Another year is wrapping up, and before we kick off another 365 days of new parts, new companies, and new internet beef, we figured it would be fun to make some predictions about what you can possibly expect in the upcoming year.
Some of these predictions are based on actual insights we’ve gotten from smoozing at skate industry events over the last couple of months, and others are pure nonsense, so take these with a grain of salt.
Unfortunately for everyone reading this, the only way to see how well our predictions do is to live through another year. So until then, let us know if your crystal ball or all-seeing eye picked up on something that we missed.
K Skinnys will make a comeback
Baggy pants seem to have hit a peak this year with the popularity of Polar’s Big Boy Jeans, and all signs now point to an incoming resurgence of tight jeans. But hopefully this time around, skinnies and baggies can co-exist in harmony. There was nothing worse than getting the eye roll from a Sid Vicious knockoff at the skate shop for not rocking nut huggers.
The Next Big Brand Will Not Be For Guys
We’re starting to see data that shows skateboarding participation is much closer to parity than most skaters would have predicted. In the coming years a true 50/50 split is not out of the question. And while contests and the Olympics have pushed women’s skateboarding to new levels, there still has yet to be a big skate clothing brand championed by non-traditional skateboarders. The first brand to be the Volcom or Supreme for women by women will be huge.
Someone will do a kickflip at the White House
A skater who goes viral for something most of us think is wack will be invited to meet the President. For a quick press hit, the skater will try to do a kickflip in front of the office. The board will inevitably slip out, hit someone in the shin, and the skater will be looking at some federal prison time.
Someone will be punched in the face
It’s hard to predict when and where this might happen, but what we can say is that skateboarding is due for a good old-fashioned sucker punch. Internet beef is at a healthy high and the laughs from seeing Chico punch Brad Staba are dying out day by day. We can only watch old pixelated YouTube video of an Stevie Williams and Darren Harper hitting each other so many times.
Savier will attempt a comeback
This one might be a bit tricky because the IP might belong to Nike, but if someone with deep enough pockets comes along, they should be able to buy the rights to Savier and start pumping these bad boys out again.
Savier is actually better poised to make a comeback than a lot of the other brands who have attempted it, given that they have some legit heritage figures that are still somewhat active. Staba still runs a board brand, BA is still a fan favorite, and Janoski has the midas touch.
People will start doing tricks on electric skateboards
Over the last year or so, there’s been an onslaught of new e-boarders clogging bike lanes and awkwardly showing up at skate spots in NYC. It’s become so common that eventually we’re going to see an influencer try to kickflip on one, and then it’s off to the races. Someone might even be bold enough to take down a set. But are we ready for GX-style lines up hills? Probably not.
Crack is coming back
We’ve all noticed the Y2k revival that has been happening recently. And while the low-cut jeans, speed shades, and Paul Frank gear looks cool, we have to be ready for the darkest parts of the 2000s to come back too. That’s right, get ready for the crack wave reboot.
We swept skating’s crack era under the rug pretty hard, but will we be able to do it a second time?
Someone will find and attempt a spot bigger than Lyon 25
Things started getting out of hand toward the end of 2022. Just look at Jace DeTomasso’s ollie down the new Miami Leap of Faith as evidence. Tasteful tech and good flow have been front and center for the last five or so years, but 2000 era hammers are fully back, which means someone out there will be on the hunt for a spot that would actually scare Jaws away.
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December 21, 2022 7:50 pm
I nominate Mikey Alfred to be punched
December 21, 2022 8:20 pm
Don’t forget the almighty Team exodus from FA/Hockey to Kingdom this year. It isn’t going to be just Tyshawn/Nakel leaving. It’ll be the team as a whole will give up on Dill/Ave’s dream to start a’new with a new king leading the pack…
December 22, 2022 12:26 am
Eeeyeah.
Here’s the realest projection on this whole damn page. King skateboards will fail.
Soty isn’t going to prevent the inevitable.
That vibe just died the minute Tyshawn won soty for the 2nd time.
Also, I love Tyshawn! lol Big fan. He’s dope..but king lacks ingredients to stay around. I feel it.
December 22, 2022 11:06 pm
Name and logo are too corny to last, pure trash.
December 23, 2022 12:12 pm
Oh so corny. Looks like a re hash of a budget 90s brand.. but they’re serious with it.. Lol
Couldn’t be any more cringe. I respect wanting to own your own shit.. but this ain’t it. The dues were still not paid.. foundation still not laid. 2x soty or not. The vibe, genuine support and feeling just ain’t there.
The guys probably thinking yo I’m 2x soty.. I run these streets. Well noooope. Ain’t gonna happen. Homie should have stayed with F.A. and the knowledge and guidance of dill, AVE, etc..
Better stay under that umbrella or you’re gonna get rained on.
January 8, 2023 12:28 pm
Disorder smokes King for the ironic appeal don’t @ me
December 21, 2022 11:31 pm
My Ouija board keeps turning up with the date of 01/09/23…maybe one of these predictions will happen on that day? Or not.
December 23, 2022 12:48 pm
are we talking like low cut jeans where your ass crack is hanging out type crack or like stealing $20 out of mom’s purse Tyrone Biggums crack