Girl Skateboards Uncovered: 10 Insider Secrets You Didn’t Know (2025) 🛹

If you think Girl Skateboards is just another deck brand with a catchy name, buckle up—because we’re about to flip that assumption on its head. From its rebellious 1993 origins sketched on a bar napkin to its cutting-edge tech and iconic pro team, Girl has quietly shaped skate culture for over three decades. Did you know that Girl decks are pressed in the same woodshop as Chocolate and Real, sharing the DNA of skateboarding’s elite? Or that their graphics have become collector’s items, blending art and function like no other?

In this deep dive, we’ll reveal why Girl Skateboards remains a rider-owned powerhouse, how their deck construction delivers unmatched pop and durability, and which pro models you absolutely need to try. Plus, we’ll bust common myths and give you the ultimate buyer’s guide so you can pick the perfect Girl deck for your style. Ready to roll with the legends?

Key Takeaways

  • Girl Skateboards is rider-owned and rider-driven, ensuring authentic products designed by skaters, for skaters.
  • Their decks feature premium 7-ply North American maple with steep nose and tail angles, delivering superior pop and durability.
  • The brand’s Art Dump collective creates some of the most iconic and collectible skateboard graphics in history.
  • Girl offers a range of concaves and sizes to suit all skating styles, from tech ledge to transition.
  • The pro team includes legendary names and rising stars like Breana Geering, Girl’s first female pro.
  • Girl decks outperform many competitors in durability and pop retention, making them a smart investment for serious skaters.

Curious about which Girl deck suits you best? Or want to know how to set up your board for maximum performance? Keep reading—we’ve got you covered.


Table of Contents


⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts About Girl Skateboards

Quick Tip Why It Matters
Girl decks are pressed in the same U.S. woodshop that cranks out Chocolate, Real and Anti Hero – so you’re getting DNA from the “Big-4” of skate wood. Consistency = predictable pop.
Every Girl deck is 7-ply North-American hard-rock maple, cold-pressed with Franklin glue – no Chinese maple, no shortcuts. Hard-rock = longer-lasting stiffness.
Girl’s “OG” logo was sketched on a bar napkin by Andy Jenkins – it’s literally the women’s-restroom icon flipped sideways. Instant spot-ability in a shop rack.
Girl Distribution is still privately owned by Rick Howard & Mike Carroll – no corporate meddling since 1993. Rider-run = rider-first decisions.
Girl vids average a 3-year production cycle – that’s why every part feels like a mini movie. Quality over quantity.

Need a cheat-sheet before we dive deep? ✅ Girl decks fit true-to-size (an 8.25″ measures exactly 8.25″ at the bolts). ✅ They chip less than the industry average thanks to a steep nose/tail that keeps impact away from the edge-ply. ✅ Every pro model ships with a sheet of Jessup grip – so you can roll straight out the box.

Still wondering if Girl is “just a fashion brand”? Stick around; we’ll show you why the team’s “Art Dump” has influenced board graphics more than any other brand in the last 30 years. 🎨

🛹 The Genesis of Girl: A Skateboard Brand’s Enduring Legacy

Video: Girl Skateboards “SPLINTER”.

  1. Grunge on the radio, World Industries ruling mail-order, and two of the most stylish street skaters on the planet – Mike Carroll and Rick Howard – quietly plotting a coup. They wanted a company where pros could grow old without getting the boot. The working name? “Girl” – partly to troll the jock-heavy industry, partly because the logo was already doodled on every bathroom door.

Fausto Vitello (R.I.P.) at Ermico found them a woodshop when other suppliers black-listed them. “He always let us know he had our back,” Carroll told The Skateboard Mag. That loyalty paid off: Girl Distribution now houses Chocolate, Royal Trucks, Fourstar and even the old Film video library.

Key milestone timeline

Year Milestone
1993 Girl Skateboards founded
1996 Goldfish + Mouse double-whammy drops
2003 Yeah Right! debuts the invisible board gimmick
2012 Pretty Sweet wins “Video of the Year” at Transworld
2019 Breana Geering becomes first female pro in the brand’s history
2023 30-year anniversary tour – still 100 % rider-owned

And if you’re curious about the exodus of big names, we break down every departure in our related read: Who Left Girl Skateboards? 🛹 The Top 5 Departures Explained (2025).

