Ever bought wheels that looked perfect, only to find they rattle your teeth out on the way to the skatepark? Wheel hardness might be the missing piece. It affects how your skateboard grips, slides and feels on different ground — and the right choice for a smooth park isn't always right for rough British tarmac.
What does skateboard wheel hardness mean?
Hardness is usually called durometer. Many skateboard wheels use the Shore A scale: generally, a lower number means softer urethane and a higher number means harder urethane. Don't confuse hardness with diameter. A 54mm wheel tells you its size; 99A describes its hardness. Read our 52mm vs 54mm guide for help with diameter.
Wheel hardness comparison
| Rating | Typical feel | Often suits |
|---|---|---|
| 78A–87A | Soft, grippy, quieter over bumps | Cruising and rough paths |
| 88A–95A | Medium-soft compromise | Mixed ground and rough street spots |
| 96A–99A | Firm, responsive and slide-friendly on smooth ground | Street tricks and parks |
| 100A–101A as labelled | Very hard, direct feel | Smooth concrete and riders who like hard wheels |
These are useful starting points, not rules. Urethane formula, wheel shape, width and surface all affect the ride.
78A vs 99A: what's the difference?
On coarse pavement, patched roads and rough paths, softer wheels such as 78A generally absorb more vibration and provide more grip. They can feel sticky when you're trying to slide, though. Hard wheels such as 99A often feel crisp and responsive on smooth concrete, and can break traction more readily for slides. On rough tarmac they can feel noisy and chattery. Harder doesn't always mean faster on every surface.
Is 101A better than 99A?
No single rating is automatically better. Some skaters like the hard, direct feel of wheels labelled 101A on smooth parks; others want a little more forgiveness. The Shore A scale is less useful at its hard end, and 101A is commonly used as a commercial wheel label rather than a straightforward measurement comparable across all manufacturers.
Which hardness is best for UK skateparks?
For smooth concrete parks, around 97A–101A is a reasonable area to explore for tricks, ramps and slides. Older rough parks can feel very different from polished indoor surfaces. If you split your sessions between a park and rough street spots, something softer may be more comfortable.
What about rough UK streets?
For cracked tarmac and uneven paving, 78A–87A is a common cruising range. Around 88A–95A may offer a middle ground if you still want to practise tricks. Soft wheels won't make potholes, loose stones or wet ground safe, so keep an eye on where you're skating.
Can beginners use hard wheels?
Absolutely, particularly when learning at a smooth skatepark. But if your first sessions are on rough local pavement, slightly softer wheels may feel more forgiving while you learn to push, turn and balance.
Does size matter as well?
Yes. Diameter changes how wheels handle bumps and affects deck clearance. Bigger wheels can increase the risk of wheelbite, when a wheel touches the deck during a turn. Trucks and risers matter too. Our truck tightness guide explains part of the setup balance, and our deck size guide can help if you're starting from scratch.
How to choose without wasting money
- Think about where you'll skate most: smooth park or rough pavement.
- Decide whether comfort and cruising or tricks and slides are the priority.
- Consider hardness and diameter together.
- Remember that wheel shape and urethane formula matter too.
- Check wheel clearance and test for wheelbite before skating.
Browse FK's Wheels collection when you're ready to compare what's available, or our Decks collection if you're building a board.
Quick FAQs
Are 78A wheels too soft for tricks?
Not impossible to use, but they grip more and are usually less willing to slide.
Are 99A wheels good for beginners?
Yes, especially on smooth park surfaces.
Are 101A wheels always faster?
No. Ground surface and wheel design affect rolling speed.
The FK takeaway
Match your wheels to the ground, not the hype. Softer wheels can make rough journeys less of a battle; harder wheels offer a direct, slide-friendly feel on smoother ground. Built by misfits. Made for everyone.