Longboarding is more than just cruising down a smooth street — it’s about precision, control, and understanding how every component of your setup affects your ride. Among all the parts that make up your board, wheels play one of the most critical roles. Whether you’re gliding along the boardwalk, carving downhill, or commuting through city streets, choosing the right longboard wheels can make or break your experience.

This comprehensive guide will help you understand everything you need to know about selecting longboard wheels — from wheel size and durometer to shape and riding styles. You’ll also find practical examples, expert insights, and a detailed longboard skateboard size guide to help you pick the perfect setup for your riding goals.

1. What Makes Wheels Important

When it comes to performance, the wheels are the foundation of your ride. They directly impact your speed, grip, comfort, and stability, making them essential for both beginners and seasoned riders.

The best wheel size for a skateboard or longboard depends heavily on the type of terrain and the rider’s preference. Large wheels are generally faster and smoother, while smaller ones provide quicker acceleration and easier maneuverability.

Wheels act as the interface between your board and the ground. The better they’re suited to your environment, the more control and confidence you’ll have in your ride.

Why Wheels Matter:

• Ride Quality: Softer wheels absorb road vibrations and cracks, giving a smooth and forgiving ride.
• Speed: Harder and larger wheels can maintain higher speeds on smooth surfaces.
• Grip: Wheel hardness and shape determine traction — crucial for carving or downhill riding.
• Durability: High-quality urethane wheels resist wear and tear, providing longer lifespan and consistent performance.

Longboarding isn’t just about balance and motion — it’s about how your wheels translate your intent into movement.

2. Design Factors: Understanding the Science Behind the Ride

Choosing the right longboard wheels involves understanding their design characteristics. Each element — diameter, durometer, shape, contact patch, and material — influences how your board behaves underfoot.

1. Wheel Diameter (Size)

The diameter of a longboard wheel is usually measured in millimeters (mm), ranging from 65mm to 80mm for most setups.

• Small Wheels (65–70mm):
  Great for technical riding, freestyle, or boards with limited clearance. They accelerate faster but are slower overall.
  Ideal for commuting and street cruising.
• Medium Wheels (70–75mm):
  The most versatile range. They balance acceleration and top speed, making them ideal for carving, freeride, and general cruising.
• Large Wheels (75–80mm+):
  Known as skateboard big wheel options, these are built for speed and stability. Perfect for downhill and long-distance riding, they maintain momentum and handle rough terrain with ease.

According to Warehouse Skateboards, larger wheels are better for longboarders who need stability and smoothness at high speeds, while smaller wheels are ideal for short-distance riders or beginners who prioritize control.

1. Durometer (Wheel Hardness)

The durometer rating tells you how hard or soft a wheel is, usually indicated by a number followed by “A” (e.g., 78A).

• Soft Wheels (75A–80A):
  Offer maximum grip and comfort. Excellent for rough roads, cruising, or carving. They roll smoothly over cracks and pebbles.
  Example: Orangatang In Heat (77A) wheels are popular among carvers for their buttery-smooth grip and acceleration.
• Medium Wheels (80A–86A):
  Provide a balanced feel — a bit faster and more durable, suitable for freeriding or light downhill.
• Hard Wheels (87A+):
  Faster on smooth pavement but less forgiving. These are the good wheels for a skateboard when performing slides or tricks.

Skate Warehouse notes that soft wheels offer superior traction but may wear out faster, while harder wheels are best for controlled slides and speed.

1. Wheel Shape and Lip Profile

The shape of the wheel and its lip profile (edges) have a major impact on grip and slide control.

• Sharp Lips:
  Provide more surface contact and grip. Great for downhill and carving because they “bite” into the road.
  Example: Sector 9 Butterball wheels have a defined lip for enhanced cornering grip.
• Rounded Lips:
  Allow smoother transitions and easier slides — perfect for freeride or freestyle.

Rounded-lip designs reduce traction, giving riders more control during drifts and slides.

1. Contact Patch

The contact patch is the part of the wheel that touches the ground. A wider contact patch increases grip and stability, while a narrower patch offers less friction and faster speeds.

• Wide (40–55mm): Ideal for downhill racing and carving.
• Narrow (30–40mm): Suited for sliding and technical freeride.

A wide patch helps keep you grounded at high speeds, while a narrow patch is perfect for agile, playful riding.

1. Core Placement

Wheel cores can be centerset, offset, or sideset, each influencing performance:

• Centerset: Balanced wear and symmetrical slides.
• Offset: Slightly more grip; common for freeride setups.
• Sideset: Easiest to slide but less stable at speed.

As Tactics Boardshop explains, offset cores are the most versatile for all-around use.

1. Wheel Material

Most wheels are made of urethane, but the quality and formula differ by brand. Premium urethane offers better rebound (energy return), smoother slides, and longer life.

For example, Blood Orange Liam Morgan Pro wheels are known for their predictable, buttery slides — thanks to high-quality urethane compounds.

3. Longboard Skateboard Size Guide

When deciding on the best wheel size for skateboard setups, it’s essential to consider both your board type and riding style.

Riding Style	Recommended Wheel Size	Durometer Range	Notes
Cruising / Commuting	65–70mm	75A–80A	Prioritize comfort and smooth roll
Carving	70–75mm	78A–83A	Soft with grip for deep turns
Freeride	70–75mm	80A–86A	Rounded lips for sliding
Downhill	75–80mm	78A–84A	Sharp lips for grip
Freestyle	65–70mm	83A–90A	Small and hard for tricks
Dancing	70–75mm	78A–83A	Smooth and stable for fluid moves

This longboard skateboard size guide offers a general framework, but your choice should also depend on wheel clearance, truck type, and terrain.

