When you want to focus your skateboarding on flat ground tricks and street skating, the type of wheel you choose will change how your board rolls, slides, and pivots. Especially with technical tricks or any kind of rotation beyond a 180, having harder, more slippery wheels makes life a lot easier. The problem is, with so many wheels to choose from, how can you tell which ones are best for street and flat ground tricks?
The best skateboard wheel for street skating and flat ground tricks is one with a 50mm – 53mm diameter, a 99a – 103a durometer, and a narrow wheel profile. These wheel specs allow your wheels to roll faster on smooth surfaces, while also sliding easier for technical tricks and spins.
With this range in mind, you can generally find a solid wheel for doing tricks. However, the exact specs you choose will vary on your skill level, where you typically skate, and what tricks you do.
That’s why this post will break down exactly what to consider before buying a wheel for street skating to help you feel more educated in the buying process. I’ll then share a list of my favorite skateboard wheels for street and flat ground after over a decade of skating.
So first, let’s break down why these particular wheel specs matter.
What Are The Best Types Of Wheels For Street & Flat Ground?
Whether you are skating primarily at the skatepark, or are just getting started in skateboarding, the best wheel specs will vary. Regardless of what type of skating you want to get into, there are 3 main factors to consider. These factors are wheel diameter (size), wheel durometer (hardness), and the wheel’s contact patch (how much of the wheel contacts the ground).
– Wheel Diameter For Street Skating
Street skating focuses primarily on technical tricks on ledges, rails, and stair sets. For the most part, that means you don’t need to be going at the fastest possible speeds for these tricks. With that in mind, you can opt for a smaller wheel diameter between 50mm and 53mm since speed isn’t the main priority.
Although I’ve talked about this more in another post about making your wheels spin faster, wheel diameter plays a huge role in speed. In a nutshell, a larger wheel has more leverage over the axle so it can spin longer than a smaller wheel. Likewise, since the wheel itself is also larger, each revolution of the wheel covers more physical distance per rotation. With a larger distance covered per rotation, plus increased leverage over axle friction, larger wheels kick-butt over small wheels in terms of speed.
The downside to larger wheels (55mm+) is that they are heavier and are often more grippy (since they have a wider contact patch). For technical trick skating, this proves to be more of a hindrance than anything.
So that means that a smaller wheel has the opposite effect, being lighter weight, has a narrower contact patch, and works better for all types of tricks.
With a wheel diameter between 50mm and 53mm, you are in the sweet spot for tricks on a skateboard. If you are a beginner to intermediate skater, I would recommend a 53mm wheel since they will last longer as they wear down, and roll faster if you want to try out transition skating for example.
– Wheel Durometer For Street Skating
Since street skating is a “style” of skateboarding rather than physically needing to skate street spots, you will find yourself in a variety of places skating both skateparks and around town. Features like ledges, rails, and stairs are found in skateparks where the concrete is smooth and fast, but you also will find these same features around town on more rough and uneven surfaces.
With these different types of terrain, the wheel durometer will affect how smoothly your board rolls on different surfaces. A harder wheel, for example, will roll extremely fast on smooth concrete but feel terrible and bumpy on rough concrete. Meanwhile, a softer wheel will roll slower on smooth concrete, while better absorbing the vibrations on rough concrete.
Unfortunately, a very soft wheel isn’t great for trick skating since they are far more grippy. When you try to pivot a trick, you’ll need the strength of the hulk to get that wheel to slide. That’s why you’re somewhat forced to choose a harder wheel durometer, despite it feeling less smooth on rough surfaces.
For street skating, a wheel durometer between 99a and 103a is the most ideal. I would suggest 99a if you plan to skate both smooth and rough concrete but would suggest 101a or 103a if you’re strictly doing tricks on the smooth concrete at the skatepark.
Now if you have no idea what these numbers mean, it’s easy to understand with the A-scale durometer rating most commonly used by wheel manufacturers. This durometer scale rates wheel hardness from 0 to 100, with 100 being the hardest. For example, a 99a wheel would be much harder than an 87a wheel. The “a” beside the rating simply indicates the type of scale being used, which is the A-scale.
There are some manufacturers that use the B-scale for durometer ratings which is the equivalent of 20 points less than the A-scale. That means an 83b wheel is the same hardness as a 103a wheel, which is considered extremely hard.
