The 8 Best Skateboard Trucks of 2022
By: Steve Settles: Skate Buyer | June 1, 2022
Unlike most organized sports, skateboarding will never be fenced in by the confines of a defined set of rules. On the contrary, skateboarding’s inherent roaming freedom encourages you to rip exactly how you see fit, on whatever terrain or obstacle you prefer. In no individual skate product is this freedom more apparent than in the wide variety of skateboard trucks on the market today. Most trucks on this list can be further customized and broken in to skate exactly to each skater’s specifications. So whether you prefer your turn to be stable and anchored, deep and smooth, or loose and chaotic, there’s something on this best skateboard trucks list for you.
New This Year:
New to our list this year are a handful of redesigns, along with fine-tuned classics from our friends at Ace, Independent, Thunder, and more. Be sure to consider how things like truck height, weight, and varying materials will affect your skating when choosing skateboard trucks. That being said, there truly isn’t an option on this list that you can’t customize to your preferred feel with just a few minor tweaks. Dive in and enjoy!
Ace AF1 44 Skateboard Truck
The all-new Ace AF1 44 Skateboard Truck offers refined strength and performance thanks to Ace's proprietary AF1 casting process. Not only does the truck bring a 70% increase in structural integrity, but it also has updated measurements to fit better across decks that are 8.125" to 8.3" wide.
Introduced last year to widespread acclaim, the AF1 from Ace Trucks boasted some much-needed technical updates from their mainstay “Classic” truck models. The self-proclaimed “strongest cast truck ever made,” the AF1 is manufactured using Ace’s unique proprietary casting method along with “True T6” heat-treated baseplates and hangers. The included 96a urethane pivot cups are more responsive and durable than those in past models, maintaining Ace’s signature deep turn for much longer periods of use. These trucks are a solid pick for riders of any and all terrain who skate deck widths in the neighborhood of 8.25”. Please bear in mind that Ace’s design is geared more towards quick turns and maneuverability than straightforward stability. There’s a reason Ace has enjoyed a rapidly expanding fanbase over the last half a decade, join the movement of Ace pilots to understand for yourself!
| Recommended Board Width (in) | Original Price |
| 8.125 - 8.3 | $29.95 each |
Ace 55 Skateboard Truck
Durable construction and polished look make the Ace 55 Skateboard Truck just what you need to bring your new deck together.
An industry standard for its sleek minimal design and unrivaled turn radius, the Ace “Classic” 55 is an iconic choice for those who enjoy slightly wider boards. Ideally suited to deck widths between 8.5” and 9.12”, the Ace 55 comes in a variety of colorways to match your unique personal style. The 55 is constructed using pure 7071 series aluminum around heat treated 3056 series steel axles. Slightly less expensive than their AF1 counterparts, the Ace Classics are better suited to more mellow terrains and riding styles. These have been favorites of old school bowl and skatepark rippers for the last two decades, and they’ve gained significant footing with a younger audience in recent years for their phenomenal turn response in any skating discipline.
| Recommended Board Width (in) | Original Price |
| 8.5 - 9.12 | $22.95 - $24.95 each |
Krux 8.25 K5 Polished Silver Truck
The new Krux 8.25 K5 Polished Silver Truck features a new pivot cup shape for quicker turning, along with a re-designed hanger and baseplate. Turn your skating up a notch with the K5s!
Featuring a handful of technical updates, Krux’s K5 came in hot amongst the cream of the crop for 2022 skateboard trucks. Fitting boards around 8.25” wide, these are a good option for street or transition skaters on a slightly wider board. With design updates to their pivot cups, Krux addressed the longstanding issue of their trucks' nearly nonexistent turn radius. Pair their newfound turning ability with additional changes to the iconic Krux hanger and you’ve found yourself with one of the best all-around trucks on the market today. Krux’s long-standing calling card of unyielding strength for endless grinds and slides is still found, and we doubt you’ll be back for new trucks anytime soon once you’ve dialed the K5 into your setup.
| Recommended Board Width (in) | Original Price |
| 8 - 8.5 | $19.95 each |
Independent 139 Stage 11 Hollow Silver Standard
The Independent 139 Stage 11 Hollow Silver Standard Skateboard Truck is lightweight and dependable. Everything you expect from Independent and more.
The classic turn of Independent trucks is back again this year in full force with a lighter version of their mainstay 139s. Cutting down on overall weight with hollow kingpins and axles, the Indy 139 Stage 11 Hollow Silver Standard trucks are perfectly suited to anyone looking to go big without being bogged down by additional ounces. With baseplates and axles made of forged 356 aluminum, the trademark Independent durability remains intact. These trucks are sized to fit boards about 8” wide, and as such are a popular option for many riders for all the upside they offer at a popular width. Regardless of preferred terrain or skating discipline, these hollow 139s are still amongst the finest options on the market.
| Recommended Board Width (in) | Original Price |
| 7.8 - 8.2 | $28.95 each |
Independent 149 Stage 11 Silver Skateboard Truck
If you're lookin' for a high-performance truck for all types of skateboarding, then look no further. The Independent 149 Stage 11 Silver Skateboard Truck features a new and improved no Hang-Up-Yoke for grind tricks, superior turning and stability, and less wheel bite. Made in the USA and guaranteed for life, there's no reason not to check out the Independent 149 Stage 11 Silver Skateboard Truck.
