Hard Vs Soft Skateboard Wheels: Which Is Best?

Table of Contents

The choice of skateboard wheels can dramatically alter your riding experience, influencing everything from speed and control to the terrain you can comfortably tackle. This fundamental component, often overlooked by beginners, is as crucial as the deck or trucks in defining how your skateboard performs. Understanding the nuances between hard vs soft skateboard wheels is not just about technical specifications; it’s about aligning your equipment with your intended skating style, the surfaces you’ll be riding on, and your personal preferences for grip, slide, and durability.

Selecting the right wheels means making an informed decision that can enhance your progression, prevent frustration, and even contribute to your safety. Too hard and you might find yourself bouncing off every pebble, while too soft and you might struggle to slide or gain sufficient speed.

This guide will break down the key differences, helping you discern which type of wheel is best suited for your skateboarding journey, whether you’re just learning to push or aiming for advanced tricks.

Key Takeaways

Hard Wheels (95A-101A+): Offer less grip, ideal for smooth surfaces like skateparks, smooth concrete, and wooden ramps, enabling easier slides and faster speeds. They provide a responsive feel for tricks but transmit vibrations from rough terrain.

Soft Wheels (78A-90A): Provide superior grip and shock absorption, making them excellent for rough surfaces, cruising, long-distance skating, and filming. They offer a smoother ride but are less ideal for technical tricks requiring slides.

Durometer (A-Scale): The primary measure of wheel hardness, with higher numbers indicating harder wheels. The “A” scale is standard for skateboard wheels.

Diameter (mm): Affects speed and acceleration. Smaller wheels (50-54mm) accelerate faster and are lighter for tricks, while larger wheels (55mm+) maintain speed better and roll over obstacles more easily.

Shape: Wider wheels offer more stability and grip, while narrower wheels are lighter and facilitate grinds and slides.

Intended Use: Cruising/commuting favors soft, larger wheels; street skating often uses a medium-hard, medium-sized wheel; park/transition skating typically uses harder, medium-to-large wheels.

Durability: Harder wheels generally last longer on abrasive surfaces, but softer wheels can be more forgiving on impact.

Credit: www.youtube.com

Understanding Wheel Hardness: The Durometer Scale

The most significant differentiating factor between skateboard wheels is their hardness, measured using the durometer scale. For skateboard wheels, this is almost exclusively the Shore A scale. This scale ranges typically from 0 to 100, but skateboard wheels often go beyond 100, using a system where 101A is equivalent to a specific hardness, and numbers above that continue to increase in hardness. The higher the number, the harder the wheel. This seemingly simple measurement has profound implications for how a wheel performs on different surfaces and during various skateboarding disciplines.

The Shore A Durometer Explained

The Shore A durometer is a tool used to measure the indentation hardness of materials, particularly polymers and plastics. When applied to skateboard wheels, it quantizes their resistance to deformation under pressure. A wheel with a lower durometer number (e.

g. , 78A) is softer and will compress more easily, while a wheel with a higher durometer number (e. g. , 100A) is harder and will resist compression much more. This difference in compressibility directly impacts grip, speed, and vibration absorption.

Common Durometer Ranges And Their Applications

The durometer rating is your primary guide when choosing wheels. Different ranges are suited for distinct skateboarding styles and terrains:

Soft Wheels (78A – 90A): These wheels offer the most grip and the smoothest ride. They excel at absorbing vibrations from rough surfaces like cracks, pebbles, and uneven pavement. This makes them ideal for cruising, long-distance skateboarding, and riding on rougher outdoor terrain. They provide a comfortable, quiet ride and are less prone to slipping out unexpectedly. However, their softness means they are slower to pick up speed on smooth surfaces and make it significantly harder to perform slides (like powerslides or board slides) because they grip the surface too much. Brands like Orangatang and some dedicated cruiser wheels fall into this category. For beginners learning to push around town, these are often recommended.

Medium-Hard Wheels (91A – 95A): This range offers a balance between grip and slide. They are a good compromise for skaters who ride on a variety of surfaces, including rougher streets and smoother skateparks. They provide a reasonably comfortable ride and decent speed while still allowing for some ability to slide. These wheels are often favored by all-around street skaters who need versatility. They offer more control than very soft wheels but more comfort than very hard ones.

