Best of Toronto
The Best Skateboard Shops in Toronto
The best skateboard shops in Toronto serve more than a once-upon-a-time niche market. With some shops having been around for decades now - Hogtown and So Hip it Hurts - Toronto has always had a solid rep of skaters, skate spots and the corresponding skate shops. And with the growth of skateboarding being on MDMA with Tony Hawk Pro Skater video games and the likes of a West 49 in every great mall across the city over the past 10 years, Toronto's skate shops, for the most part, stayed independent and true to their roots. That counts for something; and says even more about Toronto's skate community.
With conventional skateboarding still around and resilient, longboarding, as you have probably seen on every street corner, has blossomed. Chatting with the guys at the historic Hogtown, they now sell 10 longboards for every skateboard. Like the record player, things have gone straight-up old school in Toronto's skate culture. But skateboarding, God bless it, is still mighty healthy in Toronto.
Here's a list of the best skateboard shops in Toronto.
Hogtown Extreme Sports
Having been around for some 26 years – hardcore since ‘84 – Hogtown is a Toronto skateboard institution. Carrying a lot of the more traditional skate brands like Santa Cruz, Vans and Powell, Hogtown has an unbeatable collection of pool decks that are hard to find. Trying to keep up with the hustle, Hogtown has opened its doors to snowboarding, BMXing, apparel and safety equipment over the years, but skateboarding is still at the crux. And rightfully so. More »
So Hip it Hurts
Not so much for the kiddie boppers, but for the more mature, discerning boarder, So Hip it Hurts holds legend status in Toronto having been around for 20-something years. Like the other classic, long-term shops, So Hip stocks up on the hard-to-get brands and decks and holds true with reliable customer service to continue to pioneer and steer Toronto’s skate scene. More »
Longboard Living
If you’re looking for a longboard, this is the spot. Tucked away in Kensington, Longboard Living is a prized mecca for a booming longboarding community. Having only been around for a few years, Longboard Living offers skate lessons, skateboard art, a wide variety of boards of various styles and simply exudes a genuine love for longboarding culture. More »
Hammer Skateboard
Hammer is one of those tiny skate shops just stuffed with shoes, decks, hats, shirts and stickers. They stick to their chops – that would be skateboarding only – and hold on tight. Serving the dedicated skaters, pool riders and longboarders, Hammer knows where it came from and is proud to support the local skate community. More »
Sanction
As a mini-franchise, Sanction brings a little bit more garnish to your typical local fare. With a clean look, set-up and vibe, Sanction is safe for the whole family, but still an independent shop. With a solid selection of the top skate brands like DC, Element, Lakai and Independent, Sanction has something for everyone. More »
Cardinal Skate Co.
Pretty much brand spankin’ new, having opened their doors in the spring of last year, Cardinal Skate Co. has been quick to carve out a loyal clientele of riders. This is also helped by Cardinal coming together with the now-defunct Common Ground indoor skate park, which was one of the largest indoor parks in the country during its prime. Selling a mixture of skateboards, snowboards and old-fashioned roller skates, Cardinal Skate Co. is place to keep your eyes on. More »
Adrift
More of an apparel and skate culture spot than a bona fide skate shop, Adrift is a pretty slick operation. In a tucked away basement studio at Spadina and Richmond, these guys narrow in on the fashionable apparel and kicks. You’ll find the trendier stuff here than the other shops, but not as much on the hardware. If you’re the type looking for the new PRod 5 from Nike, here’s your spot. More »
Blue Tile Lounge
It doesn’t get any newer than a month-old, but Blue Tile, which got its start in Newmarket in ’97, has already made a splash. Landing in prime real estate on College St. beside The Cloak and Dagger is a mini shop. With a skate team boasting some of Canada’s best skaters, like Corey Sheppard and Morgan Smith, Blue Tile has landed in Toronto for good. More »
Roarockit
Don’t like any of these shops and can’t find the right deck? Screw it, build your own. Roarockit, founded by Ted Hunter when he was in Maui in 2001, builds custom decks for all riders. Using a patented Thin Air Press, Roarockit also offers lessons and classes for kids that want to build their own decks. To date, they’ve pumped out more that 10,000 hand-built custom decks. Right on. More »
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Skateboarding is a fad kids grow out of.
This article is fleeting in its relevancy.
Not too many 12 yr old shaggy haired 'tweens are reading this site anyway.
juh?
"Chatting with the guys at the historic Hogtown, they now sell 10 longboards for every skateboard."
FUUUUUU
as for the article, it probably shouldnt have had rankings. putting a store that doesnt sell skateboards as the third best is not a good look
Incidentally, other that The Baitshop, can any of the naysayers here suggest other stores that should have been on this list? Negative comments are a lot more helpful when they're constructive. Don't bash the list if you're not going to suggest any places that should be added, removed or re-ordered.
