Every roller skate wheel is different. They can vary in size, hardness, shape, and even hub material. It is important to choose a wheel that is suited to type of skating that you will be doing whether it is indoor, outdoor, artistic, or speed.
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Size
The diameter or height of a skate wheel is measure in millimeters (mm). Smaller wheels provide maneuverability needed for aggressive skating, artistic skating, roller dancing, and roller hockey, while wheels on the larger side will provide a smoother ride and faster speed than the smaller wheel. Larger wheels are typically used for fitness and speed skating.
- The typical size of an indoor quad skate wheel is 62mm in diameter by 35 to 44mm in width. The width of a wheel corresponds to the speed that you want to travel.
- A typical outdoor wheel is anywhere from 60-70mm in diameter and 32-42mm in width. The varying sizes helps to give the wheel more surface area in order to make the skate more stable when skating outside and encountering different terrains.
- A typical artistic skate wheel is 55-65mmin diameter by 30-31mm in width. The smaller width allows for the wheels to be easily maneuvered. Freestyle singles skaters typically use smaller wheels compared to figure skaters and dance skaters who tend to use wheels on the larger side.
- A typical speed wheel for quad skating is 62mm in diameter by 40mm in width. Quad skate wheels for indoor speed roller skating in general are wider than other quad skate wheels.
The hardness of a skate is also called its Durometer. These phrases are often used interchangeably, so hopefully you won’t be too confused when you come across them. The hardness of a wheel is measured on the A-scale, ranging from as soft as 74A up to 105A, which is the hardest you will likely find. Wheel Durometer will affect its durability, shock absorption, and ability to grip on an indoor or outdoor skating surface.
- Indoor skate wheel Durometers are typically suggested as follows:
- 97A for standard surfaces
- 95A for slippery surfaces
- 92A for extra slippery surfaces
The wheels that are used by artistic skaters are also the wheels that are most often used by indoor recreational skaters. (See Artistic Skating below)
- Outdoor wheels will usually have a hardness range from 78A to 85A
- Artistic skaters tend to use very hard wheels typically ranging from 97A to 103A.
- Speed wheels are typically on the harder side ranging from 95A to 98A.
Profile is often used to describe the shape of a skate. Wheels that are designed for fitness and speed skating are narrower with a round or pointed skating surface. This shape of skate is the best for fitness and speed skating because it provides the most maneuverability for turning tight corners and provides the most speed.
In today’s marketplace skate wheel hubs are typically made from durable nylons or aluminum material. The hub serves as housing for the wheel’s bearings and is the central support for the wheel. The larger the hub, the lighter the wheel becomes and the less urethane is used to complete the final diameter of the wheel.
I am looking for a shorter quad roller skate wheel (55mm diameter) with a wide width (40mm width).
Chris,
As there are a lot of different variations of wheel sizes and styles we cannot meet the need of all consumers with our stocked items. We can however special order and have delivered any item from a company which we sell. We currently don’t have any wheels with the diameter you’re looking for but give us a call at (888) 271-7500 and we can order you some wheels from one of the great brands we carry that will meet your criteria.
Do some shopping around before hand and have a model ready and we will take care of the rest. Take a look at the link below for the brands we currently have in wheels.
http://www.rollerskates.net/wheels/c1000003873/?sort_direction=6
Thanks,
Chris Gorski
I am looking for a larger size mens quad skate, size 16W, for indoors /outdoors. How and where can I special order it?
Jeffery Lee,
We have available for order the Pacer Super X and Super X Bones Roller Skates in a men’s size 16. These are going to offer a standard men’s width but will break in around your specific foot shape. We can also special order skates from the brand we carry; check out the websites of the brands we carry and see if anything catches your eye. If you wish to special order a pair of skates simply give us a call at 888-271-7500 and we will be happy to help you.
