The 25 Best Skateboard Decks From the '80s

Classic cruisers. Legendary graphics.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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 While the '70s hosted some minimal art on skateboards, it was really the '80s that brought the use of the skateboard deck as a graphic medium into play. We decided to take a look back and determine The 25 Best Skateboard Decks From the '80s. This is obviously a subjective matter and your local 40-year-old fully-padded park dad will probably complain about why the boards he had growing up are not on it. I am sure they are on other’s top 25 lists, but we took a look at the best (graphically), not necessarily the most iconic. Many of these graphics were so far ahead of their time that they could hold their own weight today as great designs amongst the current trend of recycled concepts and logo boards. The '90s pushed the envelope with controversy and trademark infringements, but the '80s defined the culture and gave people something tangible to rally around. Hop in the Delorean and let’s take you back to the '80s.

We would like to give a shout out to Sean Cliver and his book Disposable: A History of Skateboard Art. If you like these decks, we recommend you pick up that book for tons of other great images from skateboarding's past.

RELATED: The Best 80s Movies List

RELATED: Green Label - The 10 Best Skate Logos

RELATED: Green Label - A Look at the Best Art Made from Skate Decks

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Nolder

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Shark

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23. Vison Tom Groholski

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Notch Nose

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Folmer

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Harris

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Knucklehead

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Johnson

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Seewaldt

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Cab

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Slasher

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Per Welinder

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9. Vison Tom Groholski

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SMA

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Weirdo

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Misfits

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Big Boys

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