Skateboard wheels are one of the most important parts of a skateboard, and can have a major impact on the way a board skates.

Even the slightest difference in the size or hardness of your wheels can completely change the way a board functions.

The wheels on your skateboard can effect your speed, acceleration, grip, and even the amount of impact you feel while skating.

Finding the best skateboard wheels for your board might seem a little confusing at first, but it largely comes down to personal preference and what you like to skate.

Once you understand the basics, figuring out the best skateboard wheels for your set up is relatively easy.

In this skateboard wheel guide, we’re going to cover the types of skateboard wheels, diameter, durometer, and the various wheel shapes.

(Note: If you’re a beginner, the best skateboard wheel is mid-sized 52mm-54mm with a medium durometer 90a – 99a)

Types Of Skateboard Wheels

Skateboard wheels tend to fall into one of three categories: street/park wheels, cruiser wheels, and longboarding wheels.

Finding the best skateboard wheels for your setup is largely dependent on the type of skating you do, so figuring out which of these categories you’re in will make it a lot easier.

Street / Park Wheels

Diameter 50-60mm, Durometer 95-101a, Narrow Shape

Generally speaking, most skateboarders ride some form of street / park wheels. These wheels fall in the 50-60mm diameter range with a durometer of 95-101a.

Hard wheels are the best skateboard wheels for park and street skating because they’re lighter, slide easier, roll faster on smooth surfaces.

This makes them better for doing flip tricks, slides, and airs.

The range from 50-60mm and 95-101a can be pretty wide, so if you’re a street / park skater and are unsure of what to go with, try starting with wheels somewhere in the middle.

Cruiser Wheels

Diameter 54-60mm, Durometer 78-90a, Wide Shape

Typically cruiser wheels are larger and softer than most street / park wheels. This makes them heavier and harder to slide, but also gives them a smoother ride.

Cruiser wheels are best suited for skaters just looking to cruise around without doing very many tricks.

The great thing about cruiser wheels is that they can be used on most boards including penny boards, normal skateboards, cruiser boards, and even some longboards.

Longboard Wheels

Diameter 60-75mm, Durometer 75-85a, Wide Shape

As the name suggests, longboard wheels are designed specifically for longboards. This type of wheel is intended to provide the maximum amount of speed and grip possible.

Longboard wheels can vary depending on the style of longboarding, but they’re typically much larger and softer than normal skateboard wheels.

Skateboard Wheels Explained

There are three main things to understand when it comes to skateboard wheels: diameter, durometer, and shape.

Wheel Diameter Explained

The diameter is the size of the wheel, and is measured in millimeters with most wheels in the 50mm-75m range. Wheels 60mm + are generally considered “large”.

A wheels’ diameter can affect a lot of things including speed, how smooth the ride is, and how heavy the wheels are. The larger a wheel is, the faster, smoother, and heavier it becomes.

Park skaters, cruisers, and long boarders prefer larger wheels since they are smoother and provide more speed.

Street skaters on the other hand prefer smaller wheels because they’re lighter and easier to control.

TIP: If you have wheels larger than 56mm, consider adding riser pads to prevent wheel bite.

Wheel Durometer Explained

The durometer is the hardness of a wheel, and is measured on a scale of 0-101a, with most ranging between 75a to 104a.

(Note: Bones Wheels sometimes uses the B scale instead of the A scale. The measurements are similar, but the rating is 20 points below the A scale. For example, a wheel that is 80b is the same as a wheel that is 100a.)

A wheels’ durometer affects speed, grip, and how fast the wheels wear down. The higher the durometer, the harder the wheel is and the less grip it has.

Skateboard wheels in the 78a – 90a range are considered soft wheels, 90a – 98a are in the middle, and 99a+ are considered hard wheels.

Hard wheels are best for skating parks and street because they’re easier to slide when doing technical tricks.

Soft wheels are the best for cruising and longboarding since they provide more grip and a smoother ride.

The key thing here is finding a balance between a smooth ride and the amount of grip needed. For example, some street skaters prefer slightly softer wheels for when they’re skating on rough ground.

Wheel Shape Explained

Skateboard wheel shapes can vary greatly according to the style of wheel and the company making them.

The shape of a skateboard wheel can affect the weight, grip, and how the wheel locks into grinds.

Generally speaking, more rounded wheels slide easier, while sharper wheels will provide more grip.

Another important feature regarding wheel shapes is the contact patch.

The contact patch (also known as the riding surface) is the part of the wheel that’s actually touching the ground when rolling.

The size of the contact patch can affect the amount of grip and the speed that the wheel has.

Wheels with a narrow contact patch are usually lighter, faster, and slide better, while wheels with a wide contact patch grip better.

In general, street skaters prefer narrower wheels so they can slide better when doing technical tricks. Vert skaters and people who just cruise around prefer wider wheels so they can grip better and go faster.

What are the best skateboard wheels?

When it comes down to it, there’s no such thing as “the best skateboard wheels ” because it varies from person to person.

Some wheels are going to be better suited for certain styles of skating than others, so it ultimately comes down to what you like to skate.

If you’re unsure of what the best skateboard wheels are for your situation, go with a middle of the road option to start with.

A lot of skateboarding made up of trial and error, and figuring out what your own personal preferences are.

As you spend more time on your board, you’ll figure out what you like to skate, and from there it will be much easier to know what the best skateboard wheels are for you.