Here’s a list of brands we carry; I don’t think I missed any J
Chicago
Dominion
Labeda
Pacer
RC
Riedel
Rock
Rollerderby
Sonic
SureGrip
Please let me know if you have any further comments or questions.
Thanks,
Chris Gorski
trying to buy some quad skate wheels for my husband. I was told that bones are a good brand. he typically skates in an in-door rink and likes doing turns and tricks. his current wheels however roll very slowly and require a lot of energy to really make them move fast. If he tries to trio skate to Jame's Brown's I Need Some Money, he is exhausted (and he's pretty fit). Will Bones wheels be appropriate, if so, what size and hardness? How do I know what size wheels his skates take or are the wheel hubs on his skates all a standard size?Or, are his current wheels probably ok but his bearings the problem? If I order new wheels, must I order new bearings for the wheels too and is there a particular kind of bearing?
Hello Dona! Might be late. But wanted to comment. I skate on the Bones Super Elite. Have the 101A and just got the 103A. LOVE THEM! They grip. Had have Fo Mac Premiers and the Fo Mac Freestyles. They are very slick until you get use to them. My roll was slow with the Fo Macs. Even though I would recommend them for J B’ing! PLEASE! get your husband the Bones Super Swiss 6 bearings. Feel like silllllk! Very little energy needed to move. They are a very fast bearing. You feel like you are floating. I also recommend Dr Scholl’s Sports Insoles with medium thick socks for extra comfort. I guarantee a pillow soft roll LOL!!!
Ron Skate fanatic and skate techie.
I am just getting back into skating and just want a good, reasonably priced roller skate for skating at the rink with the kids. I am sick of renting their awful skates.
Hello,
I would suggest something like the Chicago Starter Rhythm roller skates or the Chicago CRS 800 Precision Artistic roller skates. Both of these are good quality skates that give great support and are comfortable to skate in. Perfect for replacing those rental rollers in style and comfort.
Lisa
I need help in selecting a indoor skate. I am looking for a fast skate with wheels that allow me to artistic moves to music…..I guess that might be concerned freestyling ? What size wheel, width, bearing and hardness of the wheel should I get and what skate shoe. Thank you in advance for your help
Hey Joy,
You’re going to want to look for a skate that has a wheel with a durometor of 55-65mm and is 30-31mm in width. As far as a rated bearing if you stick to an ABEC 7 or higher you will be able to keep that smooth ride that will let you glide on your wheels. A boot that I love is the 120 by Riedell. Although, knowing more about your size foot, wide or not does help in choosing this. The 120 comes in half sizes which is a luxury not a lot of boots do and it also has some great padding.
I hope this helps!
Looking to purchase some faster wheels. Please let me know you best skate wheel for speed skating. Price is not the problem, so I would like to get an opinion.
Thanks,
Tom
Hey Tom,
Without knowing the type of floor/track you skate, here is a general idea of what you want to look for in a speed skate wheel. Also, your bearings will work into this equation as well. Speed wheels are usually 62mm in diameter and 42mm width. Their diameter and width provide skaters with a fast roll and a wide base for better traction when cornering at high speeds. A low durometor number means the wheel will offer better grip in turns, and a higher number means the wheel will offer a faster roll but, will tend to have less traction. Durameters of 94A and lower are for a better grip and durameters of 95A and higher are a more firm wheel.
I hope this helps!
i hhave been skating since i was twelve i still have my anchorage roller rink suregrip invader 2r speed skates and i still skate in them had them for 30 years !! i am about to purchase some new skates ned a little info on what type of wheels to buy. i want quickness and traction and will be out door skating i want wheels with no vibration but fast…….
Hi Lisa Ann,
For what you’re describing, I would recommend doing a wheel with a durometer of 78A or 84A, as you’ll want to have enough softness to grip the concrete. One great choice for a quick, smooth ride is the Atom Poison with a durometer of 84A. You’ll get grip and speed in an awesome set of wheels! I hope this helps!
