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 71 professional transition skaters and 28 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 8.86" — nearly 0.6" wider than the street average. Independent dominates trucks at 74% of vert pros. Wheels are massive at 58mm average versus 53mm for street. Vans takes nearly half of all vert shoe choices.
Important Note On The Data
All 28 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 99 Pro Transition Skaters Ride
Database: skatesetups.com · April 2026 · 71 transition + 28 vert skaters
| Component | Vert | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Avg deck width | 8.86" | 8.54" |
| Top truck | Independent (74%) | Independent (69%) |
| Avg wheel size | 57.9mm | 55.9mm |
| Top wheel brand | Spitfire (33%) | Spitfire (43%) |
| Top shoe | Vans (48%) | Vans (41%) |
| Top bearings | Bones Swiss (28%) | Bones Swiss (25%) |
Deck Size: The Widest In Skateboarding
Vert deck sizes
24/28 with verified data
| Size | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0" | 3 | 12.5% |
| 8.375" | 1 | 4.2% |
| 8.5" | 8 | 33.3% |
| 8.6"-8.75" | 6 | 25.0% |
| 8.8"+ | 6 | 25.0% |
Average: 8.86" · Median: 8.55" · Mode: 8.5"
Transition deck sizes
60/71 with verified data
| Size | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| 7.75-7.875" | 4 | 6.7% |
| 8.0" | 5 | 8.3% |
| 8.125" | 2 | 3.3% |
| 8.25" | 12 | 20.0% |
| 8.375" | 3 | 5.0% |
| 8.5" | 17 | 28.3% |
| 8.6"-8.75" | 8 | 13.3% |
| 8.8"+ | 9 | 15.0% |
Average: 8.54" · Median: 8.45" · Mode: 8.5"
Vert sits at the wide end of every skateboarding discipline. Half of all vert pros in our database ride 8.6" or wider — a size that essentially does not exist in street skating. The dominant size at both vert and transition is 8.5", but vert pros push significantly higher into 8.75"-9.0" territory.
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
28/28 verified
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Birdhouse | 7 | 25.0% |
| Powell Peralta | 5 | 17.9% |
| Opera Skateboards | 2 | 7.1% |
| Real Skateboards | 2 | 7.1% |
| Flip Skateboards | 2 | 7.1% |
Transition deck brands
66/71 verified
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Birdhouse | 8 | 12.1% |
| Powell Peralta | 7 | 10.6% |
| Santa Cruz | 5 | 7.6% |
| Opera Skateboards | 3 | 4.5% |
| Heart Supply | 3 | 4.5% |
| Flip | 3 | 4.5% |
| Real | 3 | 4.5% |
Birdhouse and Powell Peralta together account for 43% of all vert pros — both brands with deep roots in transition and vert skating history. Birdhouse is Tony Hawk's company. Powell Peralta has been making transition decks since the 1970s. 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
27/28 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | 20 | 74.1% |
| Thunder | 5 | 18.5% |
| Theeve | 1 | 3.7% |
| Slappy | 1 | 3.7% |
Transition truck brand
65/71 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | 45 | 69.2% |
| Thunder | 8 | 12.3% |
| Ace | 4 | 6.2% |
| Mini Logo | 1 | 1.5% |
| Theeve | 1 | 1.5% |
| Slappy | 1 | 1.5% |
Independent's dominance in vert and transition is even stronger than in park. 74% of vert pros ride Independent. 69% of transition pros ride Independent. For context, Independent's share of street skaters is 49% — a full 25 percentage points lower than vert.
