Skateboard wheels come in different sizes and texture meant for different skating purposes. The makeup of the wheels determines how fast and safe a board can go no matter who is riding it. The best skateboard wheels are made with a high-quality unique and durable type of plastic known as Polyurethane. The wheels are turned into different sizes and shapes for different skating preferences with the commonest wheel diameter ranging from 48 to 56 millimetre. These wheels are small but apt for beginners, small riders skating in the streets, skate parks and bowls. Longboarders and shalom skaters come in much larger 60-millimetre wheel diameter and above. They are most suitable for speciality skateboarders who prefer downhill and rough surfaces. They are meant for speed and only the experienced skateboarders should mount these wheels.
When purchasing skateboard wheels, the hardness or durometer of the wheel should be a deciding factor for the best skateboard wheels you choose to buy. Harder wheels have a durometer of 99a or 100a. Wheels in this category are prefered choices for most street skaters, while those using longboards and cruisers often mount softer skateboard wheels of 78a to 87a durometer. This is ideal for trick skating and uber smooth rides. The texture of these wheels makes it relatively easy for it to cross large street surface cracks and little pebbles. Medium-hardness wheels in the range of 96a to 99a are ideal for park and ramp skaters.
Depending on your preference, the best skateboard wheels can either fall into the soft or hard wheel category. As such we are going to review the best skateboard wheels in these two categories: the best soft skateboard wheels and the best hard skateboard wheels. At the end, you will be better informed of the best skateboard wheels to exchange your money for against numerous competing substitutes.
Having gone through a thorough review of good skateboard wheels in the market, Shark Wheel Sidewinder Longboard Wheels and Everland 52mm Wheels w/ Bearings & Spacers came tops as our recommended best skateboard wheels for soft and hard wheels respectively. Shark Wheel Sidewinder Longboard Wheels as a soft skateboard wheel is the best skateboard wheel for slightly rough surfaces, street boards and longboards that demand maximum grip for easy rolling across cracks and pebbles. It is slightly harder when compared to known standards but fast over rough surfaces with adequate grip. Everland 52mm Wheels w/ Bearings & Spacers, on the other hand, is perfect for hard surfaces, skateboard tricks etc. Both wheels in their respective categories are quality products that will last a considerable long period of time you might consider transferring them to a new skateboard when your current board is worn out.
Best Skateboard Wheels
Best Soft and Hard Skateboard Wheels
Shark Wheel Sidewinder Longboard Skateboard Wheels 70mm, 78a
Shark wheels are futuristic wheels that have defined what future skaters should roll on. Looking as if its unrollable is the 70mm high-performance shark wheel sidewinder longboard wheels that are simply great for all-around cruising activities. It offers more grip and slide control with its unique sine wave design. The sine wave design provides three lips per wheel for superior lateral grip. When you want to slide, they pathways and recover easily when you are done sliding. To achieve this capability, the width of the wheel was increased while the actual contact patch was decreased. With this unique feature, the wheels give out more speed and quicker ride as the wave pattern design allows for a thin contact patch touching the ground. I particularly find it beneficial that the alternating patterns of the grooves minimize hydroplaning by channelling liquid, sand or gravel away from the surface of the wheel. With this, you get a firm contact patch with the ground no matter the terrain.
Pros:
- Sine wave
- Off-road compatible
- Unique futuristic design
- Excellent on wet terrains
- Available in 12 beautiful colours
- Easily rides over obstacles other wheels will stop at
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- The paints wear off if not properly cared for
With the Shark Wheel Sidewinder Longboard Wheels, you get to have a feel of what it is to skate in the future while being in the present time. With these wheels mounted on your board, there is no limit or restriction any terrain or weather will impose on you. Shark Wheel Sidewinder Longboard Wheels will simply and effortlessly take you wherever you will stand out among other skaters without sweating it out. This is a wheel with a class.
- Best wheels in the world over rough terrain
- Lasts 15% longer than industry leading wheels (scientifically proven)
Spitfire Classic Series High-Performance Skateboard Wheel (Set of 4)
The Spitfire Classic Series High-Performance Skateboard is guaranteed to perform against all defects on its 50mm wheels as one of the best hard skateboard wheels. Your skating tricks can never go wrong with this wheel. Over time, I have seen a whole lot of heavy guys gain remarkable speed after mounting these wheels for a short distance. Spitfire Classic wheels will never lose its durometer like most other wheels not reviewed here would. Where simplicity defines your buying choice haven been satisfied with top-notch technical specifications, the hand poured and shaped Spitfire Classic 50mm best skateboard wheel is an ideal choice for your hard surface skateboarding penchant.
Pros:
- Simple design
- Quick spinning
- No colour peeling
- Perfect for hard surfaces
- Hand poured and shaped
Cons:
- Looks a bit old-fashioned
Looking at this wheels, one might wonder if they can ever pull off a flip trick? You will be amazed when you find out that a lot of abilities were packed inside the simple looking Spitfire Classic 50mm best skateboard wheel. I recommend this product for my friends who don’t fancy heavily coloured and sophisticatedly designed skateboard wheels. Spitfire kept it simple with the classic 50mm and is quite affordable for an impromptu purchase. It is simply one of those products we recommend and no one ever regrets buying.
