Hard vs. Soft Skateboard Wheels: Which Durometer is for Skateboarding

If you're in the market for some new wheels, you gotta know if you're getting hard or soft ones. This will affect your performance.

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Are you about to get new wheels and confused about the difference between hard and soft wheels and how they affect your performance? 🤔

When I first started skating, I didn’t care too much wheel hardness. I just accepted whatever wheels came with the board. But man, wheel durometer can seriously make or break your session.

In this post, I’ll break down the ins and outs of hard versus soft skateboard wheels. We’ll dive into how wheel hardness impacts everything from your speed to your grip and help you figure out what’s best for your skating style.

A video titled ‘SOFT SKATEBOARD WHEELS vs HARD SKATEBOARD WHEELS.‘ from the Dale Decker YouTube channel.

Key takeaways

  • Wheel hardness significantly influences your skateboard’s grip and ride smoothness.
  • Soft wheels are perfect for cruising and handling rough terrains, providing excellent grip.
  • Hard wheels are ideal for technical tricks and achieving high speeds in skate parks.
  • Wheel size also plays a crucial role in determining stability and skating style.

Why wheel hardness matters

Understanding durometer: The scale that measures wheel hardness

Durometer is basically a fancy term for measuring how hard or soft something is. For skateboard wheels, we use the A-scale:

Hard vs. Soft skateboard wheels: which durometer is for skateboardingif you're in the market for some new wheels, you gotta know if you're getting hard or soft ones. This will affect your performance.
Illustration of skateboarding wheels hard versus soft.
  • Soft Wheels: 70A to 87A [1]
  • Hard Wheels: 95A to 101A and above [1]

Soft wheels feel like riding on clouds, especially over rough pavement. Hard wheels? They’re great for flat ground.

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The case for soft wheels

Why go soft?

  • Smooth Ride: Soft wheels absorb all those nasty cracks and pebbles.
  • Grip for Days: Ever tried bombing a hill with hard wheels and lost traction? Not fun. Soft wheels grip the pavement like glue.
  • Versatility: From rough roads to slick concrete, soft wheels handle it all. They’re perfect for commuting or just coasting with your crew.
  • Silent Operator: Filming a buddy’s line? Soft wheels keep things quiet and smooth, so you don’t ruin the audio with clattering wheels.

The trade-offs

  • Speed Limit: On smooth surfaces like skateparks, soft wheels can feel sluggish.
  • Wear and Tear: They tend to chunk out and wear down faster, especially if you’re power sliding all over the place.

But aren’t soft wheels just for longboards? Nah, Plenty of street skaters rock softer wheels when they’re cruising or filming. Speaking of which, if you’re curious about the differences, check out longboard vs skateboard.

The case for hard wheels

Why go hard

  • Precision & Responsiveness: If you’re into technical tricks, hard wheels are where it’s at.
  • Speed Demon: On smooth park surfaces, hard wheels fly.
  • Durability: These wheels can take a beating and are less prone to flat spots.
  • Slide with Ease: Slides and reverts are smoother, which opens up a whole new realm of tricks.
  • Vert Ready: For those of us dabbling in vert skating, hard wheels are essential for speed and big airs.

The downsides

  • Not for Rough Terrain: Feeling every bump and crack isn’t fun. Hard wheels can make rough surfaces feel like a trip down a rocky road.
  • Less Grip: Slippery when wet—or dusty. Less grip means more slide, which isn’t always ideal.

Making the choice: What’s right for you?

Ultimately, it boils down to your skating style and the terrain you’re hitting.

  • If you’re into technical street tricks: Go hard.
  • If you’re cruising or dealing with rough terrain: Soft is the choice.
  • Mixing it up? Maybe have two setups or find a middle ground with a medium durometer.
TypeDurometerBest ForAdvantagesDisadvantages 
Soft Wheels70A – 87ACruising, FilmingSmooth ride, grip, versatilitySlower on smooth surfaces, less durable
Hard Wheels95A – 101A+Street, Park, VertSpeed, precision, durability, slidingRough on uneven terrain, less grip

But can you have soft wheels that are still fast? With the right core technology, you can get close. Some wheels like the Terra Soft Skateboard Wheels mix a soft outer layer with a hard core. This design stabilizes the wheel, giving you a smooth ride without sacrificing too much speed [1].

Size matters: Wheel diameter and its impact

While we’re talking wheels, let’s touch on size:

  • Smaller Wheels (50-54mm): Great for street skating and technical tricks [2].
  • Larger Wheels (56-60mm): Better for cruising and maintaining speed but might need riser pads to prevent wheel bite [2].

Brands to keep an eye on

  • Spitfire: Durable and reliable, especially the Formula Fours.
  • Bones Wheels: Their STF and SPF formulas are legendary (Street Tech Formula” and “Skatepark Formula”).
  • Ricta Wheels: Innovative cores and a range of durometers.
  • OJ Wheels: Kings of the softer wheel market; check these out.
  • Powell-Peralta: The G-Slides are a personal favorite for cruising.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Absolutely! Wheels in the 88A-94A range offer a balance between speed and grip, making them versatile for various terrains. They’re great if you don’t want to switch wheels frequently. (Information needs verification)

Yes, the shape can influence how your board handles. Conical wheels provide more grip, while round-lip wheels are better for slides. (Information needs verification) Consider both hardness and shape when choosing wheels.

It depends on how often you skate and your style. If you notice uneven wear or your wheels have lost their original performance, it’s time for new ones.

Final thoughts

Choosing between hard and soft skateboard wheels isn’t just about numbers on a durometer scale—it’s about matching your gear to your style and the spots you skate.

So, are you ready to roll with the right wheels? Trust me, dialing in your setup makes all the difference. Now grab your board and hit the streets—or the park, if that’s more your scene.

Image of jedain.
Written by Jedain Arron, Founder and writer

I'm Jedain, a 30-something-year-old dad rekindling my love for skateboarding. I've been skating since I was 13 back in New York City, took a long break for adulting, and now I'm back on the board.

This blog documents my journey back to the skatepark (creaky joints and all). Follow along as I relearn tricks, reconnect with the skate scene, and share the ups and downs of returning to the sport.

Nick eggert.
Edited by Nick Eggert, Editor

Nick is our staff editor and co-founder. He has a passion for writing, editing, and website development. His expertise lies in shaping content with precision and managing digital spaces with a keen eye for detail. When not working on the site, you can find him sipping Bourbon at the karaoke bar.

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