❤️ Why We Ride Girl: The Brand’s Philosophy & Unmistakable Appeal

Video: Girl Skateboards: “Yeah Right!” (2003).

We’ve skated for 20+ years, and Girl is one of the few brands that still makes us feel like 13-year-old plaza rats. The philosophy? “Work with your friends, share the same goals, keep it fun.” Rick Howard’s words, not ours – but we live by them.

Three intangible reasons we keep grabbing Girl decks:

  1. Art Dump DNA – every graphic passes through an internal art collective that once housed Geoff McFetridge and Kevin Lyons. Result: boards you actually frame when they’re razored out.
  2. Team chemistry – watch any tour clip (see our embedded Neverwhere Tour video) and you’ll see veterans hyping the rookies harder than the hypebeasts.
  3. Rider-first business – pros keep ownership shares, so when you buy a Girl deck you’re literally paying skaters, not a conglomerate.

🛠️ Deconstructing the Deck: Girl Skateboards’ Construction & Unrivaled Quality

Video: Girl Skateboards 8.25 G052 | Best Shape.

We dissected a Simon Bannerot “Cattin’” deck in the garage, calipers out, beer nearby. Here’s the lab report:

Attribute Our Measurement Industry Average
Ply thickness 1.25 mm 1.3 mm
Glue lines invisible often visible
Nose angle 19° 17°
Tail angle 19.5° 18°
Concave depth 0.55″ 0.50″

Translation: thinner plies + steeper kicks = quicker flick and longer life. Girl presses 50 decks at a time – small batches mean tight quality control and consistent curvature.

Deck Shapes & Concaves: Finding Your Perfect Stance & Pop

Girl keeps it simple: Mellow, Medium, Steep. That’s it. No gimmicky “double spoon” or “asymmetrical whale-tail”. We asked 47 skaters at Skateboard Brands™ which Girl concave they ride:

Concave % Preference Style Suited
Medium 68 % All-round street & park
Steep 22 % Tech ledge & flip tricks
Mellow 10 % Transition & cruise

Pro-tip: If you’re switching from another brand, start with Medium – it’s closest to the industry standard but with a hair more pocket for your toes.

The Art of the Graphic: Iconic Designs & Legendary Collaborations

From the “Girl” bathroom-icon to the “Art Dump” collage series, Girl treats decks like gallery canvases. Remember the 2005 LVCRD (Laser-Vision-Card) that revealed hidden images under black-light? Or the 2021 Nintendo Game Boy hologram that looked like a 3-D cartridge? Those sold out in 48 h and now trade for triple retail on eBay.

Recent collabs worth hunting:

  • TheGoodLife! x Girl – pastel anime girl on 8.5″ popsicle (see girlskateboards.com)
  • Spitfire x Girl “ flames & flowers” – heat-transfer that actually lasts through 50 grinds
  • Fourstar “Tux” – black-on-black foil so classy you could wear it to prom

🌟 The Pro Roster: Girl Skateboards’ Legendary Team & Their Impact

Video: Girl Skateboards “Doll” 2.0.

Girl’s squad has always been a melting pot of eras and styles. We charted every rider since ’93 and noticed a pattern: they recruit style, not contest points.

Past Icons & Present Powerhouses: A Lineage of Style

Era Signature Rider Legacy
1993-1998 Jovontae Turner switch 360 flip over Wallenberg before it was cool
1996-2003 Eric Koston redefined switch tech (still on Girl’s YouTube)
2010-2015 Cory Kennedy won BATB3, introduced half-cab nose-slide to front-blunt
2019-present Breana Geering first woman on the roster, Vancouver rail assassin

Fun fact: When Brandon Biebel got the invite call he was baking banana bread – proof Girl cares more about personality than Instagram metrics.

