The 9 Best Skateboard Wheels of 2022
By: Steve Settles: Skate Buyer | June 2, 2022
We’ve all found ourselves in situations before where the gear we have doesn’t prepare us for the conditions we’ve found ourselves in. Just like being caught in the rain without an umbrella, having the wrong wheels on your setup can make your entire board feel useless. Like all other products, skateboard wheels have become highly specialized to match all different uses and terrains. Soft, large wheels may be great on a corner store cruiser for mashing over crusty city concrete, but they’ll feel a tad sluggish and weighty at the skatepark. Likewise, a smaller, cored set of wheels will help you ollie up large obstacles and flip your board beneath your feet with ease, but you’re in for a slow ride if you plan to leave the smooth confines of your favorite skatepark. We’ve got the bases covered here, with recommendations on what the best skateboard wheels are for whatever your needs could be.
New This Year:
New in 2022 is more expansive sizing options in many wheel shapes and formulas. Make sure to consider the difference in durometers, profiles, and sizes, and how they’re likely to affect the way you skate when choosing skateboard wheels. There’s nothing wrong with trying two or three brands and varieties before you dial in what fits your unique style of skating. Mount up and enjoy!
Spitfire Formula Four 99d Classics
If you had to pick a wheel to put on anyone's skateboard, you'd do very well with a set of Spitfire Formula Four 99d Classics Skateboard Wheels. Unbeatable durability in a time-tested all-around shape, chances are your favorite pro is riding these.
Spitfire’s Formula Four 99d Classics have gained a lot of traction (pun intended) since being introduced to the market almost a decade ago, and for good reason: They are one of the best overall wheels on the market today. Available in sizes ranging from 50mm to 56mm and in a variety of colorways, there is something for everyone with the Formula Four Classics. The slightly softer 99a durometer provides a better grip on uneven surfaces without sacrificing speed or rebounding durability from flatspotting. Pair the updated formula with Spitfire’s time-tested Classic shape and you end up with our most highly recommended wheel on this year’s list. Regardless of a skater’s age, ability or discipline, there’s something to love in the Formula Four 99d Classic.
| Durometer | Original Price |
| 99a | $38.95 |
Spitfire Formula Four Conical Full 99a
Prepare to get radical on these conicals. The Spitfire Formula Four Conical Full 99a Skateboard Wheels have a ripping shape for shifting between the bowl and street thanks to a powerful urethane formula that provides a perfected balance of give and grip.
Spitfire’s unyielding 99a Formula Four urethane returns in their Conical Full shape for added lock-in ability on grinds and slides. This shape is designed for more aggressive forms of street and transitional skating, well-suited to all disciplines for its ability to hold strong for long connections on coping, handrails, and ledges alike. Like the Classic Formula Fours, these are available in virtually all relevant sizes in the same graphic, meaning you’ll have a harder time finding a reason NOT to ride them. If you still aren't convinced, we recommend you pick up a set for yourself and subject them to your harshest skateboarding for a week or two, we guarantee you’ll be a convert in no time.
| Durometer | Original Price |
| 99a | $38.95 |
Spitfire Classics 99d
You are getting sleepy, your eyelids are heavy, and you can’t resist the Spitfire Classics 99d Skateboard Wheels.
An enduring shape and formula, the Spitfire Classic 99a wheel is one for the ages. This is the “OG” urethane Spitfire has employed from the start, born and bred in the hilly streets of San Francisco under the DLXSF banner. This urethane is specifically formulated to grip raw urban surfaces without locking up on powerslides or ledge tricks, while also specifically maintaining speed and resisting flatspots. Available in most sizes between 50mm and 60mm, these are a fine choice for every skater, no matter what you ride.
| Durometer | Original Price |
| 99a | $31.95 |
OJ Mini Super Juice 78a
The OJ Mini Super Juice 78a Skateboard Wheels can take on the roughest of roads with premium urethane made for skating. Get on with the kick and the push.
For several decades now, OJ has made the finest skateboarding-specific cruiser wheels on planet earth. Period. Continuing with that tradition are the newly updated Mini Super Juice 78a wheels. Sized at 55mm in diameter with a 42.73mm wide contact patch, these are meant for a street cruiser but are also potentially applicable to trick skating with their midrange size. OJ keeps it fresh on the Mini Super Juice, creating a wide variety of funky-colored urethane swirls to suit every skater’s taste. Filmers take note: These are just about the smoothest and most maneuverable wheels on the market in 2022. For those without a camera in hand, they’ll perform just fine on a quick trip to the supermarket or corner store as well!
| Durometer | Original Price |
| 78a | $37.95 |
OJ Plain Jane Keyframe 87a
The secret to legendary fame in the skate game is riding on the OJ Plain Jane Keyframe 87a Wheels. With a relatively soft durometer, plus a smooth, fast-rolling design, the Keyframe 87a Wheels are ideal for cruising from A to B with minimal pushing.
