UK Skateboard Magazines | Free, Print Skate Magazines Available in the UK

The latest edition of Grey Skate Mag has just dropped into the Vines and got us thinking about all of the skate periodicals that have documented UK skating over the years.

Since its introduction into the UK in the 1970's, and despite peaks and troughs in popularity, the UK skateboarding community is now thriving with its own unique skate culture. Skateboard magazines in the UK have played a crucial role in keeping skaters informed about the latest events, news and gear. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the UK skateboard magazines that are still in print, free, have cover archives, and more.

1. SideWalk Magazine: The now defunct Sidewalk Magazine was one of the oldest and probably most popular skateboard magazines in the UK. The magazine had been in print since 1995 and was known for its high-quality content, featuring interviews with professional skateboarders, news about events and competitions, and photographs of skateboarders in action. Sidewalk Magazine was published monthly and was available both in print and online. Sidewalk will always have a legendary status in UK skating thanks to its gritty and authentic coverage of the scene.
2. Grey Skate Mag: Grey Skateboard Magazine is a free online and print magazine that focuses on skateboarding in the UK and beyond. The magazine features interviews with skateboarders, coverage of events and competitions, and photographs of skateboarders in action. Grey Skateboard Magazine is updated regularly and is available to read online and in print at your local skate shop for free
3. Skateboarders Companion: The only paid-for mag on our list, Skateboarders Companion is a bi-monthly magazine that is available in print and online. The magazine features interviews with skateboarders, coverage of events and competitions, and photographs of skateboarders in action. Skateboarders Companion is known for its unique content and beautiful photography. Available at a huge number of newspaper outlets and all WHSmiths, its a widely available and high quality skate mag thats well worth checking out
4. Vague Magazine: Vague Magazine is a free skateboard magazine that is distributed throughout the UK. The magazine features interviews with skateboarders, coverage of events and competitions, and photographs of skateboarders in action. Vague Magazine is published quarterly and is available in print and online.
5. North Magazine: North Magazine is a relatively new magazine that focuses on the UK skateboarding scene. The magazine features interviews with skateboarders, coverage of events and competitions, and photographs of skateboarders in action. North Magazine is available both in print and online.
6. Free Skate Mag: One of the unique features of Free Skate Mag is its focus on European skateboarding culture. The magazine covers events and competitions from all over Europe and showcases skateboarders from different countries and backgrounds. Free Skate Mag aims to bring attention to the diverse and exciting skateboarding scenes that exist across the continent.

Several UK skateboard magazines have extensive archives of their covers available online, including Sidewalk Magazine, Kingpin Magazine, and Grey Skateboard Magazine. These archives allow skateboarders to explore the history of skateboarding in the UK and see how the sport and culture have evolved over the years.

In conclusion, the UK has a thriving skateboarding community, and skateboard magazines play an essential role in keeping skateboarders informed and engaged with the culture. Whether you are looking for a magazine that is still in print, free, or has an extensive archive of covers, there is something for everyone in the UK skateboard magazine scene.