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

Skateboarding is more than a sportโ€”itโ€™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, youโ€™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 communityโ€”all with minimal equipment.

The Best Skateboarding Brands (Trusted Worldwide)

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

๐Ÿ›น 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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.santacruzskateboards.com

Baker Skateboards

Street-focused decks used by many pro skaters.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.bakerskateboards.com

Zero Skateboards

Hard-hitting designs and solid construction.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://zeroskateboards.comhttps://www.elementbrand.com

๐Ÿ”ฉ Trucks

Independent Trucks

The industry standard for strength and turning response.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.independenttrucks.com

Thunder Trucks

Lightweight trucks with fast, responsive turning.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.thundertrucks.com

Venture Trucks

Great balance between stability and agility.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.venturetrucks.net

โš™๏ธ Wheels

Spitfire Wheels

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

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.spitfirewheels.com

Bones Wheels

Known for long-lasting formulas and smooth rolls.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://bones.com

โš™๏ธ Bearings

Bones Bearings

The gold standard for speed and reliability.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://bonesbearings.com

๐Ÿงท Grip Tape & Hardware

Mob Grip โ€“ Industry favorite grip tape

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://mobgrip.com

Shake Junt โ€“ Hardware, grip, and accessories

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://shakejunt.com

๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Shoes & Apparel

Vans Skateboarding

Classic skate shoes with board feel and durability.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.vans.com/skate

Nike SB

High-performance skate shoes and apparel.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.nikesb.com

Thrasher Magazine

Iconic skate culture brand.

๐Ÿ‘‰ 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.

1๏ธโƒฃ Choose Your Deck

Pick a size based on your skating style:

7.75โ€โ€“8.0โ€ โ†’ Technical street skating 8.0โ€โ€“8.5โ€ โ†’ All-around skating 8.5โ€+ โ†’ Transition, bowls, and ramps

๐Ÿ”— Buy decks from:

Element โ€“ https://www.elementbrand.com Baker โ€“ https://www.bakerskateboards.com Santa Cruz โ€“ https://www.santacruzskateboards.com

2๏ธโƒฃ Select Your Trucks

Match truck width to your deck size.

Example: 8.0โ€ deck โ†’ 139mm trucks

๐Ÿ”— Trusted truck brands:

Independent โ€“ https://www.independenttrucks.com Thunder โ€“ https://www.thundertrucks.com

3๏ธโƒฃ Pick Your Wheels

Choose wheels based on terrain:

99Aโ€“101A hardness โ†’ Street & skate parks 78Aโ€“90A hardness โ†’ Rough pavement & cruising

๐Ÿ”— Wheel brands:

Spitfire โ€“ https://www.spitfirewheels.com Bones โ€“ https://bones.com

4๏ธโƒฃ Add Bearings

Bearings determine your speed and smoothness.

๐Ÿ”— Bones Bearings โ€“ https://bonesbearings.com

5๏ธโƒฃ Apply Grip Tape

Grip tape provides foot control for tricks.

๐Ÿ”— Mob Grip โ€“ https://mobgrip.com

6๏ธโƒฃ Get Hardware & Tools

Youโ€™ll need bolts, nuts, and a skate tool.

๐Ÿ”— Shake Junt โ€“ https://shakejunt.com

๐Ÿ›  Assembly Order

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

Beginner Tips for Your First Setup

Donโ€™t overtighten trucksโ€”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 youโ€™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 moneyโ€”it connects you to the craft of skating itself.

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Top 5 AI-Powered Tools That Are Revolutionizing Personal Finance in 2025

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If youโ€™re serious about taking control of your financial life, here are five AI-powered personal finance tools in 2025 you need to know about.

1.

WealthMind: Smart Investment Insights

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Taxes are stressful โ€” unless you have TaxGenie. This tool scans your finances and ensures youโ€™re maximizing deductions and tax credits, especially if you freelance or own a small business.

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Final Thoughts

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