Best,
Kate
Im looking for some sticky wheels. I play Derby mostly on concrete floors. I just purchased some Rose Roller Bones 80a’s. They have no grooves and turned out to be slick. I can’t get any traction at all. Id really like to have some black or white wheels in color and have grooves. Have any suggestions for some good sticky wheels (62/38) at a reasonable price?
Hey Heather,
You gotta have traction! Check out the Radar Ghost – they’re designed for sealed concrete or dirty tile, so they’ve got great grip on the kind of surfaces you’ll be playing derby on. Plus, they’ve got polyurethane hubs so you don’t have any issues with debonding, despite how soft the wheels are. One other model to check out is the Radar Diamond, which is quite a bit narrower than what you’re on, but they’re derby-specific and give you tons of maneuverability and grip while rolling quickly. I hope this helps!
Best,
Kate
HI,i used to skate on a pair of Bauer Turbo 33 skates with Sims wheel,but i tried them the other day(first time in 15 years) and they basically fell apart,the plastic boot had hardened over time and had become brittle,not to mention they were a bit small,now im trying to replace them,but can not find any Bauer Turbo 33 size 8 anywhere,can you recomend a good quality boot,as i used to love the Bauer,and feel sad they are no longer around,Thanks for any advice anyone can give.
Neil.
Hey Neil,
I did a little investigation into these skates and was surprised by what I found. Bauer hasn’t done the Turbo 33 for a number of years, but there is a version of it, the Supreme Turbo 33, that’s only available in Europe. The closest thing we’ve got in terms of boot style is the Riedell 66 Classic, but unfortunately, the only size available is a 10. If you’re looking for a quality boot, I would recommend looking at the Riedell 120. There are a number of set ups you can do with this boot, depending on what you’d like to be doing in the skate, but whichever route you choose, you’ll have comfort, support, and durability with the 120. I hope this helps!
Best,
Kate
Hi,i have been looking at the "Supreme Turbo 33",and possibly will get myself a pair,but i will always be a Bauer Fan,lol,thank you for the advice,it was helpfull,one last question,do you know how the fit comes up on the "Supreme"? im a uk size 8 in trainers,is it ok to get the size 8 in skate??or go one size smaller or lager???.Thanks again.
Neil.
Hey Neil,
If you had an 8 before and the fit was a bit snug, I would suggest going up to a size 9. I’m glad I could help!
Best,
Kate
Hello:
I skated all my life until marriage and children. Fast forward twenty years and now that my children are getting into it, I guess I will give it a whirl again. Plus, it’s great exercise! The rink I go to has a wooden floor. For free-style/artistic skating, what would you recommend? Wheel configuration/durometer, bearing grade, wheel grip etc. Are Chicago and Riedell about the same?
Hi Amy,
You’re right – roller skating is tons of fun and conveniently provides a great workout, as well! For what you’re describing, I would recommend getting into something like the Riedell 110 Angel. The 110 boot will give you plenty of support and comfort while the PowerDyne Nylon plate, 96 A Radar Riva wheels, and ABEC-5 bearings provide a smooth ride and plenty of control. This skate would be a great way to get back into skating, as it provides excellent value and performance. In terms of comparing brands, it all depends on what skates you’re looking at and what you want out of a skate. So, that said, you’ll want to take notes of the plate, bearings, and wheels to get a sense of what each skate has to offer. The one thing I do like about Riedell is how much variety they offer – if you decide on a particular boot, you’ll have a number of different options, each with its own set of components. I hope this helps!
Best,
Kate
Hi,
I’m looking for an indoor/outdoor/artistic women’s roller skate. Does this exist? Preference for rollerskate that is not high on ankle as it I chafe easily. I enjoy roller dancing, speed but with control and would love to skate/dance outdoors with option to take it indoors occasionally.
What diameter, width and durometer wheel do you recommend and type of skate?
