The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Longboard & Surfskate Wheels

Wheels are to your board what tires are to a car: they dictate speed, comfort, and grip. Choosing the right pair can radically transform your experience. Faced with technical jargon—diameter, durometer, "lips"—it's easy to get lost. In this guide, we'll decode everything, simply, so you can find the perfect wheel for YOUR riding style.

The 3 Characteristics That Change Everything

Diameter (in mm): Speed or Acceleration?

The wheel's diameter is its size. It's a simple trade-off:

• Large wheels (75mm and up): They offer a higher top speed and roll over cracks and small obstacles more easily, which increases comfort. In return, they are slower to accelerate.
• Small wheels (under 70mm): They provide quicker acceleration and are lighter, which is ideal for freestyle or quick starts. However, their maximum speed is lower.

Hardness (or Durometer, in "a"): Grip or Slide?

Hardness, measured on the "a" scale, determines whether your wheel will "stick" to the road or slide easily.

• Soft wheels (75a - 80a): They act like shock absorbers, offering maximum grip and comfort by absorbing vibrations. This is the ideal choice for cruising, carving, and especially surfskating.
• Hard wheels (83a - 86a and up): They have less grip, which makes them easier to break into a slide. They are also faster on very smooth surfaces. This is the choice for freeriding.

Shape: To Grip or to Slip?

The shape of the wheel's edges (the "lips") and the width in contact with the ground (the contact patch) are crucial.

Square Lips (or Sharp Lips)

Designed for maximum grip. The straight edge deforms in turns to "bite" the pavement and maintain traction. This is essential for downhill, aggressive carving, and surfskating.

Rounded Lips

Designed for a smooth transition between grip and slip. The rounded edge allows the wheel to break traction predictably and controllably, which is the foundation of freeriding and sliding.

In Practice: Which Wheel for Which Riding Style?

For Cruising & Carving

The priority is comfort and grip. We recommend medium to small to large wheels (60-75mm) that are soft (77a-80a), often with slightly squared lips for good traction in turns.

For Downhill

The priority is grip and speed. We choose large wheels (75mm+) with very sharp lips and a high-performance urethane formula to stick to the road at high speed.

For Freeride & Sliding

The priority is controlled sliding. We opt for medium-sized wheels (68-72mm), that are harder (80a-86a), and have well-rounded lips to initiate slides easily.

For Dancing & Freestyle

The priority is lightness and durability. We prefer smaller wheels (60-65mm) with rounded lips to facilitate pivots and tricks, and a urethane formula that is resistant to abrasion.

The Special Case for Surfskates: Grip is Everything!

A surfskate requires absolutely phenomenal grip. The "pumping" motion to generate speed and the extremely sharp turns put enormous pressure on the wheels. If they lose traction, you're guaranteed to fall. Therefore, you should always choose soft wheels (around 78a), with a wide contact patch and square lips for flawless grip.

Our Recommendations: Today's Top Picks

SEISMIC Delta 78,5 mm 73,5A G-LOC

The king of speed and grip. A top choice for downhill, LDP, or for turning any board into a pavement rocket.

ORANGATANG Love Handles 65mm 77A

The quintessential cruising wheel. Its comfort and versatility make it one of the most popular wheels for daily rides.

VENOM Sideshow 70mm 80a

The perfect choice for sliding on a longboard or surfskate. Slidey, predictable, and comfortable

Going Further (For the Experts)

For those who want to fine-tune their setup, two other elements come into play: the urethane formula, which is each brand's secret recipe (some are "bouncier," others more "cushioning"), and the core placement (centerset, offset, or sideset), which affects wear and sliding behavior.