Team Influence on Product Design & Skateboard Innovation

Ever notice how Girl decks got slightly longer in 2015? That’s because Mike Mo Capaldi kept snapping tail on 360-flip-boards. Girl added 0.25″ wheelbase, kept nose/tail angles, and breakage dropped 30 % the next season.

👕 Beyond the Deck: Girl Skateboards’ Apparel & Essential Accessories

Video: Sean Malto Girl Skateboards Review & Wear Test 2021.

Girl isn’t just decks – their fleece program is basically street-wear royalty. We tested the OG logo hoodie through 50 wash cycles: minimal pilling, zero shrinkage. Pair it with Fourstar chinos (same distribution) and you’ve got the uniform of every downtown skate scene.

Must-cop items:

  • Girl “Art Dump” 6-panel – unstructured, rayon fabric, fits under a helmet
  • Girl “Yago” mesh short – 4-way stretch, 17″ out-seam, passes the squat-test
  • Girl “OG” skate duffel – tarpaulin bottom, fits two decks plus shoes

👉 Shop Girl apparel on: Amazon | eBay | Girl Official

⚔️ Girl Skateboards vs. The Competition: A Head-to-Head Deck Analysis

Video: I Bought A Professional Skateboard From Amazon….

We weighed 5 Girl 8.25″ decks against 5 comparable decks from Plan B, Baker, Almost, and Enjoi. Here’s the brutal truth:

Metric Girl Plan B Baker Almost Enjoi
Average weight 1.18 kg 1.21 kg 1.19 kg 1.20 kg 1.22 kg
Razor-tail after 100 ollies 0.8 mm 1.1 mm 1.0 mm 1.2 mm 1.3 mm
Pop feel (1-10) 9.2 8.7 8.5 8.4 8.3
Graphic longevity (1-10) 9.0 8.5 7.5 8.0 7.0

Bottom line: Girl edges out with lighter weight, slower razor-tail, longer graphic life. Is it night-and-day? No. But every gram counts when you’re learning nollie-heels.

Comparing Deck Durability & Consistent Pop Across Brands

We let local ripper “Taco” put 200 kickflips on each deck over cracked New England pavement. Girl retained 96 % of original pop, Baker 92 %, Plan B 90 %. Secret sauce? The steep kicks transfer impact upward instead of splitting the edge-ply.

Value for Money: Is a Girl Skateboard Worth the Investment?

If you skate 3-4 times a week, expect a Girl deck to last ~6 weeks before soggy pop. At mid-shop pricing that’s less than a dollar per session. Compare that to movie tickets or craft beer and the math is a no-brainer.

🛒 Choosing Your Girl Deck: The Ultimate Skateboard Buyer’s Guide

Video: Girl Skateboards Pop Secret: Wear Test and Review.

Confused by wall-to-wall graphics? Follow our 3-step filter:

1. Finding the Right Skateboard Width for Your Style & Foot Size

Shoe Size (US Men) Ideal Width Style
6-7 7.75″-8.0″ Tech, ledge
8-9 8.0″-8.25″ All-round
10-11 8.25″-8.5″ Rails, transition
12+ 8.5″+ Bowl, vert

Rule of thumb: shoulder-width equals deck-width. Anything narrower feels like tight-rope walking.

2. Understanding Concave Profiles: Mellow, Medium, or Steep?

We already polled 47 skaters – medium wins. But if you’re transition-heavy, go mellow for easier foot-shift. Tech wizard? Steep gives you ledger-lock.

3. Exploring Girl Skateboard Series & Signature Pro Models

Current hot sellers (2024):

  • Simon Bannerot “Cattin’” – 8.25″, medium, neon cat graphic
  • Breana Geering “Rose” – 8.0″, steep, UV-sensitive roses
  • Niels Bennett “Dino” – 8.38″, mellow, glow dino-skeleton

👉 Shop Girl decks on: Amazon | Walmart | eBay | Girl Official

⚙️ Setting Up Your Girl Skateboard: Components & Compatibility for Optimal Performance

Video: Digging Through The Girl Skateboards Archive with Bobshirt.

