Best Skateboard Wheels of 2023

JUMP TO: SPITFIRE F4 99A CLASSICS / MINI LOGO A-CUT / ORANGATANG CAGUAMA 83A / SECTOR 9 SLIDE BUTTERBALLS / SPITFIRE F4 101A CLASSICS / SPITFIRE F4 99A CONICAL FULL / BONES HAWK FALCON P5 SIDECUTS / SECTOR 9 NINEBALLS / BUYING ADVICE

Author: Brent Herman

The Short Version

The Long Version

Wheels literally make the world (of skateboarding) go ‘round.

That being said, not all wheels are created equal. This guide is designed to help you find the right wheels for your specific situation as well as answer some of the questions you may have about different skateboard wheels and their unique applications. 

Nearly all modern skateboard wheels are made from urethane - a material that is classified as a rubber but is more solid than a car tire. Thanks largely to the invention of polyurethane wheels in the early 1970’s, skateboarding was able to become the sport that it is today.

If you love reading this review of the best skateboard wheels, then you'll likely love reading some of our other skateboarding content:

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

Wheel size, hardness, and shape differ depending on the type of skateboarding you plan to do. Not sure where to start? Then be sure to check out our buying advice at the bottom of the article.

SIZE: 54mm

HARDNESS: 99a

STYLE: Street/Park

Spitfire is about as iconic as it gets in the world of skateboarding and for good reason! They have been making wheels since 1987 and they continue to produce quality wheels with new innovations in materials and design.

Specifically, their Formula Four technology has produced a wheel that is fast and long lasting while being resistant to the dreaded flatspot.

The Classic shape gives a conventional street skateboarding experience with the added benefits of Formula Four urethane technology. At 54mm, these wheels excel in the streets and at the skatepark, giving a solid yet lightweight riding experience for more control when doing flip tricks. 

Their hardness of 99a makes it easier to perform powerslides and maintain speed while still being able to keep from unwanted slideouts on skatepark surfaces. These wheels are great for beginners and pros alike.

Best Value: MINI LOGO A-CUT

SIZE: 53mm

HARDNESS: 90a

STYLE: Street/Park

Mini Logo is another experienced skateboarding company, but one with skaters on a budget in mind. Many of their products feature good quality components with minimalistic designs.

The Mini Logo A-Cut set of wheels comes with four wheels of different colors, allowing skaters to express themselves without breaking the bank. 

The size of the wheels is 53mm, making them ideal for street and park skating. They are not too big or too small for most skateboarding applications. 

The slightly softer durometer rating of 90a makes these wheels a little slower than other street wheels on this list, but what they lack in speed they make up for with a smoother ride and better grip on slick surfaces. These wheels are great for new skaters that want to learn how to ride comfortably and begin learning tricks.

Best for Speed: ORANGATANG CAGUAMA

SIZE: 85mm

HARDNESS: 83a

STYLE: Longboard

When it comes to speed, regular skateboards are nowhere near as fast as longboards. So it makes sense that the wheels that are best for speed are longboard wheels.

The Caguama wheels by Orangatang are built to roll and roll fast. 

At 85mm, these are the largest wheels on this list. The large size of these wheels not only translates into more speed, but they are smoother and last longer than smaller wheels.

With a durometer rating of 83a, these wheels are also harder than many other longboard wheels - which translates into more speed. Whether you are using these to commute, or are wanting to try out downhill racing, these wheels will get you wherever you need to go and in a hurry.

Best for Sliding: SECTOR 9 BUTTERBALLS

SIZE: 70mm

HARDNESS: 80a

STYLE: Longboard

To the uninitiated, sliding might seem like a bad characteristic for a wheel to have.

But in the world of skateboarding, controlled sliding is important for advanced skateboarders and longboarders to perform tricks and regulate their speed. And the Sector 9 Butterballs are great for controlled slides. 

With a diameter of 70mm, these wheels are good for speed as well as stability. They are designed to handle cracks and bumps with relative ease. 

At 80a these wheels may not be as hard as most skateboard wheels, but compared to other longboard and cruiser wheels, you should feel a noticeable difference with powerslides. Longboard wheels still need to be able to give a certain degree of traction, especially when riding down steep hills. These wheels should help riders master the controlled slide.

SIZE: 52mm

HARDNESS: 101a

STYLE: Street

Since Spitfire is one of the industry’s top-selling brands, as well as a favorite of skaters of all ages, there was bound to be multiple entries on this list.

The Spitfire Formula Four 101a Classics are the quintessential street skate wheel.

At 52mm in diameter, these wheels are lightweight. With Formula Four technology however, they will still stand up to the requirements of the streets despite their smaller size. 

The durometer rating of 101a means that powerslides and other tricks that require sliding on the ground or on ledges are easier to perform without sticking. These wheels are still able to be used at skateparks, but there may be some traction loss on certain types of ramp materials like wood or plastic.

SIZE: 54mm

HARDNESS: 99a

STYLE: Park/Street

Another Spitfire entry on the list are the Formula Four 99a Conical full wheels.

What sets these apart from other Spitfire wheels on this list are the shape of the wheels. This shape allows for more control when sliding on ledges or locking into grinds on rails due to the flatter sides.

The slightly larger diameter of 54mm makes cruising the skatepark easy while not adding too much weight. The nice thing about larger wheels is that they last longer before becoming too small to comfortably ride. 

