Hard vs Soft Skateboard Wheels Explained (2026)
Wheel hardness changes everything from grip to how loud your board is. Here's how durometer works and which wheels suit how you ride.
What Durometer Means
Skateboard wheel hardness is measured with a durometer, usually on the A scale. Lower numbers are softer; higher numbers are harder. Soft wheels (around 78a–87a) grip and roll smoothly over rough ground. Hard wheels (around 99a–101a) slide easily and feel fast on smooth surfaces. Some brands use the B scale, which reads about 20 points lower than A.
Hard vs Soft at a Glance
| Soft (78a–87a) | Medium (88a–96a) | Hard (97a–101a+) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grip | High | Medium | Low |
| Rough ground | Smooth, quiet | OK | Rattly, loud |
| Slides and powerslides | Harder | Medium | Easy |
| Best for | Cruising, longboards, rough streets | All-round | Skateparks, street tricks |
Soft Wheels
Soft wheels absorb vibrations and roll over cracks and pebbles, making them ideal for cruisers, longboards and rough streets. They grip in turns, which feels secure but makes sliding harder.
Ricta Clouds 54mm 78a
Soft wheels in a small, street-friendly size that let you skate rough spots and still do tricks.
Check Price on AmazonOrangatang In Heat 75mm
One of Orangatang's best-known longboard wheels, smooth-rolling and grippy for carving and cruising.
Check Price on AmazonHard Wheels
Hard wheels slide on ledges, coping and smooth concrete, which helps with tricks like powerslides, reverts and slappies. They're the standard for skateparks and street skating on smooth ground.
Spitfire Formula Four Classic
A street favorite for flat-spot resistance and slide.
Check Price on AmazonWheel Size Matters Too
Hardness works together with diameter. Small (50–54mm) wheels are light and quick for tricks; bigger (55–60mm+) wheels roll faster over distance and rough ground. See the skateboard wheel size guide.
Which Should You Choose?
- Street tricks on smooth ground: hard, 50–54mm.
- Skatepark and bowls: hard, 54–58mm.
- Rough streets with tricks: soft street wheels or 92a–95a.
- Cruising and commuting: soft, 55mm and up.
- Longboarding: soft, 65mm and up; see longboard wheels.
Compare more in best skateboard wheels, and keep them rolling with how to clean skateboard wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What durometer is a soft skateboard wheel?
Roughly 78a to 87a. Soft wheels grip well and roll smoothly over rough ground.
What durometer is a hard skateboard wheel?
Roughly 99a to 101a, or higher on the B scale. Hard wheels slide easily and suit smooth skateparks and street tricks.
Are soft wheels slower?
On rough ground they're often faster because they roll over cracks. On very smooth surfaces, hard wheels can feel faster.
Can I do tricks with soft wheels?
Yes, especially on rough ground, though they're heavier and grip more, which makes slides and powerslides harder.
What is the B scale?
A durometer scale used by some brands that reads about 20 points lower than the A scale, so 84b is roughly 104a.