Six Small Skateboard Brands We Back

I've been skating since the mid-80's where I can remember the list of skateboarding companies being pretty short. It seemed like there were no small skater owned companies back then when Vision, Powell, and Santa Cruz ruled. I didn't even know or care if the people behind those companies making my favorite stuff skated or not. Then Gonz left Vision and started Blind followed by the young superstars on Powell exiting and going with Rocco on SMA / World Industries. That's my earliest memory of the birth of the whole "support skater owned" movement. The skater owned companies were more creative, far more entertaining in ads, and just seemed more real and authentic. Since those days and huge changes, the skateboarding industry has always been about DIY, doing your own thing, starting your own brands, etc. As different as skateboarding is these days, that entrepreneurial spirit still thrives. I pulled a few of our small brands from The Boardr Store to highlight some that we're hyped on: Passport, Isle, Scumco, Traffic, Transportation Unit, and Preservation.

1: PASS~PORT Straight Shooters Deck

Trent Evans started PASS~PORT in 2008. His company's inspiration comes from travel, friends, and his Australian heritage. The team is a tight crew of Australians that we hope to see one day sooner than later on our travels doing events with The Boardr. Josh Pall, Billy McFeely, Callum Paul, Geoff Campbell, Glenn Wignall, and Bernie Foo, see you down under one day, maybe for The Boardr Am.

Buy Now: $50.00

2: Isle Paul Shier Studio 1 Deck

Isle is Paul Shier's project. He's rolling with Nick Jenson, Sylvain Tognelli, and a crew of other stylish rippers bred by those amazing spots they have over the pond there along with the good brew. This is Paul's pro model in the Studio 1 series.

Buy Now: $50.00

3: Scumco and Sons Man-Machine Loop Deck

Pennswood Manufacturing located in Oil City, Pennsylvania is owned and run by skateboarders using the finest Canadian and American Maple wood to make all Scumco and Sons boards. You'll find skateboarders owning and running even the print shop that does their shirts.

Buy Now: $50.00

4: Traffic Yonnie Cruz Cloud City Deck

The entire Tampa Bay area high fived when Yonnie recently went pro for Traffic. This Cloud City deck represents UT and downtown Tampa. Yonnie joins Traffic pros Kevin Coakley, Ricky Oyola, Rich Adler, and Deshi.

Buy Now: $50.00

5: Transportation Unit Bar Daze Deck

Skateboarder and artist Russ Pope has been getting it done on both fronts for 25+ years. His board brand, Transportation Unit, of course has some amazing graphics of Russ' work like the Bar Daze here, but combine that with fun shapes, and it's something we're all hyped on here at The Boardr Store. I would like to be in a Bar Daze right now.

Buy Now: $50.00

6: Preservation Board Company Cultcha Deck

Preservation Board Co is out of New Orleans with boards that have been 100% American made since they started in 2010. Their mix of passion for skateboarding and New Orleans' unique culture come through in their designs like the NE Cultcha deck here. We've been friends with most of the crew there for as long as we've all been working in skateboarding, including former pro Charlie Thomas who heads things up there.

Buy Now: $46.00