In the world of skateboarding, bearings are often overlooked in favor of flashier components like decks and wheels. But these tiny, precision-engineered rings are what keep you rolling—literally. Without them, your board wouldn’t move an inch. Tucked inside your wheels, bearings allow them to spin smoothly on your truck axles, and they’re critical for speed, control, and overall ride quality. While they might seem simple at first glance, the bearing world runs deep, with different materials, designs, performance ratings, and even philosophies of engineering.
ABEC Ratings vs. Skate Ratings
One of the first things you’ll notice on bearing packaging is the infamous ABEC rating—typically 3, 5, 7, or 9. ABEC, which stands for the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee, is an industrial standard that refers to how precisely the bearing is manufactured. The higher the number, the tighter the tolerances. But here’s the twist: ABEC ratings were never designed with skateboarding in mind. They’re for high-speed machinery in clean, controlled environments—not stair sets, impact, and dirt.
That’s why some companies, most notably Bones Bearings, have opted out of the ABEC scale altogether. Instead, they introduced their own “Skate Rated” system, designed to reflect the real-world stresses that skateboard bearings experience—things like lateral force, sudden impacts, and exposure to water and grime. This alternative approach better represents how a bearing will actually perform in a skate session rather than in a lab.
Brand Breakdown: From Swiss Precision to Street Warriors
Bones Bearings is arguably the most iconic name in the skate world. Their Bones Swiss model—still made in Switzerland—is legendary for its speed, smoothness, and long life. For those who want quality at a lower price, Bones Reds (manufactured in China) have become the go-to for skaters everywhere. Reds offer reliability and performance that punch far above their price tag, making them a favorite for first setups and seasoned shredders alike.
Another major player is Bronson Speed Co., created by NHS, the company behind Santa Cruz. Bronson’s G3 bearings feature innovative designs like deep groove raceways and removable shields for easy cleaning. They’ve built a strong following in the street skating scene thanks to strong marketing and a product that holds up to serious abuse. Zealous Bearings are a longboarding favorite, especially for distance and downhill riders. They come with integrated spacers and speed rings and are pre-lubricated with a proprietary nano-ceramic formula that reduces friction and heat over time. Bear Space Balls are another smart choice, particularly in the longboarding and cruiser scene. Manufactured by Bear Trucks and popularized through the Loaded and Landyachtz ecosystems, these bearings come with built-in spacers and speed rings. That integration helps prevent bearing misalignment during slides and fast carves, making them ideal for freeride, downhill, and LDP setups. While not as flashy or hyped as some other brands, Space Balls are known for their reliability, smooth roll, and solid performance right out of the box. For riders who want a maintenance-free bearing that just works, Space Balls hit the mark.
Popping Shields: A Skater’s Rite of Passage
A common modification you’ll see—especially among freestyle skaters—is popping off the bearing shields. These thin covers are designed to keep dirt and dust out, but removing them has become a widely accepted way to gain faster access for cleaning and re-lubing. Some skaters even claim that riding without shields slightly reduces friction, creating a looser, more responsive feel. That said, the trade-off is exposure. With shields gone, bearings are more vulnerable to grime, water, and rust. But for those who maintain their gear regularly, the benefits in performance and tuneability often outweigh the risks.
Why Spacers and Speed Rings Matter
While they’re easy to overlook, bearing spacers and speed rings play a vital role in performance and longevity. Spacers sit between the two bearings inside each wheel, helping keep them aligned and evenly loaded during hard turns, slides, or landings. This reduces heat and internal stress, which can prolong bearing life and improve consistency. Speed rings sit between the bearings and axle nuts to minimize metal-on-metal friction and prevent binding. Some bearing systems, like Zealous and Tekton, integrate both spacers and rings into the design, making installation easier and more foolproof. For casual park riders, they’re optional. But for long-distance pushers, downhill bombers, and heavy sliders, spacers and rings are a must.
The Geography of Quality
Where your bearings are made can significantly influence their quality. Swiss-made bearings, like the original Bones Swiss, are produced with ultra-high precision and top-tier materials. These bearings are known for their long life, minimal maintenance needs, and smooth roll. On the flip side, Chinese manufacturing dominates the mass-market bearing scene, including Bones Reds and many others. While quality can vary, well-known brands enforce strict quality control, ensuring consistency even at lower price points. Then there are outliers like Oust (USA), NSK (Japan), and SKF (Germany), which often serve niche skating styles or crossover from other industries like robotics or motorsports. These brands prioritize durability and smooth performance under stress, making them favorites among distance skaters and slalom racers.
Choosing the Right Bearings
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to bearings. Beginners and casual skaters often start with something dependable and budget-friendly like Bones Reds or Bronson G2s. Riders focused on pushing long distances or going fast downhill tend to favor bearings with built-in spacers, such as Zealous or Tektons. Tech-heads looking for that extra edge might splurge on Swiss or ceramic models, knowing they’ll last longer and roll smoother with proper care.