With all the color variations on this list, you know we had to give some love to the clean look of OJ’s Plain Jane Keyframe 87a wheels. These beauties come in sizes ranging from 52mm to 58mm and are the perfect mix of medium softness and skateability. Though meant mostly for traversing urban landscapes with smoothness and speed, they will perform decently well at skateparks or street spots too. We highly recommend these on “cruisier” setups for long-distance exploration and the like. Just be careful, your “regular” skateboard wheels might get jealous when you find yourself addicted to the ride of OJ Keyframes.
| Durometer | Original Price |
| 87a | $37.95 |
OJ Super Juice 78a
Really get the juices flowing with some mad, soul-filling turns on a set of ultra-sticky OJ Super Juice 78a Skateboard Wheels.
Widely regarded as the pinnacle cruiser wheel and the industry standard for skateboard videographers, take notice of the Super Juice 78a wheel from OJ. At 60mm, these tires are large and soft enough to roll through nearly any terrain short of a legitimate pothole. Although not well-suited to trick skateboarding or even a quick whip through a skatepark, it is nearly impossible to find a more legendary display of durability and performance in a soft skateboard wheel. The Super Juice are ideally built for hill bombing, rough terrain, or shooting skateboarding with a camera in–hand. These are also a great option for casual skate commuters not looking to leave the ground much when they ride. As always, there are no rules here, so grab a set and check them out for yourself!
| Durometer | Original Price |
| 78a | $38.95 |
Bones 100s #4 OG V5 Sidecuts 100A
For high-speed revs, loud power slides, and superior park and street rippability, the Bones 100s #4 OG V5 Sidecuts 100A Skateboard Wheels are waiting for you!
Now in their fourth decade as industry leaders in the skateboard wheel game, Bones’ modern offerings are among the best in the world. The #4 OG V5 Sidecuts are a street and skatepark-oriented wheel, the dense 100a durometer means unparalleled grip and speed on smooth surfaces and intense rebound after slides. These are available in small to medium sizes between 52mm and 55mm, specifically for terrains applicable to trick skating. These Sidecuts are meant for progressing rippers with some skating experience, who will be spending most of their time flying around skateparks and similar settings with even, polished surfaces.
| Durometer | Original Price |
| 100a | $28.95 |
Ricta Chrome Clouds Blue 78a
Butter smooth and faster than most, the Ricta Chrome Clouds Blue 78a Skateboard Wheels make for a sweet ride.
A classic cored shape with a splash of colorful style, the Ricta Chrome Clouds Blue 78a cruiser wheels are a crowd favorite for flying through the streets with ease. The 78a durometer makes these a strong fit for riding across uneven, bumpy ground without sacrificing grip or speed. They are not as ideal for skateparks or smooth surfaces, where they will start to feel sluggish and heavy. Ranging from 52mm to 58mm in diameter, the smaller options will prove to be more maneuverable over street skating obstacles. Ricta Clouds are a great choice for street skaters setting up a secondary board to cruise through the neighborhood and explore.
| Durometer | Original Price |
| 78a | $38.95 |
Ricta Clouds White 78A
This speed-demon of a wheel holds its own with 78A durometer surface urethane and a 78D core! Super bouncy and fast, making even the roughest of surfaces feel like smooth warehouse floors. The Ricta Clouds Skateboard Wheels are modern shaped and not too heavy or bulky, and therefore perfect for filming and cruising.
Like the aforementioned Chrome Clouds, these Rictas are built for smoothness and speed on any and all topography. Well-suited for a cruiser setup or filming board, you’ll be mashing over cracks and weathered concrete in comfort on the softer 78a exterior and core urethane. Ricta Clouds are available in a range of sizes, which may play a factor in how you plan to ride. For those just interested in a wheel to get from Point A to Point B, we recommend a larger diameter for extra speed and adaptability. For those who plan to “skate” their soft wheels on rougher surfaces, go with a smaller size. If you’re looking for a versatile cruiser wheel, make sure to give the lesser-known Ricta Clouds a long look, and thank us later!
| Durometer | Original Price |
| 78a | $34.95 |
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The Selection Process:
Our skate buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things skateboard stemming from years of experience in the skateboard industry in tandem with their countless hours on a board. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Steve Settles
I knew Santa Claus was real when a shiny new complete skateboard was waiting for me under the tree in the winter of ’92. Skateboarding has been in my life ever since. Somehow I have been lucky enough to work in the skateboard community since legally possible. Started behind the counter selling skateboards, moved up to store manager of a retail location, recruited to work in Event Marketing running the largest amateur skateboard contest in the US, then landed the job at evo with opening and managing Seattle’s only indoor skatepark – All Together Skatepark.After the first 5 years of running All Together Skatepark, I slowly started taking on buying responsibilities for evo skate products and have most recently moved to buying full time. Skateboarding has taught me to look at the world differently and openly by breaking down all barriers of age, race, gender, and culture. Skateboarding is for all humans. For that perspective, I am forever grateful!