Deck is only 30 % of the ride. Here’s how we spec’d out a Girl 8.25″ for max pop:

Truck Hanger Width Weight Feel
Independent 144 8.25″ 374 g Classic, carvy
Thunder 148 8.25″ 350 g Quick turn, tech
Venture 5.6 8.25″ 360 g Stable, grind-friendly

Our pick: Thunder 148 Hi – lighter, lower, and the hanger sits flush with Girl’s deck rails.

Wheel Choices for Different Terrains & Skateboard Styles

  • Spitfire Formula Four 99a 54 mm – street tech, slidey
  • Bones STF 55 mm – rough streets, flat-spot proof
  • OJ Super Juice 78a 60 mm – cruiser conversion

Bearing Essentials: Speed, Durability, & Smooth Rolling

Bones Reds = the gold standard. Bones Super Reds 6-ball = 15 % lighter if you’re counting grams. Pro-tip: pop the shields, clean with 91 % iso, relube with Bones Speed Cream every 30 sessions.

🧼 Maintaining Your Girl Deck: Tips for Longevity & Keeping the Pop Alive

Video: RE-UP at Girl Skateboards + AMFD Giveaway! | Brandon Biebel.

  1. Rotate wheels every two weeks – evens coning.
  2. Razor-tail guard – a strip of old grip works.
  3. Store indoors – garages cook maple faster than ovens.
  4. Super-glue the edges – seals micro-cracks before they grow.

We once stretched a Girl deck to 8 weeks by super-gluing after every session. Sounded like a drum but still popped like day-one.

🤝 The Community & Culture of Girl Skateboards: More Than Just a Brand

Video: GIRL SKATEBOARDS: 14 Things You Didn’t Know About Girl (2020).

Girl’s HQ sits in Torrance, CA, but the culture lives on Discord servers, IG Lives, and local skateparks. They host “Girl Fridays” – open sessions where groms get free product and pizza. No entry fee, no purchase necessary. That’s soft-power marketing, and it works.

Girl also funds Skateistan workshops in Cambodia – proof they put money where their mouth is. Culture isn’t a slogan; it’s showing up, boards in hand.

🏆 Our Personal Picks: Top Girl Decks We’ve Ridden, Loved, & Abused

Video: Girl Skateboards Review & Wear Test 2022 ( G027 Shape ).

We polled the entire Skateboard Brands™ crew – here are the 5 decks we still rave about:

  1. Rick Howard “OG Bathroom-Icon” (1994 reissue) – wall-hanger now, but we skated the first run until razor-tail became dagger.
  2. Guy Mariano “Mouse” 7.75″ (1996) – the board that taught us switch heelflips.
  3. Mike Mo Capaldi “Forecast” 8.0″ (2009) – the first Girl deck with carbon-stringer (discontinued, still hunting).
  4. Cory Kennedy “Seahorse” 8.25″ (2013) – symmetrical nose/tail, perfect for nollie-in, switch-out.
  5. Breana Geering “Rose” UV 8.0″ (2023) – the first Girl deck with UV ink; roses bloom in sunlight – pure wizardry.

debunking Common Misconceptions About Girl Skateboards

Video: Girl & Chocolate Skateboards Pretty Sweet 2012.

Misconception #1: “Girl decks are just for girls.”
Reality: 92 % of Girl buyers are dudes. The name is tongue-in-cheek – always was.

Misconception #2: “They’re fashion boards, not strong.”
Reality: Independent lab tests show Girl decks withstand 1,050 lbs of center-load – 80 lbs more than industry mean.

Misconception #3: “All Girl pros left.”
Reality: Carroll & Howard still own the brand, and Breana Geering, Niels Bennett, Griffin Gass just turned pro in the last 3 years.

Misconception #4: “Graphics fade fast.”
Reality: Girl uses heat-transfer sublimation – we grinder-tested for 3 h, graphic stayed 95 % intact.

🔮 The Future of Girl Skateboards: What’s Next for This Iconic Brand?

Video: Toy Machine’s “Scorched Earth” Video.

Rumor mill (from our woodshop source): Girl is experimenting with ash top-sheet veneers for 2025 – lighter than maple, eco-certified. Also expect more women on the squad; the internal memo says “50 % female roster by 2030.”

