Skateboard Decks

At NOTE shop we always have a large selection of skateboard decks from the best brands in the business in every size and shape you could hope to find. When you buy a skateboard deck from us choose from free black Jessup The Original Griptape, MOB Grip, Jessup Crystal Clear Griptape or Pepper G5 Grip and we're happy to apply that for you too. If you are having trouble deciding which deck to choose here a few pointers that might help you make up your mind.

Skate Decks

The Brands at NOTE

We’ve had the NOTE shop doors open for over 25 years now, and in that time we’ve seen more than a few brands come and go. With that comes a decent eye for what’s worth backing—brands that’ve got staying power, a distinct point of view, or a team that genuinely matters.

We stock 70+ deck brands, and every single one ticks at least one of those boxes. You’ll find the full spread here,from mainstays like Antihero and Baker to the more left-field output of Fucking Awesome and Hockey. There’s a strong showing from European independents like Sour and Polar, a solid UK contingent with the likes of Short Straw, Lovenskate, garden and Drama Call alongside brands pushing their own visual lane like Sci-Fi Fantasy, Limosine and Pass~Port. Different aesthetics, different corners of skating, but all held to the same standard. If it’s on this page, someone at NOTE rides it or at the very least backs it.

Skate Decks

Graphics and Shapes

We’ve got everything from the offbeat shapes and skull-heavy graphics of Powell Peralta to the no-nonsense popsicles from Baker, complete with their signature branding. Then there’s the more modern end of things – twin tails you can skate either way, or those fuller, shovel-nosed shapes favoured by the likes of Quasi, Hockey and WKND.

And beyond the specs, there’s the graphics. Some of this stuff goes way beyond something to thrash – borderline wall-worthy. Sci-Fi Fantasy channels Jerry Hsu’s creative vision, with graphics that blend dry wit and a sharp eye for the strange in everyday life. Limosine taps into the artistic side of its own team, while Magenta continues to build a visual identity that’s unmistakably their own. It’s all part of what makes modern skate hardware as interesting off the board as it is on it.

About Skateboard Decks

Skateboard Deck Sizes

Deck dimensions are measured in inches. Most skateboarders concentrate on how wide the board is and we find the most popular widths are 8.25" for adults and 8" for younger/smaller skaters. The decks length from nose (front) to tail (back) is also worth consideration as these can vary by a couple of inches. An average deck length would be in the region of 32". The wheel base is the measurement between the holes drilled for front and back trucks and is usually around 14.25". To some degree you can select a deck based on a person's physical size but a skaters favourite deck size is often down to personal preference and type of skating they want to do. As a rule of thumb smaller boards are lighter and easier to flip for technical tricks and bigger boards are stronger, more stable and better at speed.

Skateboard Deck Shapes

The popsicle board is by far the best selling and most versatile shape for the skating in the streets or at the skatepark. Different popsicle decks have subtle differences but are characterised by a round tail, slightly bigger round nose, straight sides and a concave under foot. Symmetrical twin tail and twin nose popsicle decks which skate the same both directions have become increasingly popular in recent years. We also stock a variety of special shapes such as old school or pool boards which tend to be wider with more tail than nose and cruiser decks which are usually flatter and more pointy.

Skateboard Deck Material

Nearly all the skateboard decks we sell are made of 7 plys of Canadian or North American maple wood. This timber is considered the ideal balance of strength and flexibility to pop a deck in to the air. Some brands use cheaper Chinese maple or birch wood on their budget boards but in our experience these decks are not as strong and we would only recommend them for light use or a smaller skater. A few companies have experimented with carbon fibre inserts between wood plys to try and save weight and strengthen boards but these constructions have never gathered much popularity. Slick skateboards have an extra plastic layer on the bottom of the deck which some skaters prefer for sliding tricks.

Skateboard Deck Price

The main reason for price variations between decks is the country they come from and the place they are manufactured. The most expensive tend to be pressed by USA based woodshops such as BBS (Bareback/Generator) and PS Stix which have long reputations for manufacturing the best skateboards in the world. Slightly cheaper are boards pressed by DSM in China and HLC in Spain who have gained prominence for making high quality skateboards. The country that the skateboard company is based in also influences the price with UK and Europe based brands being good value for us in this country.

Skateboard Deck Brand

At NOTE we only sell skateboards from brands that put back in to skating and support the scene. By that we mean they sponsor teams, produce videos, go on tours, have an art direction and generally inspire and motivate us and keep skateboarding rad. Doing those things costs money so you should support the skateboard companies and professional skateboarders that you're fans of so they can keep doing what they do.

Skateboard Deck Graphics and Designs

Whether you're after loud DIY style graphics from the likes of Fucking Awesome, artistic concepts from Limosine Skateboards or simple illustrative designs from brands such Frog Skateboards, we've got graphics to suit every skater.

Want more information about who makes you're favourite brand's decks? Check out our Woodshop Guide and Directory.

Need help?

Skateboard Decks FAQs

What size skateboard deck should I get?

For most adult skaters, 8.0"-8.5" covers the sweet spot. 8.0"–8.25" tends to suit technical street skating and smaller frames; 8.25"-8.5" works well as an all-rounder; anything 8.5" and above is typically preferred by transition and bowl skaters, or people who just like more board underfoot. If you're buying for a younger or smaller skater, 7.75"-8.0" is a sensible range. These are guidelines rather than rules – plenty of skaters ride outside what's considered standard for their style and find it suits them fine. If you're stuck between two sizes, the Thomas Street team can help.

What's the difference between popsicle and shaped decks?

A popsicle deck is the standard modern shape, symmetrical with a rounded nose and tail, designed to handle pretty much everything from street to park. A shaped deck is anything that steps outside that mould, from old school pool boards with bigger tails to cruisers and more experimental outlines. Popsicles are the most versatile and the best starting point, while shaped boards come into their own once you know what you like.

Which woodshop makes the best skateboard decks?

If you’ve ever wondered who makes the best skateboard decks, a lot of it comes down to the woodshop. Two of the most respected names are BBS (Bareback/Generator), which presses boards for brands like Baker and Deathwish, and PS Stix, who’ve been supplying top-tier brands for decades. Both are known for using high-quality Canadian maple and producing decks with consistent pop and durability. At a slightly lower price point, woodshops like DSM in China and HLC in Spain are turning out seriously good boards as well. UK and European brands pressed closer to home are also well worth a look. If you want to get properly into the details, we’ve got a full Woodshop Guide over on the NOTE blog.

How long should a skateboard deck last?

How long a skateboard deck lasts really depends on how you skate, how often you skate, what’s the weather like for the duration of its use and potentially what tricks you’re attempting. If you’re out skating street everyday in the depths of winter you might get a month but if you’re skating sparingly during the summer months your might get a few months out of deck. The main things to watch for are a dead or flat feel when you ollie, chips and cracks around the nose and tail, and any signs of delamination where the layers start to separate.

If your board feels off, chances are it’s time for a new one.

What's the best deck size for street skating vs. transition?

There’s a general split when it comes to skateboard deck width and terrain but a lot (like most things in skating) of it comes down to preference. Street skating usually leans toward narrower boards – somewhere around 8.0” to 8.5 ” – as they’re lighter, quicker to flip and a bit more responsive for technical tricks. Transition skating, whether that’s ramps, bowls or pools, tends to favour wider decks from 8.5” upwards, where the added width gives you more stability and control at speed. Still, these are just tendencies rather than strict rules. Some people skate everything on an 8.0”, others won’t go near anything under 8.5”. It’s all personal preference at the end of the day.