Vert and transition skating sit at the opposite end of the spectrum from street. Where street skating prioritizes flip-trick responsiveness and technical precision, vert and transition skating demand stability at high speed, platform for aerial tricks, and wheels big enough to maintain momentum through bowls and quarter pipes.
We analyzed the complete setups of 80 professional transition skaters and 37 professional vert skaters in our database to find exactly what works at the highest level. Every number below comes from verified pro setup data.
Key Finding
Vert and transition setups are dramatically different from street setups. Vert pros ride decks averaging 8.70" versus 8.30" for street. Independent Trucks dominates trucks at 64.9% of vert pros. Wheels are massive at 57.3mm average versus 53.1mm for street.
Important Note On The Data
86% of vert skaters in our database also skate transition — vert is effectively a specialist subset of transition skating. We treat them as related disciplines throughout this guide, calling out where vert setups differ from broader transition setups.
The Data: What 117 Pro Transition and Vert Skaters Ride
Database: skatesetups.com · updated at every build · 80 transition + 37 vert skaters
| Component | Vert | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Avg deck width | 8.70" | 8.50" |
| Top truck | Independent Trucks (64.9%) | Independent Trucks (67.5%) |
| Avg wheel size | 57.3mm | 55.6mm |
| Top wheel brand | Bones Wheels (35.1%) | Spitfire Wheels (37.5%) |
| Top shoe | Vans (40.5%) | Vans (33.8%) |
| Top bearings | Bones Swiss (13.5%) | Bones Swiss (15.0%) |
Deck Size: The Widest In Skateboarding
Vert deck sizes
28/37 with verified data
| Size | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| 8.5" | 10 | 27.0% |
| 8.25" | 3 | 8.1% |
| 10" | 2 | 5.4% |
| 8.63" | 2 | 5.4% |
| 8" | 2 | 5.4% |
Average: 8.70" · Median: 8.50" · Mode: 8.5"
Transition deck sizes
67/80 with verified data
| Size | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| 8.5" | 18 | 22.5% |
| 8.25" | 18 | 22.5% |
| 8.63" | 4 | 5.0% |
| 8.38" | 4 | 5.0% |
| 7.75" | 4 | 5.0% |
Average: 8.50" · Median: 8.50" · Mode: 8.5"
Vert sits at the wide end of every skateboarding discipline. 39% of vert pros with verified data ride 8.6" or wider — a size range with little presence in street skating. The dominant size at both vert and transition is 8.5".
Why Vert And Transition Setups Go This Wide
Speed and aerial control. Vert skating involves high-speed carving up the wall of the ramp, aerial tricks at significant heights, and landings that require maximum platform under your feet. A 9" deck gives you a much bigger landing area than an 8" deck — critical when you are coming down from 6 feet of air.
What This Means For You
If you primarily skate transitions, bowls, or vert ramps, the data points to 8.5" as the minimum starting point. Most vert and transition pros ride between 8.5" and 9.0" — a range that essentially has no overlap with technical street skating. Coming from street, expect to size up by 0.25"-0.5".
Notable vert and transition pros:
- Tony Hawk: 8.5" — the standard vert size
- Tom Schaar: 8.625" — mid-range vert
- Mitchie Brusco: 8.75" — wider for big-air vert
- Ryan Sheckler: 9.0" — on the wide end of transition
- Pedro Barros: 8.38" — more technical bowl and park focus
Deck Brand: Legacy Brands Dominate
Vert deck brands
37/37 verified
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Birdhouse Skateboards | 7 | 18.9% |
| Powell Peralta | 4 | 10.8% |
| Opera Skateboards | 4 | 10.8% |
| Hosoi Skateboards | 3 | 8.1% |
| Real Skateboards | 3 | 8.1% |
| Plan B | 2 | 5.4% |
| Flip Skateboards | 2 | 5.4% |
| Madness Skateboards | 2 | 5.4% |
| Alva Skates | 1 | 2.7% |
| Privê | 1 | 2.7% |
Transition deck brands
80/80 verified
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Birdhouse Skateboards | 8 | 10.0% |
| Powell Peralta | 6 | 7.5% |
| Anti-Hero Skateboards | 6 | 7.5% |
| Opera Skateboards | 6 | 7.5% |
| Hosoi Skateboards | 4 | 5.0% |
| Real Skateboards | 4 | 5.0% |
| Santa Cruz Skateboards | 4 | 5.0% |
| Flip Skateboards | 3 | 3.8% |
| Madness Skateboards | 3 | 3.8% |
| Welcome Skateboards | 3 | 3.8% |
Birdhouse Skateboards and Powell Peralta together account for 29.7% of all vert pros — brands with deep roots in transition and vert skating history. The legacy presence here reflects how brand choice in vert often tracks generation — pros who came up in the 80s and 90s tend to ride brands from that era.
