Skateboarding: Culture, Craft & How to Build Your Own Board

Skateboarding is more than a sport—it’s a lifestyle, a creative outlet, and a global culture. From street skating to vert ramps, from beginners learning their first ollie to pros filming video parts, skateboarding continues to evolve while staying rooted in individuality and freedom.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

The basics of skateboarding culture The best skateboarding brands (with direct links) A step-by-step guide on how to build your own custom skateboard

Why Skateboarding Is More Popular Than Ever

Skateboarding has exploded in popularity thanks to:

Its inclusion in the Olympic Games Social media exposure from pro skaters Growing skate parks worldwide The rise of DIY and custom setups

Skateboarding offers fitness, creativity, and community—all with minimal equipment.

The Best Skateboarding Brands (Trusted Worldwide)

These brands are known for quality, durability, and credibility in the skate community.

🛹 Decks (Boards)

Element Skateboards

Sustainable decks with excellent pop and durability.

https://www.elementbrand.comhttps://www.elementbrand.com

Santa Cruz Skateboards

One of the most iconic brands in skate history.

👉 https://www.santacruzskateboards.com

Baker Skateboards

Street-focused decks used by many pro skaters.

👉 https://www.bakerskateboards.com

Zero Skateboards

Hard-hitting designs and solid construction.

👉 https://zeroskateboards.comhttps://www.elementbrand.com

🔩 Trucks

Independent Trucks

The industry standard for strength and turning response.

👉 https://www.independenttrucks.com

Thunder Trucks

Lightweight trucks with fast, responsive turning.

👉 https://www.thundertrucks.com

Venture Trucks

Great balance between stability and agility.

👉 https://www.venturetrucks.net

⚙️ Wheels

Spitfire Wheels

Top-tier urethane for speed, grip, and durability.

👉 https://www.spitfirewheels.com

Bones Wheels

Known for long-lasting formulas and smooth rolls.

👉 https://bones.com

⚙️ Bearings

Bones Bearings

The gold standard for speed and reliability.

👉 https://bonesbearings.com

🧷 Grip Tape & Hardware

Mob Grip – Industry favorite grip tape

👉 https://mobgrip.com

Shake Junt – Hardware, grip, and accessories

👉 https://shakejunt.com

👟 Shoes & Apparel

Vans Skateboarding

Classic skate shoes with board feel and durability.

👉 https://www.vans.com/skate

Nike SB

High-performance skate shoes and apparel.

👉 https://www.nikesb.com

Thrasher Magazine

Iconic skate culture brand.

👉 https://www.thrashermagazine.com

How to Build Your Own Skateboard (Step-by-Step)

Building your own skateboard allows you to customize feel, performance, and style.

1️⃣ Choose Your Deck

Pick a size based on your skating style:

7.75”–8.0” → Technical street skating 8.0”–8.5” → All-around skating 8.5”+ → Transition, bowls, and ramps

🔗 Buy decks from:

Element – https://www.elementbrand.com Baker – https://www.bakerskateboards.com Santa Cruz – https://www.santacruzskateboards.com

2️⃣ Select Your Trucks

Match truck width to your deck size.

Example: 8.0” deck → 139mm trucks

🔗 Trusted truck brands:

Independent – https://www.independenttrucks.com Thunder – https://www.thundertrucks.com

3️⃣ Pick Your Wheels

Choose wheels based on terrain:

99A–101A hardness → Street & skate parks 78A–90A hardness → Rough pavement & cruising

🔗 Wheel brands:

Spitfire – https://www.spitfirewheels.com Bones – https://bones.com

4️⃣ Add Bearings

Bearings determine your speed and smoothness.

🔗 Bones Bearings – https://bonesbearings.com

5️⃣ Apply Grip Tape

Grip tape provides foot control for tricks.

🔗 Mob Grip – https://mobgrip.com

6️⃣ Get Hardware & Tools

You’ll need bolts, nuts, and a skate tool.

🔗 Shake Junt – https://shakejunt.com

🛠 Assembly Order

Apply grip tape to your deck Screw in trucks with hardware Insert bearings into wheels Mount wheels onto trucks Tighten everything and you’re ready to ride

Beginner Tips for Your First Setup

Don’t overtighten trucks—start loose and adjust Use medium-hard wheels (99A) for versatility Always wear a helmet when learning Practice basics before tricks: pushing, stopping, turning

Final Thoughts

Skateboarding is about expression, progression, and community. Whether you’re cruising your neighborhood or perfecting kickflips at the park, having the right setup makes all the difference.

By using trusted brands like Element, Baker, Independent, Bones, and Spitfire, you ensure your board performs well and lasts longer. Building your own skateboard not only saves money—it connects you to the craft of skating itself.