– Wheel Contact Patch
The contact patch of a wheel is the flat part around the wheel that actually rolls on the ground. If you’ve looked at different wheels in a skate shop, you likely noticed how some were more narrow than others. This is because the wheel profile and contact patch sizes were different.
The contact patch of a wheel is directly responsible for how grippy it is. With a wider contact patch, you have more grip since there is more surface area and more friction against the ground. This is awesome for stability at high speeds but sucks when you want to make your tricks look steezy. That’s why the ideal wheel for street skating and tricks will have a more narrow contact patch that allows you to pivot tricks easier, something that’s super helpful for 270 tricks or big spins.
So Which Wheel Specs Should You Look For?
With these three factors in mind, you now know the basics of why a 50 – 53mm wheel with a 99a – 103a durometer is ideal for tricks.
But what wheel should you choose within this range as a beginner, intermediate, or advanced skater?
For those just getting started with street skating, go for a 99a durometer with a 53mm wheel diameter. This is a great all-around wheel spec that will last longer and can roll adequately well on all surfaces. However, smooth concrete is still going to be preferable.
For intermediate skaters starting to get into more technical tricks, opt for a 101a wheel with a 52mm or 53mm diameter. This wheel won’t feel great on rough concrete, but it will slide like butter for tricks you spin and pivot through.
For more advanced skaters, opt for a 103a 52mm wheel if you primarily skate at the skatepark, or a 99a 52mm wheel if you tend to session street spots.
The reason I recommend not getting a smaller diameter such as 50mm is that your wheels won’t last as long. Over time your wheels will wear down from skating them, so having a larger wheel, to begin with, allows for more room for wear. After all, 1mm or 2mm of extra wheel diameter won’t make or break a trick.
So now that you know the type of wheel specs you should be looking for, let’s get into some of the best skateboard wheels for street skating and tricks.
The 8 Best Wheels For Street Skating & Flat Ground Tricks
1. Bones STF V3 Slims – 99a (Best Overall)
Wheel Profile – Narrow
Colors – White
Sizes – 52mm, 54mm
Best For – Flat Ground, Ledges, Rails, Street Spots
| Size | 52mm | 54mm |
|---|---|---|
| Width (MM) | 29 | 30 |
| Contact Patch (MM) | 15 | 16 |
The Bones Street Tech Formula (STF) wheel is one of the most narrow wheels Bones makes with its V3 profile. This means it has a smaller contact patch making powerslides and pivots a lot easier than with other wheels. However, with a 99a durometer, it’s still sufficiently grippy when you need it to be and can be skated at both the skatepark or your favorite street spot with less than ideal concrete.
The STF formula from Bones is impressively durable and doesn’t seem to flat spot easily even after doing powerslides. What is great about these wheels is how fun they are to skate, offering a little more freedom in how you slide your board around during tricks.
With that said, some skaters feel that the slightly smaller contact patch isn’t super noticeable compared to other wheels, but that’s subjective. These wheels can be quite slippery for more beginner and intermediate skaters, but it’s a trade-off for easier powerslides and pivots.
2. Bones STF V2 Locks – 103a (Best For Tech Grinds)
Wheel Profile – Narrow
Colors – White
Sizes – 52mm, 53mm
Best For – Ledges, Rails, Smooth Concrete
| Size | 52mm | 53mm |
|---|---|---|
| Width (MM) | 29 | 29 |
| Contact Patch (MM) | 18 | 18.3 |
The Bones Street Tech Formula (STF) V2 wheels are shaped with locking into grinds in mind. With a shape that slightly bulges around the bearing bore, this wheel shape hugs onto ledges and rails better than other wheel shapes. If you prefer grind tricks over flat ground, these wheels are the ideal option.
Since they are extremely hard at 103a (83b), these wheels will be terrible on rough concrete and should be avoided if that’s what you plan to skate. However, if you primarily skate indoor parks or outdoor skateparks, these wheels are an awesome choice. They roll faster than many other wheels of equivalent sizes on smooth concrete and pivot out of tricks like a dream.
Although they have a wider contact patch than the V3 slims, this is still a pretty narrow wheel that’s easy to slide when needed. However, it is quite slippery to skate on at first if you aren’t used to this durometer. Likewise, they can flat spot faster simply because of how hard the wheel is.
