, often with pro skater input on shape and concave.
Brands worth knowing here include:
Browse our full pro-level skateboards collection if you know your deck size and are ready to pick a shape and graphic that suits your riding.
At pro level, the difference between brands often comes down to small preferences in concave depth, wheelbase, and pop, rather than one brand being objectively "better" than another.
Old school skateboarding has a genuinely dedicated following in the UK, and it's a different world from modern street decks. Old school shapes tend to be wider, with kicktails at both ends, built for pool and ramp riding rather than technical flip tricks.
Brands with real old school heritage include:
If you're after a genuine old school shape rather than a nostalgia t-shirt with a modern street deck attached, our old skool skateboards collection is worth a look, and collectors specifically after heritage graphics should check our reissue and collector skateboards range. These decks ride differently to a modern popsicle shape, so it's worth reading up on old school shapes before committing if you haven't ridden one before.
Cruising is its own category, and the brands that do it well aren't always the same ones you'd pick for street or park.
Our longboards & cruisers collection covers full setups, and if you already have trucks and wheels you're happy with, our cruiser decks range lets you build from the deck up.
No, not really. A well-built complete from a solid, less famous brand will outperform a big-name board that's been badly put together or is the wrong size for you. Brand name won't fix loose trucks, the wrong deck width for your height, or bearings that were never cleaned.
What actually affects how well you skate:
A recognisable brand name can be reassuring, and it often means consistent quality control, but it's not the thing that will make or break your progress as a skater.
A simple way to think about it:
Once you know your level and style, you can browse all skateboard brands we stock and filter down to what suits you.
For most beginners, Venom Skateboards is a strong starting point because completes are built specifically for new riders with sensible sizing and everything assembled ready to ride. Enuff, Element, and Almost are also solid, accessible choices for a first proper skateboard.
Yes, genuinely. Brands like Powell Peralta and Santa Cruz still produce old school shapes to a high standard, including reissues of classic graphics. They ride differently to a modern street deck, with wider shapes and kicktails at both ends, so they suit pool, ramp, and cruising rather than technical flip tricks.
No. Deck width and overall setup matter more than brand name for how a board actually feels and performs. A well-sized deck from a lesser-known brand will ride better than a famous brand's deck in the wrong width for your height and shoe size.
Pro brands like Powell Peralta, Santa Cruz, and Real Skateboards are built around sponsored skate teams and are aimed at experienced riders who know their preferences. Shop or beginner-focused brands like Venom are designed to make the first purchase simple, with sensible sizing and everything ready to ride out of the box. Both can be genuinely good quality. They're just aimed at different stages of a skater's journey.
Element, Girl Skateboards, Chocolate Skateboards, Real Skateboards, and Plan B are all well-regarded for street skating, known for durable decks with good pop. Pair them with Independent or Thunder trucks and Spitfire or Bones wheels for a setup built for ledges, rails, and stairs.
Not necessarily. Price often reflects pro team sponsorship, limited graphics, or premium wood construction, rather than a meaningful difference in how the deck rides for most skaters. A mid-priced deck from a trusted brand, sized correctly, will serve most riders just as well as a premium pro deck.
Still not sure where to start? Browse all skateboard brands we stock and filter by riding style, or head to our complete skateboards collection if you'd rather have everything set up and ready to go. If you get stuck, give us a call on 01837 55778 and we'll point you in the right direction.
