How to Choose Skateboard Wheels?

Choosing the right skateboard wheels is crucial for how your board feels and rolls, directly impacting your ride whether you're hitting the streets, carving bowls, or cruising around. The best wheels for you depend on your skateboarding style, the terrain you ride, and your personal preference for speed and grip.

Skateboard wheels primarily differ in two main aspects: diameter (size) and durometer (hardness). Understanding these will help you pick a setup that feels just right under your feet and performs exactly how you need it to.

What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing Skateboard Wheels?

When you're looking for new wheels, you'll mainly be thinking about two key specifications: their size, measured in millimeters (mm), and their hardness, measured by durometer (A-scale). These two factors work together to define how your wheels will perform. Beyond that, the shape of the wheel also plays a role in how they feel.

Understanding Skateboard Wheel Diameter (Size)

The diameter of a skateboard wheel, measured in millimeters (mm), affects how fast you can go and how quickly your board accelerates. Smaller wheels are lighter and accelerate faster, while larger wheels hold speed better and roll smoother over rougher ground. Here's a breakdown of common sizes:

• 50-53mm: These are on the smaller side, great for technical street skating. They're lighter, closer to the ground, and offer a quicker pop for flip tricks. They're also a good choice for smaller riders or anyone looking for a super responsive feel.
• 54-56mm: This range is generally considered the all-around sweet spot for street, park, and vert skating. They offer a good balance of speed, control, and versatility, making them a solid choice for most riders who want to do a bit of everything.
• 56-60mm: Larger wheels like these are often preferred for vert ramps, bowls, and cruising. They roll faster and smoother over rougher terrain, providing more momentum and stability for transition skating. They can be a bit heavier and slower to accelerate, but once they get going, they really fly.
• 60mm+: While less common for standard skateboards, wheels this large are usually found on cruiser boards or longboards. They're built for speed and comfort over long distances and very rough surfaces, not typically for flip tricks.

Remember to consider wheelbite when choosing larger wheels; you might need riser pads to prevent the wheels from touching your deck during turns, which can stop you dead in your tracks.

Decoding Skateboard Wheel Durometer (Hardness)

The durometer, or hardness, of a skateboard wheel is measured on the A-scale (e.g., 99A). This measurement tells you how hard or soft the wheel is, which impacts grip, speed, and how smoothly you roll over different surfaces. Higher numbers mean harder wheels, lower numbers mean softer wheels.

• 78A-87A (Soft): These are very soft wheels, typically used for longboards or cruiser boards. They offer maximum grip and a super smooth ride, absorbing vibrations and rolling easily over cracks and pebbles. They're not ideal for tricks as they can feel sluggish and sticky.
• 88A-95A (Medium-Soft): A good middle ground for hybrid setups, these wheels offer a decent amount of grip for cruising but are still hard enough to handle some street skating. They're often used by skaters who want a smoother ride than harder wheels but still want to slide a bit.
• 96A-99A (Medium-Hard): This is the most common durometer range for street and park skating. Wheels in this range offer a great balance of grip for control and enough hardness for smooth slides. They're versatile and perform well on concrete, ramps, and various street obstacles.
• 100A+ (Hard): These are very hard wheels, designed for maximum speed and minimal grip. They're excellent for smooth skatepark surfaces where speed and consistent slides are key. However, they can feel bumpy and less forgiving on rougher street terrain.

Some companies also use the B-scale for very hard wheels (e.g., 84B), which is a more accurate scale for extremely hard wheels and extends beyond the A-scale's limits. Generally, a 100A wheel is roughly equivalent to an 80B wheel, but the B-scale offers more precise measurements at the harder end of the spectrum.

Does Wheel Shape Matter?

While diameter and durometer are the main considerations, the wheel's shape, specifically the contact patch (the part that touches the ground) and the edge profile, can also subtly influence your ride. Some wheels have a wider contact patch for more grip and stability, while others have a narrower contact patch for easier slides. The edge profile can be sharp or rounded; sharp edges offer more grip for carving, while rounded edges are more forgiving for slides and lip tricks.

Matching Wheels to Your Skateboarding Style

To sum it up, think about what kind of skating you do most often:

• Street Skating & Technical Tricks: Look for wheels in the 50-54mm range with a durometer of 98A-101A. This setup gives you quick acceleration, good pop, and the right balance of grip for control and hardness for slides.
• Park & Vert Skating: Wheels from 54-58mm and a durometer of 99A-101A are often preferred. The slightly larger size helps maintain speed in bowls and on ramps, while the hardness provides a fast, smooth roll on polished concrete.
• Cruising & Commuting: Softer wheels, typically 56mm+ with a durometer of 78A-90A, will give you the smoothest and most comfortable ride over cracks and rough pavement. They'll absorb vibrations and make your commute much more pleasant.
• All-Around Skating: If you dabble in everything, a versatile setup like 54-56mm wheels with a 97A-99A durometer is an excellent starting point. It offers a good balance for various terrains and trick types.

Experimentation is key. What feels great for one skater might not be ideal for another. Don't be afraid to try different wheel sizes and hardnesses to find what truly makes your board feel like an extension of yourself.

FAQ

How do I know if my skateboard wheels are too soft or too hard?

If your wheels feel sticky, slow, or you're struggling to slide, they might be too soft. If your ride is excessively bumpy, you have trouble maintaining grip, or you're losing control on turns, they might be too hard for your terrain.

Do brand new skateboard wheels need to be broken in?

Not really. Unlike shoes, skateboard wheels are ready to roll right out of the package. They might feel a little slick at first if they have a mold release coating, but a quick ride around the block will scuff them up and get them performing as intended.

Can I mix different sizes or durometers of wheels on my skateboard?

While technically possible, it's generally not recommended for standard skateboarding. Having wheels of different sizes or hardnesses can make your board feel unbalanced, unpredictable, and harder to control, especially for tricks. Consistency across all four wheels provides the most stable and reliable ride.

Explore a wide selection of quality skateboard wheels to find your perfect match. Check out our wheels here.