Skateboard Wheel Hardness Guide: What Durometer to Choose

Overview

If you have ever wondered what durometer skateboard wheels to buy, start with one simple idea: harder wheels usually roll faster on smooth ground and slide more easily, while softer wheels usually feel smoother on rough ground and offer more grip. That is the core tradeoff behind almost every wheel choice.

Most skateboard wheels use the A-scale durometer system, shown as numbers like 78a, 87a, 93a, 99a, or 101a. The higher the number, the harder the wheel. In practical terms, a 78a cruiser wheel and a 101a park wheel are built for very different experiences, even if they happen to be the same size.

For many skaters, the real comparison starts in the middle. A lot of modern street and park wheels fall around 97a to 101a, which is why questions like 99a vs 101a wheels come up so often. Those numbers may look close on paper, but the feel on the board can still matter, especially if your local ground is rough, dusty, or inconsistent.

As a quick reference:

• 78a to 87a: very soft, usually best for cruising, filming, commuting, and rough ground
• 88a to 95a: medium to soft, often a hybrid choice for mixed terrain
• 96a to 99a: versatile for many skaters who want one setup for both street and park
• 100a to 101a and up: hard, fast-feeling on smooth concrete, common for technical street and skatepark riding

There is one important caution: durometer numbers are useful, but they do not tell the whole story. Wheel formulas vary by brand. One 99a may feel smoother, faster, or more forgiving than another 99a because of the urethane formula, shape, and core design. Think of durometer as a strong starting point, not a complete prediction.

If you are still building your first complete, it helps to read wheel hardness alongside a broader skateboard setup guide, because trucks, wheel size, and even your deck width can affect how a wheel choice feels in use.

How to compare options

The best way to compare soft vs hard skateboard wheels is to match them to your terrain first, then your style second. Many skaters shop the other way around and end up with wheels that sound right for tricks but feel wrong for their actual spots.

Use these five questions to narrow your choice.

1. What ground do you skate most often?

This is the biggest factor. If your normal session means rough sidewalks, crusty streets, brick patches, or aging asphalt, a wheel that is too hard can feel harsh, loud, and slow in a frustrating way. On rough ground, slightly softer wheels often maintain momentum better because they do not chatter as much.

If your normal session happens on smooth skatepark concrete, polished park ground, or clean indoor surfaces, harder wheels usually make more sense. They tend to feel quicker, more direct, and easier to slide or pivot.

2. Do you want grip or slide?

Softer wheels usually give you more grip. That can help newer skaters feel more stable, especially when pushing, carving, or learning to ride ramps. Harder wheels usually break traction more easily, which helps with powerslides, reverts, and the quick release many technical street skaters like.

Neither is automatically better. More grip can feel safer on rough ground, but too much grip can also make some tricks feel sticky. More slide can feel precise on smooth concrete, but too much can feel sketchy if you are still learning balance and control.

3. Are you skating street, park, or both?

A dedicated park skateboard setup often leans harder. A dedicated rough-street or filmer setup often leans softer. A mixed setup usually lands somewhere in the middle, especially for skaters who want one board for everything.

If you are deciding between a street skateboard setup and a park skateboard setup, wheel hardness matters almost as much as wheel size. Hardness changes not only how the board rolls, but how it lands, slides, and sounds under your feet.

4. What tricks are you working on?

For flip tricks, ledge skating, and technical flatground on decent surfaces, many skaters prefer harder wheels because they feel snappy and predictable on impact. For transition, bowls, and mini ramp, some riders still prefer hard wheels, but others like a touch more grip and give, especially on outdoor parks that are not perfectly smooth.

For beginners learning to push, turn, and ollie, the wrong hardness can create unnecessary friction in the learning process. If your spots are rough, choosing a wheel that smooths out the ride can make early sessions much more productive. If you are currently focused on foundational skills, pairing a sensible wheel choice with a step-by-step guide on how to ollie helps keep your setup aligned with your progression.