Trucks: Independent Dominates Even More
Vert truck brand
36/37 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Trucks | 24 | 64.9% |
| Thunder Trucks | 7 | 18.9% |
| Slappy Trucks | 2 | 5.4% |
| Theeve Trucks | 1 | 2.7% |
| Crail Trucks | 1 | 2.7% |
Transition truck brand
77/80 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Trucks | 54 | 67.5% |
| Thunder Trucks | 7 | 8.8% |
| Ace Trucks | 5 | 6.3% |
| Slappy Trucks | 2 | 2.5% |
| Tensor Trucks | 1 | 1.3% |
Independent Trucks's dominance in vert and transition is even stronger than in park. 64.9% of vert pros ride it. 67.5% of transition pros ride it. For context, its share of street skaters is 35.5%.
Why Independent Dominates Vert And Transition
Independent trucks have been the standard for transition and vert skating since the 1970s. They turn smoothly at speed, handle the high-G forces of vert carving, and have a long history with the discipline's most influential skaters. Tony Hawk has ridden Independent throughout his career. So has Steve Caballero. So has Danny Way. The brand loyalty in vert is generational.
Truck Size Matters More Here Than Anywhere Else
Vert and transition decks are wider, which means trucks need to be wider too.
Vert truck sizes (15/37)
| Size | Pros |
|---|---|
| 149mm | 6 |
| 159mm | 3 |
| 151mm | 2 |
| 139mm | 2 |
| 215mm | 1 |
Transition truck sizes (33/80)
| Size | Pros |
|---|---|
| 149mm | 15 |
| 144mm | 5 |
| 159mm | 4 |
| 139mm | 3 |
| 151mm | 2 |
149mm is the most common transition truck size at 18.8% of verified data. Vert pros tend to run wider trucks that pair with the wider decks common in pure vert skating.
Practical Sizing For Vert And Transition
- 8.5" deck → Independent 149mm
- 8.625"-8.75" deck → Independent 159mm
- 8.875"+ deck → Independent 169mm or 215mm for true longboard-style setups
Wheels: Big Wheels Win
Vert wheel size
19/37 with data — limited sample
| Size | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| 60mm | 6 | 16.2% |
| 56mm | 4 | 10.8% |
| 58mm | 4 | 10.8% |
| 54mm | 3 | 8.1% |
| 55mm | 2 | 5.4% |
Average: 57.3mm · Median: 58.0mm
Transition wheel size
38/80 with data
| Size | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| 56mm | 8 | 10.0% |
| 60mm | 6 | 7.5% |
| 53mm | 6 | 7.5% |
| 54mm | 6 | 7.5% |
| 55mm | 5 | 6.3% |
Average: 55.6mm · Median: 55.0mm
The wheel size data tells a clear story. Vert pros ride huge wheels — the average vert wheel is 57.3mm compared to 53.1mm for street. Transition splits more evenly across sizes because the discipline itself spans everything from technical bowl skating (smaller wheels) to vert-style carving (bigger wheels).
