The 10 Worst Skateboarding Brands

The Top Ten
1 Walmart

These are the worst boards ever. If you look at the wheels, you see that they got lines in them and are plastic. If you hit a rock, I bet that they'll lock up and you will go flying off of it and face plant. Their trucks are plastic too and you can't even turn with them. All Walmart skateboards are are a few layers of VERY thin plywood, plastic cheap trucks, cheap hardware, cheap plastic wheels, their own versions of a top brand deck design, and a board that if you Ollie on it you will break it.

These boards are getting better but they will always have a bad rep, good if you can't afford to have a real skateboard but even then it's best if you save your money. These boards give skateboarding a bad name. I started in a Walmart deck but luckily I already had wheels and trucks so I just replaced the trucks with my venture trucks and the board was decent for me. Now I would never skate a Walmart deck unless it was fits and giggles.

Darkstar was my favorite brand forever along with Zero. It thrilled me at first to see Darkstar available at Walmart until I got a closer look. The graphics come right off, they're "9 ply", and the wheels are some kind of trashy urethane that can't hold speed to save it's life. It almost broke my heart. Walmart has successfully destroyed another great brand.

Oh walmart, the wonderland of cheap prices, inbred weirdos, and junk skateboards. Plastic trucks that crack at the base the second you try to turn for the first time, and those sick wheels that basically come with flatspots built in for you. Oh and who can forget the deck that's so flat it feels like riding on a 2x4

2 World Industries

Get real with these top ten lists. I have been skateboarding for more than 45 years that's right I said 45 years. I started on a wooden deck with narrow steel wheels. I have tried every type, style and option imaginable. There are so many true variable's to making a board that works. From body weight, foot placement, to what and where you like to skate. So before bad mouthing a certain brand how about getting out there and having fun with what ever you skate on.

World Industries suck. They are for posers and they sell at Dick's Sporting Goods, and that's always a bad sign. The wheels are like rubber and the bearings are like ABEC 3s. No wonder Rodney Mullen left after he started it. Now he needs to leave Almost because the tail/nose (I use it both ways) of my Almost Double Impact got the crap chipped out of it for no reason.

World Industries SUCK. You can tell right away because it's the kind of skateboards that Walmart and Target sell. It should not be tied with element though because at least element makes legit boards, unlike world industries with their uber weak wood.

No doubt about it. Here, I'll 'esplain; If you don't believe me, try one. And painful split landings and soggy pop, crappy flip, and all-around little kiddish, will become yours. Just go to your local academy, and you will see those weird graphics, little demons.

3 Kryptonics

I don't understand why these are so high on the list. I bought one of there penny boards in 2013 and the wheels are the best I have ever owned. The bearings still work after 7 years of being left in the rain and driving through puddles, and they are still the fastest skateboard I own. I would recommend to anyone no matter what anyone says, they are an amazing board company.

P.S. Did you know that they invented the modern skateboard wheel? Crazy stuff.

Kryptonics boards feel like you're riding brick. No flex in the deck, plastic trucks and bushings and "super soft" cruiser wheels that feel like lead. Do yourself a favor and don't ever buy one. If you don't have the money for a professional board and are looking for something cheap, buy or at least look online for reviews. I bought a long board on sale on amazon for half price because the reviews were awesome, great board, didn't regret it.

I bought this board dispite all the wise advise I got to not buy this board. I didn't have a lot of money so I thought this board wouldn't be that bad. I WAS WRONG. This board has no pop so that means you cand do any trick that will require jumping. That is pretty much every trick. So the only thing this board is good for is cruising. And it is not good for that either because is not sturdy so it is very hard to balance on it. Please do not buy this board. They are a huge waste of money they are just as bad as everybody says they are. We are not exagerating. PLEASE DO NOT BUY!

What are you talking about?! Better get kryptonics off this list, these decks are the best I've skated my whole life! I've tested these boards out trying to get razor tails forever, and all it did was scratching the paint off the tail and the nose. I will definitely order like five more online! You guys are talking crap about kryptonics skateboards!

4 Element

I don't get why old-reliable is up this high. Sure their trucks are not the best and their wheels are FAR from that, but Element is meant for decks that last much longer than a lot of other brands. You wouldn't expect a Bullet deck to last longer than a Baker, now would you? There are worse wheels and far worse trucks out there whether you're buying in a shop, a department store, or online. If anything, I'd say (if you're just starting to learn and a complete board is what you're looking for) you won't find a more well-rounded board for the price. There's worse out there; trust me.