5. Are you buying one wheel for everything?

Many skaters only want one setup. If that is you, avoid thinking in extremes unless your terrain is very specific. A versatile middle-ground hardness often makes more sense than chasing the hardest or softest option available. You might give up a little performance at one end, but gain a setup you actually enjoy using everywhere.

If you are also comparing shape, width, and formulas, our guide to the best skateboard wheels for street, park, and rough ground is a useful next step.

Feature-by-feature breakdown

Here is the practical part of this skateboard wheel hardness guide: what each durometer range tends to feel like, where it fits, and what tradeoffs come with it.

78a to 87a: soft cruiser territory

These wheels are built more for comfort than traditional technical skating. They absorb rough pavement, sidewalk cracks, and general city texture better than hard wheels. If your board is mainly for commuting, campus riding, mellow carving, or filming follow shots, this range makes a lot of sense.

What they do well:

• smooth out rough terrain
• keep speed on bad pavement
• reduce vibration and noise
• feel stable when just riding around

Tradeoffs:

• less ideal for technical slides
• can feel bouncy or less precise for flip tricks
• may not deliver the crisp response many park skaters want

If you are trying to learn kickturns, pushing, and basic board control on rough streets, soft wheels can be a smart confidence builder. They are less common in a pure street or park setup, but they have a clear purpose.

88a to 95a: hybrid and rough-street friendly

This range often appeals to skaters who want a middle ground between cruiser comfort and trick-friendly control. It can work especially well for older streets, uneven sidewalks, crusty parking lots, and mixed-use boards.

What they do well:

• handle rougher ground without feeling overly sluggish
• offer more grip than harder wheels
• support basic tricks better than very soft cruiser wheels

Tradeoffs:

• not as smooth as true cruiser wheels
• not as crisp or slide-friendly as hard park wheels
• may feel like a compromise if you skate only smooth concrete

This is often a smart zone for beginners who skate outdoors in inconsistent conditions and do not have easy access to a clean park.

96a to 99a: the practical all-rounder range

If you want one answer to what durometer skateboard wheels should I get?, this is often the most useful place to look. Wheels in this range can feel versatile enough for many skaters who split time between street and park. They still roll reasonably well outdoors, but they are firm enough for more technical skating.

What they do well:

• balance trick performance and ride quality
• work for mixed terrain better than very hard wheels
• remain common and easy to find across many brands

Tradeoffs:

• not as plush as softer wheels on rough pavement
• not as slick or direct as 101a-style wheels on very smooth surfaces

For many skaters, 97a to 99a is the safest starting point when they do not yet know their exact preference. It gives enough range to learn what you like without committing to an extreme.

99a vs 101a wheels

This is one of the most common comparisons because both are firmly in the street-and-park conversation. In broad terms, 99a usually feels a bit more forgiving on mixed terrain, while 101a usually feels a bit harder, quicker to slide, and more at home on smooth ground.

Choose 99a if you want:

• a little more comfort on average streets
• a versatile setup that can handle mixed sessions
• a slightly less harsh ride without moving too soft

Choose 101a if you want:

• maximum hard-wheel feel on smooth park concrete
• easy release for slides and reverts
• a more direct, crisp response underfoot

The difference is real, but it is not always dramatic. If your local spots are rough, you will likely notice the extra harshness of 101a sooner. If your local park is smooth and you like a fast, lively feel, 101a may suit you better.

100a to 101a and above: hard wheels for smooth ground

This range is common among skaters who prioritize technical street skating, skatepark riding, and a sharp, responsive feel. On clean surfaces, hard wheels can feel fast and efficient. They also tend to produce the classic hard-wheel sound many skaters associate with street and park skating.

What they do well:

• roll well on smooth concrete
• slide easily
• feel precise for technical skating
• deliver a crisp landing and pop feel

Tradeoffs:

• rough pavement feels harsher and louder
• less grip on dusty or slick surfaces
• can be tiring if your main spots are crusty

These wheels can be excellent, but only if the terrain supports them. A hard wheel on bad ground often feels worse than a slightly softer wheel that keeps you rolling.