Hard Wheels (96A – 101A+): These wheels are designed for speed and performance on smooth surfaces. They offer less grip, which is crucial for executing slides and maintaining speed in skateparks, bowls, and on polished concrete. They transmit less energy from the ground, resulting in a faster roll. However, they also transmit more vibration, making them uncomfortable and potentially dangerous on rough terrain as they can easily catch on small obstacles. Harder wheels are the standard for technical street skaters, park skaters, and transition skaters who prioritize responsiveness and the ability to slide. For learning tricks that involve grinds and slides, these are essential.

Pro Tip: When you see numbers above 100A, like 101A or 103A, they represent a further increase in hardness, offering even more speed and slide capability, often favored by professional street and park skaters.

Credit: www.skatethefoundry.com

The Role Of Wheel Diameter: Speed Vs. Acceleration

Beyond hardness, the diameter of your skateboard wheels plays a critical role in performance. Measured in millimeters (mm), wheel diameter influences how quickly your board accelerates, how fast it can reach its top speed, and its ability to roll over obstacles. The size of the wheel affects its leverage against the ground and its rotational inertia.

Small Wheels (50mm – 53mm)

Smaller wheels are generally lighter and have less rotational inertia. This means they accelerate faster and require less effort to get moving. They also sit closer to the ground, making them less prone to wheel bite (when the wheel touches the deck during a turn, stopping you abruptly). Their lighter weight is beneficial for flip tricks, as they are easier to flick and control in the air.

Pros: Quick acceleration, lighter weight, ideal for flip tricks, less risk of wheel bite.

Cons: Slower top speed, less ability to roll over cracks and pebbles, rougher ride on uneven surfaces.

Best For: Technical street skating, flip tricks, skaters who prioritize quickness and agility.

Medium Wheels (54mm – 56mm)

This is a versatile range that strikes a good balance between acceleration and top speed. Medium wheels are a popular choice for skaters who engage in a mix of street and park skating. They offer a decent roll speed and are still light enough for most flip tricks without being overly susceptible to wheel bite unless you have very loose trucks or a very concave deck.

Pros: Good balance of acceleration and top speed, versatile for street and park, manageable weight.

Cons: Can still be affected by rough terrain, may not be ideal for very long-distance cruising.

Best For: All-around skaters, street skating, skateparks, transition skating.

Large Wheels (57mm – 60mm+)

Larger wheels have more rotational inertia, meaning they take slightly longer to accelerate but maintain speed better once rolling. They also have a larger circumference, allowing them to roll over cracks, pebbles, and other debris more easily, providing a smoother ride on less-than-perfect surfaces. Their increased height also provides more clearance, reducing the risk of wheel bite.

Pros: Higher top speed, better at rolling over obstacles, smoother ride on rough surfaces, less prone to wheel bite.

Cons: Slower acceleration, heavier weight, can be more challenging for flip tricks.

Best For: Cruising, long-distance skateboarding, transition skating (bowls and ramps), filming, and skaters who prioritize a smooth, fast ride.

Example: A skater focused on learning complex flip tricks like kickflips and heelflips might opt for 52mm, 99A wheels. Conversely, someone who enjoys cruising to the skatepark or filming lines on the street might choose 56mm, 92A wheels for a smoother, more forgiving ride.

Credit: www.youtube.com

Wheel Shape And Width: Grip And Grinds

The shape and width of a skateboard wheel are also significant factors that influence performance, particularly concerning grip, stability, and how well the wheel interacts with ledges and rails. While hardness and diameter are often the primary considerations, shape and width can be the deciding factor for specific skating styles.

Wheel Width

Wheel width is typically measured from side to side. Wider wheels offer a larger contact patch with the ground, which translates to more grip and stability. Narrower wheels have a smaller contact patch, resulting in less friction and making it easier to perform slides and grinds.

Narrow Wheels (e.g., 30mm-34mm width): These are lighter and have a smaller contact patch. They are favored by skaters who want to minimize friction for slides and grinds. They are also less likely to cause wheel bite.

Standard/Medium Wheels (e.g., 35mm-38mm width): This is a common width offering a good balance of grip and slide. They are suitable for most types of skateboarding.

Wide Wheels (e.g., 39mm+ width): These provide maximum grip and stability due to their larger contact patch. They are excellent for cruising, transition skating, and for skaters who want extra confidence in their board’s stability. However, they are heavier and can make sliding more difficult.

Wheel Shape Profiles

The profile or shape of the wheel’s edge affects its interaction with surfaces and grinds.

