About TSA Clothing

TSA Clothing: A Legacy in Skateboarding Threads

In the golden era of skateboarding’s streetwear revolution, one brand stood out for its raw authenticity and deep roots in the culture: TSA Clothing. Short for Team Santa Ana, TSA was born in the early 1990s in Southern California, a region that’s practically synonymous with skateboarding. The brand was co-founded by Angel Cabada, a skater himself, who wanted to create apparel that truly reflected the lifestyle and needs of skaters—not just something that looked cool, but something that felt right when you were grinding rails or bombing hills.

The Rise of a Skateboarding Staple

TSA wasn’t just another clothing company trying to cash in on skate culture. It was built by skaters, for skaters. The designs were bold, edgy, and unmistakably tied to the gritty aesthetic of the streets. From oversized graphic tees to baggy jeans and hoodies, TSA’s gear became a uniform for skaters who wanted to rep a brand that actually understood them.

What made TSA notable wasn’t just its style—it was its commitment to the community. The brand sponsored a roster of influential skaters who helped shape the sport’s identity in the '90s and early 2000s. Among them was Elissa Steamer, one of the most iconic female skateboarders of all time. Her association with TSA was groundbreaking, as she was the first woman to have a pro model deck and the only female skater featured in the early Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video games. TSA’s support of Steamer and other riders wasn’t just about marketing—it was about pushing the culture forward.

A Cultural Force in Motion

TSA also made waves with its video projects, like Life in the Fast Lane, which captured the raw energy and rebellious spirit of skateboarding in the late '90s. These videos weren’t polished Hollywood productions—they were gritty, real, and deeply influential. They helped cement TSA’s reputation as a brand that didn’t just sell clothes—it told stories.

But like many underground legends, TSA’s run wasn’t eternal. By the early 2000s, the brand began to fade. Angel Cabada eventually moved on to launch other ventures, including KREW and SUPRA, both of which carried forward his vision of blending skate culture with fashion-forward design. TSA officially filed for incorporation in California in 2000, but the company is now inactive.

Where Are They Now?

Today, TSA Clothing exists more as a nostalgic memory than a functioning brand. It’s a name that pops up in Reddit threads and YouTube retrospectives, where skaters reminisce about the gear they wore and the videos they watched. While TSA isn’t producing new apparel, its influence lives on in the brands that followed and the skaters it helped elevate.

In a world where skateboarding has become more mainstream, TSA remains a symbol of a time when the culture was raw, rebellious, and unapologetically real. It’s a reminder that the best skate brands aren’t just about fashion—they’re about family, freedom, and the streets that raised them.

TSA Apparel "Life In The Fast Lane" (1997)

TSA | Team '95