Why Big Wheels Matter For Transition And Vert
Larger wheels maintain speed through the bottom of bowls and the flat sections of ramps. They also roll over imperfect concrete more smoothly. The trade-off is weight and height — a 60mm wheel is significantly heavier than a 52mm wheel and raises your board higher off the ground. For pure vert, that trade is worth it. For technical bowl skating, many pros stay at 54-56mm.
Vert wheel brand
32/37 verified
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Bones Wheels | 13 | 35.1% |
| Spitfire Wheels | 10 | 27.0% |
| OJ Wheels | 3 | 8.1% |
| Alta Wheels | 2 | 5.4% |
| Alva Skates | 1 | 2.7% |
Transition wheel brand
71/80 verified
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Spitfire Wheels | 30 | 37.5% |
| Bones Wheels | 18 | 22.5% |
| OJ Wheels | 11 | 13.8% |
| Ricta Wheels | 3 | 3.8% |
| Powell Peralta | 2 | 2.5% |
Bones Wheels leads vert at 35.1%. Spitfire Wheels takes 27.0% of vert wheel choices.
Shoes: Vans Wins Decisively
Vert shoes
35/37 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Vans | 15 | 40.5% |
| DC Shoes | 3 | 8.1% |
| Nike SB | 3 | 8.1% |
| Adidas Skateboarding | 2 | 5.4% |
| Converse | 2 | 5.4% |
| New Balance Numeric | 1 | 2.7% |
| Fallen | 1 | 2.7% |
| Golden Goose | 1 | 2.7% |
Transition shoes
70/80 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Vans | 27 | 33.8% |
| Nike SB | 8 | 10.0% |
| Adidas Skateboarding | 5 | 6.3% |
| Etnies | 4 | 5.0% |
| Converse | 4 | 5.0% |
| Adidas | 3 | 3.8% |
| DC Shoes | 3 | 3.8% |
| Golden Goose | 3 | 3.8% |
Vans takes 40.5% of vert pros and 33.8% of transition pros. Nike SB, which leads street at 16.5%, drops to 8.1% in vert. This is a clear example of how different sport-style preferences shape brand choice.
Why Vans Owns Transition And Vert
The Vans Sk8-Hi and Half Cab are the historical transition skating shoes. They have ankle support that street shoes typically lack, vulcanized soles with strong board feel, and a heritage going back to the 1970s skate scene. Pros who grew up skating ramps in Vans tend to stay in Vans. The brand loyalty here is decades deep.
Specific Vans Models Common In Transition Setups
- Sk8-Hi
- Half Cab
- Old Skool
- Hosoi Pro (literally designed for vert)
Bearings: Bones Family Dominates
Vert bearings
22/37 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Bones Swiss | 5 | 13.5% |
| Bones | 5 | 13.5% |
| Bronson | 4 | 10.8% |
| Bones Ceramics | 2 | 5.4% |
| Bronson Speed Co. Raw | 1 | 2.7% |
| Bones Super Six | 1 | 2.7% |
| Independent Skateboard Bearings | 1 | 2.7% |
| Bones Swiss Competition | 1 | 2.7% |
Combined Bones family: ~68.2%
Transition bearings
53/80 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Bones Swiss | 12 | 15.0% |
| Bronson | 8 | 10.0% |
| Bones | 7 | 8.8% |
| Modus Bearings | 5 | 6.3% |
| Bones Ceramics | 3 | 3.8% |
| Bones Bearings | 3 | 3.8% |
| Bronson Speed Co. Raw | 3 | 3.8% |
| Bronson Speed Co. Bearings | 3 | 3.8% |
Combined Bones: ~50.9% · Combined Bronson: ~32.1%
In vert, the Bones family holds 68.2% of pros with verified data. Bones Swiss alone holds 13.5%. In transition skating the picture splits more evenly between Bones (50.9%) and Bronson (32.1%) — similar to park where Bronson has built a strong presence.
