When it comes to best skateboard wheels, the word “best” can have a different meaning. Since the wheels have to be suitable for what type of skateboards, the purpose, and the skill level of the skateboarder.
Therefore, the correct interpretation here is what type of wheels is most fit for you and the style you are skating. Don’t worry though, this guide will help you to understand and pick the type of wheels that match for you. Also, I have a list of top wheel brand for your reference too.
See also:
- 16 Best Skateboards For Beginners Adults In 2019
- How to Choose Best Beginner Skateboard for Kids: The Definitive Guide [2019 Update]
- Top 24 Best Skateboard Deck Brands Reviews In 2019
- Top 16 Cheap Electric Skateboards Reviews In 2019
So don’t miss out this opportunity to gear up your skateboard!
Table of Contents
- Best Skateboard Wheels – Comparision Chart 2019
- Top 14 Best Skateboard Wheels Reviews 2019
- 1. Spitfire Bighead Skateboard Wheels (48mm 50mm 51mm 52mm 53mm 54mm 57mm 59mm 63mm)
- 2. Spitfire Classic Series High-Performance Skateboard Wheel (Set of 4)
- 3. Ricta Clouds Skateboard Wheels (Set of 4)
- 4. Spitfire Formula Four Classic Skateboard Wheels (Set of 4)
- 5. Orangatang Mini-Logo Skateboards A- 56mm 101A Skateboard Wheel, White
- 6. Pig Head Natural 52mm Skateboard Wheels (Set Of 4)
- 7. ABEC 11 Freeride Centerset Green Skateboard Wheels – 72mm 81a (Set of 4)
- 8. Penny Wheels
- 9. Powell Peralta Rat Bones Re-Issue Skateboard Wheels
- 10. Shark Wheel California Roll 60mm 78a All Terrain Skateboard Wheels
- 11. Orangatang Kegel 80mm Downhill Longboard Skateboard Cruising Wheels (Set of 4)
- 12. Santa Cruz Slime Ball Vomits Old School Re-Issue 60mm 97a Skateboard Wheels (Neon Green)
- 13. Everland 65x51mm Skateboard Wheels
- 14. Pro Skateboard Wheels (White)
- Why are Skateboard Wheels Made of Polyurethane?
- Top skateboard wheels brands
- How to Choose The Best Skateboard Wheels
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Skateboard Wheels – Comparision Chart 2019
| Ranking | Wheels name | Durometer | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spitfire Bighead | 99a | 52mm |
| 2 | Spitfire Classic High Performance | 99a | 50mm |
| 3 | Spitfire Hybrid Ceramic | 99a | 56mm |
| 4 | Spitfire Formula Four | 101a | 50mm |
| 5 | Mini-Logo white | 101a | 56mm |
| 6 | Mini-Logo C-Cut | 101a | 53mm |
| 7 | Ricta Clouds White | 78a | 54mm |
| 8 | Ricta Clouds | 78A | 52mm |
| 9 | Pig Head Natural | 101a | 52mm |
| 10 | Pig Head Blue | 101a | 53mm |
| 11 | ABEC 11 Freeride Centerset Green | 81a | 72mm |
| 12 | Penny Wheels | 78a | 59mm |
| 13 | Powell Peralta Rat Bones Reissue | 85a | 60mm |
| 14 | Shark Wheel California Roll | 78a | 60mm |
| 15 | Orangatang Kegel | 80a | 80mm |
| 16 | Orangatang in Heat | 80a | 75mm |
| 17 | Santa Cruz Slime Ball Vomits Old School Reissue | 97a | 60mm |
| 18 | Everland | 78a | 65mm |
| 19 | Pro Skateboard Wheel | 101a | 50mm |
Top 14 Best Skateboard Wheels Reviews 2019
1. Spitfire Bighead Skateboard Wheels (48mm 50mm 51mm 52mm 53mm 54mm 57mm 59mm 63mm)
Let’s get started with the Spitfire brand first as the best wheel in my personal experience!
This bighead version has gained lots of love due to the efficiency on smooth surfaces. Please take notice that the durometer is 99a which is one of the hardest wheels out there. You don’t have to worry as Spitfire is the top quality brand.
They are likely the best skateboard wheels for tricks for the professional picks as it rolls smoothly on the park, pools, and ramps. This is optimal for professional competition or showing off your complex tricks. The speed is amazing when you combine with the right diameter.