Why formula matters along with durometer

Wheel durometer matters, but urethane formula matters too. Some wheels are known for balancing speed, grip, and flatspot resistance better than others, even at similar hardness numbers. That is why two wheels labeled 99a may not feel identical in practice.

When comparing options, look at:

• durometer
• wheel size
• shape and contact patch
• intended terrain
• brand formula and reputation

It also helps to think about maintenance. Dirty bearings or worn wheels can mask the feel you are trying to evaluate. If your board suddenly feels slower or rougher than usual, check whether the issue is really the wheel hardness or a maintenance problem. Our guides on how to clean skateboard bearings and the best skateboard bearings can help you separate wheel feel from bearing performance.

Best fit by scenario

If you do not want to overthink it, use these scenario-based recommendations as a practical shortcut.

For total beginners on rough streets

Start softer than a typical park wheel. A medium-soft or hybrid wheel usually makes learning easier on imperfect pavement. You will get more comfort, fewer vibrations, and a board that feels less punishing when just learning to push and turn.

For beginners with access to a smooth skatepark

A mid-to-hard wheel can work well. If most of your sessions happen on smooth concrete, a 97a to 101a style wheel often makes sense, depending on how much grip and forgiveness you want.

For one board that does street, park, and commuting

Look around the middle. A versatile wheel hardness is usually the safest answer when you need one setup for everything. Pair it with a sensible wheel size and truck height using a complete truck size and height guide.

For technical street skating on decent pavement

Harder wheels are often the better fit. If you want easy slides, clear response, and a classic street feel, 99a to 101a is where many skaters end up.

For transition, bowls, and smooth concrete parks

Hard wheels are common here too, though some riders prefer slightly more grip depending on the park surface and their style. If you are learning ramps and quarter pipes, confidence and control matter more than chasing the hardest wheel available. Safety gear also matters, especially early on, so it is worth reviewing the best skate helmets and pads for beginners, park, and street.

For rough city spots and long pushes between obstacles

Do not be afraid of softer wheels. A wheel that keeps speed over cracks and bad asphalt can make your sessions longer and more enjoyable, even if it gives up some slide performance.

For skaters coming back after time off

If your body is less tolerant of impact than it used to be, a slightly softer wheel can make sessions feel better without giving up too much control. This is one of the most overlooked reasons to revisit durometer choices over time.

When to revisit

Your wheel hardness is not a one-time decision. Revisit it whenever your terrain, goals, or available products change. That is especially true if your current setup feels technically correct on paper but frustrating in real sessions.

It is worth reassessing your wheels when:

• you move from rough streets to a smoother skatepark, or the other way around
• you shift from cruising to learning tricks
• you start skating more transition or more technical ledges
• new wheel formulas appear in the hardness range you already like
• your current wheels feel too harsh, too sticky, or too slippery for your normal spots
• your wheels are badly worn and due for replacement

For a quick self-check, ask these three questions after a few sessions:

1. Am I losing speed because the ground is rough, or because my setup is neglected?
2. Do I wish the board would slide more easily, or grip more confidently?
3. Do my usual spots match the kind of wheel I am riding?

If the answer keeps pointing toward a mismatch, change one variable at a time. Hardness is usually the first lever to pull. After that, look at wheel size, shape, and your broader setup. If parts are simply worn out, use this replacement guide: when to replace skateboard wheels, bearings, trucks, and grip tape.

Here is the simplest action plan:

• Mostly rough ground: go softer
• Mostly smooth park ground: go harder
• Mixed terrain: stay in the middle
• Unsure: choose versatility first, then refine after real sessions

That is the practical answer to soft vs hard skateboard wheels. Do not choose based on labels alone. Choose for the ground you actually skate, the tricks you actually practice, and the feel that keeps you coming back for another session.