As you browse around the site, you’ll notice the wide range of top quality longboard wheels for all types of longboarding. Longboard wheels are designed for a wide range of longboarding styles. You can choose wheels that grip to the ground or ones that slide out when you want them to. Soft longboard wheels tend grip to the ground more and ride a bit slower, while hard wheels are faster but have more potential to slide. The hardness factor of the wheel (a.k.a. “durometer”) helps to determine how much a wheel will grip or slide on the road. The shape of the wheel — such as having a hard edge or rounded edge — also plays a role in gripping and sliding. When choosing the best longboard wheel, it’s important to know what type of riding you’ll be doing. If you’re interested in chilled out surf style cruising and carving, you’ll want a fairly soft and hard-edged wheel that grips to the ground so you don’t slide out unintentionally. For a 160 lb. dude or dudette, an 80a durometer wheel would help keep the board gripped to the road. If you’re interested in charging downhill you should also aim for a softer wheel (in a lower durometer range) with sharp edges for grip. For downhill freeriding, it’s more effective to have a slightly harder (higher durometer) wheel with rounded edges for smooth slides. Longboard wheel brands like Orangatang, Abec 11, Sector 9, Gravity, and Seismic (and others) make many grippy, drifty, and in-between wheels for different styles of longboarding. Read the MuirSkate.com descriptions and longboarder reviews to pick the perfect wheel for your riding style and weight range.
Small to medium wheels that are designed for traction and maneuverability make great wheels for casual longboarding.
Medium to large wheels with rounded edges that are intended for powerslides and moderate to extreme hills.
Larger wheels intended for traction and performance at higher speeds on aggressive hills.
Smaller wheels for smaller longboards help minimize wheelbite and maximize fun!
Wheels with large hubs give a solid feel and keep the wheels from deforming through aggressive and high speed turns.
Wheels with rounded lips make it easier to slide a longboard.
Sharp-lipped wheels create more traction through turns and are more resistant to sliding out.
Wheels with the bearings sitting directly in the center of the wheel.
Wheels with bearings sitting roughly 2/3 way into the wheel.
Wheels with bearings sitting all the way to one side of the wheel.
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