Conical Wheels: These have a tapered, angled shape on the sides, often featuring a sharper edge. This profile is excellent for grinds as it sits comfortably on ledges and rails. The narrower profile also contributes to less friction.

Standard/Rounded Wheels: These have a more uniform, rounded profile. They offer a good balance of grip and slide and are versatile for various skating styles.

Offset Wheels: These wheels have an axle seat that is not centered, meaning the inner and outer surfaces are not symmetrical. This design often provides a wider contact patch for more grip while still allowing for good performance on ledges.

Freeride/Slide Wheels: These are often wider with beveled edges and a flatter profile to facilitate controlled slides. They are designed to break traction predictably.

Example: A skater who spends a lot of time at the skatepark, grinding ledges and rails, might choose a narrower, conical wheel (e.g., 54mm, 100A) with a sharp edge. In contrast, a skater who primarily cruises rough streets and wants maximum stability might opt for a wider, standard-shaped wheel (e.g., 58mm, 80A) with a larger contact patch.

Comparing Hard Vs. Soft Wheels: A Data-driven Look

To truly understand the difference, let’s visualize how hardness and diameter impact key performance metrics. While precise data can vary by brand and specific wheel model, we can establish general trends and comparative performance.

Performance Metrics Comparison Table

Feature	Hard Wheels (99A-101A+)	Soft Wheels (78A-90A)
Grip	Low	High
Speed	High (on smooth surfaces)	Moderate (better at maintaining on rough)
Slide Ability	Excellent	Poor
Shock Absorption	Poor	Excellent
Vibration	High transmission	Low transmission
Durability	Generally higher on abrasive surfaces	Can be more prone to chunking on rough impact
Terrain	Smooth concrete, skateparks, wooden ramps	Rough pavement, sidewalks, uneven terrain
Tricks	Ideal for technical street and park tricks	Less ideal for slides/grinds, better for cruising/filming
Noise	Louder	Quieter
Acceleration	Moderate to Fast	Slower
Top Speed	Higher (on smooth surfaces)	Lower (but maintained better on rough)
Wheel Bite	Less prone	More prone (especially with loose trucks)

Real-world Scenarios: When To Choose Which

Scenario 1: The Urban Commuter

Imagine a skater who uses their skateboard primarily to get from point A to point B around a city. Their route involves cracked sidewalks, uneven pavement, occasional debris, and perhaps some smooth patches of asphalt.

Recommended Wheels: Soft wheels, such as 56mm to 60mm diameter with a durometer of 78A to 85A.

Why: The softness provides excellent shock absorption, making the ride comfortable and less jarring. The larger diameter helps roll over small obstacles like pebbles and cracks with ease. The increased grip offers stability on varied surfaces. While acceleration might be slightly slower, the ability to maintain a smooth, consistent speed over rough terrain is paramount. Brands like Orangatang Caguama or Loaded Kegels are popular choices for this style.

Scenario 2: The Skatepark Enthusiast

This skater lives for the smooth concrete of skateparks, bowls, and wooden ramps. Their focus is on tricks, speed, and the ability to slide along coping and ledges.

Recommended Wheels: Hard wheels, typically 54mm to 58mm diameter with a durometer of 99A to 101A.

Why: The hardness allows for quick acceleration and high top speeds on smooth surfaces. Crucially, it enables controlled slides and grinds on ledges and coping, which are fundamental to transition skating. The lower grip means less resistance when initiating slides. While they transmit more vibration, this is less of an issue on well-maintained park surfaces. Popular choices include Spitfire Formula Four, Bones STF, or Ricta Clouds in harder durometers.

Scenario 3: The Technical Street Skater

This skater navigates urban environments, focusing on flip tricks, grinds on ledges, and slides on rails. They need a wheel that balances responsiveness for tricks with the ability to slide on various street obstacles.

Recommended Wheels: Medium to hard wheels, often in the 52mm to 54mm diameter range with a durometer of 99A.

Why: This size is light enough for flicking flip tricks. The 99A hardness provides a good compromise: hard enough to slide effectively on most street obstacles but not so hard that every pebble stops the board dead. This durometer also offers a bit more grip than 101A, which can be beneficial on less predictable street surfaces. Many skaters choose wheels like Spitfire Formula Four 99A or Bones STF 99A for this purpose. For skaters who prefer a slightly softer feel or ride on rougher street spots, 97A can also be a viable option.