Depending on your skateboard type, you should pick the right diameter accordingly. This available in 6 colors: red, yellow, blue, green, purple, and royal blue.
Pros:
- Provide solid hardness for professional requirements
- Run smoothly on flat and sleek surfaces
- Top quality material and famous brand recognition
- Iconic Bighead design
Cons:
- Not very beginner friendly
- Inefficient on rough and rocky surfaces
2. Spitfire Classic Series High-Performance Skateboard Wheel (Set of 4)
Similar to the above, these are the classic series for those who don’t like the brand iconic design. The durometer is still 99a, so it is preferable a pro pick to skate on the ramp, park, and pool.
Though this doesn’t have the cool big head design, the spinning patterns show union between the wheels. So it helps to make your deck, even more, stand out instead. Please note one thing that the diameter scales with your color selection!
So the red color has 51mm, green is 52mm, yellow is 53mm, and so on. The wheels are 100% from the USA to ensure the best quality for your needs. If you manage to receive a defect, the brand has an excellent warranty service to compensate you.
Pros:
- Provide solid hardness for professional requirements
- Run smoothly on flat and sleek surfaces
- Top quality material and famous brand recognition
- Unified design with spinning pattern
Cons:
- Not very beginner friendly
- Inefficient on rough and rocky surfaces
3. Ricta Clouds Skateboard Wheels (Set of 4)
Ricta is another option for the best soft skateboard wheels. If you also enjoy cruising and traveling on a skateboard, this is definitely fit for your needs. These wheels are both great for beginner and professional skateboarders.
These wheels will arrive in a set of four for the price between $30-$55. They are made of soft urethane, yet has a very solid construction. The primary purpose is to combat rough and edgy surfaces such as streets, hills, and rolling over cracks.
They provide a pleasant experience to cruising with the 52mm diameter wheels. This is a well-balanced size between speed and acceleration. You have total control over how fast you want to go.
Pros:
- Provide great softness for both beginners and professionals
- Run pretty well on any rugged road, and rough surfaces
- Top quality Urethane and reliable brand
- 54mm diameter wheels give better control over speed
Cons:
- The price is slightly expensive for beginners
- Not perform well on smooth surfaces
4. Spitfire Formula Four Classic Skateboard Wheels (Set of 4)
If you prefer wheels with colorful design instead of class, this one is definitely the best skateboard wheels for concrete parks. These wheels are different from those previously since it has a durometer of 101a.
So it will be extremely tough and super responsive when rolling on the park street, ramp and pools. Since the name is Formula Four, you can expect this has an unmatched speed on the competition. Helping you to accelerate better with smaller wheel diameters
Don’t worry though, it also an anti-stick slide in case you run over something slippery. The main material is still Urethane as the previous wheel. This is to ensure the maximum shock absorption and can withstand heavy impacts.
Pros:
- Provide the extremely hardness for professional requirements
- Run super fast on flat and sleek surfaces
- Top quality Urethane and famous brand recognition
- Formula-Four design as a competitive icon
Cons:
- Not very beginner friendly
- Inefficient on rough and rocky surfaces
- The price is $51 which is quite expensive
5. Orangatang Mini-Logo Skateboards A- 56mm 101A Skateboard Wheel, White
As for Mini-Logo, this series is all about simplicity and maximum performance. The durometer is even harder with the 101A size. Although these wheels are very hard, with the super high rebound formula, these wheels can help you secured a risky landing at ease.
These wheels have two types of cuts: the A-cut is mainly for the street skater, which has a diameter of 50mm – 56mm. This is the standard size for tricks or park skating. While the C-cut is for transition skater who is moving up the ranks to become professional.
The C-cut is between the size of 55mm – 60mm, which is for skating on the ramp, pool and smooth surfaces. This is why there are two links for you to compare. Due to the simplicity, you can have this set of 4 wheels really cheap, around $14-$16.
Pros:
- Provide the extremely hardness for professional requirements
- Run super fast on flat and sleek surfaces
- Top quality Urethane and reliable brand
- Low cost and optimize on performance
Cons:
- Not very beginner friendly
- Inefficient on rough and rocky surfaces
6. Pig Head Natural 52mm Skateboard Wheels (Set Of 4)
Pig is also a renowned brand out there for many professional challenges. The quality is about built to last over many usages. This is also one of the top pick from the professional due to its high performance in any competitions.
