When it comes to purchasing wheels for your roller skates, it can be a bit intimidating because there are so many types to choose from. The wheel you choose is based on the type of skating you’ll be doing and where. Indoor skate park, outdoor concrete park or street skating. Choosing your wheels can be overwhelming, so let this be a guide for you to consider when shopping for your next set of roller skating wheels for the skatepark or street skate.
Wheel Hardness (Durometer)
The durometer rating refers to the hardness of the wheel, grip level as well as the impact and amount of shock it can absorb. Majority of manufacturers use the Durometer A Scale, which means wheels are listed with a number with an A behind it, such as 92A. The higher the number the harder and less grip the wheel has. The lower the number, the softer and more grip the wheel has.
In roller skating, and according to the Durometer A Scale, the wheel's hardness is measured in durometers and ranges from 78A (softest) to 103A (hardest).
When it comes to street and park skating, you’ll want to go for a wheel that is at least 92A and up.
92A Roller skate wheels
This is a great hybrid wheel. A little more on the softer side which make these great for slick indoor park surfaces and beginner skaters or for those skaters who are lazy like me and don’t like to switch out their wheels when going from skating the streets to the skate park.
97A - 100A Roller skate wheels
These are harder but pretty balanced wheels that will adapt to street skating, park skating, mini ramps, concrete bowls and any type of smooth surface. These will work great if you’re one of those folks who are into dance skating as well.
100A-103A+ Roller skate wheels
These are super hard and fast wheels with the least amount of grip. These are great for smooth concrete surfaces at the skate park and bowls and are not suited for slick or rough surfaces.
Harder wheels allow for better slidability in helping to avoid wheel bite on slides and grinds.
These are the wheel of choice for more advanced roller skaters when doing more technical tricks like slide variations, grinds and switch-ups.
Wheel Size
Diameter
The taller the wheel, the faster you will go, but also less stable because you are higher off the ground and heavier. Smaller wheels are lighter and more stable because you are closer to the ground but have a slower rollout.
52-54mm
This size wheel is great for street, park skating and mini ramps. Smaller wheels provide more stability and provide better maneuverability to get into different slide and grind variations in a run.
57-62mm
This size is great for cruising bowls and a faster rollout.
Width (Riding Surface)
The narrower the wheel the less stable it is but it gives you more agility and the ability to move around a bit more because they’re lighter. The wider the wheel, the more stable you are but you will feel less agility, more clunky and heavier in weight.
Street skaters and technical ramp skaters usually prefer narrower wheels for technical street skating and ramp skating because they slide easier for more tricks. Wider wheels are better for skating bowls because they keep their grip when skating at faster speeds
Wheel Profile (shape)
The shape of the wheel’s edge can impact the grip, the way you turn, carve a ramp or bowl and how the wheel locks into grinds. A more rounded edge (round shaped wheel) will make the wheel slide more easily and transition into different grind variations easily. A less rounded edge (conical shaped wheel) can provide more grip to help you lock in grinds better without slipping out.
Wheels are fun and can help change things up for you. When I started skating I stuck to bowl skating so the wheels I used were CIB Vertex 103A wheels. I wanted a bigger and harder wheel so that I can cruise the bowl fast and give me the speed I needed to execute big air tricks and get up to the coping for a few stalls.
Now that I am a more experienced skater, I’ve decided to level up on my skills and get into more street skating and technical tricks like different slides and grind variations which require a hard, and slidey wheel like the 8 Lives 101A 52MM round shaped wheel. These wheels are great for street skating, park skating and mini ramps. Don’t get me wrong, these are still great for bowls but since the wheels are a bit smaller I need to pump the bowl a bit more but I still get great speed overall.
8 Lives does carry a slightly larger wheel, 100A 54MM conical shaped wheel which is great for those skaters looking to level up their skating in bowl, street and looking for a better lock-in for those tricky grinds.