Pretty good deck, I don't know why everyone who doesn't know what they're talking bout says that element decks are "light" it depends on the size/model. I had a BM pro model, with cotton candy blue grip tape, it was a decent deck, average weight, decent pop, lasted a while, and looked fruity as hell with the blue grip. Got for Xmas one year, best free "deck" I ever got. Definitely worth someone' else's money!

Element sucks and is a posers favorite brand. The only people who skate element are little kids who want to show off to their friends and don't actually know how to even Ollie, or people that want to buy one because Nyjah Huston rides for Element. My dad bought one for my little brother who's seven, He snapped it in a month doing kickflips. People only buy element for names-sake...

I've had my element for about a half a year and have had some drychips and dry cracks and some pressure cracks. But that's normal and I don't have anything against element, to be honest... it's the best board I've ever owned!

5 Mongoose

I dare you to walk into a real skate shop and ask for a mongoose deck and have the person behind the counter answer you with a strait face, and not laugh their asses off.

Mongoose might get a lot of hate but I think they are good for beginners but once you get in to trick they aren't that good because they are heavy but still good boards.

I think that mongoose skate boards are good for people who just like to ride you know not do ticks. Once you get into doing tricks you will need a more advanced not so heavy skatboard.

At least with a World Industries deck you can turn… somthing you can't do with a mongoose board. I mean seriously, the one I got didn't have bearings, had crappy trucks and no pop whatsoever. this is the worst it gets. they make bikes, NOT SKATEBOARDS.

6 Zoo York

I bought a zoo York board and snapped it doing a tre on flat less than 24 hours after buying it brand new. I'm very light so weight wasn't a factor. I didn't even stomp it really. Before it snapped it was chipping like mad and I still have no clue why because I never did anything I hadn't done on other boards hundreds of times before.

In my oppinion zoo york isn't a "good" skate company, however their boards are pretty good and along the same quality as the other companies. The big bone I have to pick with zoo york is their corporate hold on skateboarding. they are in fact a corporately owned "skateboard company"

That's not true zoo Yorks a great brand and the decks have a lot of pop and its thick the graphics are amazing and zoo York boards can last a while depending on how much you ride it.

Why does Zoo york have to be on this list? Everyone all says that this board company is a really good one. In my opinion, I think it is too.

7 Converse Converse is an American shoe company that designs, distributes, and licenses sneakers, skating shoes, lifestyle brand footwear, apparel, and accessories. Founded in 1908, it has been a subsidiary of Nike, Inc. since 2003. ...read more.

I hate converse skateboards they are the worst they really do need to sick with there other stuff not skateboards!

I never saw Converse skateboards before, but they must suck. I have seen Vans skateboards though.

They need to stick to making shoes cause the boards are bad. Like REALLY bad, for real man.

Well my converse board was fine, until it burnt my house down.

8 Airwalk

I got one from Canada, usually 100 CAD and I got it on sale for 40. It has metal trucks, Abec-5 bearings. Actual wheels (not plastic), and a pretty decent board. It goes pretty fast in my opinion. The graphic on the bottom looks pretty awful. So I might sand that off. Other than that I have no complaints. As soon as it breaks I will replace it with a better board though.

Google, "Airwalk 38 in longboard" and the first one that comes up is mine.

There completes have really horrible wheels, not even urethane also there grips don't even grip on day one. I don't even want to say how thick there decks are.
Pal got one from sports direct and it broke 4 months skateing. trucks don't turn.
Parents reading this. FOR GODS SAKE DON'T BUY THEM.

You have to break in the rubber in the trucks because they're super stiff because I rode mine for the first time and could NOT turn! It sucks and the grip tape and design are paper and just peel off I'd rather buy a better brand!

The other day I noticed one of my wheels could barely turn, I tried to loosten the bolt securing the wheel and it wouldn't move a millimeter. Looks like I need to look into some new trucks, or a new board...

9 Blind

Blind is my favorite brand, they are very good decks for there prices, hold up well are on the heavier side, have good concave, pop lasts for about a three months of beginner skating 1 of pro skating. I ride a blind board myself

I have a blind board it is great has a lot of pop and is great for tricks and if you want cruising. But when I got mine it had really dirty bearings that's just the place that sold it though and it is still great just need a cleaning

I actually have a Blind as a beginner. It is very durable. It can Survive a good amount of fails. A lot of pop and is a very good price.

For some reason people think blind boards are good? If your looking to get a new board trust me don't get a blind, GET AN ELEMENT!

10 Black Label

Had a whole two kcaldlabels in my skating day, first and second boards... they aren't terribly heavy, graphics are usually pretty cool, retro looking, green elephants will make your friends want a try, bomb shape with the narrow tail is a nice shape for a deck, easy to tell witch end is which when skating, lasted the longest of any deck (never broke)

I have a black label, there frikin dope boards, they have a lot of pop and they will last you it matters on how much you skate, they are mainly for bowls and quarte pipes, but as the years go by, in street skating wise, they are frikin awesome boards. I give this board a 10/10 rating.

