Outdoor roller skating is a fun sport to be involved in because it can be amazing to feel a cold breeze in your hair as you roll smoothly down your favorite park.
However, it can be challenging to find the best outdoor roller skate wheels that perfectly fit your needs.
This article will provide you with information that you need to know so that you can select the best wheels for outdoor roller skating to roll smoothly and enjoy yourself.
First, you will know the different brands of wheels available in the market and their description to help in deciding.
Next is a detailed buying guide that explains the different wheel specifics such as cores, surfaces, hardness, diameter, skating surfaces, as well as indoor vs outdoor wheels.
Also, you will learn what to look for when buying roller skate wheels and many more!
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Our choice for the best outdoor roller skate wheels is the Radar Energy Wheel Combo Kit because it comes with everything you need to change your skates so that you can use them outdoors. The wheels in this combo kit have 78A hardness and 57mm in diameter which makes them great for outdoor skating.
Our Rating - 98%
Another great option is the Sure-Grip Boardwalk outdoor wheels as they are made of high-quality material that offers the smoothest rides on asphalt, cement, and other outdoor surfaces. They come in hardness of 78A and 65mm in diameter as well as a fun bright color to choose from.
Our Rating - 96%
These budget-friendly wheels come with an 85A hardness and 62mm diameter. They are a great choice for skating on outdoor surfaces and can be used for recreational skating. They are absorbent and made of high-quality urethane to ensure that they serve you longer in your skating adventures.
10 Best Outdoor Roller Skate Wheels (2023)
The following are the 10 best outdoor roller skate wheels that you can select from. There is something for everyone including budget-friendly, hybrid, light-up, and park wheels:
1. Radar Energy Outdoor Wheel Combo Kit (57mm)
Best Outdoor Roller Skate Wheels (Editor’s Choice)
If you want to use skates meant for indoors in the outdoors, the Radar Energy Wheel Combo kit is a great choice for you as it comes with everything you need to change your skates.
The kit includes 16 ABEC-7 Bearings, 8 Radar Wheels, a skate wrench, a Bones speed cream, 8-wheel Locknuts, and a skate tool.
The Radar wheels have a diameter of 57mm which makes them great for tricks, agility, and quick maneuvering. These wheels are the smallest for outdoors because they have a width of 31mm. They have a micro nylon core.
The Radar wheels also come with a 78A durometer which is perfect for skating on outdoor surfaces such as boardwalks, asphalts, sidewalks, trails, and skate parks.
They come in a variety of colors for you to choose from including red, aqua, yellow, clear blue, purple, and pink.
The wheels are sold in packs of 4, therefore, ensure that you buy two sets for both your roller skates as you will need 8 wheels.
2. Sure-Grip Boardwalk Outdoor Wheels (65mm)
Runner-Up
These are the best roller skate wheels for beginners as they are a little bit wider and soft. Beginners need wider wheels because they need more stability when learning how to skate.
These wheels have a larger diameter of 65mm which will help you to skate at a good speed.
With a width of 36mm, it means that they are not too narrow or too wide to ensure that you get enough stability and grip, especially when doing lateral movements.
They roll at a 78A durometer, and this hardness level is common for most soft wheels. If you are a beginner, you want to use wheels with this softness level because they enable you to go slow.
They are noticeably sticky even though they are not hard at all to allow you to bomb hills of all sizes and shapes with confidence.
These wheels have a hollow nylon core and come in a pack of 8. They are available in blue, black, purple, pink, light blue, red, light green, pink, and light purple.
The best surfaces to roll in these wheels include asphalt, boardwalks, and sidewalks as you can easily take on twigs, pebbles, cracks, and dirt.
3. Sonic Quad Outdoor Wheels
Budget Friendly
Sonic quad wheels are designed to be used in the outdoors and they are absorbent. They have 85A hardness which makes them softer to roll over pavements and sidewalks easily.
They have a 62mm diameter meaning they offer enough stability as you roll around. The 32mm width allows you to perform skating tricks and moves easily.
These wheels are made of long-lasting and high rebound urethane to ensure that you use them for a longer period without tearing them off.
They feature a nylon core that enables the bearings to be aligned perfectly for a soft ride.
These Sonic wheels offer a super smooth roll making them a perfect choice for new carhops and all-round recreational skating in the outdoors.