Wheel Durability And Maintenance

The lifespan and maintenance of your skateboard wheels depend heavily on their hardness, the surfaces you skate on, and how you skate.

Factors Affecting Durability

Durometer: Harder wheels generally tend to wear down slower on abrasive surfaces like concrete or asphalt, especially during slides. Softer wheels can wear down faster, particularly if used for sliding on rough surfaces, as they grip more and can chunk or wear unevenly.

Urethane Quality: Not all urethane is created equal. High-quality urethane compounds, often found in premium brands, are more resistant to chunking (pieces breaking off the edge) and flat spots (areas where the wheel wears down rapidly due to prolonged sliding). Brands like Spitfire Wheels are renowned for their durable urethane formulas.

Skating Style: Aggressive sliding and grinding will wear wheels down faster than cruising or general trick skating. Landing tricks on rough surfaces can also contribute to faster wear and tear.

Terrain: Skating on rough asphalt or concrete will wear wheels down faster than skating on smooth, polished concrete at a skatepark.

Maintenance Tips

Rotate Your Wheels: To ensure even wear, periodically rotate your wheels. Swap the front wheels to the back and vice versa, or swap them diagonally (front-left to back-right, front-right to back-left). This helps prevent one side of the wheel from wearing down disproportionately.

Check for Chunking: Inspect your wheels regularly for chunks missing from the edges. If a chunk is large enough, it can affect the wheel’s performance and make riding uneven or unstable. In some cases, severely chunked wheels might need replacing.

Avoid Excessive Grinding/Sliding on Rough Surfaces: If you’re using softer wheels, try to avoid prolonged sliding on very abrasive surfaces, as this will accelerate wear and increase the risk of flat spots or chunking.

Clean Your Bearings: While not directly wheel maintenance, clean bearings ensure your wheels spin freely and at their optimal speed. Dirt and grime in bearings can make your ride feel sluggish.

Replace When Necessary: Wheels are consumables. When they become significantly worn down, develop large flat spots, or are severely chunked, it’s time to replace them. This ensures optimal performance and safety.

Making The Final Choice: Aligning Wheels With Your Skateboarding Goals

Choosing between hard and soft skateboard wheels isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. It requires introspection about your skateboarding habits, the environments you frequent, and your aspirations within the sport. The right wheels can elevate your experience, making it smoother, faster, and more enjoyable.

Conversely, the wrong wheels can lead to frustration, hinder progression, and even pose safety risks.

Consider Your Primary Riding Surface

Smooth Surfaces (Skateparks, Bowls, Smooth Concrete): Lean towards harder wheels (99A-101A+). They offer the speed and slide capability essential for these environments.

Rough Surfaces (Cracked Pavement, Gritty Sidewalks, Asphalt): Opt for softer wheels (78A-90A). They provide the necessary shock absorption and grip for a comfortable and controlled ride.

Mixed Surfaces (Street Skating, Varied Terrain): A medium-hard wheel (91A-97A) often provides the best compromise, offering a balance of speed, slide, and comfort.

Think About Your Skating Style

Cruising/Commuting: Prioritize soft, larger wheels for comfort and stability.

Technical Street Skating: Focus on medium-sized, medium-hard wheels (52-54mm, 99A) for a balance of agility and slide.

Park/Transition Skating: Use harder, medium-to-large wheels (54-58mm, 99A-101A) for speed and slide on ramps and bowls.

Long-Distance Pushing (LDP): Very soft, large wheels are essential for a smooth, efficient ride over long distances.

Filming/Photography: Often involves cruising and maintaining a steady speed, so softer, larger wheels are beneficial.

Don’t Forget Diameter And Shape

For Flip Tricks: Smaller diameters (50-53mm) are lighter and easier to control.

For Speed and Rolling Over Obstacles: Larger diameters (55mm+) are better.

For Grinds and Slides: Conical or narrower shapes can be advantageous.

For Stability and Grip: Wider wheels with standard profiles are often preferred.

When in doubt, consider what your peers are riding or consult with experienced skaters at your local skate shop. Many reputable shops offer expert advice based on your specific needs. For example, if you’re looking to improve your street skating and need versatile wheels, asking about options like Element skateboard wheels in a 99A durometer might be a good starting point, as they are known for producing reliable equipment. Similarly, if you’re interested in transition skating, exploring brands like Santa Cruz might lead you to wheels suited for bowls and ramps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Wheel Hardness For Beginners?