That’s why this wheel is only suited for those wanting to focus on grind tricks with the least friction possible. For skaters that want an all-around wheel, this might be overkill.
3. Spitfire Formula Four Tablets – 99a (Best For Flat Ground)
Wheel Profile – Narrow
Colors – White
Sizes – 52mm, 53mm
Best For – Skateparks, Street Spots, Flat Ground
| Size | 52mm | 54mm | 55mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width (MM) | 29 | 31 | 33 |
| Contact Patch (MM) | 20 | 22 | 23 |
Spitfire is one of the most popular wheel brands around, known for its Formula Four urethane that spins fast and seems to last longer than many other wheels. For flat ground tricks, these wheels are some of the best since they strike a balance between width, hardness, and durability. Whether you’re practicing in front of your house, at the skatepark, or a rough patch of concrete in a back alley, these wheels will work for all of it.
Although still a narrow wheel profile, the contact patch of these wheels is wider than the Bones. That means you get a bit of extra grip which can be useful when just learning new tricks. That’s why these are one of my first picks for beginner skaters in particular who are learning flat ground.
With that said, that doesn’t mean these are only good for beginners. With a 99a durometer, these wheels are suited for all skill levels and all types of tricks. This wheel is super responsive and lightweight making it quite versatile. The shape of this wheel is a simple straight cut though, making it relatively average for locking into tricks on ledges and rails.
4. Spitfire Formula Four Classics – 101a
Wheel Profile – Medium
Colors – White
Sizes – 52mm, 53mm, 54mm, 55mm, 56mm, 58mm
Best For – Skateparks, Smooth Concrete, Flat Ground
| Size | 52mm | 53mm | 54mm | 55mm | 56mm | 58mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width (MM) | 32 | 33 | 33.5 | 35 | 35.3 | 35.8 |
| Contact Patch (MM) | 15.5 | 16 | 16.5 | 17.5 | 17.8 | 18 |
The Spitfire Classics are probably one of the most popular overall skateboard wheels around since it comes in a variety of sizes and durometers. However, for street and trick-specific skating, the 101a version of this wheel is a great option to go with.
This wheel is slightly wider than any other wheel on this list so far, which makes it a great option for beginners who want more stability and grip with their tricks. Luckily, since it’s a 101a durometer, you can pivot and slide tricks easily when you want to.
Since this is considered a hard wheel, it’s not the best for rough concrete but kicks butt at the skatepark. It rolls super fast and has some impressive grip considering the wheel durometer. What many skaters love about this wheel is how durable it is, with some people I know saying it’s the longest-lasting wheel they’ve skated.
For skaters of all skill levels who tend to skate at the skatepark more than session street spots, this is a great wheel to go with.
5. Ricta Naturals Wheels – 101a
Wheel Profile – Narrow
Colors – White
Sizes – 52mm
Best For – Skateparks, Smooth Concrete, Flat Ground, Ledges, Rails
| Size | 52mm |
|---|---|
| Width (MM) | 30.3 |
| Contact Patch (MM) | 18.3 |
The Ricta Naturals line is one of the most durable and fastest rolling wheels they sell. For street skating, these are another great option to go with. With a shape very similar to the Bones V2 Locks, this wheel has a narrow contact patch that slides easily when you want it to but doesn’t sacrifice grip.
Since it has a 101a durometer, this wheel isn’t great for street spots and is better used on smooth concrete. On smooth concrete, it rolls fast and slides nicely out of tricks which is something I really appreciate. Since the narrow contact patch allows for the wheel to slide easier, these definitely aren’t ideal for skating transition and are more likely to wash out on you.
Ultimately, if you want a harder wheel that rolls fast on smooth concrete and is super durable, this is a good pick for any skill level.
6. Orbs Apparitions Wheels – 99a
Wheel Profile – Medium
Colors – Coral/Black
Sizes – 52mm, 53mm, 54mm, 56mm
Best For – Skateparks, Flat Ground, Street Spots
| Size | 52mm | 53mm | 54mm | 56mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width (MM) | 31.75 | 31.75 | 31.75 | 31.75 |
| Contact Patch (MM) | 16.67 | 16.67 | 16.67 | 16.67 |
So far on this list, all the wheels have relatively bland and uninteresting color schemes. Fortunately, Orbs is here to break that trend while also offering a great all-around skateboard wheel for street skating. Although this particular wheel is two-tone with coral and black, there are several other versions of this wheel with different color schemes if that’s important to you.