If you were wondering whether this stalwart would appear once again on our best trucks list, look no further. As always, Indy’s 149 Stage 11 Silver trucks are back again among the cream of the crop. They are still one of, if not the single most-ridden truck in skateboarding today. Fitting board sizes between 8.25” and 8.75” wide and backed by a limited lifetime warranty, it’s easy to see why the classic Indy 149 goes flying off shelves to skaters around the world every year. The Stage 11 is composed of 356 T6 aluminum for unyielding strength, alongside Supercush cushion bushings with a cylindrical bottom for smooth, stable turns and soft landings. These trucks are a pinnacle option for anyone skating boards within the same range of width, regardless of their preferred skating style. Independent’s reign at the top of the market is far from over.
| Recommended Board Width (in) | Original Price |
| 8.375 - 8.6 | $24.95 each |
Thunder Polished 147 Skateboard Truck
Stick with what you know and love when you buy the Thunder Polished HI 147 Skateboard Truck.
A timeless classic forged several decades ago in the downhill streets of San Francisco, the Thunder Polished Hi 147 is a sturdy truck capable of taking years of extreme use under hardcore skate conditions. Ideally suited to decks closely orbiting 8” in width, the 147 is a street skater's dream come through for those of us looking to really get to know our trucks in a long-term setting. One of the “Big Three” brands in trucks since the 1990s, this offering from Thunder has become a wildly popular industry standard for its versatility and strength. They’ve additionally found traction in recent years among vertical and transition skaters due to their flexible ability to be customized for either stability and smoothness or deep, flowing turns. This is one of the top options on our list for good reason, almost every skater will find something to like in the Thunder Polished Hi 147s.
| Recommended Board Width (in) | Original Price |
| 7.9 - 8.2 | $21.95 each |
Thunder Polished Lights II 147 Skateboard Truck
Thunder has done it again with the Thunder Polished Lights II HI 147 Skateboard Truck -- a lightweight setup that doesn't give up one ounce of durability.
Utilizing a revised premium lightweight design and forged from the highest-grade aluminum and steel, Thunder’s iconic profile has never been more hyper-functional than in the Polished Lights II 147. With an 8” axle to fit boards between 7.9” and 8.12” in width, you truly cannot go wrong with Thunder’s ultra-quick turn response and unrivaled control on your day-to-day skate setup. These are a phenomenal truck option for streetstyle and transition skaters alike riding medium-sized board setups across all terrain. These beauties come at a mid-range cost and are well worth it for their long-lasting durability and unbeatable performance.
| Recommended Board Width (in) | Original Price |
| 7.9 - 8.12 | $24.95 each |
Venture Polished 5.2 Hi Skateboard Truck
Worry less, skate more with the Venture Polished 5.2 Hi Skateboard Truck.
Back with another industry-standard are our friends at DLXSF with the Venture Polished 5.2 Hi skateboard trucks. Ideally suited to street skaters looking for a stable, smooth turn and an unrivaled strength-to-weight ratio, Ventures are the trucks of choice for navigating urban landscapes worldwide. The 5.2’s 53.5mm height and 8” width are well-suited to turn sharp and pop high off any surface. Priced reasonably and featuring a timelessly sturdy design, these bad boys are a no-brainer if you’re the type who likes to flip your board frequently and slide or grind for miles on each set of trucks.
| Recommended Board Width (in) | Original Price |
| 7.9 - 8.1 | $18.95 each |
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The Selection Process:
Our skate buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things skateboard stemming from years of experience in the skateboard industry in tandem with their countless hours on a board. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Steve Settles
I knew Santa Claus was real when a shiny new complete skateboard was waiting for me under the tree in the winter of ’92. Skateboarding has been in my life ever since. Somehow I have been lucky enough to work in the skateboard community since legally possible. Started behind the counter selling skateboards, moved up to store manager of a retail location, recruited to work in Event Marketing running the largest amateur skateboard contest in the US, then landed the job at evo with opening and managing Seattle’s only indoor skatepark – All Together Skatepark.After the first 5 years of running All Together Skatepark, I slowly started taking on buying responsibilities for evo skate products and have most recently moved to buying full time. Skateboarding has taught me to look at the world differently and openly by breaking down all barriers of age, race, gender, and culture. Skateboarding is for all humans. For that perspective, I am forever grateful!