Vert vs Transition vs Street: The Full Picture
| Spec | Vert | Transition | Street |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg deck width | 8.70" | 8.50" | 8.30" |
| Most common deck | 8.5" | 8.5" | 8.25" |
| Independent Trucks share | 64.9% | 67.5% | 35.5% |
| Avg wheel size | 57.3mm | 55.6mm | 53.1mm |
| Top shoe brand | Vans (40.5%) | Vans (33.8%) | Nike SB (16.5%) |
| Top bearings | Bones Swiss (13.5%) | Bones Swiss (15.0%) | Bones Swiss (14.2%) |
Reading this table top to bottom shows skateboarding's full discipline range. From street's narrow, responsive setups to vert's wide, stable, big-wheel configurations — every component scales with the demands of the terrain.
Top 3 Pro-Based Transition Setups
Three complete setups that represent the vert and transition spectrum — classic vert, modern transition, and big-air configurations.
The Classic Vert Setup
Inspired by Tony Hawk
Best for: Vert ramps, large half pipes, mega ramps
| Component | Choice |
|---|---|
| Deck | 8.5"-8.75" |
| Trucks | Independent 159mm |
| Wheels | Bones STF 58-60mm |
| Bearings | Bones Swiss |
| Shoes | Vans Half Cab |
The Modern Transition Setup
Inspired by Pedro Barros
Best for: Bowls, parks, mixed transition terrain
| Component | Choice |
|---|---|
| Deck | 8.375"-8.5" |
| Trucks | Independent 149mm |
| Wheels | Spitfire Formula Four 54-56mm |
| Bearings | Bones Swiss or Bronson |
| Shoes | Vans Sk8-Hi |
The Big-Air Transition Setup
Inspired by Mitchie Brusco and Tom Schaar
Best for: Mega ramps, large quarter pipes, contest vert
| Component | Choice |
|---|---|
| Deck | 8.75"-9.0" |
| Trucks | Independent or Thunder 159-161mm |
| Wheels | 58-60mm |
| Bearings | Bones Swiss |
| Shoes | Vans high-top |
From This Data
Shop the Top Vert & Transition Setup
Birdhouse
Independent
Spitfire
Bones Swiss
Vert & Transition Setup FAQ
What size deck do pro vert skaters ride?
Based on our database of 37 professional vert skaters, the average deck size is 8.70" with 8.5" being the single most common size at 27.0% of pros. A size range that essentially does not exist in street skating.
Why are vert decks wider than street decks?
Vert and transition skating involves high-speed carving and aerial tricks where a wider platform provides essential stability. Landing a 540 from 6 feet in the air is significantly easier on a 9" deck than an 8" deck. The wider stance also helps maintain control through high-G transitions.
What trucks do pro vert skaters use?
Independent Trucks dominates vert at 64.9% of pros. Thunder Trucks takes 18.9%. Independent Trucks's dominance in vert is generational — the brand has been a standard for transition skating since the 1970s.
What wheel size is best for vert skating?
Based on our database, 60mm is the most common size at 16.2% of vert pros with verified data. The average vert pro wheel is 57.3mm versus 53.1mm for street.
Why do vert skaters wear Vans?
40.5% of pro vert skaters in our database wear Vans. The Vans Sk8-Hi and Half Cab provide ankle support that vert skating demands, and the brand has decades of history with transition skating going back to its early days.
Can I use a street setup for transition skating?
You can, but the data strongly suggests you should not for serious transition skating. The discipline-specific gear choices among pros are not arbitrary — they reflect what works at the highest level. If you genuinely split time between street and transition, consider running two setups.
What is the difference between vert and transition skating?
Vert skating specifically refers to skating ramps with vertical walls — typically half pipes, quarter pipes and mega ramps. Transition skating is broader and includes bowls, mini ramps, and park transitions that may not have true vertical sections. 86% of vert skaters in our database also skate transition, but only 40% of transition skaters in our database skate true vert.
Data sourced from the skatesetups.com database, recomputed at every site build. Originally published 2026-05-24. Vert analysis based on 37 vert-tagged professional skaters. Transition analysis based on 80 transition-tagged professional skaters. Coverage varies by component — sample sizes are noted throughout.