Orbs is a smaller wheel brand that’s a branch of Welcome Skateboards. Their wheels don’t have anything particularly unique in terms of shape and build, but they do have some awesome colors. This set of wheels in particular has a wider contact patch that’s great for added stability and grip that many beginners look for. However, they’re still slim enough to work well for more technical flat ground tricks and grinds.
At a 99a durometer, these wheels roll great at the skatepark and are passable on rough concrete. Although they certainly aren’t going to offer a perfectly smooth ride if you’re looking to session the street in front of your house.
For those who want a more colorful wheel with a versatile shape and wheel profile, these are a great option.
7. Bones OG Formula V4 Wheels – 100a
Wheel Profile – Wide
Colors – White, Black
Sizes – 53mm, 54mm
Best For – Skateparks, Flat Ground, Ledges, Rails
| Size | 53mm | 54mm |
|---|---|---|
| Width (MM) | 34 | 34 |
| Contact Patch (MM) | 19.5 | 19.5 |
Now unlike any other wheel on this list, the Bones Original (OG) formula wheels are noticeably wider than the others. For beginner skaters who want to skate a bit of everything, but focus on street skating, these wheels are an awesome option. They have a ton of grip that proves useful when skating bowls but are hard enough to slide and pivot out of flat-ground tricks and grinds.
These are also among the cheapest version of Bones wheels with a slightly lower-performance urethane than the other formulas they offer. With that said, the Original Formula still has great grip, rebound, and feels great to skate on.
The downside to these wheels is that they flat spot easier than other Bones wheels and don’t last as long. However, for someone just wanting to get started with skateboarding tricks, these are a good starter wheel.
8. Mini Logo C-Cut Wheels – 101a
Wheel Profile – Medium
Colors – White, Black, Multi
Sizes – 50mm, 51mm, 52mm, 53mm, 54mm
Best For – Skateparks, Flat Ground, Beginners
| Size | 50mm | 51mm | 52mm | 53mm | 54mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width (MM) | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 |
| Contact Patch (MM) | 14 | 17 | 16 | 17.5 | 15 |
Mini Logo is the ultimate beginner skateboard wheel for skateparks and tricks on smooth concrete. Although there are two versions of their wheels known as A-cut and C-cut wheels, the C-cuts have a slight bulge around the bearing bore to help lock into grinds. They also have more narrow wheel options which are ideal for trick-specific skateboarding.
Coming in as the cheapest skateboard wheel on this list by a significant margin, these are a good option to go with if it’s your first skateboard setup, or you’re on a tight budget. Since they are a hard wheel, they roll super fast at skateparks and powerslide well too. The only downside is that they tend to wear out and flat spot faster than other wheel brands like Bones or Spitfire.
For the same reason these are awesome for skateparks, is the same reason why these wheels aren’t great for rough concrete. If you’re looking to use these at your favorite street spot, you’ll likely notice excess vibration that can throw off your tricks. That is why these are better suited for skatepark-specific skaters who are in the beginner to intermediate skill range.
So Which Wheels Should You Choose?
At this point in the article, I wouldn’t blame you if you felt completely overwhelmed by your options. To help make the choice easier, let me offer a few to-the-point suggestions.
If you want the best wheel for technical tricks on flat ground, ledges, rails, and street spots, go for the 99a Bones STF V3 Slims.
Now if you’re a more advanced skater who wants the most response out of their wheels, go for the 101a Spitfire Formula Four Classics.
Lastly, if you primarily skate at the skatepark and don’t skate rough concrete often, go for the 101a Ricta Naturals or the 101a Bones STF V2 Locks.
With all that said, you might also be interested in more general-use skateboard wheels for cruising around town or larger wheels to rip around the bowl at your skatepark. In that case, check out the other guides I’ve written below to offer some additional wheel options:
- 10 Recommended Skateboard Wheels For Beginners
- 4 Best Skateboard Wheels For Bowl
- 5 Awesome Wheels For Skateparks
Happy Shredding!
Brendan 🙂
