Longboard Wheels

What longboard wheels do you need for how you ride?

• Cruising and commuting — 70 to 80mm diameter, 78a to 80a hardness. Rolls over cracks and rough paths without jarring, grips in the wet and pushes easily. The default for most riders.
• Carving and downhill — 70 to 75mm, 80a to 86a. Faster, and more predictable to slide when you want to scrub speed.
• Dancing and freestyle — smaller 60 to 65mm wheels to keep the deck low and responsive for footwork.

Bigger wheels roll faster and smoother over rough ground; softer wheels grip more and ride smoother; harder wheels slide more easily. Match the wheel to your terrain and style and the board transforms.

Why are longboard wheels so much softer than skate wheels?

Because they are built to roll far and smooth rather than for hard flat-ground tricks. At 78a to 86a they are dramatically softer than a 99a street wheel, which lets them absorb cracks, gravel and rough concrete, hold speed over distance, and grip through carves. On Melbourne's mix of smooth bike paths and rough footpaths, that softness is what makes a longboard pleasant rather than rattly.

What does the wheel shape (lip profile) do?

Longboard wheels come with different edges. A round or bevelled lip releases into slides smoothly and predictably, favoured for freeride and downhill sliding. A square, sharp lip grips harder and holds through fast carves, favoured for grippy downhill and carving. Contact patch matters too: wider grips more, narrower slides more easily. If you are unsure, tell us how you ride and we will match the profile.

Which longboard wheel brands do you carry?

Orangatang is the premium benchmark, the wheel others are measured against, alongside Sector 9, Landyachtz and more across cruising, carving and downhill. We stock them because the urethane holds up and performs.

Longboard Trucks · Complete Longboards · Cruisers · Bearings · How to Choose a Longboard