The wheels have 101A durometer, which is ultra tough against heavy impact. It also absorbs shocks reliably which makes it ideal for air tricks, flips, shredding, and sliding.
Though this won’t give you top speed, it balances between top speed and slow acceleration with the 52mm diameter. This would suitable for most type of decks and bearings in the market as a standardized size.
For the price, it is quite reasonable at $31 dollars for the whole set of four. The design has an iconic pig head and the number indicating the wheel size.
Pros:
- Provide the extremely hardness for professional requirements
- Run quite fast on flat and sleek surfaces
- Top quality Urethane and famous brand recognition
- Have a balance between speed and acceleration
Cons:
- Not very beginner friendly
- Inefficient on rough and rocky surfaces
7. ABEC 11 Freeride Centerset Green Skateboard Wheels – 72mm 81a (Set of 4)
Unlike other brands, ABEC 11 is a brand that focuses on speed and high performance. From that, it becomes unique when gearing on a cruiser or longboard. The Freerides series is one of the best skateboard wheels for cruising.
You can see here the durometer is just about 81a, this is ideal for your cruising experiences over any streets, roads, and hills. It is tough enough to absorb small impacts each time you roll over cracks and pebbles.
While it is still soft so you can have some amazing bounces and smooth landings. This is also big wheels with 72mm in diameter. So you should keep in mind that they belong to the cruiser and longboard trucks and bearings.
Pros:
- Provide you the smooth cruising experience
- Run very fast but need strong accelerations
- Top quality Urethane, optimized for speed
- Have a balance in the wheel hardness
Cons:
- Quite expensive, cost around $53 bucks for the whole set
- Inefficient on sleek park street, ramps, and pool
8. Penny Wheels
Penny Wheels are one of the best skateboard wheels for cruising. The brand’s wheels are also optimized to give you the best cruising experience here. For the clear color, they are affordable for $25 in a set of four.
With 78a durometer, this gives your lots of bounces as the wheels are soft. Though make sure these wheels are strictly for cruiser deck and longboard. As the huge diameter of 59mm, these wheels pretty fit for daily traveling or even racing against your friends.
Since they are big wheels, so it would take some efforts first to accelerate them before reaching the top speed. When reaching top speed though, rarely others can match with you. So keep in mind to control your skateboard speed.
Pros:
- Provide you with the fast cruising experience
- Run very fast but need strong accelerations
- Affordable price if you don’t mind the simple design
- Soft wheels and likely to slide less
Cons:
- Not fit for tricks and complex moves
- Inefficient on sleek park street, ramps, and pool.
9. Powell Peralta Rat Bones Re-Issue Skateboard Wheels
As one of the long-existing brands, Powell Peralta should be a great alternative for your considerations. Their products are well-known in the community for the top quality, very competitive to other brands
With 85a durometer, this is one of the best skateboard wheels for rough roads. They are actually well-balanced between the scale of softness and hardness. Very ideal for most surfaces whether you skate in a park, on the streets, hills or rough roads.
Though the diameter is 60mm, which quite reserved for cruising and sliding only. These are both beginner and professionally friendly. These wheels can definitely reach top speed and go very fast downhill, so watch out!
Pros:
- Provide you with the fast cruising experience
- Run very fast but need strong accelerations
- Affordable price between $26 – $36
- Well-balanced in term of hardness which rolls well on most surfaces
Cons:
- Not fit for tricks and complex moves
10. Shark Wheel California Roll 60mm 78a All Terrain Skateboard Wheels
Unlike the previous brands, Shark Wheels have an interesting design with a curved shape. Don’t underestimate though, this unique design is the best skateboard wheels for the street that can even conquer most situations.
The diameter of 60mm is obviously optimized for cruising speed. The design construction also supports you with better slide control and grip very well. Don’t worry and try to test it out in several locations.
The middle range 78a durometer is just so right for most surfaces. Thanks to their special sidewinder formula. This combines both the friction reduction and more traction when riding. So you can go very fast on the sleek surfaces, yet feels comfortable when rolling on the rough surfaces.
