When it comes to skates, one of the most important aspects that you need to check is the skate wheels. Different types of wheels are available in varying hardness and size depending on their type.
Moreover, you also need to be mindful of the wheel sizes and hardness as each one of them caters to a specific purpose.
In this guide, I will talk more about all the different skate wheels, their size, and their hardness. I have also included various charts to help you make the right decision. So, read on.
Various Aspects Of Skate Wheels:
As mentioned above, the performance of skate wheels depends on three factors: type, size, and hardness. Let’s see each one of them in detail.
Wheel Type
The type of wheel determines the purpose of your skates. For instance, you will find various kinds of wheel types including:
- Indoor-only Wheels
These wheels serve various purposes for indoor skating. However, they aren’t fit for outdoor skating due to the risks involved. Some of them include:
- Indoor Skating/ Derby Skating
- Indoor Quad Roller Skate
- Indoor Double Row Skating
- Indoor Recreational Roller Skate
- Indoor Four-wheel Skates
You can check the table below to have a better idea of the brands selling indoor-only skate wheels:
| BrandWheel TypeIkevanIndoor Quad Roller SkateILMUIndoor Skating/ Derby SkatingPuratenIndoor Double Row SkatingRollerBonesIndoor Recreational Roller SkateJessieIndoor Four-Wheel Skates |
- Outdoor-only Wheels
If you’re an outdoor skater, you specifically need to go for outdoor-only wheels or both indoor/outdoor wheels.
Outdoor wheels are made to resist harsh and rough terrains whereas indoor wheels may not be able to handle that.
Some outdoor-only types include:
- Outdoor Quad Roller Skate
- Outdoor Recreational Skating Asphalt Sidewalk
- Outdoor Double Row Skating
- Outdoor Inline Skate
- Outdoor Quad Wheel
- Outdoor Roller Hockey
- Outdoor Roller Skates
Depending on your requirements, you can find your type. The table below consists of the brands offering outdoor-only skate wheels:
| Brand | Wheel Type |
| Skylety | Outdoor Quad Roller Skate |
| Bont | Outdoor Recreational Skating Asphalt Sidewalk |
| Locisne | Outdoor Double Row Skating |
| AOWISH | Outdoor Inline Skate |
| Atom | Outdoor Quad Wheel |
| LABEDA | Outdoor Roller Hockey |
| Crazy Skates | Outdoor Roller Skates |
- Both Indoor and Outdoor Wheels
You can also find wheels suitable for both indoor and outdoor terrains. They’re of premium quality and can function smoothly on either of the two.
So, if you want wheels offering both indoor/outdoor skating options, you can go for the below-mentioned types:
- Indoor or Outdoor Double Row Skating
- Indoor or Outdoor Quad Roller Skate
- Indoor or Outdoor Inline Skate
- Indoor or Outdoor High-Speed Skating
- Indoor/Outdoor Inline Roller Hockey
- Indoor or Outdoor Recreational Roller Skate
I have also listed a table below with the best brands offering indoor/outdoor skating wheels:
| Brand | Wheel Type |
| TOBWOLF | Indoor or Outdoor Double Row Skating |
| Firefly | Indoor or Outdoor Quad Roller Skate |
| FONLAM | Indoor or Outdoor Inline Skate |
| Yeipower | Indoor or Outdoor High-Speed Skating |
| Revision Hockey | Indoor/Outdoor Inline Roller Hockey |
| Rollerex | Indoor or Outdoor Recreational Roller Skate |
Now, let’s talk more about the wheel size.
Wheel Size
Whenever you’re opting for any skate wheels, you’ll come across the wheel size. This wheel size is the diameter or height of the wheels. It’s also measured in millimeters or mm.
Today, wheel sizes range from 58 mm to 80 mm as well.
Note that the smaller wheels here provide excellent maneuverability for artistic skating, aggressive skating, roller hockey, and roller dancing.
On the other hand, the larger wheels are well-suited for fitness purposes and speed skating.
The type of wheel (indoor/outdoor) also determines the wheel size. Here’s how:
- Indoor Skate Wheels
Most wheels meant for indoor skating have a diameter between 58MM to 62MM. The table below displays the various brands offering indoor wheels, along with their diameter.
| Brand | Wheel Type | Diameter |
| Ikevan | Indoor Quad Roller Skate | 58MM |
| RollerBones | Indoor Recreational Roller Skate | 57MM |
| Florybercea | Indoor Double Row Skating | 58MM |
| CALIDAKA | Indoor Quad Skate | 58MM |
- Outdoor Skate Wheels
If I talk about the outdoor skate wheels, they’re typically larger in size than indoor skate wheels.
Hence, you’ll find that most of them range anywhere between 60MM to 80MM. The table below will give you a better idea about the different outdoor skate wheels and their respective sizes.
| Brand | Wheel Type | Diameter |
| Crazy Skates | Outdoor Roller Skates | 65MM |
| Player’s Choice | Outdoor Inline Skate | 72MM |
| Bont | Outdoor Recreational Skating Asphalt Sidewalk | 62MM |
| LABEDA | Outdoor Roller Hockey | 76MM |
- Others
Apart from the indoor and outdoor types of skate wheels, some skates are also meant for artistic skating or speed skating.
So, for artistic skating, the skate wheel has a diameter between 55MM to 65MM. This helps for easy maneuverability.
Alternatively, most skate wheels for speed skating have a diameter around 62MM.
Wheel Hardness
Forget about wheel type and size, its hardness is one of the most important factors to consider. It’s because the wheel’s hardness determines how and where to use your skates.
The wheel hardness can be differentiated into two types:
- Hard Wheels
If you notice that a wheel’s hardness is anywhere between 80A to 103A, then such wheels are known as hard wheels.
You’ll find that most hard wheels are found in indoor skates rather than outdoor ones. It’s because harder wheels are quite smooth for indoors and they offer increased speed.
The table below demonstrates the various indoor-type wheels along with their hardness (in A).
| Brand | Wheel Type | Hardness |
| Ikevan | Indoor Quad Roller Skate | 82A |
| RollerBones | Indoor Recreational Roller Skate | 98A |
| Florybercea | Indoor Double Row Skating | 82A |
| CALIDAKA | Indoor Quad Skate | 82A |
- Soft Wheels
Skate wheels for outdoor surfaces tend to be softer than indoor skate wheels. Soft wheels offer better grip which makes them perfect for rough outdoor terrains.
Their hardness is around 78A most of the time. However, it can be more sometimes as well depending on the type.
The table below talks about the various outdoor skate wheels and their hardness.
| Brand | Wheel Type | Diameter |
| Crazy Skates | Outdoor Roller Skates | 78A |
| Sure-Grip | Boardwalk Outdoor | 78A |
| Bont | Outdoor Recreational Skating Asphalt Sidewalk | 78A |
| Chaya Cloud 9’s | Outdoor Roller Skate Wheels | 78A |
Final Thoughts
So, this is all about skate wheels, their size, and their hardness! You just need to know what types of skates you want, for what purpose, and where you wish to wear them.
Once you’re sure, you will be able to find the right skate wheels for yourself!