If skaters think it's not good enough then perhaps they should compile their own list. When that's done, post a link here in the comments so we can all see how such articles should be written.
I await with bated breath ...
Go ride your longboard.
anyone remember those shops? haha
ya baitshop is a cool spot, I wish it was open when I still skated
there's also junction skateshop
If the title was different I would just say I disagree, but saying it's the best... I can just flat out say it's wrong.
care to explain why skating on a board that's 45" long is that different from one that's 30"?
unfortunately that's base for almost every trick in skateboarding, thus making the possibilities of longboarding about 1% as vast as actual skateboarding. and trying to make a culture around longboarding is about as logical as trying to make a culture of people who drive a car
I never said this article listed the best skateboarding shops.
I just said it was the best list, as it is the ONLY list.
That is, until someone creates a better list ...
774 College Street
Toronto, ON M6G 1C6
(416) 916-3321
Open Mon-Sat 12pm-6pm; Sun 12pm-5pm
Public transit: College Street at Crawford Street
SHOUT OUT TO THE LILIANI FAMILY <3
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unfortunately that's base for almost every trick in skateboarding, thus making the possibilities of longboarding about 1% as vast as actual skateboarding. and trying to make a culture around longboarding is about as logical as trying to make a culture of people who drive a car"
while I do understand your point, I think you're missing the fact that people on longboards actually RIDE their boards (usually pretty fast). While it might be fun for some people to spend an entire afternoon working on that perfect varial-to-crooked grind, other people actually like to bomb hills, do slides, and feel the breeze in their face.
yeah, I'm not trying to troll this one, but I just fine it strange how divided people are over the issue. Someone on a mountain bike and someone on a roadbike don't seem to need to put the other group down the same way.
Ok, yeah, I like to point out to longboarders that they consistently want to be considered skateboarders, but skateboards (actual ones) want nothing to do with longboarding. That should be a clue to those who wonder what the difference is. Skateboarding is hard! Longboarding is a push! It's like someone who writes an awesome novel and this jerk comes up and says "oh yeah, you're a writer? me too, I wrote down this list of groceries to get at the wal-mart"
They are completely different, and associating the two just confuses people.
Oh oh, apparently at long board living they teach lessons for free, thats nice, but incredibly unneccessary, lesson one "don't push mongo. Bam, expert status".
What was once a plank with roller skate wheels has transformed many times by the innovative people in particular places of the world through different eras. Have you seen Future Primitive lately?
Everything is coming full circle.
are they any more different than mountain biking and road racing?
I grew up skateboarding, and understand why there's a divide, but why the 'holier-than-thou' attitude? I get that there's always going to be poseurs, and it's easier for a poseur to hop on a long board and start pushing mongo (for shame), but to hold that against all people with longboards is just lame.
I mean hell.... remember when everyone picked on flatland skaters?
This is like "reviewing" the Best Chinese Food Places in Toronto, and then making half the list Korean restaurants.
Honestly, remove this article if you want this blog to have some sort of credibility.
I've noticed the last year or so that skateboarding has become a bit more popular. I wonder if it has to do with interest/promotion of longboarding. As others have mentioned, longboarding is much easier than skateboarding. I imagine the longboarders will get bored and try a skateboard - perhaps longboarders will be able to do tricks at a fast speed? That would be cool!
The store is really chill and everyone who works there is cool. I liked how they let us put the grip tape on our own decks when we bought them. That was a first for me at the time.
They really understand what they're doing. It is at more than the professional level. They made us a very good deal. http://www.v3sound.sk
Its definition has become synonymous with short boarding.
Let's not overlook slalom skateboarding, long distance skateboarding, downhill skateboarding.
I think everyone involved in this discussion should watch this video shot in Toronto this week:
http://vimeo.com/27535569
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Adrift used to be good when it was in Kensington, but if you don't 'look' like you have money, they don't give a shit about you. Jocks on boards is equivalent to longboarding.
As for Hogtown and So Hip, just because you've been around for a long time it does not make you a good shop.
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I also don't understand why there is a big line between skateboarding and longboarding. First off, those who say you can't trick on a longboard, and completely wrong. There are several boards that you can trick on, and if you don't believe me, youtube the shit.
Seriously, this line that people are creating between the two sports is ridiculous. Both on a piece of wood, both on four wheels held together by pieces of metal. Both can trick, both can go fast.
Stop it. It's old, childish and flat out lame. It's only hurting our image as Boarders.
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Ive just been talkingvto the good lady wife about the benefits of travel and for me, the benefits of skateboarding and what it has done for me. Would appreciate it if anyone could enlighten me. Cheers, ftom the UK.
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Boardsports Toronto
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