Pros:
- Provide you with the ultimate cruising experience
- Run very fast and comfortable
- Middle price range at $42 for a whole set
- Well-balanced in term of rolling great on most surfaces
Cons:
- Not fit for tricks and complex moves
- Limited to the penny, mini, cruiser, and longboard
11. Orangatang Kegel 80mm Downhill Longboard Skateboard Cruising Wheels (Set of 4)
Orangatang offers a competitive feature to its wheel with a large supportive core. This Kegel version is smoother than other normal wheels. This is one of the best skateboard wheels for rough roads that you should have in stock.
With the supportive core 46mm, you can enjoy your cruising on many surfaces. It provides more weight support, especially rolling over rocks and cracks, while you can maximize acceleration. The durometer is 80a, the perfect softness for bounces and nice landings.
The diameter is also 80mm, makes it one hell of a big wheel here, you might consider a riser pad for these to avoid wheel bites. Otherwise, with this size, it can conquer most of the rough roads out there. There is a cheaper version with encapsulated core and 75mm diameter.
Pros:
- Provide you with the ultimate cruising experience
- Run very fast and comfortable
- Have a support core to bring excellent experience
- Well-balanced in term of rolling great on most surfaces
Cons:
- Not fit for tricks and complex moves
- Limited to the penny, mini, cruiser, and longboard
- Very expensive $60-$80 for a set of 4
12. Santa Cruz Slime Ball Vomits Old School Re-Issue 60mm 97a Skateboard Wheels (Neon Green)
Santa Cruz is also a renowned brand due to his long history in the market. It also provides lots of reliable skateboards and accessories. People also see this brand has the best skateboard wheels for the street. Though the price would be around $35 since these are high-quality wheels.
If you prefer some old school design, consider to check out this one!
They have a sick design of Slime Ball Vomits which look very cool when you roll around the street. The paints are highly detailed artwork and they won’t wear off easily. As for the size construction, these are rather big wheels mainly for cruising and sliding at 60mm diameter.
The 97a durometer can last for a long time. They are extremely hard and can go very fast on a ramp or pool. This is mainly your money worth for. These wheels are definitely great on sleek surfaces to make them great for professionals too.
Pros:
- Provide you with the ultimate experience
- Run very fast and comfortable on smooth surfaces
- The brand is well-known and easy to recognize in the community
- Cool looking design with highly detail artworks.
Cons:
- Not fit for tricks and complex moves
- Not suitable for rough roads, cracks, and pebbles
13. Everland 65x51mm Skateboard Wheels
If you are just starting to skate and have a tight budget, Everland might be a suitable choice for you. Since the wheels set only cost about $13 bucks. Of course, it won’t have any special features and top quality materials.
The wheels look nice and have many color option for you to select. The wheel is quite big with a 65mm diameter, but it should provide a decent speed for your cruising experience.
As for the 78a durometer, these wheels are soft to roll on the streets and hills. This makes it ideal if you usually travel to school or work nearby. They won’t give top speed yet enough to not getting late.
Pros:
- Provide you a decent cruising experience
- Run fast and comfortable on streets, roads, and hills
- Very cost efficient and beginner friendly
Cons:
- Not fit for tricks and complex moves
- Limited to the penny, mini, cruiser, and longboard
- Might be constructed from cheap materials
14. Pro Skateboard Wheels (White)
Here is what you need if you prefer plain and simple wheels. From Pro Skateboard, the brand offers an affordable solution for beginners to have their wheels ready for practice. The starting price is $11 buck, pretty neat to save money for a cool deck instead.
The diameter sizes are ranging between 50 – 56mm, which are average sizes that fit most common skateboard. This helps for those don’t have much access to skateboard gears.
Their durometer is super tough with 101a, rarely you would see a company would offer this type of hardness. Yet, they are efficient enough for your practice on a ramp, pool or in a skating park.
Pros:
- Provide you a decent skateboarding experience
- Run very fast on ramps, pools, and sleek surfaces
- Very cost efficient and beginner friendly
Cons:
- No cool design
- Might be constructed from cheap materials
Why are Skateboard Wheels Made of Polyurethane?
First of all, let’s discuss what is polyurethane?
Let’s not get complicated with scientific terms here. You can perceive Polyurethane or PU for short, is a highly resilient and heat-resistant plastic material. With these two main features, PU is both very competitive and affordable compared to other types of materials. This explains you would see them every day from your car seat, panels, wheels, tires, etc.