Tip: If your board doesn’t have wheel wells or cutouts, stick to wheels under 70mm to avoid wheel bite (when wheels touch the deck during turns).

4. Choosing by Riding Style

The right wheel depends largely on how and where you ride. Let’s break it down by style:

1. Cruising and Commuting

If you use your longboard to commute or cruise around town, comfort is key. Choose soft wheels (75A–80A) around 65–70mm for a smooth roll over cracks and rough pavement.

• Example: Cloud Ride Cruiser 69mm 78A wheels are ideal for urban terrain and sidewalks.
• Look for larger cores that maintain momentum and reduce fatigue.

1. Carving

Carving requires grip and responsiveness. Opt for medium-large wheels (70–75mm) with sharp lips and a durometer of 78A–83A for traction during deep turns.

• Example: Orangatang 4President 70mm 80A wheels offer great grip and rebound for carving on steep hills.
• Wider contact patches give more stability during aggressive turns.

1. Freeride

Freeriding blends sliding, speed, and control. Choose rounded-lip wheels between 70–75mm, hardness 80A–86A, and an offset core for predictable slides.

• Example: Blood Orange Liam Morgan 70mm 82A wheels are a classic freeride choice for buttery slides.

Rounded lips reduce the chance of sudden grip — making sliding more controllable and safer.

1. Downhill

For downhill, stability and grip are everything. Choose large wheels (75–80mm) with sharp lips and soft durometers (78A–83A).

• Example: Sector 9 Race Formula 74mm 78A wheels are built for speed and control.
• A wide contact patch ensures maximum grip at high velocity.

Downhill wheels often feature precision cores to reduce deformation at speed, maintaining consistent contact and stability.

1. Freestyle

Freestyle longboarding is about tricks, manuals, and dance moves — it needs agility over speed. Choose small, harder wheels (65–70mm, 83A–90A) to reduce weight and increase maneuverability.

• Example: Powell Peralta Snakes 66mm 86A provide enough grip for land tricks and quick slides.

1. Dancing

Dancing combines flow and rhythm, so smooth rolling wheels with moderate grip are ideal. Go for 70–75mm, 78A–83A, and medium-width contact patches.

• Example: Arbor Easy Rider Series 72mm 78A deliver a stable, surf-like glide perfect for board dancing.

5. Maintenance Tips for Longboard Wheels

Choosing good wheels for a skateboard or longboard is just the beginning. To maintain performance and safety, consistent care is essential.

1. Clean Regularly

Dirt and debris reduce wheel performance. Use mild soap and warm water to clean your wheels every few weeks.

1. Rotate Wheels

Rotate your wheels every few rides to ensure even wear. Front wheels wear faster, especially if you slide often.

1. Check Bearings

Clean and lubricate your bearings frequently. Dirty bearings can reduce speed and cause uneven wear.

1. Watch for Flat Spots

If you slide often, check for flat spots — they cause vibrations and instability. Replace wheels once they show visible unevenness.

1. Store Properly

Avoid exposing wheels to extreme temperatures. Heat softens urethane, while cold can make it brittle.

According to Stoked Ride Shop, regular rotation and cleaning can extend wheel life by up to 40%.

6. Industry and Design Perspectives

Modern longboard wheel design reflects years of innovation and testing. Companies are experimenting with new urethane formulas, eco-friendly materials, and advanced core structures to balance grip and durability.

• Eco-Conscious Materials: Brands like Loaded Boards and Orangatang now use sustainable urethane compounds and recyclable cores.
• Precision Engineering: CNC-machined cores enhance shape retention and reduce deformation at high speeds.
• Specialized Formulas: Some wheels now include proprietary blends that optimize slide consistency and rebound.

As Concrete Wave Magazine highlights, longboard wheel technology has become increasingly sophisticated, offering riders tailored solutions for every style.

This evolution means riders can now fine-tune their setup for any terrain — whether it’s urban cruising, mountain bombing, or park riding.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced riders make errors when selecting or maintaining wheels. Avoid these pitfalls:

1. Ignoring Clearance: Using large wheels without risers causes wheel bite — always match wheel size to deck cutouts.
2. Overlooking Durometer: Many beginners choose wheels that are too hard, leading to uncomfortable rides.
3. Poor Rotation: Failing to rotate wheels reduces lifespan.
4. Wrong Core Setup: Choosing the wrong core type for your style affects performance — for example, sideset wheels are not ideal for high-speed downhill.
5. Neglecting Terrain: Hard wheels on rough pavement lead to poor traction and vibration fatigue.

Proper wheel choice not only improves performance but also prevents accidents and damage to your board.

8. Conclusion

Longboard wheels are the heartbeat of your ride. From grip and slide control to speed and comfort, every element — size, hardness, shape, and core — contributes to your overall experience.

Understanding the different kinds of skateboard wheels empowers riders to tailor their setups to their riding style, whether they’re cruising, carving, freeriding, or racing downhill.

If you’re unsure where to start, refer to the longboard skateboard size guide above and experiment. Try different durometers and shapes until you find what feels right under your feet.

Ultimately, the best wheel size for skateboard or longboard setups depends on your personal preference and environment. Whether you prefer the soft grip of skateboard big wheels for long rides or the agility of smaller hard wheels for tricks, there’s no single “perfect” setup — only what feels right for you.

Longboarding is about freedom, flow, and creativity. With the right wheels, every push becomes smoother, every carve more controlled, and every ride more enjoyable.