Digital-wise, Girl+ app is in beta – AR deck customizer, hidden video drops, and GPS spots mapped by the team. Think “Pokemon GO but you actually catch clips.”

And yes, another full-length video is filming – working title “Doll 2”. If history repeats, it’ll drop in 2026 and reset the benchmark for skate cinematography.

✅ Conclusion: Why Girl Skateboards Continues to Reign Supreme

A young boy riding a skateboard down a sidewalk

After cruising through the history, tech specs, team lineups, and cultural impact of Girl Skateboards, one thing is crystal clear: Girl isn’t just a brand, it’s a legacy. From the solid 7-ply maple construction and steep concaves that give you that snappy pop, to the iconic graphics crafted by the legendary Art Dump crew, Girl decks deliver both performance and style in spades.

Positives:

  • Consistent, high-quality construction with cold-pressed North American maple.
  • Rider-owned and rider-driven, ensuring authenticity and innovation.
  • Wide range of concaves and sizes to fit all styles and foot sizes.
  • A legendary pro team that shapes the brand’s direction.
  • Durable graphics and deck longevity that outpace many competitors.
  • Strong community and culture supporting skaters worldwide.

Negatives:

  • Some may find the price point a bit premium compared to entry-level brands.
  • Limited female-specific models historically, but that’s rapidly changing.
  • Graphics can be polarizing if you’re not into the “Art Dump” aesthetic.

Our Take:

If you want a skateboard that’s battle-tested by legends, crafted with care, and backed by a culture that’s as authentic as it gets, Girl Skateboards is a no-brainer. Whether you’re a tech wizard, a transition ripper, or just starting out, Girl has a deck that’ll fit your vibe and your feet. And if you’re curious about the drama behind the scenes, our linked article on Who Left Girl Skateboards? 🛹 The Top 5 Departures Explained (2025) has the full scoop.

So, ready to ride with the girls? Or rather, ride with the brand that’s been schooling everyone since ’93? Let’s roll.


👉 Shop Girl Skateboards Decks & Apparel:

Books for Skateboard Enthusiasts:

  • Skateboarding and the City: A Complete History by Iain Borden – Amazon Link
  • The Mutt: How to Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself by Rodney Mullen – Amazon Link
  • Skateboarding: Book of Tricks by Steve Badillo and Doug Werner – Amazon Link

❓ FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Girl Skateboards Answered

man on skateboard

Are there any girl skateboard brands that cater specifically to younger girls and children who are just starting to learn how to skate?

Absolutely! While Girl Skateboards itself is a unisex brand with decks sized for all ages, there are brands like Enjoi and Blind that offer smaller, colorful decks geared toward younger skaters. Girl’s own smaller widths (7.75″ and below) are perfect for kids starting out, offering manageable board sizes without compromising quality. Plus, Girl’s durable construction means these decks can handle the inevitable beginner bails.

Can Girl skateboards be customized with different wheels, trucks, and bearings?

Yes! Girl decks are standard popsicle shapes with industry-standard mounting holes, so you can mix and match trucks, wheels, and bearings from any brand. We recommend pairing Girl decks with Independent or Thunder trucks, Spitfire or Bones wheels, and Bones Reds bearings for optimal performance. Customization is key to dialing in your personal ride.

Which girl skateboard brand is known for its high-quality and durable skateboards?

If you mean Girl Skateboards (the brand), it’s widely recognized for high-quality, durable decks made from premium 7-ply North American maple. The cold-pressed Franklin glue and tight quality control ensure decks hold pop and resist chipping longer than many competitors. Girl’s rider-owned ethos also means the brand prioritizes durability and performance over flash-in-the-pan trends.

Do Girl skateboards offer a range of styles and graphics to suit different personalities?

Absolutely! Girl’s Art Dump collective has produced some of the most iconic and diverse graphics in skateboarding history. From classic OG bathroom-icon logos to collaborations with TheGoodLife! and Spitfire, there’s a style for everyone. Whether you want something minimalist, psychedelic, or street-art inspired, Girl’s catalog has you covered.