I was thinking 62 diameter, 35-40 width and 85- 95 durometer
Hey Ripal,
It sounds like you are looking for a skate that can do everything! While any skate boot can be used universally indoors or outdoors, there is not a good set of wheels for both indoor and outdoor use. They do make wheels with a medium durometer that is designed to do both but these are generally seen on lower end skates and tend to not last very long. Your best bet would be two different sets of wheels, one for indoors and one for outdoors specifically. I guarantee you two sets of good quality wheels (one indoor, one outdoor) will outlast a few sets of multipurpose wheels (and will likely cost you less in the long run). As for the type of skate, it sounds to me like you are looking for more of a Jam skate than an Artistic skate. Traditional Artistic models are the high cuff, lace up model boots. Jam skates are designed with a lower cuff (much like a speed skate) but with the precision and control you would want in your dancing skates. Finally, as far as wheel size goes, this is again where you will want multiple sets of wheels. Bigger, wider wheels (such as 62mm diameter, 40mm width) with a softer durometer will provide more speed and be perfect for going fast in outdoor environments. Smaller, narrower wheels (such as 57mm diameter, 30mm width) with a higher durometer are going to be perfect for indoor dance skating, as they will allow for tighter control and should make it easier to avoid hitting your wheels together when performing more controlled dance movements. I hope this helps!
Regards,
Dru
Hi, I am trying to buy my 9 year old some skates but I want them to ride smooth. What is the difference between pu wheels and cast urethane wheels? Also what does abec-7 or abec-5? Could you help me pick the right skates?
Hey Sandra,
I’m not sure what you mean by PU versus Cast Urethane wheels. If you are referring the the center hub on the wheels, a bigger center hub make the wheel light and better for high speed skating, whereas a heavier, fully plastic wheel will be better for grip and shock absorbancy when skating. ABEC, which stands for Annular Bearings Engineers Committee, refers to the grade of the bearings being used on the skates, and will range from one to nine, depending on the quality of materials in the bearings. I would be happy to discuss skates further or look at making some recommendations to get your nine year old into a set of skates they love! Just give our customer service department a call (888-271-7500) or shoot me an email back letting me know and I gather some more information so we can get your kid into some great skates!
Regards,
Dru
Hi. I just got my skates out of storage after being out away for about 8 years or so. I have a set of wicked lips (purple) and I am thinking of getting new wheels. Anything out there that are the same since they don’t make wicked lips any more? I also need to replace my bearings. I’m thinking of going with a new set of Bones Swiss. Looking for a good honest opinion. Thanks.
Hey Ian,
Glad to hear your getting into the sport again! First, I would highly recommend holding onto those Flaming Lips. A lot of people still look for them, even used, and are willing to pay a pretty penny for them. As for wheels to replace them, Hyper still makes some similarly designed wheels (as do other brands). Without knowing what size and durometer you need I would suggest taking a look at the Shamans that they make now. They come in a few colors/durometers, just like their old Lips and Cannibals and would probably be the closest thing you will find to them. If you would like a set with the alloy core (which I believe the Lips had, if I recall correctly) I would recommend taking a look at the Labeda Stilleto’s and the Atom Stroker’s. As for bearings you can’t go wrong with a Bones model, especially their Swiss bearings. Another option (depending on how much you are looking to spend) would be a Ceramic model, which Bones as well as others makes. As long as you go for the 7mm model you should be solid. I hope this helps!
Regards,
Dru
Dru, thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. Yeah I’m probably going keep my wheels because of what you said. I would like to get a second set of wheels that are as close to my wicked lips as possible. I probably will go and order a set of bones Swiss 627s to replace my old bearings which are shot. Are the shamans close to the lips as far as size?
Hey Ian,
I had to call the folks at Hyper to find out the original sizes for the Lips (and they had to look it up in their original systems as well). They came in a 62mm size and they even said the Shamans would be the closest fit and feel to the Lips that you can find. My recommendation would be those for the best switch. Let me know if you have any additional questions at all!
Regards,
Dru