Other minor features, such as they are widely available and easy to recycle, make PU is the most common materials in many industries. PU can also easily form into many specific measurements, sizes, and shapes. Lastly, this type of plastic is very environment-friendly. It conveniently complies to the manufacturing standards and guidelines.
Ok, fine then why use PU for the best skateboard wheels?
The main reason is this material consist of a little bit of both worlds. PU still has the flexibility to absorb shocks and impacts when you land. This is why other types of plastic fail and break very early due to the tremendous force. On the other hand, PU also not super hard that cause redundancy and slow speed.
This is why your wheels won’t melt after hours of friction caused rolling against the rough surfaces. It also feels very smooth when you slide, cruise or runs over the cracks. So now you know why I call it the best of both worlds.
Top skateboard wheels brands
If you are considering the wheels brands, the best selling wheels should be the common choice for both beginners and professionals. These brands have already established its strong foundation in the community for a long time and earned the customers’ trust.
Here are the top five brands that you can start browsing right now:
- Spitfire – Founded back in 1987 in San Francisco, it is no doubt its long history of existence in the market. Through strong competitions, the brand evolved and refined its products. Till today, it has been well-known with its ultimate skateboard tools and accessories.
- Mini-Logo – Over a quick period of time, this brand got lots of love from the community. It offers not only the top quality wheels but also other hardware and skateboards.
- Ricta – Founded more than a decade in 2002. The brand manages to expand its market via the great relationship with distributors.
- Pig – Funny as it might look, founded way back in 1993, the brand specializes in skateboard shredding and still stay competitive up to today
- Powell Peralta – Founded by George Powell and Stacy Peralta in 1978, this is one of the oldest brands in the market so far. It thrived through experiences and customer service excellence.
How to Choose The Best Skateboard Wheels
To pick the best skateboard wheels that work for you, here are two things to keep mind when looking at the wheel description:
1. Choosing skateboard wheel diameter
The wheels’ diameter mainly indicates how big your wheels are. Smaller wheels are easy to control and turn quickly. While the bigger wheels are fast to reach top speed but clunky to do tricks. Depending on your purpose, here is the scaling:
50-53mm: These are small wheels most common for street skateboarders as it fits to do tricks and flips. Easy to skate on smooth surfaces.
54-59mm: These are average wheels size. A well-balanced solution for both doing tricks and daily transportation.
60mm and up These are the big wheels that typically seen on longboards, and cruisers. They are optimized for speed and rougher surfaces
2. Choosing skateboard wheel durometer
The wheels’ durometer, on the other hand, indicates the wheels hardness. This is the key to determine for which purpose you are going to buy them for. The soft wheels perform best on any rugged surfaces.
It also runs smoothly on cracks and pebbles which is ideal for cruising or daily transportation. The harder wheels make for smooth and sleek surfaces such as park street, ramp, pool, etc. Here is a quick scaling guide:
70a – 80a: These are soft wheels, best for cruiser and longboard. Rolling well on rough surfaces such as street, dirt, rocky hills, etc.
81a – 90a: These are in the average scaling, which can use for multiple purposes. However, it won’t give you the best experience of cruising nor the speed for professional competition.
90a+: These are solid wheels, roll very well on smooth surfaces such as ramp, pool and skate park street. They are likely the best pick for many professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What wheels are best for street skateboarding?
You would need the look for wheels that are soft and have durometer around 70a-90a. They work well on the concrete cracks and rugged roads. The diameter is likely from 54mm and up, though this has to match with the type of bearings and trucks of your skateboard.
2. What does 78a mean on skateboard wheels?
The 78 is for the hardness measurement, in this case, it is a soft wheel. It likely to grip well and reduce sliding on most surfaces. The “a” or “A” is for scaling, it is different compared to “b” or “B” scaling by 20 points in term of hardness. Nowadays, people use “a” or “A” scaling more frequently
3. Are Spitfire wheels good for street skating?
The answer is yes but depending on the wheels’ durometer and diameter. Spitfire is currently one of the top brands out there. Yet having a hard wheel (90a+) would ruin the street skating experience. You should try the softer wheels version around 80a to 90a should be fine. Or consult the sale representative to help you pick one.