4. Cosmic Superfly Hybrid Wheels
Best Hybrid Roller Skate Wheels
The Cosmic Superfly wheels are made of high-quality urethane that offers deep speed and long-lasting grooves for maximum grip and wear.
The nylon inserts in these wheels ensure that the bearings are kept smooth and cool.
They come with 90A hardness which makes them suitable for both outdoor and indoor skating.
They have a diameter of 62mm meaning they are wider enough to offer the stability that you need when skating. Their width is 40mm.
They are sold in packs of 8 and do not come with bearings.
5. Luminous Light Up Quad Hybrid Wheels
Light Up Roller Skate Wheels
Are you looking for a way to lighten and brighten up your skating sessions? The Luminous LED Hybrid wheels are the perfect choice for you. They are enjoyable, bright, fast, reliable, and eye-catching.
They come with an 85A durometer scale reading which offers you the perfect balance between grip and speed so that you can roll away on the pavement or skate park without fear of falling.
With 62mm in diameter, they offer you enough stability for you to light up the night as you skate under the stars.
Each wheel comes with a magnetic spacer that lights up the wheel when sandwiched between 2 bearings.
The bearings are sold separately, and it is recommended when you are installing these wheels, ensure that you use new locknuts.
They come in packs of 8 or 4, and you need 8 wheels for both of your roller skates. They come in white, green, blue, sunray, and coral.
6. Moxi Fundae Ourdoor Wheels
Best Skate Park Wheels
Moxi Fundae wheels are the best choice for you if you are skating on smoother outdoor surfaces such as skate parks, boardwalks, and smooth concrete.
You can use them on asphalt, but it will be bumpy. They come with a 92A durometer reading meaning you can also use them indoors.
If you are looking for more speed, these wheels are medium to hard, and they will help you to roll faster.
These wheels have a small diameter which is great for rolling the smooth streets or state parks. The smaller diameter of 57mm helps in doing quick maneuvers and lumping ramps easier.
When transitioning floors at the skate parks, these wheels can hold their shape.
The narrow shape of these outdoor wheels helps you to roll safely out of bails and are designed in a way that you wouldn’t get caught up on the coping. You do not have to change these wheels if you want to skate on different surfaces.
Harder Park wheels are difficult to use, and regular outdoor wheels can be soft for use in skate parks. Moxi Fundae wheels are a hybrid that will enable you to skate on parks and streets any time.
They come in colors including blue, purple, and green and have a hollow nylon core. They are sold in packs of 8 and 4.
7. Atom Skates Pulse Outdoor Roller Wheels
The Atom Skates Pulse wheels have a relatively low durometer scale reading making them great for the outdoors.
With a diameter of 65mm, these wheels are tall enough to roll over any type of twigs, cracks, debris, and small pebbles that can be found on boardwalks and sidewalks. However, they may be not stable enough and too tall for beginners.
With 78A hardness, your skates will roll like butter as your legs will not shake when you are on bumpy surfaces and asphalt.
These wheels have a hollow core technology which may not be as supportive and rigid as aluminum core, but they are stronger and tougher than a nylon core.
They have a medium width measuring 37mm to provide a decent level of agility and grip. They are a complete choice that offers everything you need for an outdoor wheel in the perfect amounts.
These wheels are made of durable material that will last you longer and they are designed to offer you maximum speed.
They are lightweight and use high-quality components to increase speed and reduce friction. They roll smoothly to enable you to improve your comfort when riding.
8. Bont Quad Roller Skate Wheels
The Bont Glow LED wheels are hybrid wheels that can be used on both outdoor and indoor surfaces and use LED lights to illuminate the tire as you roll around.
You do not need any batteries for these wheels to glow because they have a magnetic-floating spacer that enables the core to light up when the wheels spin.
The wheels have a hardness of 83A, a diameter of 62mm, and a width of 35mm. This is a great hybrid wheel that you can use to skate on skating rinks and sidewalks.
They are perfect for showing them off at the rink or an evening skate.
These wheels come in pastel colors that glitter including tickle blue, cherry blossom pink, misty teal, and pearl white.
They have a luminous neon glow in the dark. They are sold in a pack of 4, so you need to buy two packs for both of your skates.
