Skateboard Gear

Best Skate Wheels 2017 – 2018

The year's best skateboard wheels, reviewed by the Sidewalk team

Size, running surface, durometer reading, performance compounds – there is plenty to consider before purchasing skateboard wheels, which is where this handy overview of some of our choice picks of some of the Best Skate Wheels 2017 – 2018 comes in.

Your wheels are basically the engine of your set up so it’s worth making sure you select the correct skate wheels for the type of skateboarding you’re planning on doing.

Before you dive in, we suggest a little meander through our Skate Basics guide first to clear up any confusion you may have regarding some of the terminology used, and be sure to check out our Skate Basics section to Choosing Skateboard Wheels.

All the skate wheels seen here are also featured in this year’s Sidewalk 100, so if you need more information and want to see the product in action then you know what to do.

Spitfire Wheels – Formula Four Lock Ins – 52mm

The latest 2017 – 2018 release from one of the most iconic skateboarding brands out there.

52mm in diameter (also available in 53mm and 55mm) and with a 99a durometer reading – these Spitfire Lock Ins are the perfect choice for ATV skateboarding from the streets to the parks. Constructed from Spitfire’s Formula Four Performance Urethane and with an asymmetrical profile to aid lock-in on grinds, these are a no brainer for a top of the range ATV skate wheel.

Check out our full review of the Spitfire Wheels – Formula Four Lock Ins here.

Bones Wheels – Hawk T-Bones – 58mm

Bones are one of the most highly regarded skateboard brands on the market and when it comes to skate wheels in particular, they are peerless.

Coming in at a relatively massive 58mm in diameter and with a skatepark-specific durometer reading of 84b (read more about Bones durometer readings here) – you’ll be hard pressed to find a better performing skate wheel specifically aimed high speed skatepark skating than these.

Check out our full review of these Bones – Hawk T-Bones skate wheels here.

Ricta Wheels – Crystal Clouds Cruiser Skate Wheels – 56mm

Looking for the premiere skate filming wheels on the market? Look no further.

Ricta Wheels Crystal Clouds are the top of our list if you’re looking for a fast and silent skate wheel for follow filming. With a 56mm diameter you’re probably going to need riser pads to avoid wheel bite but, once you’re set up, then these 78a softies will roll effortlessly over any terrain. So good, we actually bought ours!

Check out our full Ricta Crystal Clouds skate wheels review here.

Wayward Wheels – Lucien Clarke Tre Skate Wheels – 51mm

After something a little smaller, rock hard and a skate wheel that displays your love for Lucien Clarke? No problem.

Wayward Wheels skater-owned skateboard brand dropped these 99a durometer, 51mm diameter beauties late last year to add the ever-increasing range of products offered by the brand co-owned by Benny Fairfax and Andrew Brophy.

Check our full review of these Wayward Lucien Clarke Tre skate wheels here.

Crupiê Multicultural Skate Wheels – Apex Iqui – 51mm

Another new upstart brand to the skate wheel market in 2017 with the emergence of Tiago Lemos‘ Crupiê Wheels.

Offering the hardest durometer reading on the regular scale of our selection of skate wheels from 2017 – 2018 at 101a, (Bones Hawk T-Bones are on another level), these 51mm Carlos Iqui pro wheels are aimed squarely at the tech end of the market so, if you’re a pool trog, look away now.
If ledges are more your bag however and/or you fancy slinging some coins Tiago’s way – you know what to do.

Check our full review of these Crupiê Skate Wheels here.

OJ Skate wheels – Teamrider Rattlers – 53mm

One of the oldest players in the skate wheel game, the OJ skateboard brand has been on the cutting edge of skate wheel production since the mid 80’s.

These 53mm OJ Teamrider Rattlers are a mid-size all-terrain wheel and also come in three patented wheel shapes offering differing running surfaces and cuts.
OJ have an unblemished 30 year reputation for a reason and these Teamrider Rattlers are no exception.

See our full OJ Teamrider Rattler Skate wheels review here.

Kryptonics – Star Trac Cruiser Wheels – 60mm

What better way to round off our selection of some of the Best Skate Wheels 2017 – 2018 than the brand, and the wheel, that pretty much started it all?

This modern iteration of the iconic Kryptonics Star Trac skate wheel comes in at a massive 60mm in diameter, with the same soft 78a durometer urethane so beloved by the skaters of the 70’s. With the addition of a nylon core to maintain shape and combat the stress of torque – these are hands down the best choice out there for a crusier and/or downhill wheel. If you want speed with maximum control – these Kryptonics Star Trac skate wheels are for you.

Peep our full Krptonic Star Trac wheel review here.