Black labels are durable and really good decks they are not the most famous but have great quality. All my boards have been black label and I have never looked back

Who is voting in these polls? If you snap a black label board, you hang the scraps on the wall afterwards. I wouldn't buy a deck from another company.

The Contenders
11 Plan B

Over rated. They're the modern day Element(10 years ago)... Just signed all the most popular skaters to sell the most decks. A smart business move, but if your product was bad to begin with even the best names in the world on your decks won't change the quality of your product. They won't even make P2 decks this year. They're making slicks!

Which fetal alcohol syndrome-stricken mongoloid working at "the-top-tens" devised this list. Plan b, alien, black label, Zoo York, element, and blind are all average-fantastic boards. Don't just post some half baked list because any idiot can vote.

Plan B's in my opinion are really good boards. I've been skating one for 11 months now and it still has a pretty good pop and only very few cracks (because it got drenched in water and then was exposed to the major heat of Texas). this is definitely a good board to skate long-term.

Cheap decks. Snapped my Cole Shadow board second day skating it. And yes I landed bolts every time. Great concave and good pop, but crummy quality wood. China made products just don't make the cut with me

12 Toy Machine

For the people saying they have had their board for a full year now either are new to skateboarding or just don't skate hard or a lot, no board can last that long if you actually skate. Anyways, toy machines are alright, I've skated them a couple times but I feel they chip easily and lose pop fast, either way they are great boards just don't last long

This is insane, Ed Templeton started TM in the early 90's all with his own artworks and still owns+ operates today. I have been skating TM decks and covering everything I own with his decals since I first stood on a skateboard in 1996. Some of the best boards and most respected companies around. Why is the internet nothing but lists written by people who have no clue what they are talking about?

No! Ah! Why is this on the list? I have had a Toy Machine board for a full year now. It is very strong and hasn't chipped at all until very recently as I was attempting more risky tricks. I would STRONGLY recommend it. I recently bought a new board made by Plan B, and I switched back to the Toy Machine board within a week. (The Plan B board that I bought chipped on the first day of skating and is considerably weaker).

This list is all wrong. Element, blind, black label, plan b and toy machine all are... Pretty much the same. he didn't just say that, I know. I'm crazy. All are a tad different. I have snapped a toy machine deck after 3 days and had another last a few months. Same with all the others (can't speak for plan b) but these are all top of the line boards. This is a bad list. The brands I mentioned (oh and zoo york) you can't go wrong with. Enjoy!

13 Dukes

Yea I got a dukes skateboard from a yard sale an it was in good condition also it is a good beginner board...

I have a dukes skateboard that I got from a friend and its ok. Don't take my opinion I'm a newbie. If you were to just let it slide it would tip to one side. good beginner board I guess $:

Dukes terrible they suck

14 Birdhouse

I love birdhouse! I don't know what you guys thinkin'. I'm a pro skater and I do a lot of varial kickflips and both street and vert skating. I've skate birdhouse for years (the birdhouse tony hawk crown deck and I simply dick into it. I got no chips and no small breaks and it feels awesome with it's pop.

You couldn't get anything worse unless its from a general sporting good store. The decks stink, the completes stink, the wheels stink, everything stinks. Unless you a kid, and I'm talking like 10 years old, and you're getting a mini deck, your board will dissapoint you in every way

I love birdhouse I, ve had one for almost 3 years and it, s done me nothing but good the only thing that's happened to it is it has one little chip.
F.Y. I Tony Hawk skates for birdhouse.

Shape is awful, snapped in the first day of using. the bearings too didn't last long... so now I'm just using the wheels and the trucks but as soon as I get some money I will change them...

15 Airspeed

A cheap Walmart brand that Mike McGill somehow got suckered into endorsing when it first came out. The decks were ok for practice at novice levels but if you're going to skate hardcore, just save up the money and get a real board.

This isn't even a skate it's a skate shoe. I don't even think there name brand they're super, heavy super stiff, not durable, and the physical appearance just looks flat out stupid. even though it's not a deck brand it deserves to be on this list

I know a guy who is sponsored by airspeed he can do switch tres and hard flip late flip

I hate deca boards I broke an arm and cracked the board I a couple of months new

16 Deca

Just got second hand one doesn't seem to bad apart from the deck its not very good. But it has pretty good wheels and bearings the trucks are all right

Matt Deca is the worst board.
He's fat and breaks easily if you try to ride him.

