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Old school skateboarding never really went away, but it's had a proper resurgence lately. Wider decks, bold graphics, licensed collaborations and blank boards built exactly how you want them: old school skateboards mean different things to different riders, which makes buying one more confusing than it should be.
This guide covers what actually counts as an old school skateboard, where licensed and graphic decks fit in, how blank decks work if you want to build your own, and what's genuinely different about old school shapes once you're riding them. By the end, you'll know which Skatewarehouse collection to shop first.
"Old school" gets used loosely, so it helps to split it into two things.
Old school shape is about the deck itself. A wider nose, often symmetrical or close to it with the tail, deeper concave in some cases, and a profile that echoes boards from the 1980s. These are built for cruising, carving and old school tricks, and they feel noticeably different underfoot to a modern popsicle-shaped street deck.
Old school style is about the graphics and branding rather than the shape. Plenty of decks sold as "old school" today use a standard modern shape but carry retro artwork, throwback logos or nostalgic graphics.
Both are valid ways to buy into the look. What matters is knowing which one you're actually choosing, because it changes how the board rides. We'll get into the shape differences properly further down.
Licensed decks are a big part of why old school skateboarding has crossed back into the mainstream. A Santa Cruz x Stranger Things deck isn't just a nod to a familiar show. It's built on standard skateboard deck construction, so it can be set up and ridden like any other complete.
Santa Cruz has led the way here, pairing genuine collaborations with decks that skate exactly as well as their standard range. The Santa Cruz x Stranger Things collection is a good example: proper maple decks, classic Santa Cruz shapes, and artwork that actually ties into the show.
Santa Cruz's own heritage graphics matter too. The Santa Cruz Screaming Hand range is one of the most recognisable graphics in skateboarding, and it's been in continuous production since the 1980s for good reason.
Not every graphic deck is built the same way. Some cheaper display boards prioritise the artwork over the construction and aren't meant for serious riding. If a deck is genuinely intended to be skated, that should be clear in the product listing. Check the construction details, not just the graphic, before assuming it's ride-ready. If you're not sure, ask the shop before you buy.
If you want an old school board without paying for licensed artwork, or you'd rather design your own, a blank skateboard deck is the place to start. Blank decks are unbranded, ungraphic maple decks, same construction as a graphic deck, minus the printed design.
They're popular for a few reasons:
A black or solid-colour deck is one of the most requested old school looks right now, since it strips the board back to something minimal while still keeping the retro shape if you go for a wider old school profile.
Browse the full range of blank skateboard decks if you want to start from scratch.
Once you've picked a deck, licensed, blank, or a heritage graphic, the next step is turning it into a rideable complete.
The build order goes:
Skatewarehouse's custom skateboard builder lets you pick each part individually, so an old school deck doesn't have to mean settling for a generic factory complete. If you'd rather have it built for you, the custom skateboard complete kits collection bundles compatible parts together, and our how to assemble a skateboard guide walks through the build step by step.
If you're building your first board rather than replacing one, it's worth reading our buying your first skateboard guide alongside this one, since deck choice affects trucks, wheels and riding style together, not separately.
This is where a lot of guides fall short, so it's worth explaining properly.
Old school shaped decks typically feature:
These shapes feel more stable at speed and roll more predictably over rough ground, which is part of why they suit cruising and carving so well. They can feel heavier underfoot than a narrow street deck, and tricks that rely on a symmetrical pop can feel different to learn on an old school nose-tail balance.
A modern popsicle deck with a retro graphic, by contrast, rides exactly like any other street-focused board. The old school element is purely visual.
Neither is better. It depends whether you want the old school look, the old school feel, or both. If you're not sure, our full shop skateboard decks range lets you filter by width and shape so you can compare directly.
Some old school decks aren't reproductions at all. They're genuine reissues of graphics and shapes originally released decades ago, brought back using the same or very similar specs. These sit alongside collector decks that riders buy to display as well as skate.
Reissues appeal to two different buyers: riders who want an authentic old school feel, and collectors who want a piece of skateboarding history without paying vintage prices for an original. Most reissues are built to be ridden, not just displayed, though some limited runs are treated more as collectables.
If this side of old school skating interests you, the reissue and collectors skateboards collection is the place to start.
It depends what you're after:
However you get there, make sure the trucks and wheels you pair with an old school deck actually match its width. An old school deck on undersized trucks will feel unstable, not authentic.
What makes a skateboard 'old school'? It's either the shape (wider, often symmetrical nose and tail, deeper concave) or the graphic style (retro artwork, heritage logos, licensed collaborations). Some decks are both; plenty are just one or the other, so check which you're actually buying.
Are old school shaped decks harder to ride than modern decks? Not harder, just different. Wider, more symmetrical shapes feel more stable for cruising and carving but can feel heavier for street tricks that rely on a narrow, light popsicle shape. If you're used to a modern deck, expect a short adjustment period.
Can I build a complete skateboard from a blank deck? Yes. A blank deck is built the same way as a graphic deck, same maple construction, same sizing options. Add grip tape, correctly sized trucks, wheels, bearings and hardware, and it's a fully rideable complete. Our custom skateboard builder and assembly guide cover the full process.
Are licensed decks actually rideable, or just for display? Genuine licensed decks from established skate brands, like the Santa Cruz x Stranger Things range, use standard skateboard deck construction and are built to be ridden. Always check the product description for construction details if you're unsure. Some novelty boards are made purely for display.
What size old school deck should a beginner choose? Most beginners do well starting around 8.0 inches wide, whether the deck is old school shaped or a modern shape with retro graphics. Old school shapes can run wider, so check the specific measurements against your height and shoe size before buying. If you're not sure, call the shop and we'll help you land on the right size.
Do old school decks need different trucks or wheels? Mainly just correctly sized ones. Wider old school decks need trucks sized to match the deck width, the same rule as any other board. Softer, slightly larger wheels suit cruising-focused old school setups, while harder wheels suit street-style riding on a retro-graphic popsicle deck.
Ready to get rolling? Browse the full shop skateboard decks range, or head straight to the old skool skateboards collection if you already know the look you're after.
