When it comes to dialing in your perfect ride, wheels matter more than you might think. Whether you’re carving downhill at full speed or pushing around town, the feel of your setup is heavily influenced by one key component: the urethane. Understanding the difference between soft and hard wheels—and how they relate to things like durometer and contact patch—can completely change how you skate.
Durometer: The Hard Truth About Soft Wheels
Durometer is the scale used to measure how hard or soft a skateboard wheel is. Most wheels fall somewhere between 75A and 101A, with the lower numbers being softer and the higher ones being harder. Softer wheels, like those rated between 75A and 87A, are ideal for cruising, carving, and navigating rougher pavement. They grip better, roll smoother over cracks, and are way quieter—great for filming or just keeping things mellow. On the other end of the spectrum, hard wheels (typically 95A and up) are stiffer and faster on smooth surfaces, with less grip and more slide. They’re what most park and street skaters use, especially for tricks and technical skating.
Contact Patch and Wheel Feel
Another important factor is the contact patch—basically the amount of wheel that touches the ground. A wide contact patch gives you more grip and stability, which is great for carving, downhill, and dancing. Narrower contact patches make it easier to break into slides and control speed in freeride sessions. The shape and width of your wheel affect how it connects with the road and how much resistance you’ll feel while turning or sliding. It’s the kind of subtle detail that makes a big difference once you know what you’re looking for.
Style-Specific Wheel Setups
Choosing the right wheel also depends on how and where you skate. Street skaters usually go with small, hard wheels—something in the 99A to 101A range—because they offer better pop and slide predictably on ledges and rails. For cruising and commuting, soft wheels are the go-to, absorbing bumps and cracks and giving a silky-smooth ride. Brands like Orangatang and Powell Peralta offer high-performance soft wheels that don’t just roll well—they carve, grip, and slide when you need them to. The Orangatang 4President and In Heat are favorites for longboarders and carvers, while Powell’s Dragon Formula wheels provide a hybrid feel—hard enough to trick, soft enough to roll smooth. Downhill and freeride skaters often split the difference, choosing mid-range duros that grip at speed but can also release into slides when needed. The Powell Snakes are a standout here, built to hold corners or slide with flow depending on how hard you push them.
The best wheel depends on what terrain you’re riding, what tricks you’re doing, and how you want your board to feel. It’s not one-size-fits-all—and that’s the fun of it. You can completely transform your setup by switching out your wheels alone. At Boarder Labs, we stock everything from super soft cruisers to high-performance hard urethane so you can find exactly what works for your style. Whether you’re looking to carve hills, pop tricks, or just get from A to B with a grin on your face, the right wheels make all the difference.