Just got one... Too good haha

Its mean because hbo

17 BDS

Any boards Wes humpston puts his name on is legit.
Bull dog skates is from the good ol days of the dogtown scene.

18 Baker

Baker is amazing the concave is great there is great pop I've had one for a longtime I love it I always skate baker it is amazing!

The last baker I've had chipped every single time I skated it, let alone losing pop within a few days. Worst board I've owned. Soggy.

I have had my Baker for a while now and it's the best board I've ever had. Pop is great and the concave is the best. Baker is the best brand in my opinion

Probably the best board I have ever skated, great pop, great concave, great durability.

19 Darkstar

By far my most cool board for showing the DND/Magic The Gathering/ Dragon Hoodie and Chain Wallet crowd at my high school. Real self expression statement if you only purchased for the elaborate graphics, like a full size tech deck. If you were interested in actually skating on it, it was a very lightweight, sturdy, poppy, high quality deck. Chet Thomas pro model, tensor trucks are heavy, but the deck combined with darkstar light knights wheels made the whole setup really light, one the lightest if not THE lightest I've skated.

Though I have a darkstar board (a red, against-break type) It's really good lasted a year< though a chip on the tail happened on october then a small pressure crack, though It sure can still survive a grind> I mean the paint on the 2nd layer (which is yellow) is still there and doesn't go till it's grey. Though I think the tail and the nose is mostly vulnerable if your board starts rolling at speeds. Still survives. It should be in the best category for it's strong board.

Darkstar in my opinion was hands down the best my board lasted me about 6 years. I was skating everyday, and at the skate park every week for years. It had a couple nics in it after that long but it was great for both riding and for tricks.

It's a really good board had this board for 4 years and just have a couple scuffs. An Amazing durable board!

20 Enjoi

I've had my enjoi for about 2 years from just doing regular pop and flip tricks. No grinds but this board has lasted me so long. It's the white and black panda one if you're wondering. The only thing I've done to it is fix chips from a few days back. Enjoi is amazing

Got the 8.25 weather deck for Christmas, skated it rain and shine, razor tailed it like an absolute retard, but it still pop's like it did on day one, which was very good

Enjoi skateboards are too heavy! Every time I skate on one I lose all of my energy trying to do tricks and stuff like that!

Enjoi is a great brand and the boards are very durable. I have no idea why they are on the list.

21 Habitat

Habitat decks are great, decent pop fairly durable, and pretty sexy designs too.

Habitat is the best board I have ever had.. I used to skate Flip and they're also fantastic

Habitats are a piece of crap like walmart boards they snap like cheese and have terrible deigns

Pretty much all I skate, that or chance they're both beautiful boards

22 Almost

Cheaply made in China folks. I have an almost double impact Daewon Junk on my prick deck and its severely chipped after about one week. The boards take a while to break in and then go soggy not long after. The impact technology is nothing but hype, I snapped mine right down the middle on a 12 stair rail. They won't warranty your deck for chips or breaking unless it snaps directly under the trucks (which happens about never). Almost can pack sand, support USA made products and stop giving away your money.

WHAT why the hell is almost heir I
Have skated, them for. About 4 months and it hashed chipped razor tail or any thing if you trying to tell almost is crap try buy one and say its crap because if you did your lying.
P. s I landed my first lazer flip on them

Why are there brands like Girl, Blind, Plan B, Almost, Zero, Baker, Alien Workshop and Enjoi that are on this list. They are beast skateboards.

I had one for one year it was alright it got razor tail after 2 months or so but it had good pop all the time. The grip tape is terrible it just falls off your board

23 Identity

Local shop! So I have to support

24 Premium

Premium are made from the highest wood in canada and are even though a smaller brand, one of the highest quality boards available. Theybuse the same wood worldwide whereas other brands just use whats available, thisnis why people have mixed opinions of other brands

25 Alien Workshop

I love aliens! I skate one for 3 months and the pop was the same way I got it! Just amazing. I also use my tail to stop but it has a few chips only. I Skate really hard and it hasn't snapped. Best board I have ridden out of 7 brands ( plan b, zoo York, ATM, krooked, chocolate, shortys, and speed demon)

My sister had one, it was 8" wide and was like a diving board on venture trucks, and spitfires, and abec 3 bearings. Some cool dude she was dating got it, my friend had one till he fell skating down a hill, then he gave it to me, and I traded it for weed. Great resale value! Great first board if you don't know if you even wanna skate anyway...

I don't know what anyones talkn about they arnt even that bad of a board. In my opinion they have great flick but the pop is a little poor but I mean its something you can deal with if you actually know how to skate.

Alien workshop is bad I got a deck and brand new set up and it snaped on the first trick I trick a tre flip down 5 stairs.

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