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 (9/28)
| Size | Pros |
|---|---|
| 149mm | 3 |
| 151mm | 2 |
| 159mm | 2 |
| 161mm | 1 |
| 215mm (longboard) | 1 |
Transition truck sizes (20/71)
| Size | Pros |
|---|---|
| 139mm | 2 |
| 144mm | 3 |
| 149mm | 8 |
| 151mm | 3 |
| 159mm | 2 |
149mm is the most common transition truck size at 40% of verified data. Vert pros split between 149mm and the wider 159mm+ sizes — the wider trucks pair with the wider 8.75"+ 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
16/28 with data — limited sample
| Size | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| 54-55mm | 3 | 18.8% |
| 56-57mm | 2 | 12.5% |
| 58-59mm | 4 | 25.0% |
| 60mm+ | 7 | 43.8% |
Average: 57.9mm · Median: 58mm
Transition wheel size
31/71 with data
| Size | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| 49-51mm | 1 | 3.2% |
| 52-53mm | 6 | 19.4% |
| 54-55mm | 8 | 25.8% |
| 56-57mm | 5 | 16.1% |
| 58-59mm | 4 | 12.9% |
| 60mm+ | 7 | 22.6% |
Average: 55.9mm · Median: 56mm
The wheel size data tells a clear story. Vert pros ride huge wheels — 44% are at 60mm or larger. Compare that to street where the average is 53mm and zero pros ride above 58mm. 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
24/28 verified
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Spitfire | 8 | 33.3% |
| Bones | 7 | 29.2% |
| OJ Wheels | 3 | 12.5% |
| Gold Wheels | 1 | 4.2% |
| Ricta | 1 | 4.2% |
| Powell Peralta | 1 | 4.2% |
Transition wheel brand
58/71 verified
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Spitfire | 25 | 43.1% |
| Bones | 12 | 20.7% |
| OJ Wheels | 9 | 15.5% |
| Ricta | 4 | 6.9% |
Spitfire leads both disciplines but the gap narrows in vert. Bones takes nearly 30% of vert wheel choices — much higher than its 17% street share. OJ Wheels holds strong at 12-15% across both transition and vert, reflecting its reputation for softer wheels that work well on rough or imperfect concrete.
Shoes: Vans Wins Decisively
Vert shoes
25/28 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Vans | 12 | 48.0% |
| Adidas Skateboarding | 2 | 8.0% |
| DC Shoes | 2 | 8.0% |
| éS Footwear | 1 | 4.0% |
| Converse | 1 | 4.0% |
| Fallen | 1 | 4.0% |
Transition shoes
59/71 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Vans | 24 | 40.7% |
| Nike SB | 6 | 10.2% |
| Adidas Skateboarding | 5 | 8.5% |
| Golden Goose | 3 | 5.1% |
| DC Shoes | 3 | 5.1% |
| Converse CONS | 3 | 5.1% |
Vans takes nearly half of all vert pros and over 40% of transition pros. Nike SB, which leads street at 26%, drops to single digits in vert. This is the clearest example in our entire database 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
18/28 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Bones Swiss | 5 | 27.8% |
| Bones (general) | 5 | 27.8% |
| Bones Swiss variants | 3 | 16.7% |
| Bronson | 2 | 11.1% |
Combined Bones family: ~72%
Transition bearings
48/71 with data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Bones Swiss | 12 | 25.0% |
| Bronson | 7 | 14.6% |
| Bones (general) | 7 | 14.6% |
| Bronson Speed Co. Bearings | 3 | 6.2% |
| Modus | 2 | 4.2% |
Combined Bones: ~45% · Combined Bronson: ~27%
In vert, the Bones family is nearly inescapable at 72% of pros with verified data. Bones Swiss alone holds 28%. In transition skating the picture splits more evenly between Bones and Bronson — 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 | 8.86" | 8.54" | 8.29" |
| Most common deck | 8.5" | 8.5" | 8.25" |
| Independent share | 74% | 69% | 49% |
| Thunder share | 18% | 12% | 28% |
| Avg wheel size | 57.9mm | 55.9mm | 53.1mm |
| Top shoe brand | Vans (48%) | Vans (41%) | Nike SB (26%) |
| Top bearings | Bones (72% combined) | Bones (45%) | Bones Swiss (35%) |
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 |
Vert & Transition Setup FAQ
What size deck do pro vert skaters ride?
Based on our database of 28 professional vert skaters, the average deck size is 8.86" with 8.5" being the single most common size at 33% of pros. 50% of vert pros ride 8.6" or wider — 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 dominates vert at 74% of pros. Thunder takes 18%. The remaining 8% splits across niche brands. Independent's dominance in vert is generational — the brand has been the standard for transition skating since the 1970s.
What wheel size is best for vert skating?
Based on our database, 58-60mm is most common at 69% of vert pros with verified data. The average vert pro wheel is 57.9mm — nearly 5mm larger than the street average. For pure vert, do not go below 56mm.
Why do vert skaters wear Vans?
48% of pro vert skaters in our database wear Vans — the highest single-brand share in any discipline. 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. All 28 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, April 2026. Vert analysis based on 28 vert-tagged professional skaters. Transition analysis based on 71 transition-tagged professional skaters. Coverage varies by component — sample sizes are noted throughout. All 28 vert skaters in our database also skate transition.