Created by T. Gentsch | News 12/03/2025

The most popular deck brands in 2025

...or "what´s the best skateboard-deck in 2025"?

The question of the “best skateboard” comes up again and again, even though it doesn't really make much sense. Skateboarding has evolved enormously since its inception: from simple wooden boards with steel wheels to precision-crafted decks made of seven layers of maple wood, lightweight trucks, and durable polyurethane wheels. Since the mid-1990s at the latest, a basic design has become established that has remained almost unchanged to this day, the so-called popsicle.

What has never changed, however, are the individual preferences of the riders. Every skater has their own needs – whether it's the shape of the deck, the width, the concave, or even just the brand. Nevertheless, beginners in particular often seek initial guidance and like to take a look at popular brands and models. At TITUS, we recognize which decks are in high demand and can therefore share with you a ranking of the 10 most popular deck brands of 2025!

1. SANTA CRUZ

Last year in second place, this year the top seller: Santa Cruz Skateboards. Even after more than 50 years in the business, the guys from the city of the same name in Northern California continue to inspire skateboarders. Whether it's through awesome graphics, collaborations such as with “Stranger Things", reissues, or their current pro team, everything here makes sense. The iconic “Screaming Hand” graphic is also known far beyond the boundaries of skateboarding and provides a level of recognition that few brands can claim. Not to mention that the quality of the decks is top notch, but that goes without saying! Credit where credit is due!

2. POWELL-PERALTA

Founded in 1978, Powell-Peralta, like Santa Cruz (and TITUS), is one of the oldest names in skateboarding. The Santa Barbara-based brand also has a long history of iconic graphics that are highly recognizable. In addition, Powell-Peralta has always been at the forefront of innovation in the hard goods sector and, a few years ago, launched the “Flight Decks,” which are virtually unbreakable boards. From legends like Steve Caballero to “trick wizard” Andy Anderson, the brand also has an extremely diverse team that has been leaving people speechless since the days of the Bones Brigade.

3. TOY MACHINE

Last year still in first place, Ed Templeton's “Bloodsucking Skateboard Company” Toy Machine slips to third place in our 2025 ranking. Of course, this has nothing to do with the quality of the decks or the consistently strong team – it's likely that the other two brands simply had more reissue decks on offer. Even after more than 30 years, Ed's fan base is still one of the strongest in the biz, which may be due in no small part to the consistently entertaining graphics!

4. FOUNDATION

Like Toy Machine, Tod Swank's Company Foundation also comes from Tum Yeto. Founded in 1989, Foundation was one of the first (at the time) smaller brands to offer an alternative to the three big corporations in the scene. Always packed with top team riders, the “Foundation Super Co” has released countless videos over the last few decades, securing itself a firm place in the community – and this is clearly reflected in its fourth place ranking.

5. CREATURE

Like Santa Cruz, Creature comes from NHS and was founded in 1994 by Russ Pope. After he left the company, the brand was put on hold for a few years and then revived in 2005 by Lee Charon and Darren Navarette. This paid off, as Creature quickly became one of the best-selling deck brands. Twenty years later, the hype continues, and anyone who has seen the latest Creature video will know why. With Kevin Baekkel, the brand with the “creep factor” has one of the gnarliest rail skaters of all time on its roster!

6. REAL

REAL Skateboards was founded in 1991 by Tommy Guerrero and Jim Thiebaud. The two former Powell-Peralta pros quickly made a name for themselves and their brand with daring board graphics (e.g., “Hanging Klansman”) and a strong team of newcomers. In what was a fairly small scene at the time, the guys from San Francisco were essentially the antithesis of the LA-based company World Industries and focused on the highest deck quality right from the start. This quickly paid off and, over 30 years later, REAL Skateboards is definitely one of the most respected brands of all time – which is hardly surprising with pros like Ishod Wair and Mason Silva.

7. ANTI-HERO

Like REAL, which comes from Deluxe Distribution in San Francisco, Anti-Hero is the brainchild of Julien Stragner and John Cardiel. In 1994, when Stranger was still riding for REAL, DLXSF, as Deluxe is commonly referred to, was thinking about how to revitalize the somewhat stagnant market—and Anti-Hero was born. With graphic designer Todd Francis on board, they quickly came up with iconic designs, with the Anti-Hero “Eagle Logo” certainly one of the most distinctive logos of all time. Highly controversial board graphics shaped the company's image as very “street-oriented,” which is still reflected in the team today. Not because they are all street skaters, on the contrary, but rather because the guys tend to spend their nights on tour in tents rather than hotel rooms.

8. WELCOME

Founded in 2010 with just $2,000 in start-up capital from Jason Celaya, Welcome Skateboards quickly made a name for itself with the fact that there were no well-known riders on the team. From the outset, Jason focused on shapes that no other brand offered, giving free rein to his imagination. Collaborations with Bauhaus, Harry Potter and Britney Spears are already legendary, and anyone looking for a unique shape will always find what they're looking for at Welcome!

9. ZERO

There's not much to say about ZERO Skateboards. Originally founded in 1996 by mastermind Jamie Thomas as a clothing brand, it quickly developed into a board brand with a unique character. Jamie Thomas also initially focused on relatively unknown riders, who quickly became true superstars under his wing. With countless iconic videos such as “Dying to Live” and “Misled Youth,” the brand continues to score points with skaters of all ages. In addition, ZERO often releases exciting collaborations with well-known bands such as Iron Maiden and celebrities such as Bam Margera. A well-deserved 9th place for the company from Carlsbad, CA!

10. THE HEATED WHEEL

Among the skateboard pros of the 1980s, there were quite a few characters who attracted attention even away from the skateboard, mostly through their artistic streak. Neil Blender is certainly one of the most influential people of this kind and was instrumental in the founding and graphic identity of Alien Workshop. After the company was sold, Neil found a new outlet for his creative drive and founded The Heated Wheel a few years ago! In addition to sophisticated designs and individual shapes, the company also caused a stir with its Polarizer Completes, which are convex in shape and modeled after a surfboard (or a skateboard from the 1970s)! Very interesting, like everything from Blender's workshop!