Independent or Thunder. It is the most debated truck question in skateboarding and almost every answer you find online is based on opinion. Ours is based on data.
We analysed the verified truck choices of 238 professional skateboarders in our database - every pro with confirmed truck brand data - to find out exactly how the pros split between these two brands, which disciplines favour each, what deck sizes pair with each, and which pros ride which. No opinion. Just numbers.
The Short Answer
Independent leads overall at 53.8% versus Thunder at 25.2%. But the full picture is considerably more interesting than that headline number.
The Overall Split
238 pros with verified truck data · April 2026
| Brand | Pros | % of field |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | 128 | 53.8% |
| Thunder | 60 | 25.2% |
| Venture | 18 | 7.6% |
| Ace | 8 | 3.4% |
| Krux | 4 | 1.7% |
| Silver | 4 | 1.7% |
| Tensor | 4 | 1.7% |
Independent is the most popular truck brand among professional skateboarders by a significant margin - more than double Thunder's count. Together Independent and Thunder account for 79% of all pro truck choices, making this genuinely a two-brand market at the elite level.
The Discipline Breakdown: Where It Gets Interesting
This is where the data tells a story that opinion pieces miss entirely.
| Discipline | Independent | Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Street | 74.2% | 91.7% |
| Park | 21.1% | 5.0% |
| Transition | 35.2% | 13.3% |
| Bowl | 30.5% | 6.7% |
| Vert | 15.6% | 8.3% |
The Single Most Important Data Point
86.7% of Thunder riders in our database skate street exclusively. Only 64.1% of Independent riders are pure street skaters. Thunder is overwhelmingly a street truck. Independent spans every discipline.
This explains a lot. Thunder is optimised for street skating - lower, lighter, more responsive for technical tricks. Independent has dominated transition, park, bowl and vert skating for decades while also holding its own on street.
Practical Takeaway
If you skate street only - Thunder is a legitimate choice that nearly 87% of its pro riders back exclusively. If you skate any mix of street and transition, or primarily park and bowl - the data points clearly toward Independent.
Deck Size: Who Rides What
| Metric | Independent | Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Average deck size | 8.43" | 8.30" |
| Median deck size | 8.25" | 8.25" |
The medians are identical at 8.25" but the averages tell a different story. Independent riders average 8.43" - pulled upward by their significant presence in park, bowl and transition where wider decks dominate. Thunder riders cluster more tightly around 8.25"-8.5" street sizes.
Deck size distribution
| Size | Independent | Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| 7.75-7.875" | 6.5% | 2.0% |
| 8.0" | 13.1% | 11.8% |
| 8.125" | 0.9% | 7.8% |
| 8.25" | 36.4% | 43.1% |
| 8.375" | 3.7% | 3.9% |
| 8.5" | 19.6% | 21.6% |
| 8.6"+ | 19.6% | 9.8% |
Thunder riders concentrate more heavily at 8.25" (43.1% vs 36.4%). Independent riders spread wider - notably 19.6% ride 8.6"+ versus only 9.8% of Thunder riders. The wider boards among Independent riders reflect their transition and bowl skaters who need maximum platform.
The 8.125" Difference Is Notable
7.8% of Thunder riders use 8.125" versus only 0.9% of Independent riders. This reinforces Thunder's reputation as the truck for technical street skaters who prefer slightly narrower boards - Nyjah Huston and Shane O'Neill both ride 8.125" with Thunder 147mm.
Truck Size: How the Sizes Compare
Independent and Thunder use different sizing systems which causes endless confusion. Here is what the pros actually ride.
Independent sizes
29 pros with verified data
| Size | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| 139mm | 9 | 31.0% |
| 144mm | 4 | 13.8% |
| 149mm | 13 | 44.8% |
| 159mm | 2 | 6.9% |
Thunder sizes
31 pros with verified data
| Size | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| 138mm | 1 | 3.2% |
| 145mm | 2 | 6.5% |
| 146mm | 1 | 3.2% |
| 147mm | 5 | 16.1% |
| 148mm | 6 | 19.4% |
| 149mm | 10 | 32.3% |
| 151mm+ | 5 | 16.1% |
The Sizing Comparison That Matters
Independent 149mm and Thunder 149mm are not the same width. Independent 149mm is roughly equivalent to Thunder 148mm in axle width. This is a genuine source of confusion when switching brands. The key is to match truck width to deck width - not to match the number on the box.
Pro-Validated Sizing Guide
| Deck Width | Independent | Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| 7.75"-8.0" | 139mm | 145-147mm |
| 8.0"-8.125" | 139mm | 147mm |
| 8.0"-8.25" | 139-144mm | 147-148mm |
| 8.25" deck | 144-149mm | 148mm |
| 8.25"-8.5" | 149mm | 148-149mm |
| 8.5"+ deck | 149mm+ | 149mm+ |
Wheel Pairings: What Pros Stack With Each Truck
Indy wheel choices
103 pros with verified data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Spitfire | 43 | 41.7% |
| Bones | 21 | 20.4% |
| OJ Wheels | 18 | 17.5% |
| Ricta | 7 | 6.8% |
Thunder wheel choices
57 pros with verified data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Spitfire | 38 | 66.7% |
| Bones | 5 | 8.8% |
| Ricta | 3 | 5.3% |
Spitfire dominates both camps but the concentration is dramatically different. 66.7% of Thunder riders pair with Spitfire versus 41.7% of Independent riders. Independent riders show more variety - OJ Wheels accounts for 17.5% reflecting the transition and bowl skaters in the Independent camp who often prefer softer wheels.
