Unpopular Opinion: Skateboards Of The 90s Were Seriously Cool

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Rewind to the golden era! This article explores the iconic skateboards of the 90s, the legendary brands, influential skaters, and the evolution of tricks. Relive the 90s skateboarding scene and its lasting impact on today.

Table of Contents

Grab your kneepads and your baggy jeans because we're taking it back to the 90s to explore the awesome world of skateboards! At kizworld, we're stoked to break down everything about 90s skateboards, from the iconic brands to the gnarly tricks that defined a generation.

Category

Details

Popular Brands

Toy Machine, Girl Skateboards, Birdhouse, Plan B, Blind

Iconic Skateboarders

Tony Hawk, Chad Muska, Jamie Thomas, Kareem Campbell, Elissa Steamer

Trick Innovations

The 900, The Muska Flip, Hardflips, Switch Stances

Skateboard Design

Wider decks, larger wheels, innovative truck designs

Popular Skateboard Brands of the 90s

The 90s were a wild time for skateboarding. It went from a niche hobby to a mainstream phenomenon practically overnight. New brands were popping up left and right, each trying to capture the creativity and rebellious spirit of the time. Some brands, though, rose above the rest and became synonymous with 90s skateboarding. Think of it like the difference between wearing your regular sneakers and rocking a pair of those light-up shoes everyone wanted. Both got you to school, but one just had that extra something special.

One of those "extra special" brands was Toy Machine. Founded by the enigmatic Ed Templeton, Toy Machine was known for its darkly humorous graphics and iconic mascot, the "Devil Cat." Then there was Girl Skateboards, started by pro skaters Mike Carroll and Rick Howard. They brought a sense of clean, sophisticated style to the scene, with their iconic logo and memorable video parts. And let's not forget about Birdhouse, Tony Hawk's company. It was like the all-star team of skateboarding, featuring legends like Andrew Reynolds and Bucky Lasek. These brands weren't just selling skateboards; they were selling a lifestyle, a way of looking at the world that resonated with a whole generation. Check out this article on how to get started with skateboarding if you want to learn more.

Brand

Founder(s)

Known For

Toy Machine

Ed Templeton

Dark humor, "Devil Cat" mascot

Girl Skateboards

Mike Carroll, Rick Howard

Clean style, iconic logo

Birdhouse

Tony Hawk

All-star team of pro skaters

Popular Skateboard Brands of the 90s

Popular Skateboard Brands of the 90s

Iconic Skateboarders of the 90s

The 90s were like skateboarding's rockstar era, and these skaters were the legends! We're talking Tony Hawk, the guy who landed the first-ever 900 (that's two and a half spins in mid-air!) like it was nothing. Then there was Chad Muska, the king of style, who skated to his own beat and invented tricks nobody had even dreamed of. And don't forget about Elissa Steamer, who showed the world that girls could shred just as hard as the guys, if not harder! These skaters weren't just good; they were game-changers who pushed the limits of what was possible on four wheels. To learn more about how to get started with skateboarding, check out this helpful article: how to get started with skateboarding.

Iconic Skateboarders of the 90s

Iconic Skateboarders of the 90s

The Evolution of Skateboard Tricks in the 9s

Before the 90s, skateboarding tricks were cool, but they were kinda like learning to ride your bike without training wheels – awesome, but still basic. Then the 90s hit, and it was like someone invented a rocket engine for your board! The 90s were all about pushing limits and getting creative. Skaters weren't afraid to try new things, to fall and get back up, and to invent tricks that seemed impossible. It was like they were speaking a whole new language on their boards.One of the biggest game-changers was the rise of street skating. Imagine trying to do a flip on a skateboard. Now, imagine doing it over a handrail or down a set of stairs. That's street skating, and it took the world by storm in the 90s. Skaters like Chad Muska were like magicians, inventing tricks with crazy names like the "Muska Flip" that had everyone trying to figure out how they even got the board to do that! It was a time when style was everything, and skaters were finding new and inventive ways to express themselves on their boards. It was like the wild west of skateboarding, with every day bringing a new trick or a new innovation.

Year

Name

Description

1986

Impossible

The board wraps vertically around the foot

1990

Kickflip McTwist

A 540-degree body varial combined with a kickflip.

1991

Hardflip

The board flips in a similar motion to a frontside pop shove-it, but the front foot flips the board 360 degrees.

The Evolution of Skateboard Tricks in the 9s

The Evolution of Skateboard Tricks in the 9s

90s Skateboards: Then and Now

Remember those chunky, colorful skateboards from the 90s? They've come a long way! Back then, landing a kickflip on one of those bad boys felt like conquering Mount Everest. Today's boards are lighter, more responsive, and let you pull off tricks with way more control. It's kinda like the difference between riding a clunky old bike and a sleek new BMX. But you know what? There's still a certain charm to those 90s boards. They remind us of a time when street skating was exploding, and every kid wanted to be like Tony Hawk. Plus, they look pretty sweet hanging on your bedroom wall, right? Speaking of how to train like a skateboarder, it's important to start with the basics.

  • Skateboard
  • Helmet
  • Pads

90s Skateboards: Then and Now

90s Skateboards: Then and Now

The 90s were a defining era for skateboarding, solidifying its place as a cultural phenomenon. The iconic brands, innovative skateboard designs, and legendary skaters continue to inspire generations of skateboarders today. Whether you were shredding the streets back then or just discovering the allure of 90s skateboarding, one thing's for sure: it was a time of pure adrenaline, creativity, and unforgettable style.