For beginners, the best wheel hardness often depends on where they plan to skate most. If you’re learning on rougher sidewalks or streets, softer wheels (around 78A-90A) will provide a much smoother and more forgiving ride, absorbing vibrations and offering more grip. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a smooth skatepark or smooth concrete area from day one, slightly harder wheels (around 95A-99A) can be a good compromise, offering a bit more responsiveness for learning basic tricks without being excessively jarring. Many beginners find a versatile 95A or 97A wheel to be a good starting point. The important thing is to choose a wheel that matches the surface where you’ll spend most of your time rather than focusing only on the hardness number.

Are Soft Skateboard Wheels Better For Rough Roads?

Soft wheels are generally more comfortable on rough roads because they absorb more vibration and maintain better contact with uneven surfaces. Larger soft wheels can also roll over small cracks, pebbles, and imperfections more easily than small, hard wheels.

That does not necessarily make them better for every type of skating. If you regularly move between rough streets and smooth skateparks, a medium-hard wheel may provide a more practical compromise.

Are Hard Wheels Faster Than Soft Wheels?

On smooth surfaces, hard wheels generally have an advantage when it comes to speed and responsiveness. They roll efficiently and have less deformation against the ground.

On rough pavement, however, the situation is different. Soft wheels can maintain momentum more effectively because they roll over small obstacles instead of losing as much speed and energy to vibration. This is why a softer wheel can sometimes feel faster during real-world cruising even though its hardness rating is lower.

Can You Use Soft Wheels For Street Skating?

Yes. Soft wheels can be used for street skating, especially when the streets are rough or the skater prioritizes comfort. They are also useful for cruising between spots or filming because they produce a smoother ride.

The main limitation is that their extra grip makes certain slides and technical maneuvers more difficult. If your street skating involves frequent powerslides, grinds, and technical tricks, harder wheels may feel more suitable.

Do Hard Wheels Make Skateboarding More Difficult?

They can make riding more challenging on rough surfaces because they transmit more vibration and can react sharply to cracks and small debris. This can be particularly noticeable for beginners who are still developing balance and board control.

On smooth concrete, though, hard wheels can actually make technical skating feel more predictable because they provide a responsive connection with the surface and allow easier sliding.

What Wheel Size Should I Use For Street Skating?

A wheel around 52mm to 54mm is a common starting point for technical street skating. Smaller wheels are lighter and can make flip tricks easier, while slightly larger wheels provide better rolling over rough pavement.

Your trucks and deck also matter. If you use larger wheels with loose trucks, wheel bite can become a concern, so the complete setup should be considered rather than choosing wheel diameter independently.

Do Softer Wheels Wear Out Faster?

They can wear more quickly in situations that place heavy stress on the urethane, particularly prolonged sliding on abrasive surfaces. Softer wheels can also be more susceptible to chunking when exposed to rough impacts.

However, durability depends on more than durometer. Urethane quality, wheel construction, riding style, surface type, and how aggressively the wheels are used all affect their lifespan.

A Simple Way To Choose Your Wheels

If you’re still unsure which wheels to buy, start with the surface you encounter most often.

For smooth skateparks and polished concrete, harder wheels in the 99A-101A range are a practical choice when slides, tricks, and responsiveness are priorities.

For rough sidewalks, cracked streets, and everyday transportation, softer wheels around 78A-90A generally provide a more comfortable experience.

For riders who regularly move between different surfaces, a medium-hard wheel can provide a useful middle ground. Something around 91A-97A can offer more comfort than very hard wheels while retaining more responsiveness and slide capability than very soft wheels.

Diameter should then be considered alongside hardness. A 52mm wheel and a 60mm wheel can feel very different even if both have the same durometer rating.

Final Thoughts

Hard and soft skateboard wheels are designed around different riding conditions.

Hard wheels provide the responsiveness, speed, and slide characteristics that technical street and park skating often require. Soft wheels focus more on grip, comfort, and the ability to handle rough pavement without transmitting every vibration through the board.

There is also a useful middle ground. Medium-hard wheels can make sense for skaters who don’t want to commit completely to either extreme and regularly encounter a mixture of surfaces.

Instead of asking whether hard or soft wheels are universally better, consider where you actually skate and what you want the board to do. Once you match the wheel’s hardness, diameter, and shape to those conditions, the difference can be noticeable from the first push.