Longboard dancing and freestyle have exploded in popularity, yet finding reliable information can be challenging for beginners. This guide will walk you through some of the top longboard dance and freestyle wheels available, helping you make an informed decision.
Top 9 Longboard Dancing Wheels
Fireball Tinder Wheels: Best All-Around Value
The Fireball Tinder wheels are an excellent blend of affordability and quality. Similar to the Blood Orange Morgans, these 60mm wheels feature a 35mm contact patch, an 81a durometer, and a substantial fiberglass core.
Fireball Tinder wheels for longboard dancing
Despite their 81a hardness, the urethane formula provides a surprisingly comfortable, cushy ride, effectively absorbing vibrations even on rough surfaces. They maintain impressive roll speed thanks to the combination of soft urethane and a stiff fiberglass core. This core stiffens the wheel, allowing for quick acceleration while preserving a comfortable feel.
Fireball Tinder longboard dancing wheels
Stone-ground right out of the box, the Tinder wheels are ready for sliding. However, their urethane wears relatively quickly, especially if you’re sliding frequently. Despite this, they offer a consistent feel until the core. Priced around $30, these wheels are a great value.
You can find the blue Fireball Tinder wheels here, and the red ones here.
Seismic Encore Wheels: Premium Quality
Seismic, an OG longboard company, is known for pushing the boundaries of wheel technology. Their Encore wheels, at 63.5mm, provide rapid acceleration and are lightweight, making them easy to handle and push.
Seismic Encore longboard wheels
The 33mm running surface and radiused lips facilitate smooth, predictable slides. The Defcon urethane and the industry-leading large core contribute to its lightweight, stiff, and consistent performance. While these wheels come at a premium price, their quality justifies the cost.
You can purchase these high-quality wheels here on Amazon.com.
Skate Blood Orange Jammerz: Reliable Performance
Skate Blood Orange, a brand known for supporting skaters with high-quality gear, offers the Jammerz, a retro-themed wheel designed for durability, consistency, and speed.
Skate Blood Orange Jammerz longboard wheels
These 60mm wheels are among the smallest on this list, which means they accelerate quickly and are lightweight, but they might struggle with pebbles and cracks. They are available in 66mm and 69mm options for riders seeking a more versatile wheel. The 82a durometer makes them a harder wheel, contributing to quicker acceleration.
You can find these wheels here on Amazon.com.
EZ Hawgs: Lightweight and Fast
The 63mm EZ Hawgs from Hawgs are fast-rolling and lightweight, with impressive acceleration and speed maintenance.
EZ Hawgs longboard wheels for dancing
Perfect for dancing, these wheels also slide well, allowing for easy board rotation. Their main drawback is that they can transmit a lot of road vibration on rougher surfaces, making them less comfortable for commuting.
Get your set here at the Landyachtz website and use the code “AroniSkate&Explore15” for 5% off.
Orangatang Fat Free 65mm Wheels: Ideal for Dancing
Orangatang, a popular brand among longboard dancers, offers the 65mm Fat Free wheels. The 37mm narrow contact patch is optimal for smooth slides and quick acceleration.
Orangatang Fat Free 65mm longboard wheels
These coreless wheels provide more urethane, which helps absorb vibrations and impacts from landings. Available in various durometers (77a, 80a, 83a, and 86a), the 80a is a good middle-ground option, balancing vibration absorption and acceleration.
You can find these versatile wheels here on Amazon.com.
Skate Blood Orange Morgan Pro Series: Predictable Slides
Designed by Liam Morgan, the Blood Orange Morgan Pro Series wheels are known for their consistent, predictable slides. Available in 60mm, 65mm, and 70mm sizes, the 65mm option is highly recommended.
Skate Blood Orange Morgan Pro Series longboard wheels
The chalky urethane provides consistent slide initiation and control, regardless of the pavement. The 82a durometer and large core contribute to fast acceleration and roll speed.
Check them out here at the Stoked Ride Shop.
Powell-Peralta Snakes: Best for Freestyle
Powell-Peralta, a long-standing name in the skateboarding industry, offers the Snakes, ideal for riders who mix slides into their freestyle and dance.
Powell-Peralta Snakes longboard wheels
These 66mm wheels maintain speed well during slides and offer decent roll speed and acceleration. The 75a durometer is softer than most on this list, providing increased comfort and absorbing road vibration while maintaining a decent roll speed.
You can find these wheels here on Amazon.com.
Slide Perfect Supremini: Great for European Riders
Slide Perfect’s Supremini wheels are a solid option for European riders, offering good value and performance.
Slide Perfect Supremini longboard dance wheels
These 66mm wheels are designed for fast rolling and a smooth ride, with a urethane that provides a slightly grippier feel. They have a large core for a lightweight and consistent feel and are affordable.
You can purchase a set here.
Bones Wheels Rough Riders: Budget-Friendly
Bones Wheels, a pioneer in skateboarding, offers the Rough Riders. While these wheels come in at 56mm/59mm and 80a durometer, their performance is surprising.
Bones Wheels Rough Riders longboard wheels
They handle small stones and uneven pavement well, though they are susceptible to chunking. Despite the potential for damage, they are a budget-friendly option.
You can check out their price here on Amazon.com.
Longboard Dance Wheels Buying Guide
Diameter: Choosing the Right Size
Longboard wheel diameters for dancing typically range from 60mm to 70mm.
60mm Wheels
60mm wheels provide quick acceleration, easy pushing, and are lightweight. However, they lack momentum and roll speed and can easily be stopped by pebbles. They’re great for smooth surfaces where rough pavement is not a concern.
65mm Wheels
The 65mm size offers a balance between acceleration and momentum, handling pebbles better than 60mm wheels while still being lightweight. This is an ideal size for beginners.
70mm Wheels
70mm wheels (or around 69mm) have good momentum and roll smoothly but can be slow to accelerate. These are suitable for all-around use but may be heavier, making tricks more challenging for beginners.
Weight: How Much Does It Matter?
Weight does make a difference in extreme cases, such as comparing 60mm and 70mm wheels. However, differences between 60mm and 65mm are less significant and riders can adapt quickly. Factors like the board, trucks, and core design also play a key role.
The Core: Its Importance
A large core reduces a wheel’s weight. Cores support the wheel and keep the lips stiff. Wheels 65mm+ may have a large core, combining the benefits of larger wheels with the lightweight feel of smaller ones. The Seismic Encore is an example, with its notably large core.
Urethane: What to Consider
The urethane material of a wheel impacts slides, slide initiation, and how the wheel feels on different surfaces. Opt for wheels from established brands, as they use quality urethane formulas.
The urethane durometer, or hardness, affects roll speed, but this is less of a concern as most wheels fall around the 80a range.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the design and aesthetics of a wheel are often the deciding factor for many riders. The wheels highlighted above combine both great looks and excellent performance.
If you’re still unsure, the Seismic Encores are a top recommendation if your budget allows. For a more budget-friendly option, the Skate Blood Orange Morgan Pros are an excellent choice for most riders.
