Selecting the right skateboard wheels is one of the most important decisions a skater can make. The size, hardness, and profile of your wheels directly affect how your board rides, grips, and slides. Whether you’re bombing hills, skating smooth park transitions, or navigating gritty Vancouver streets, understanding the basics of terrain, durometer, and style helps you find your perfect setup.
Terrain and Wheel Size
The terrain you ride determines what wheel size suits you best. Smaller wheels, generally in the 50–54mm range, are ideal for technical street skating where you want quick acceleration, lightweight setups, and a lower center of gravity for flip tricks. Medium wheels in the 54–58mm range are perfect for park skating, offering smoother transitions and a balance between speed and control.
Larger wheels above 58mm excel on rough pavement, ditches, or downhill runs, providing stability and the ability to roll over cracks and debris without getting hung up. At CalStreets BoarderLabs, we often see skaters mixing sizes depending on their home turf—Kitsilano streets, Railside bowls, or Hastings Park transitions each demand something slightly different.
Durometer and Ride Feel
Durometer measures wheel hardness, usually on the Shore A scale. Softer wheels (78A–87A) are perfect for cruising, longboarding, or film missions where you want a smooth, silent roll. They absorb rough surfaces and provide extra grip—great for the potholes of East Van. Medium duros (88A–95A) balance grip and slide, ideal for hybrid setups like surfskates or all-terrain boards. Hard wheels (99A–104A) are the go-to choice for skateparks and street skating. They’re faster on smooth concrete, slide predictably, and give that crisp pop skaters love. Powell’s Dragon Formula and Bones’ STF series have even blurred these lines, offering grip and slide at the same time—perfect for modern all-terrain riding.
Styles and Shape Profiles
Wheel shape also changes how your board feels. Narrow “conical” or “radial” profiles give less surface contact for easier slides and faster acceleration. Wider “classic” or “full” shapes grip more, offering control and stability on ramps or bowls. For cruisers and surfskates, wider contact patches and rounded lips keep things smooth and flowy. The wheel’s core placement—center-set, side-set, or offset—affects grip and wear patterns too, influencing how your slides initiate and how long your wheels last.
Choosing skateboard wheels isn’t just about numbers—it’s about matching your setup to your environment and style. A street skater might swear by 52mm 99A Bones STF, while a Carver rider thrives on 70mm 78A Roundhouse wheels. The key is experimentation: once you find that perfect combo of speed, grip, and control, your board becomes an extension of you. If you’re ever unsure, come down to CalStreets BoarderLabs—we’ve been helping skaters dial in their ride since 1978.
