'Tis the season to ask and receive. What do you get for the skateboarder in your life that seemingly has everything? What's out there that can improve your life and breathe new inspiration into it? Look no further. We cobbled together this list of skateboarding essentials and must-have skateboarding gear that've come through our (home) office(s) as of late that we can cosign.
1. Jacob Rosenberg's Right Before My Eyes Book
Let's start with some inspiration. A nice collection of photo books should be in any creative's abode. Veteran skate filmmaker and photographer Jacob Rosenberg has just dropped a doozy: His seminal photographs and ephemera from 1988 to 1998 documenting everything from the EMB scene in San Francisco, the original Plan B team, all the way to shooting music videos for Hieroglyphics. Pre-order this immediately!
2. Patrick O'Dell's Epicly Later'd Book
What was New York City like in the early aughts, after dark, in the bars, before iPhones and Instagram? O'Dell did a great job being in the right place at the right time and aiming his Canon Elph at all of our favorite pro skaters—before they were our favorite pro skaters. Can't wait to get our hands on this one and flip through it, basking in the nostalgia. Order here.
3. Zane Timpson AWAY!!! ZANE Book
A touching memoir and life story told in pictures, words, and poems from Zane and those who knew him best. Zane Timpson was a beloved pro skateboarder who passed in 2021 due to a ruptured aortic dissection. His parents have put this book together to celebrate his life, and it would be a treasure in any skater's collection, whether you knew Zane personally or not. The stoke and inspiration leaps off the pages and in that way, Zane will be with us forever. Pick one up via Jeff Timson's IG.
4. SOUNDBOKS 4 Speaker
One of the best skateboard accessories you can own is a quality, and loud, Bluetooth speaker. You've likely seen them on every session, but SOUNDBOKS really went the extra mile with their SOUNDBOKS 4 behemoth. Just check out sponsored skater Willis Kimbel and how he gets down with his monster below.
5. Subscription to Closer Skateboarding Magazine
There ain't many mags left, even fewer that are worth your time and hard-earned bread, but Closer mag is perfect. Dropping quarterly, full of quality photos and words, interviews by Chrome Ball and made by a lifer, Jaime Owens. Get a sub for yourself or gift one to someone who'll appreciate it.
6. Brett Nichols' Pathways 2 and Broadway DVD and Zine
Indie filmmaker that we've supported for over a decade, Brett Nichols, has just offered up the mother lode of his creative output: His videos Pathways 2 and Broadway on a two-disc DVD with a 72-page 4 Videos Zine. The DVDs and zine also cover two travel edits he made along the way, SPÄTI and Állatkert, which are incredible in their own right. Support independent filmmakers and get some inspiration that won't disappear in the cloud or on a hard drive someday.
7. Byrd Hairdo Products
This one might seem out of left field but there're bonafide skateboarders working at this brand and the products are great. Get fresh with their soaps and shampoos, then grease up with their pomades and texturizing sprays. From the skateparks to the afterparties: Look good, feel good, skate good.
