a Roller Skate Wheel Guide
The wonderful world of wheels can be overwhelming, especially when you're first starting out in your roller derby career! There's a lot of factors that contribute to the type of wheels you’ll need, so our goal is to break everything down so you can feel wheelie good about your skate setup! Let's start with some vocabulary you’ll need to know to talk about wheels.
Durometer
Durometer is a standardized way to measure the hardness of materials like plastics and rubber. A skate wheel's durometer tells you how hard or soft the wheel is. They usually range from 78A-103A with 78A being the softest wheels and 103A being the hardest wheels. Softer wheels have more grip while harder wheels are more slippery. Selecting what durometer is right for you depends on a variety of factors that we'll elaborate on below.
Diameter
The diameter of the wheel measures how tall the wheel is from top to bottom. This is measured in millimeters and ranges from 50mm-70mm. The most common wheel diameters for derby are 59mm and 62mm with 62mm being the standard size and 59mm being a little bit smaller for a more lightweight setup. The diameter of a skate wheel affects how quickly you can accelerate, how tightly you can turn, and how stable you are.
Width
The width measures how wide the wheel is or, essentially, how much wheel is making contact with the floor at once. Widths are measured in millimeters that range from 31mm-44mm with the most common size for derby being 38mm. 44mm can provide a lot of stability, but are not very agile so they are good for beginners. The most common wheel size for derby is 59mm x 38mm, but you can opt for a taller or wider wheel based on your preferences and experience. Let’s move on to factors that affect the type of wheel you’ll want.
Skating Surfaces
This is by far the most important factor to consider when you’re deciding on a roller skate wheel. Every floor is different and has a unique personality. Lower durometer wheels are stickier and higher durometer wheels are more slippery, but faster. If you’re skating at a new place or dropping in for a mixer it's best to ask the home team skaters for wheel recommendations. For example, Chicago-Style Roller Derby's home rink, Coachlite Skate Center, has floors described as “strangely sticky” so most of us use higher durometer wheels typically ranging from 95A-99A.
Here is a very general guide to which durometer is best for each floor:
Outside/asphalt: 78A-82A
Concrete or sport court: 90A-95A
Gym floors or wooden roller rink: 95A-103A
As previously mentioned the best way to know a floor is to ask the home team what durometer they use!
Skater Style
Blockers tend to use lower durometer wheels relative to jammers because it’s easier to plow stop and block when your wheels are stickier. Jammers have a need for speed and tend to opt for higher durometer wheels compared to blockers. Jammers may also choose a narrower wheel so it's easier to slip through the pack. Newer skaters should opt for a lower durometer and/or a wider wheel so they have more grip and stability while they learn the basics.
Body Type
Skaters under 120 lbs or over 200 lbs may need to consider their weight when selecting wheels. Skaters under 120 lbs exert less force downward when they skate because they are lighter. Therefore, they may need grippier (lower durometer) wheels compared to their heavier teammates on the same floor. The opposite is true for skaters over 200 lbs as they exert more force downward when they skate. Therefore, they may need less grippy wheels (higher durometer) than their lighter teammates on the same floor.
Personal preference
We’ve been giving you plenty of generalized recommendations, but now is the time to look inside your soul and ask yourself what type of wheel YOU need. Some questions to ponder; What type of floor will I be skating on the most? Am I a new skater or an experienced one? Do I value speed or stability more? Will I be blocking or jamming more? Do I need to take my weight into account? What am I hoping to get out of my wheels? How much am I willing to spend on wheels?
Outdoor Skate Wheels
Outdoor wheels are typically larger and very soft in order to roll over cracks and pebbles with ease. The preferred outdoor wheels are the Atom Pulses which are 65mm x 37mm and have a durometer of 78A. They are fantastic for outdoor skating as they can roll over pebbles and other debris without causing a fall. If you plan to do any outdoor or trail skating these wheels are highly
recommended!
trustworthy wheel brands
Atom, Bont, and Riedell are great places to start your wheel journey! They have many different options and are trusted by derby skaters. There are plenty of other wonderful brands to choose from though so have fun exploring!
Roller skate bearings
To complete your new wheels you'll need bearings. To figure out what size bearings your skates need you can check the markings on your current bearings. The most common bearing is a "608" which indicates an 8mm bearing. A "627" bearing is a 7mm bearing. If you're not sure, the size of your axle will also tell you what size bearing you need. Bearings range in price from just under $20 to well over $100. Some skaters buy less expensive bearings and replace them once per season. Some skaters buy top of the line bearings and incorporate bearing cleaning into their skate maintenance, but that's another post for another day!
Rolling It Up
Wheels can be tricky to nail down and it's important to read a roller skate wheel guide and understand what you want before you decide on a wheel. Don’t be afraid to ask other skaters for what they skate on or if you could try their wheels. Many veteran skaters own multiple sets of wheels and bust them out depending on the floor situation. The best place to start is to think about your specific skating/floor situation and go from there. I hope you find your wheelhouse! Are you a new skater and have more wheel questions? Feel free to ask them at Recruitment Night on Monday March 10th, 2025 from 7-9pm at Coachlite Skate Center.
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