- True 99 durometer
- Hand poured & shaped
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Shark Wheel California Roll (60mm 78a) Skateboard Wheel
Where longboarders are involved, better slide control is needed, must definitely be sine-wave shaped wheels, unique design and colour is appreciated, then the Shark Wheel California Roll (60mm 78a) is what you are looking for. It comes in a square hybrid shape synonymous with the Shark Wheel brand. This product particularly does well on rough terrains better than any other wheel. The riding experience I got from these wheels was nothing short than smooth even on uneven surfaces such as dirt, grass, cobblestones etc. These set of wheels are ideal for smaller or mini longboards and perfect for cruising around quietly. The less contact it has with the ground makes it gain considerable speed over a short distance and is one of the best soft skateboard wheels in the market.
Pros:
- Decent 60mm
- Reliable 78a durometer
- Smooth and quite riding
- Beautiful design and colour finishing
Cons:
- The colour wears off
If you try this wheels out, you might probably not go back to any other one you hitherto used. Yes, that is how good the Shark Wheel California Roll (60mm 78a) is. The quietness of these wheels is probably the best you will ever find in its category of soft skateboard wheels.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE WHEELS: Our long boards skateboard wheels helps you build and maintain speed on rough terrain or skate ramp. The unique wave pattern of the wheels helps to deflect debris and obstacles, so you can keep on rolling.
- LONG-LASTING SKATE TOOL - Built with quality and functionality in mind, these long board wheels will let you cruise with confidence. Gear up and try these wheels out on a nearby road, skateboard rail, or ramps!
Everland 52mm Wheels w/ Bearings & Spacers Skateboard Wheel
With 99a durometer, 4 spacers 8 ABEC-7 bearing wheels, is the Everlands 52mm wheels that are perfectly suitable for every form of hard surface skateboarding. The wheels are so nice that they won’t get flat tops right away. I found the bearings to be quite free with the wheels and come pre-lubricated with a kind of grease for fast rolling. The wheels are generally sturdy and lightweight at a relatively low price. No matter your colour preference, the Everland 52mm skateboard wheels got your choice taken care of in its wide range of 30 different stunning colours.
Pros:
Sturdy wheels
Comes with bearings and spacers
Cons:
- Bearings look a bit cheap
The Everland 52mm wheels are definitely worth the price and will last a very long time. The colours hardly fade off and they are reliable to execute any skating tricks you put them to. Particularly, I find it a valuable product considering the extra accoutrements it comes with.
- Set of 4 wheels
- 8 ABEC-7 Hi Speed Bearings
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Shark Wheel 1000S70MMS78ATG Longboard Wheels, 70mm, Transparent Green, Sidewinder Formula
Shark Wheels perfected the reinventing of the wheel in this product. it looks like a square when rolling and is perfect where high performance skating or cruising around is needed. On mounting this soft Shark Wheel 1000S70MMS78ATG longboard wheels, you will discover how extremely fast they roll and this is all thanks to the sine-wave shape of the wheels. Better slide control and easy navigation over rough terrains are some of the benefits you will derive from riding these best value wheels.
Pros:
- Futuristic wheel design
- Extremely smooth when riding
- Uniquely beautiful transparent colour
- Easily rides over small rocks and pebbles
Cons:
- Tiny bubbles might be seen on the wheel
The Shark Wheel 1000S70MMS78ATG longboard wheel is aesthetically one of the best skateboard wheels any true skateboarder should have in their collection. No matter the frequency of use, you will find these wheels absolutely smooth and reliable.
- SHARK SIDEWINDER 70mm 78a GREEN Skateboard Wheels Set of 4
MBS All-Terrain Longboard Skateboard Wheels
The perfect wheels for longboarders on an asphalt path desirous of a wheel that will easily roll over just about anything. They roll smoothly on both pavement and grass no matter who rides them. Whether you are an experienced longboarder, a newbie or someone not just feeling like walking, you will find the MBS All-Terrain Longboard Wheels suitable to take you anywhere you direct it to. It has 78a hard super-high-rebound urethane wheels moulded into 100mm diameter wheel. These wheels can remarkably be used on standard skateboards too and for this reason, I find them quite versatile in case you want to get a feel of what it is like cruising on a standard board. You can easily remove these wheels on your longboard and mount them on your standard board.
Pros:
- Excellent street traction
- Easily rides over most debris and cracked pavements
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- The traction usually wears down over time
Provided you get yourself some standard packs of bearing, you will enjoy the versatility of these wheels. They are quite affordable and will last long enough for you before the wheels begin to wear out. Everyone who I know to have used these wheels ended up recommending same to others as the best skateboard wheels for soft surfaces known to them. You will simply love it.
- 100mm x 65mm all-terrain longboard wheels
- Cast with 78a super-high-rebound urethane for unparalleled speed
Conclusion
The best skateboard wheels whether for soft or hard wheels reviewed here will offer you nothing less than speed, maximum control, quality traction and durability. Never go skating on wheels that are not guaranteed to give you the above. Skating is meant to be enjoyed, but when you skate on any of our reviewed best skateboards, it becomes a recurrent memorable experience as you improve and master the art steadily.
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