They do not come with bearings. 608 bearings are recommended as they will fit perfectly.
Tighten the nut a little more if you notice that the wheels are flickering when skating to add more pressure between the bearing and the led spacer.
9. Sure-Grip Boardwalk Outdoor Wheels
The Sure-Grip Boardwalk Combo Kit comes with everything you need to change your skates to be used on outdoor surfaces.
This kit includes 8 Boardwalk wheels, 16 ABEC-7 bearings, 8-wheel locknuts, a tool kit, and a skate wrench.
The wheels are for beginners as they are a little bit wider and soft. Beginners need wider wheels because they need more stability when learning how to skate.
These wheels have a larger diameter of 65mm which will help you to skate at a good speed.
With a width of 36mm, it means that they are not too narrow or too wide to ensure that you get enough stability and grip, especially when doing lateral movements.
They roll at a 78A durometer, and this hardness level is common for most soft wheels. If you are a beginner, you want to use wheels with this softness level because they enable you to go slow.
They are noticeably sticky even though they are not hard at all to allow you to bomb hills of all sizes and shapes with confidence.
These wheels have a hollow nylon core and come in a pack of 8. They are available in blue, black, purple, pink, light blue, red, light green, pink, and light purple.
The best surfaces to roll in these wheels include asphalt, boardwalks, and sidewalks as you can easily take on twigs, pebbles, cracks, and dirt.
10. Sure-Grip Route Outdoor Wheels
Most Durable
They are one of the best outdoor roller skate wheels available in the market mainly because of their durability.
They are made of urethane which has a superior quality that enables the wheels to last longer. They have dual-rounded edges to offer you the perfect roll and smoothness.
With 78A hardness, these wheels are soft and perfect for outdoor surfaces including pavements, asphalt, and sidewalks. They make bumping into cracks, pebbles, and dirt easy.
The 70mm diameter and 38mm width makes these wheels perfect for beginners as it offers enough stability grip when learning the different skating moves.
They come in packs of 4 or 8 and bearings are sold separately.
Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Wheels For Outdoor Roller Skating
Surface
When you are looking for the best outdoor roller skate wheels, it is good to understand the surface of your roller skating.
If you are into a lot of outdoor roller skating, understand the different surfaces you will use while skating. If your skating surface is rough, get wheels with a low durometer.
If the surfaces are slippery like concrete and asphalt, get softer wheels because soft wheels grip well. If you skate on the sidewalks and bike trails, use the wheels of durometer 78A.
There are several different terrains outdoors and need different roller skate wheels for every type for maximum roller skating. They include:
- Asphalt – This is a dreaded surface and is everywhere we live. It is also known as the blacktop, and it covers the streets, the parking lots, and schoolyards. The Asphalt surface is rough. When you skate on Asphalt, one needs a soft 78A Durometer wheel. Other wheels may sound fun, but you can easily fly when you hit a small pebble. The range for asphalt surfaces is a durometer of 78A-85A.
- Sports courts, skate parks, Boardwalks, and smooth concrete – You are lucky enough if you have skate parks, boardwalks, or other smooth concretes outdoors because these surfaces are more forgiving than sidewalks or Asphalt. The wheels’ hardness for these surfaces is between 78A and 95A. These surfaces are smooth and almost like skating indoors.
Type Of Outdoor Skating
The Outdoor Speed skating
If you want to use the quad skates for speed skating, then you may need wider, taller, and harder wheels. The hardness of the wheels should be at least 85A.
If you skate on smooth surfaces and with good balance; find harder wheels because they roll longer and are better at transferring the power of your push to the outdoor skates.
A wider wheel is also good for power transfer. The contact patch is also important because it is the width of the wheel that touches the ground, and more contact patch helps with the power transfer. The best width to go with is 35-40mm.
The height of the wheels should be on the larger side from 62mm on the minimum but 65mm is okay.
Most speed skate wheels have large contact patches and are wider to give enough stability and agility to allow the speed skater to get the most roll from every push and cut corners.
The Outdoor Roller derby
This is like speed skating in most respects. Most speed wheels and derby wheels are interchangeable, and most players choose wider wheels for power transfer and stability.
Roller derby also does well with medium-hard wheels for outdoor-type surfaces. However, this sport is very nuanced, and some derby players who want extra agility sometimes go for smaller wheels.
