Image via Complex Original
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Written by Tim Brodhagen, Editor-In-Chief, Radcollector.com.
Although it’s been lamented by some purists that the first ten years of the millennia have been one of the least inspired decades in skateboard aesthetics, the 2000’s still hold their own, with the truly special designs just harder to find amongst a sea of unoriginal productions. And while it’s true that a lot of independent brands and shops died out during this decade in favor of big brands and mall shopping, skateboarding and the art created for it never ceased to flourish. There were also some dope advances in technology too.
In putting together a list of the best 25 skate decks between the years of 2000 and 2009, we could think of no one better than Jose Portes of Brooklyn’s Homage, the OG BK skate shop that has seen a majority of the decade’s best decks pass through its doors.
Check out Jose’s picks for the 25 best skateboards of the 2000’s.
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25. Chocolate, Keenan Milton, Chocolate City Series
Year: 2000
This one is the one on the left. It's a part of a really great looking series you just want to collect and throw them on your wall.
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24. Zoo York, Unbreakable
Year: 2001
Homage to real life heroes that decided to help and give an invaluable service to us. There were some memories skating that whole place (the WTC) from parking lot to benches, ledges, and stairs.
23
23. 5Boro, Good Morning
Year: 2003
Don't ask.
22
22. Enjoi Flashbacks, Bobby Puleo, Billy Idol
Year: 2004
This graphic is hilarious for Bobby. Billy rocks.
21
21. Deathbox, Eric Dressen, Coffin
Year: 2004
This company is no longer around. They had Dog Town classic appeal. I can see it like it was yesterday. Dressen's big frontside 180 method grabs.
20
20. DGK, Stevie Williams, Hello my name is...
Year: 2004
Although this is a simple graphic, Stevie is by no means a normal skater. He is one of the most stylish street skaters out there.
19
19. Seek, Rob Dyrdek, Blackhole Series
Year: 2004
This looks very similar to a current Alien Workshop graphic. This company went under and Dyrdek went to Alien Workshop as well as Kalis.
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18. Designarium, T-Moss S Tail
Year: 2005
This is Natas Kaupas’ company. By far one of the most innovative brands out there as far as shapes and art goes.
17
17. Blind, North Park Mini
Year: 2006
I see kids skating now at six years old. I found my first skateboard in 1986 a year before high school in some basement of a building in the upper west side. Those boards weighed a ton. Minis will change the game and make the average pro age younger than we are used to seeing.
16
16. Krooked, Marc Gonzales, 1986 to 2006
Year: 2006
20 years later... I landed my first tre flip on this board in 1988 amongst other tricks at the Museum of Natural History, so I'm partial to this one. The Gonz is like no one else. He is way ahead of his time. His attitude towards skateboarding is playful and inspirational.
15
15. Anti Hero, John Cardiel, Valdez, Alaska
Year: 2004
This dude rips on snow and on asphalt. Also, remember the Exxon Valdez?
14
14. Krooked, Zip Zinger
Year: 2006
This shape is not the first cruiser shape ever, but it is by far the most versatile shapes. This board has good concave and a sleek design that is timeless.
13
13. Real, Marc Gonzales as Che
Year: 2006
Remember when everyone was wearing these shirts? I never bought one, but I know both Che and Marc are great people.
12
12. Skate Mental, Made In China
Year: 2007
This is what will make our economy go to shit.
11
11. Toy Machine, Ed Templeton, Moniker
Year: 2007
I'm more excited about the construction of this board even though it’s a Templeton. It's called Fiberlam and it strengthens the board using a bottom and top laminated of fiberglass. There are no more focused boards with this technology. These are the stiffest boards out there.
10
10. Shut, Shark Gold
Year: 2007
This one is a re-birth of a classic 80's graphic. I just wish they could have pressed these with the tri-tails of the yesteryears.
9
9. Crimson, Kris Markovich
Year: 2007
Unfortunately, this company is no longer in existence. Kris is a great artist and a great skater, which makes for a great skateboard.
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7. Anti Hero Team, Freedom Fries
Year: 2007
This series kicks ass straight up and down the block. Seriously the most ridiculous name we could have come up with.
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7. Designarium, Kinsey Face
Year: 2008
This shape is a cruiser. The attention to detail makes this board truly memorable. This one can go directly on the wall for the collectors out there.
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6. Chocolate, Marc Johnson, Fully Flared
Year: 2008
Marc Johnson's part may be the longest part on any skate video ever. Marc put in the work and rightfully earned SOTY in 2007.
5
5. Chocolate, Gino Iannucci, Manhattan Map
Year: 2008
The city I grew up skating. This stuff doesn't get old for me. NY as a place is the raddest in the world.
4
4. Almost, Rodney Mullen, Super Uber Light
Year: 2008
This is the lightest most technical deck out there. Not much for graphics, but it's a glimpse at what the future of skateboarding has in store for us.
3
3. Birdhouse, Jeremy Klein, Look Back
Year: 2009
This graphic reminds me of the old Hook Ups Japanese style graphics from the 90's. The shape is perfect too. OG shapes are beginning to make a comeback. Back in the 80's it was all about board shapes. The 90's were all about graphics. Now it's all about construction and overall design.
2
2. Habitat, Stefan Janoski, Daily Use Cork Deck
Year: 2009
This deck is a cruiser implementing new cork grip technology. It's a step in a different direction with the cork. This board does not need grip tape.
1
1. Enjoi, Jose Rojo, Spectrum
Year: 2009
Enjoi is an equal opportunity employer. This board says JOSER in big bold lettering, what more can I say...
