Movies and TV shows mostly focus on specific types of criminals, namely, mobsters, robbers, terrorists, thieves, and murderers. However, Sons Of Anarchy does things differently by focussing on biker gangs. Therefore, apart from the action, fans get to be treated to fascinating bike chases and trips on beautiful California highways.
The bikes are the stars of the show but so are the law-breaking main characters who mostly reside in the fictional town of Charming. Since the cool characters are numerous, it cant be easy for anyone to come up with a unanimously agreed-upon list of the best. Luckily, there is a consensus in Ranker, where lists are constructed from fan votes.
Piney Winson
As one of the founding of SAMCRO, aka, the First 9, Piney is respected by most club . In the four seasons he appears in, he doesn't actively involve himself in club activities due to his failing health.
Even though age catches up with Piney, his zeal remains. As a practical and disciplined individual, he is never afraid to point out bad behavior and that's why he keeps coming after Clay for his poor judgments as President. He remains courageous too despite no longer being as good at fighting as he used to be. That's why he confronts a bar full of a rival gang (the One Niners) all by himself in order to get revenge for his daughter-in-law's death. Moreover, Piney has one of the coolest bikes in Sons Of Anarchy, the 3-wheeled Harley-Davidson Electra Tri-Glide.
Half-Sack Epps
Since he isn't a fully-patched member, Half-Sack is often given the most undesirable tasks. Nonetheless, the Prospect is adored by his colleagues for his hard work and dedication.
Half-Sack is generally a well-mannered individual. He is one of the best fighters in Sons Of Anarchy too, proven when he knocks out an opponent in a bare-knuckles boxing fight. And he has an accolade to back that up as he once won the Junior Lightweight Army-Navy Boxing Championship. Though comical, his name is also a confirmation of his valor, earned after losing one testicle in Iraq.
Wayne Unser
The dirty-but-friendly cop has a long run as the Chief of the Charming Police Department before the precinct is absorbed into the San Joaquin County Sheriff Department. Over the course of the series, Unser proves to be a very useful ally to SAMCRO.
Unser doesn't work with SAMCRO out of greed. He understands that the best way to keep petty criminals out of his town is to make sure the gang remains in power. As a character, Unser also triggers plenty of sympathy from the viewer, making it impossible to root against him. He struggles with cancer, divorce and also watches as his once-thriving Unser Shipping company goes bankrupt. Even sadder is his unreciprocated love for Gemma.
Nero Padilla
Nero shows up in the season 5 to save Gemma from the claws of Clay and make her believe in love once again. The Diosa Escort Agency owner also forms a deep bond with Jax, so deep that Jax tasks him with watching over his family when he chooses to die.
On the show, most gangsters are known for their arrogance but Nero's standout trait is his humility. Serving time and running illegal businesses for years hasn't made him an insensitive person. He is not only depicted as a great lover but as a voice of reason and initiator of truces during conflicts.
Bobby Munson
Bobby serves as the bookkeeper and Vice President of SAMCRO at various stages of the show. He then resigns but gets killed during the conflict between the Sons and Pope Partners Inc.
Bobby thrives on nonchalance rather than aggression but he can be lethal if needs be. He is ever glad to fight and carry out hits for the club. His level of agreeableness is quite low too hence the reason he clashes with Jax over his choices when he becomes leader, but that doesn't diminish his likability in the eyes of fans. Another impressive thing about Bobby is his level of endurance. Never does he consider bowing down to August Marks, even when the crime boss has his eye gouged out and his fingers cut.
Tig Trager
Tig has a lengthy stint as Sergeant-at-Arms before rightfully earning a promotion to Vice President. Though he can be a loose cannon, he is shown to be a very formidable gangster.
Tig's uniqueness comes from his eccentricities. His act-fast-think-later attitude makes him an amusing character but he indirectly causes some of the club's biggest problems. It's his decision to go after Leroy that starts the war between SAMCRO and Pope Partners Inc. His many imperfections aside, Tig is cautious when it comes to himself and that's why no harm ever comes to him as it does to many of his colleagues.
Happy Lowman
An effective terminator, Happy sits high among the SAMCRO with the highest kill count. Not only does he not have very little dialogue but he doesn't have any major arcs either. All he does is whack people and accompany club on missions.
Happy is intriguing because he carries out his execution tasks in an almost artistic fashion. For example, he once chooses to stab someone with an ice pick. Additionally, he makes sure to get a smiley tattoo for every person he kills, yet he rarely smiles himself. As such, his abdomen has the most unique artwork.
Opie Winston
Opie serves five years at the Chino State Penitentiary and after getting out, he opts to re SAMCRO. Sadly, tragedy hits him a couple of times. His wife and father get killed before he dies too in the hands of Pope's goons.
Opie is the nicest of the SAMCRO , so nice that he pardons Tig and Clay for killing his wife and father respectively. He never has it easy with the women he marries but he keeps his head high and stays positive. He is somewhat of a martyr, judging from how he volunteers for the fight-to-the-death prison match in one of the most nerve-wracking Sons Of Anarchy scenes.
Jax Teller
Jax is SAMCRO's golden boy. Having had a father who was President too, he tries to steer the club into more legal business dealings but finds it challenging.
Overall, Jax is a superman. He is a great fighter, a great strategist, a great father, and a generally attractive person. Additionally, he has some of the best relationship arcs on the show. Jax also distinguishes himself from his colleagues by reading heavily and writing journals. Under his leadership, most of SAMCRO's enemies get defeated. Regrettably, he makes a few mistakes that lead to his demise.
Chibs Telford
A former SAMBEL member, Chibs is said to have relocated to the US when IRA street boss, Jimmy O'Phalen exiled him. In California, he slowly rises to the position of President of SAMCRO.
Chibs deserves much credit for not only adapting to his new surroundings but also making the most out of his life. Losing his family doesn't cause him to wallow in self-pity. Instead, he works on being the best gangster he can be. Additionally, he is cautious, never engaging in unnecessary feuds. he rarely makes mistakes either. And above all, he has a very alluring accent.