Most of the roller derby wheels are about 59-62mm in diameter range. Most derby skaters use different profile sizes, but the most popular size is 38mm. robber skaters also use 90-96Arange wheels although it varies depending on the surface they are skating on and how grippy the wheels are.
The Outdoor Roller hockey
Most outdoor roller hockey is done on special roller hockey skates just like in speed skating.
Outdoor Artistic Skating
Artistic skates consist of doing special spins and jumping on roller skates. With all of the jumping and spinning, the artistic skaters require narrow wheels that do not stick to the surface they are skating on.
Artistic skating needs wheels that allow the skaters to spin quickly and turn without much friction from the surface. Most artistic wheels are very hard around over the 100A range. They are also narrow to allow agility and movement of the feet.
Durometer
The hardness of the wheel is measured using a Durometer. Hardness is an important factor because it determines the wheels’ usage.
Wheels that have a Durometer of 78A-85A work best for slippery floors and outdoors, while those with a hardness of 90A-103A are best for sticky floors and indoors.
This description thus shows that the lower the Durometer the softer the roller skate wheels. The quality of the surface you will be skating on determines the hardness of the wheel you will go for.
Harder wheels are slidey and faster while softer wheels are smooth and gripper. Softer wheels work well on absorbing surface vibrations.
Diameter
The diameter of a wheel has an impact on the roll time of a skater, acceleration, stability, and weight.
In terms of top speed or roll time, wheels with smaller diameters help skaters to gain top speeds while those with larder diameters are usually chosen by long-distance skaters because it takes them less effort to keep the roller skates moving faster.
In terms of stability, wheels with smaller diameters are usually steadier than wheels with larger diameters. This means that the closer the distance between the ground and you the more stable your wheels are.
Another factor is acceleration, wheels with smaller diameters take a skater less effort to move because of faster acceleration, and finally, wheels with shorter diameters are usually lighter than those with taller diameters.
Large wheels keep the skate rolling for a long time even after you stop pushing because of the existing momentum.
Therefore, larger wheels deliver better roll time and achieve top speed than smaller wheels.
Weight
The weight of the body has a great effect on how the wheels react and perform. For a skater above 200lbs, the wheel will get more grip than the average weight skater.
Therefore, this skater will need to go up on the durometer two or three steps up.
If you have 200lbs and you are skating on 90A, go up to 9A because the extra weight will put more pressure on the wheels making it sink more on the surface.
For skaters above 200lbs, they need to look into getting a more rigid core because the wheel will flex more under the heavyweight. The aluminum core is good for a heavy person because it is rigid and gives better support.
A light-weight person (under 100lbs) needs to buy soft wheels because their weight cannot press down on the wheels. Any core type (hybrid, nylon, or aluminum) can fit.
People between 100lbs and 200lbs should be good with the wheels recommended for the surfaces they are skating on.
We cannot ignore the wheel weight because it forms most of the weight in the roller skates. Wheels with larger diameters have more mass than smaller diameter wheels thus heavier.
Heavier wheels are more stable, faster, and give more grip or traction than lighter wheels. Lighter wheels make quicker movements easier but are more unstable.
Heavier wheels are recommended especially to beginners because it helps them feel more stable and grounded.
Lips/Edge
The edge or lips of the wheel affect the overall grip of the wheel. Lips are the very edge of the wheel and depending on the cut effects of the lips the total amount of contact patch a wheel has on a surface.
Square lips have a straight drop and the maximum contact patch and are more grip than other wheels. These square lips are common in artistic wheels.
Rounded lips less and give traction than square lips. There are several different rounded lips configurations, and most rounded lips are found in outdoor wheels because they provide more slides, have less grip, and have more cruise ability.
They are found in outdoor wheels because they punch out pebbles and other small obstacles encountered with ease.
On both the extreme of the square and round lips spectrum is the middle ground where most wheels are.
The squarer the lips of a wheel, the less grip, and more traction while the more round a wheel’s lips the less grip and more give.
Color
According to your intended skating use, the color of the wheels may be one of the most important factors to consider, especially if one is into rink or jam skating.
However, color makes no difference on how a wheel rolls, how to grip it is to the surface, or how fast it goes but looks and color is important to many skaters.