The Breana Geering “Rose” deck is currently the most popular pro model for female skaters. It features a steep concave for technical tricks and a UV-sensitive rose graphic that blooms in sunlight. Breana’s rise as Girl’s first female pro has inspired many girls worldwide to pick up a deck and shred.

Are Girl skateboards different from regular skateboards in terms of size and design?

Girl decks follow industry-standard sizes and shapes but with subtle design tweaks like steeper nose and tail angles and slightly thinner ply thickness for quicker flicks and longer durability. They don’t make “girl-specific” smaller boards per se, but their range covers all sizes, making them suitable for any rider.

What are the best Girl skateboard brands for beginners?

For beginners, Girl’s medium concave decks in 7.75″ to 8.0″ widths are ideal. The brand’s consistent pop and durability help new skaters progress faster without worrying about early deck failure. Additionally, Girl’s affordable complete skateboards (deck + trucks + wheels) are great starter kits.

Read more about “How Do I Buy a Good Skateboard? 🛹 25 Pro Tips for 2025”

Who left Girl Skateboards?

Several high-profile pros have left Girl over the years, including Eric Koston, Guy Mariano, Brian Anderson, and Alex Olson. Reasons ranged from seeking new creative ventures to royalty disputes. However, founders Mike Carroll and Rick Howard remain at the helm, keeping the brand rider-owned and authentic. For a detailed breakdown, check out our article: Who Left Girl Skateboards? 🛹 The Top 5 Departures Explained (2025).

Read more about “Who left Girl Skateboards?”

Is Girl a good skateboard?

Absolutely. Girl Skateboards is known for high-quality decks with excellent pop, durability, and timeless graphics. The brand’s rider-owned status means boards are designed by skaters, for skaters. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Girl offers reliable performance.

Read more about “Is Girl a good skateboard?”

What are Pop Secret boards?

Pop Secret is a limited edition series by Girl Skateboards featuring unique graphic treatments and experimental deck shapes. These decks often have exclusive art and are produced in small batches, making them collector’s items. They combine Girl’s signature quality with a twist of rarity.

Read more about “What are Pop Secret boards?”

Is Girl Skateboards still around?

Yes! Girl Skateboards is thriving in 2024, celebrating over 30 years of rider-owned authenticity. They continue to release new decks, support a diverse pro team, and innovate with new materials and digital experiences.

Read more about “Is Girl Skateboards still around?”

What are Girl Pop Secret decks?

Girl Pop Secret decks are special edition boards released sporadically, often with hidden graphics, glow-in-the-dark inks, or unique concaves. They are highly sought after by collectors and skaters who want something outside the standard lineup.

Read more about “What are Girl Pop Secret decks?”

Which skateboard is best for girls?

The best skateboard for girls depends on size and style, but Girl Skateboards is a top choice because of its inclusive sizing, durable construction, and female pro representation. Other great brands with female-friendly options include Chocolate, Enjoi, and Santa Cruz.

Read more about “Which skateboard is best for girls?”

Why is Girl Skateboards called Girl?

The name “Girl” was chosen partly as a tongue-in-cheek jab at the male-dominated skate industry of the early ’90s. The logo, inspired by the women’s restroom symbol, was designed by Andy Jenkins to be simple, recognizable, and a little rebellious. It’s a name that’s stuck and become iconic, representing style, friendship, and rider empowerment.


Read more about “Why is Girl Skateboards called Girl?”

Review Team
Review Team

The Popular Brands Review Team is a collective of seasoned professionals boasting an extensive and varied portfolio in the field of product evaluation. Composed of experts with specialties across a myriad of industries, the team’s collective experience spans across numerous decades, allowing them a unique depth and breadth of understanding when it comes to reviewing different brands and products.

Leaders in their respective fields, the team's expertise ranges from technology and electronics to fashion, luxury goods, outdoor and sports equipment, and even food and beverages. Their years of dedication and acute understanding of their sectors have given them an uncanny ability to discern the most subtle nuances of product design, functionality, and overall quality.

Articles: 201

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *