How to choose roller skate wheels

How to choose roller skate wheels

May 15, 2020 Roller skate wheels 0

Choosing wheels can be intimidating and many overthink the process. Here is a simple guide to consider when you’re looking for new wheels. Scroll down to view a detailed video about how width, height and durometer affect your skating experience.

What kind of skating am I doing?

Think about the kind of skating you want to do and find one or two sets of wheels that will allow you to achieve it all. Want to go fast and maintain your speed easily? Choose a tall wheel. Want to be agile and shift directions quickly? Choose a narrow wheel. Want to spin, dance and slide? Choose a hard wheel. Do the bumps and cracks of outdoor skating bother you? Choose a soft wheel.

What surface am I skating on?

Outdoor surfaces (roads, sidewalks) are best enjoyed on low durometer or “soft” wheels. Anywhere between a 78a to 88a could work for you.

Skate park surfaces (smooth concrete with no debris) are best enjoyed using a harder wheel so you can get slide while doing tricks. Anywhere in the 90a or 100a range could be a good choice. Be aware that a low durometer wheel may not provide good momentum in parks, but they are still possible to use.

Indoor surfaces can range from sticky (wood floors) to slippery (arena floors). Think about the indoor venues available to you and choose accordingly.

Hybrid wheels may be a good option to easily switch between indoor and outdoor skating. They are typically around the 82a to 88a durometer. But keep in mind if your surface is grippy (like a wood floor) you may roll a bit sluggish.

What’s my skill level?

Tall, narrow wheels will have you sitting higher off the ground and will provide less stability. Short, wide wheels will provide more stability. Tall wheels can roll fast and will maintain a top speed easier then short wheels, so be aware of your speed potential if you’re a new skater.

You will eventually get used to any height/width wheel you purchase, but if you’re a beginner, you may want to consider starting with a short/wide wheel. Most wheel retailers have a variety of heights and widths to choose from, so browse around and pick a combo that works best for you!

How much do I weigh?

You may want to consider your weight when choosing wheels. A wheel will roll differently for someone who is 120 lbs versus someone who is 220 lbs. A heavier skater will compress a soft wheel into a less-round shape, requiring more effort to maintain pace. A lighter skater may feel slidey on harder wheels, because they don’t have enough weight to provide minimum pressure for control. Take a look at skate wheel hubs (the middle of the wheel) and durometer (hardness rating of the wheel) if you think a too-soft or too-hard wheel will hinder your skating experience. Wheels with nylon or aluminum hubs will hold their shape better than a wheel with no hub. A skater can choose a soft wheel with a nylon hub to get a more reactive experience, compared to a soft wheel with no hub (wheel material goes all the way down to the axle).

Of course, this is a simplified guide. The wheel materials and shape also affect your roll, but are not super important to a beginner roller skater.

I skate across many disciplines so I prefer a wheel unique to each style/surface. Here are my current preferences…

For more information about different wheels and how they affect rolling, check out my video! If you like my video, be sure to subscribe!