Antihero
Antihero is a skateboard brand founded in San Francisco in 1995 by professional skateboarder Julien Stranger. It makes skateboard decks alongside apparel and accessories rooted in skate culture.
| Founded | 1995 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Julien Stranger |
| Base | San Francisco, California |
| Core product | Skateboard decks |
| Notable collaboration | Vans (2019) |
| Website | antiheroskateboards.com |
What is Antihero?
Antihero is an American skateboard company founded in 1995 by Julien Stranger, a long time professional skateboarder based in San Francisco, California. The brand grew out of the city's skate scene and has become one of the best known names in core skateboarding, with a team that has included John Cardiel, Chris Pfanner, Jeff Grosso and Tony Trujillo.
Products and positioning
The core of the business is skateboard decks, sold together with apparel such as T-shirts, hoodies and caps. Its graphics are instantly recognisable, and the pigeon has long served as the brand's unofficial mascot.
- Skateboard decks with distinctive graphics
- Apparel including tees, fleece hoodies and hats
- Accessories for skateboarders
In 2019 Antihero worked with Vans on a collaboration spanning footwear such as the Old Skool Pro, Slip-On Pro and Sk8-Mid Pro, along with tees, a fleece hoodie, a hat and a flannel shirt, all carrying the pigeon motif.
Why it matters
Antihero shows how a rider owned skate brand can build lasting authority through team, graphics and community rather than mass marketing. Its apparel and footwear collaborations illustrate how skate credibility carries over into wider streetwear and youth culture, where skate brands remain a reference point for authenticity.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Antihero?
Antihero was founded in 1995 by professional skateboarder Julien Stranger in San Francisco.
What does Antihero sell?
Antihero makes skateboard decks along with skate apparel and accessories such as tees, hoodies and hats.