Johnny Wilson In Transit
Skate filmmaker Johnny Wilson is a go-to guy for heavyweights like Nike and Supreme—and it’s no wonder. Johnny stays in his lane, just doing what he does best: making killer skate vids with his crew. No gimmicks, no flash—just raw skating. If you’ve seen one of Johnny’s vids, you already know. It’s real. It’s unfiltered. And the backing tracks? Always on point.
While skateboarding’s his foundation, cycling’s another of his obsessions. So, for the latest installment of In Transit, we caught up with Johnny on his East Coast home turf for a rapid-fire Q&A. Let’s spin.
What’s the secret to what you do?
I’m still trying to figure it out haha, but I would say consistency.
How do you feel skateboarding enriches culture at large?
Well, I feel like it gives kids an outlet to do something creative and express themselves in different types of ways, and skate videos are a way to show it all in one.
How did you first break out? Any tips for people looking to unlock their own inner creativity and follow a similar path?
I started out by just filming my friends for fun and having no expectation of it becoming a job. My first real break was going on a Converse trip around the United States. My tip would be to find your crew and stick together.
Who are your biggest influences?
It might sound corny but. my influences have been just what's around me. The place I am or my friends I'm with. My biggest cycling influence is Lachlan Morton.
Is there an artist or brand you haven’t collaborated with yet but would love to?
It would be cool to collaborate with a camera company, given what I do, but I need to figure out in what capacity that would be. I would like to do more cycling related things, maybe starting with MAAP! This shoot's a good start.
How do you feel skateboarding enriches culture at large?
Well, I feel like it gives kids an outlet to do something creative and express themselves in different types of ways, and skate videos are a way to show it all in one.
What’s going on a Johnny Wilson playlist?
I can't give away my music! You gotta keep it a secret in the skate filmer world because music is so important when editing videos, and it's so hard to find the right song. But I will say that I love Moodymann and Built to Spill
Where’s home?
I call home upstate NY in the Catskills, and I spend a lot of time in New York City.
What are you riding? What's the current rig?
I have a few bikes, all Cannondale. I have 2 Supersix Evo road bikes, a Supersix CX gravel bike, and a Scalpel Hardtail mountain bike.
And what's your dream bike? Something on the grail list for the future?
You know, these are all kind of my dream bikes already, but next is a Cannondale Scalpel full-suspension mountain bike, I hope.
What are your key essentials you never leave home without?
Phone, wallet, keys, and a point ‘n shoot camera. Done.
Fave bike routes? Loops around the city or somewhere further afield?
My favorite bike loops are ones on the mountain bike with my dog in the woods, but park laps are okay too. Riding in Los Angeles is the best.
How do you connect with MAAP? Thoughts on the brand?
I like how simple and clean everything looks, the colors, and the quality is great.
If you could learn any new skill, what would it be?
Plumbing, electrical, or carpentry. Something with my hands.
And finally, what's on the horizon for? Any immediate plans you can share for the future?
I will be having a skate video coming out in the spring/summer 2025 with my usual crew, and hopefully some more cycling related stuff! Watch this space.
Captured in New York State by Ben Colen, Johnny Wilson wears the MAAP Transit Apparel collection, available now.
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