After all most skaters love how their skates look and make them feel when they wear them. Lastly, a wheel’s color does not affect the working of a wheel from a performance standpoint and can be the least factor to consider when it comes to performance.
Indoor Vs Outdoor Roller Skate Wheels Explained
The main difference between indoor and outdoor roller-skating wheels is the wheel’s hardness. All the outdoor wheels work well indoors because softer wheels will go a bit slower on hardwood and sports court surfaces.
Hybrid wheels will come into place if you have a budget of 1 set of wheels because they fall in the 82A-92A range.
Such wheels are not super hard like the Roller Bones Elite and not super soft like the gummy Atom Pulse. However, the hybrid wheels are not ideal for asphalt.
How Long Do Outdoor Roller Skates Wheels Last?
As it is with most of the products, the more you use them the faster they wear down. The outdoor wheel that is used a few times a week will wear down after 12 to 18 months but for skaters who skate only once a week, their wheels will last longer.
Outdoor roller skate wheels can also last depending on the type of surface you are skating on. Asphalt is the hardest surface on the wheels, and it wears the wheels down the fastest.
How Do I Change Wheels On My Roller Skates?
The following are directions on how to change the wheels on roller skates:
Remove the nuts from the wheels by placing the tool over the nut and turning it anticlockwise until the nut comes off. Then detach the wheels from their bolts and replace them with the new wheels.
Return the nuts into the bolts, flat end, and rotate the nuts clockwise to fasten them.
Ensure that you don’t tighten the nuts too much by using your finger to spin each wheel freely if the wheels do not spin or are jerky when spinning the nuts need to be loosened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use outdoor roller skate wheels indoor?
Yes, it is possible to use outdoor wheels indoors. However, if you are using the softer wheels like the 78A Atom Pulse, they are slower than wheels like 103A Roller Bones Elite.
It is good for beginners to use the softer wheels because they are sturdy and allow the skater to practice anywhere.
What are the wheels made of?
Wheels that are great for outdoor roller skating are made of Polyurethane because polyurethane is a durable and long-lasting material that is good for endurance and traction on most surfaces.
Almost all skating wheels today are made of urethane material. However, you may find that some indoor wheels are of materials like clay, wood, or even stone.
This is because some skaters who like to slide look for wheels made of these other materials because they can slide super well when on the wood roller rink floors.
What wheel hardness do I need?
You choose your wheel hardness according to the type of skate you want to play with and the surface you will be using.
The following are guidelines on the wheel hardness and were to use so that you can find your type of wheels:
Wheels with the hardness of 78A-80A are very soft wheels and are used outdoors on asphalt or concrete. They are also great for skating on extremely slippery surfaces indoors and a good choice for new skaters.
Wheels between 84A-85A are hybrid roller skate wheels good for both indoors and outdoors. They are relatively soft and a good choice for beginners.
The durometer of 86A-89A is the best wheel for indoor courts including polished concrete, gyms, and super slippery untreated wooden surfaces because they are considered the softest wheels.
90A-93A wheels are medium-hard wheels used for surfaces with medium-level grip such as polished concrete or sports court.
94A-96A are hard wheels, and they provide a little amount of grip. They are used for roller skating on sticky floors.
97A-103A wheels are extremely hard wheels and used for stickiest roller rink floors and treated rubberized gym floors. They are great for artistic roller skating because they can spin fast.
What is the difference between 78A and 85A wheels?
78A wheels are soft wheels and are super grippy and should be used exclusively on asphalt and concrete or very slippery indoor surfaces while 85A wheels are considered hybrid wheels because they can e used both outdoors and indoors.
The wheels are good for a beginner because they give more control and grip.
Final Words
Roller skating is fun especially when you have the right wheels to roll you smoothly over the different skating surfaces.
Finding the right wheels for your skates ensures that you have a wonderful experience and that you don’t fall over injuring yourself.
Our pick for the best wheels for outdoor surfaces is the Radar Energy Wheel Combo Kit because it comes with everything you need to transform your skates so that you can use them outdoors.
The wheels in this combo kit have 78A hardness and 57mm in diameter which makes them great for outdoor skating.
When selecting the perfect wheel, consider factors such as the wheel’s durometer, diameter, profile, and hub materials. Also, think about the surface you will be skating on and your skating style.