The hardness of 99a makes them a good fit for virtually any skatepark materials. They are grippy enough to reduce unwanted sliding, but they still have enough give to allow for smooth powerslides and spinning tricks.

Best for Vert: BONES HAWK FALCON II SPF

SIZE: 60mm

HARDNESS: 84b (104a)

STYLE: Vert/Park

As vert skateboarding legend Tony Hawk's pro model wheel, you better believe that these were made to handle a vert ramp!

Bones is right up there with Spitfire when it comes to being a historic and iconic skateboarding company. And these Hawk Falcon II SPF wheels by Bones are best for skating vert ramps or halfpipes. 

The 60mm diameter of these wheels gives riders stability at high speeds. The larger diameter also helps riders achieve and maintain higher speeds. When skating halfpipes or other large ramps, retaining momentum is key to success. It also takes less energy if you are able to keep your speed during a run.

These are the hardest wheels on this list. Though these wheels have less grip, they are ideal for vert skating because harder wheels are better at keeping speed due to the decrease in friction against the surface of the ramp. If you are wanting to take on really big ramps, these are the wheels for you.

Best for Cruising: SECTOR 9 NINEBALLS

SIZE: 58mm

HARDNESS: 78a

STYLE: Cruiser

For those that are less interested in flying down hills and performing technical street skating tricks, the Sector 9 Nineballs offer a fun and smooth ride.

These wheels are great for commuting and casual skating. They would also be great for filmers to use because of their smooth and quiet ride.

At 58mm, these wheels are pretty versatile when it comes to the type of deck they could be used with. They are bigger than the average street wheel, but not so large that they cause severe wheel bite on a street board.

The durometer rating of 78a means that these wheels are soft enough to offer a cloud-like riding experience but hard enough to still pick up speed. These versatile wheels could be used for several purposes, but they are ideal for simply riding around and having a good time.

BUYING ADVICE FOR SKATEBOARD WHEELS

Whether you are putting together your first skateboard, or just wanting to sample the different types of wheels that the skate industry has to offer, there are a few key things that you need to know in order to make the best decision for your needs.

 
 

Skateboard wheels can be divided into three main categories: street, cruiser, and longboard. Those categories are influenced by the needs of different types of skateboarding. 

The main differences in the types of wheels are their size, their hardness, and their shape. We first define each wheel type, then provide a more in-depth explanation of the wheel attributes to help you better understand the key differences.

Wheel Type

STREET WHEELS: No matter if you are skating street spots or the local park, these are wheels designed for skaters who want to perform tricks. They are usually the smallest skate wheels and are harder than the others as well. These wheels come in shapes that can make it easier for skaters grinding ledges and rails. Due to their smaller size, they are a bit lighter as well which can make flip tricks easier to perform. 

CRUISER WHEELS: Cruiser wheels make getting from point A to point B and anywhere else a smooth and fun ride. These wheels are designed to roll over rough terrain with ease and give you a stable, comfortable ride. Cruiser wheels are usually larger than street wheels but smaller than longboard wheels. Cruiser wheels are made to be soft and grippy. Many people use cruiser wheels to film skateboarding because they are smooth, stable, and quiet.

LONGBOARD WHEELS: Though there are different types of longboarding wheels, they are almost always going to be pretty big and softer than street wheels. If they are wheels meant for sliding or speed, they are going to be harder than most cruiser wheels. If the longboard wheels are designed for commuting, they will likely be about as soft as cruiser wheels, but a bit larger.

Wheel Size

The size of a wheel is arguably the most important factor when it comes to choosing the right wheel for your specific needs. Larger wheels are better for cruising and commuting, while smaller wheels are better for performing tricks. 

Wheel size is usually measured in millimeters (mm) and most wheels range from 50mm to 80mm in diameter.

Wheel Hardness

DUROMETER SCALE: Wheel hardness is measured on a scale called the durometer scale. The durometer rating is usually denoted with “a” following the number. For example a common street/park wheel hardness is “99a”.

An easy way to understand the durometer scale is: the lower the number, the softer the wheel and the higher the number, the harder the wheel. 

Technically, the “a” durometer scale only goes up to 100, but companies list wheels that are harder than that at 101a or higher. There is a “b” scale to measure hardness that goes beyond the “a” scale that is 20 less than whatever the durometer would be rated on the “a” scale. For example, wheels that are “101a” could also be called “81b”, but for the sake of simplicity, using the “a” scale is preferred. Bones uses the “b” durometer scale for their harder wheels.

SOFT WHEELS: Soft wheels make it easier to roll over rough terrain. Soft wheels are also better for gripping surfaces. This is ideal for cruising and commuting. 

HARD WHEELS: Hard wheels roll faster due to their decreased grip to the surface. They also make tricks that slide on the ground easier to perform. Harder wheels are good for performing slides and tricks.

Wheel Shape

While all wheels are similar in the sense that they are round, there are other shape factors that contribute to a wheel’s performance. Some wheels have rounded edges which make sliding easier, while other wheels are more square and help skaters lock into grinds more easily.

Another thing to consider about wheel shape is the wheel’s contact patch. This is the part of the wheel that actually touches the ground when rolling. A narrower contact patch means less friction, but it also means less grip.

MORE INFORMATION

If you loved this gear review article, then you'll likely love reading our other gear-fiend related articles: