More than any other part of your set-up, it’s important to choose skateboard wheels that suit your style of riding and will deliver you the best possible performance.
The last thing you want is to buy a pair of wheels only to find out they are too big or too soft.
After the reviews below, we discuss the key things to look out for when choosing your wheels.
Spitfire Formula 4 (55mm, 101a)
One of the most popular wheels on the market, and the go-to for a wide range of pros.
With a super-hard duro rating of 101, these wheels aren’t for beginners. They are almost impossible to flat spot, making them perfect for power slides. They also provide impressive speed and great durability.
To illustrate just how technical these wheels are, many skaters praise the fact that you feel like you get added control in you power slides and reverts, being able to apply different amounts of pressure throughout the maneuver.
Pros
- Very high performing street and park
- wheels
- No flat spots
- Very fast
Cons
- 101 duro rating not suitable for some types of skating
Ricta Clouds (54mm, 92a)
Ricta clouds are famous for being incredibly fast and high performing for a softer wheel.
They are designed to solve a lot of the problems skaters have with harder wheels, such as slipping out on slick surfaces, and struggling with rougher terrain when street skating.
If you prioritise a smoother ride over rock solid wheels, then the Ricta Cloud may be the one for you.
Pros
- Smooth and fast
- Great for rougher ground
Cons
- Less suitable for technical skating
Bones Wheels STF V5 (54mm, 83b = 103a)
Bones STF (Street Tech Formula) are some of the most popular wheels in the world of skateboarding.
They are super fast and offer impressive sliding yet provide grip when needed.
Super durable and offering exceptional performance, it’s easy to see why so many skaters make Bones STFs their go-to wheels.
Pros
- Light and Fast
- Soft enough for rougher terrain
- Provide grip when needed
Cons
- Not flat-spot proof
OJ Skate Wheels Figgy Freakouts (53mm, 101a)
The pro model of Justin “Figgy” Figueroa, the Figgy Freakout wheel is a high performing street or park wheel.
With a 101a in hardness, these wheels are fast and responsive, perfect for technical flip tricks.
However, OJ Wheels urethane compound means you don’t sacrifice on control and comfort, with the Figgys providing a nice super smooth ride on a range of surfaces.
Pros
- Nice well-rounded street and park wheel
- Fast and smooth
- Awesome designs
Cons
- More suitable for technical skating
Spitfire Classics (53mm, 99a)
The classic model, from one of the classic brands in skate wheels, it’s hard to go wrong with this one.
While they are rated 99a, these wheels will still provide you with a bit of grip, especially at high speeds.
Pros
- Classic high quality street and park wheel
- Hard and fast
Cons
- Not as good as formula fours for sliding
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Choosing The Best Skateboard Wheels For Your Style And Set-Up
Not sure where to start in the search for the perfect wheels for your set up?
Below we break down the key things you need to consider when choosing your wheels and try to demystify some of the terminology to help you choose the perfect set of wheels.
Wheel Size
One of the biggest choices you will need to make when choosing your wheels is the size.
The size of a skateboard wheel is measured in millimetres and it represents the diameter of the wheel, which is how to tall the wheel is.
The general principle is that smaller wheels accelerate quickly and are lightweight, making them the best for technical street skating.
Larger wheels are slower to accelerate but have a higher top speed, making them more suitable for park, ramps, cruising etc.
The below table explains the different sizes and what the types of skating they are most suitable for.
For beginners and general use, medium sized wheels (54-56mm) are the recommended option.
Wheels in the 57-59mm range are also suitable for beginners, especially if you will often be skating on rough ground.
| Wheel Size | Measurements | Best For |
| Small | 50-53mm | Street |
| Medium | 54-56mm | Mini-Ramp, Bowls, Park |
| Large | 57-59mm | Vert-ramps |
| ExtraLarge | 59mm+ | Cruising, Longboards |
Also, note that your wheels need to fit with your trucks.
Standard trucks should be able to accomodate wheel sizes of 52mm to 56mm, however if you are looking at wheels outside this range you may need low or high trucks (or use riser pads)
Hardness
The second key characteristic of skateboard wheels is their hardness, which is measured in durometers.
With skateboard wheels, you will see the rating described using the A-Scale, which is a rating between 75-100. The higher the rating the harder the wheel.
Generally speaking, harder wheels are better for more technical skating as they are fast and they slide easier.
They are also more resistant to flat spots, which occur from power slides.
Softer wheels (high 70s – low 90s) are great for cruising, especially on rough surfaces, as the rider receives less vibration from the ground.
Most skaters will want to stick to the Medium/Hard range (93 – 99) as these provide a good balance of speed, performance, and durability.
Verdict
All of the wheels on this list are going to make any skater happy. However, try to figure out what is important to you in your wheels and choose the one that best suits your needs.
For us, the Spitfire Formula 4 represent the best wheel currently on the market, although they may be slightly too hard for beginners and better suited to more technical skaters.