Average Wheel Size
- Independent riders: 55.0mm average (44 with data)
- Thunder riders: 53.1mm average (27 with data)
Independent riders average nearly 2mm larger wheels - again reflecting the discipline split. Transition and bowl skaters who lean Independent prefer larger wheels for speed through transitions.
Shoe Pairings: The Brand Culture Split
Indy shoe choices
113 pros with verified data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Vans | 31 | 27.4% |
| Nike SB | 22 | 19.5% |
| Cariuma | 7 | 6.2% |
| Adidas | 6 | 5.3% |
Thunder shoe choices
52 pros with verified data
| Brand | Pros | % |
|---|---|---|
| Nike SB | 11 | 21.2% |
| Adidas | 9 | 17.3% |
| Adidas Skateboarding | 6 | 11.5% |
| Vans | 5 | 9.6% |
Vans leads among Independent riders at 27.4%. Nike SB leads among Thunder riders at 21.2%. This reflects the broader culture split - Independent spans more of skateboarding's disciplines and history, which aligns with Vans' own broad presence across disciplines. Thunder's concentration in street skating aligns with Nike SB and Adidas who have invested heavily in street skating culture.
Who Rides What: The Most-Viewed Pros in Each Camp
Top Independent riders
| Skater | Deck | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Yuto Horigome | 8.25" | Street |
| Aurelien Giraud | 8.0" | Street |
| Jagger Eaton | 8.06" | Street/Park/Bowl |
| Luan Oliveira | 7.9" | Street |
| Pedro Barros | 8.38" | Park/Bowl |
| Tony Hawk | 8.5" | Vert |
Top Thunder riders
| Skater | Deck | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Nyjah Huston | 8.125" | Street |
| Chris Cole | 8.5" | Street |
| Shane O'Neill | 8.125" | Street |
| Jamie Foy | 8.5" | Street |
| Na-Kel Smith | 8.25" | Street |
| Alex Midler | 8.25" | Street |
The contrast is stark. Independent's most-viewed riders span street, park, bowl and vert. Every single top Thunder rider in our database skates street exclusively.
Head-to-Head Summary
| Factor | Independent | Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Overall pro usage | 53.8% | 25.2% |
| Pure street pros | 64.1% | 86.7% |
| Park/Bowl presence | Strong | Minimal |
| Avg deck size paired | 8.43" | 8.30" |
| Avg wheel size paired | 55.0mm | 53.1mm |
| Top shoe pairing | Vans (27%) | Nike SB (21%) |
| Top wheel pairing | Spitfire (42%) | Spitfire (67%) |
| Best for street only | Strong choice | Stronger choice |
| Best for mixed disciplines | Dominant choice | Weak choice |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Thunder if
- You skate street exclusively
- You prefer a lower, lighter truck
- You ride 8.0"-8.25" and focus on technical tricks
- You are inspired by Nyjah Huston, Shane O'Neill, or Chris Cole
Choose Independent if
- You skate multiple disciplines including any transition or bowl
- You want a truck with proven performance across every type of skating
- You ride 8.25"+ and skate a mix of street and park
- You are inspired by Yuto Horigome, Pedro Barros, or Tony Hawk
The Data-Backed Verdict
For pure street skating, Thunder has a legitimate case - 87% of its pro users are pure street skaters who have made that choice deliberately. For anything beyond pure street, Independent is the overwhelming choice of professionals. At 53.8% overall market share versus 25.2%, Independent is the most popular truck brand in professional skateboarding by a clear margin.
FAQ
Are Independent trucks better than Thunder trucks?
Neither is objectively better - they suit different styles. Independent dominates across all disciplines at 53.8% of pros. Thunder is the stronger choice specifically for street skating where 86.7% of its pro users skate exclusively. The best truck depends entirely on your skating style and discipline.
Why do so many pros ride Independent?
Independent spans every discipline of skateboarding - street, park, bowl, vert and transition. Their broad presence reflects their long history across all of skateboarding, not just street. 128 of 238 pros with verified truck data ride Independent.
Do Independent and Thunder trucks fit the same size decks?
Both brands make trucks for the same deck sizes but their sizing systems differ. Independent 149mm is roughly equivalent to Thunder 148mm in axle width. Always match truck width to your deck width - not the number on the truck.
Which pros ride Thunder trucks?
The most viewed Thunder riders in our database include Nyjah Huston (147mm), Chris Cole (149mm), Shane O'Neill (147mm), and Jamie Foy (149mm) - all exclusively street skaters.
Which pros ride Independent trucks?
Independent riders in our database include Yuto Horigome (149mm), Jagger Eaton (139mm), Pedro Barros (149mm), Tony Hawk, Luan Oliveira (139mm), and Chris Joslin spanning street, park, bowl and vert skating.
What wheels do pros pair with Independent trucks?
Spitfire at 41.7% is the most common pairing, followed by Bones at 20.4% and OJ Wheels at 17.5%. Independent riders show more wheel brand variety than Thunder riders, reflecting their broader discipline spread.
What wheels do pros pair with Thunder trucks?
Spitfire dominates Thunder pairings at 66.7% - significantly higher concentration than Independent riders. The Spitfire and Thunder combination is the most common specific truck-wheel pairing in our entire database.
Data sourced from the skatesetups.com database of 278 professional skateboarders, April 2026. Truck brand data verified for 238 pros. Truck size data available for 60 pros. All percentages calculated from verified data only - unverified entries excluded from calculations.