Why Multivitamins Are Booming in 2025–2026

The multivitamin category continues to be the backbone of the dietary‐supplement market. According to recent market data, multivitamins make up roughly 41–46% of the overall vitamin market in North America.  Growth is being fueled by a mix of factors: heightened health awareness, economic uncertainty pushing consumers toward “all-in-one” solutions, and rising interest in prevention rather than treatment.  Also important: newer supplement formats beyond pills — such as gummies, chewables, liquids — are becoming more mainstream. These formats appeal especially to people who dislike swallowing pills and prefer more palatable or convenient delivery. 

Given those dynamics, 2026 is shaping up to be a strong year for multivitamins — especially for brands and products that combine convenience, targeted formulations (e.g., by age, gender, lifestyle), and evidence of quality.

What Trends Are Shaping Multivitamin Popularity

Personalized & Targeted Nutrition — More consumers now look for multivitamins tailored to their gender, age, life stage (e.g., prenatal, 50+, active adult) or specific health goals (e.g., bone health, energy, immune support). This segmentation helps multivitamins stay relevant amid growing interest in individualized health.  Clean-label, Whole-food & “Natural” Ingredients — There’s rising demand for vitamins derived from whole-food sources, with non-GMO, organic, or plant-based credentials. This appeals especially to people wary of synthetic nutrients.  Easier-to-take Formats — Gummies, chewables, and liquid multivitamins are increasingly popular because of convenience and user experience. These forms help reduce “pill fatigue” and broaden appeal beyond traditional supplement users.  Focus on Key Vitamins & Minerals — Among single-nutrient supplements, demand for certain minerals and vitamins — like magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin D, B vitamins — has surged. 

Leading Multivitamin Products & Brands in 2025–2026

While many products compete in the multivitamin space, a handful consistently stand out in terms of sales, consumer reviews, and marketing presence. Here are some of the most-popular, widely advertised, and best-selling ones today:

Centrum – Especially its “Silver” and adult-targeted lines. Centrum remains among the top multivitamin sellers in the U.S., with products commonly formulated for age or gender-specific needs (e.g., adults 50+, men’s or women’s health).  Nature Made – Known for affordability and broad availability, Nature Made offers multivitamins and single-vitamin supplements. It’s often mentioned among top brands consumers trust for basic nutrient support.  Garden of Life – A top pick for those seeking whole-food–based, non-GMO, and cleaner-label multivitamins. Their gender- and lifestyle-specific formulas cater especially to health-conscious and/or vegetarian/vegan users.  Vitafusion – A leader in the gummy / chewable multivitamin category. Appeals to consumers who prefer more palatable, candy-like supplements instead of pills.  Pure Encapsulations – Favored among users who need hypoallergenic or allergen-free supplements, or who prefer minimalist formulations — often chosen by people with sensitivities or strict dietary preferences. 

In addition to individual brands, there’s a rising segment of specialty and personalized-nutrition players offering custom multivitamin packs based on lifestyle, diet, or even genetic testing. This reflects a broader shift in the supplement industry toward personalization and transparency. 

What to Watch in 2026 — What’s Likely to Rise (or Fall) in Popularity

Expect a stronger push toward subscription-based vitamin services, especially ones delivering tailored vitamin blends depending on age, gender, activity level, or health goals. Personalized nutrition is increasingly mainstream.  Gummies, liquids, chewables — not pills — will continue gaining market share. As supplement users expand beyond traditional “health-nuts,” palatability and convenience become key.  Demand for clean-label, plant-based, non-GMO supplements will keep rising, especially among younger, health-conscious demographics.  We’ll likely see more blends that combine vitamins/minerals with other wellness ingredients (e.g., probiotics, herbal extracts, antioxidant complexes) — especially as consumers look for “everything-in-one” convenience.  That said: as scrutiny increases on supplement quality and marketing claims, products that don’t deliver on transparency or quality may fall out of favor. Clean ingredient sourcing, third-party testing, clear labeling — these will likely become non-negotiable for many buyers. 

A Word of Caution

While multivitamins are popular and sometimes heavily advertised — and while the idea of “covering all your nutritional bases” with one pill or gummy is appealing — the reality is more nuanced:

Not everyone needs a full-spectrum multivitamin. The benefit depends heavily on diet, lifestyle, and specific nutritional gaps. Over-supplementation can also be a concern. Some vitamins or minerals — especially fat-soluble ones or minerals taken in high doses — can accumulate and cause adverse effects over time. Quality matters. The difference between a cheap mass-market vitamin and a high-quality, transparently sourced product can be substantial (in ingredient purity, bioavailability, absence of fillers/contaminants).

It’s always wise to consult a medical professional or a registered dietitian before starting any long-term supplement regimen, especially if you have health conditions or dietary restrictions.

Final Thoughts

As we head into 2026, the multivitamin space remains strong — and likely to get even more diverse. Whether you prefer classic pills, easy-to-swallow gummies, clean-label whole-food formulas, or fully personalized vitamin packs, there’s more choice than ever.