How to Choose Inline Skate Wheels

When it comes to inline skating, choosing the right wheels is just as important as finding skates that fit properly. The right wheels can improve speed, control, grip, and comfort, making each and every skate session more enjoyable.

At Inline Warehouse, we've put together this guide to help you pick the right inline wheels for the job, whether you're a new skater looking to get some exercise, an experienced urban skater ready to hit the streets, or anything in between.

Whether you're buying a new pair of skates or replacing worn wheels on your favorite pair, there are several key properties to consider when choosing inline skate wheels. The main factors that we will cover in this article are:

• Wheel Size (Height)
• Wheel Type
• Tire Hardness (Durometer)
• Wheel Profile

As you read through this guide, we will break down each of those terms and explain how they affect your skating experience. By the end, you'll be able to select a set of inline wheels with confidence!

Inline wheel size is measured in millimeters (mm) and refers to the height of the wheel. The size of your wheels has a huge impact on the speed, agility, comfort, and stability of any pair of skates. It essentially determines what kinds of skating your skates will be good at and where they might struggle. Generally speaking, shorter wheels are more stable and maneuverable while taller wheels are faster but harder to control.

Wheel size is a great starting point because most inline skate frames are designed to use one specific wheel size. Some specialized frames do allow for more than one wheel configuration, such as 4x90mm and 3x110mm, for skaters who want more versatility from their skates. To find the compatible wheel size for your skates, you have two places you can look: on your current wheels or on your frames.

If the graphics aren't too worn, you will find the size of the wheel printed on the face of the wheel. Most inline skates use wheels that are all the same size (known as a flat setup), but some use Hi-Lo, 'rockered' or anti-rocker setups, which will require different sized wheels for the different wheel positions. Be sure to check all four wheels on your skate to ensure that they will all fit and spin without hitting your boot.

Wheel configurations are printed on the outside face of most frames. Looking at the image above, you can see "110mm" printed on the frame, indicating that 110mm wheels are the largest wheels that will fit in that frame. Not all wheels sizes will be displayed as predominantly as this example, so be sure to look thoroughly to see if it is hidden in the frame graphics.

For safety reasons, always be sure to use the manufacturer suggested wheel setup for your skates. Smaller wheels may cause the brake to engage while skating since you are lower to the ground and can also allow debris to get lodged in between your wheels. If you try to install a wheel that is larger than the max size, the wheels will rub together or rub against the boot itself.

If you are having trouble reading your wheel sizes or frame requirements, please send us an email at info@inlinewarehouse.com with the model name or picture of your skates prior to purchasing wheels so we can help you identify the correct size.

Some wheels are specialized for a certain type of skating, while others are more versatile for use across different styles. Inline Warehouse has two pages dedicated to the different disciplines of skating. On the IW Fitness page, we focus on Fitness and Speed skating; whereas on the IW Street page, you will be immersed in the adrenaline-filled world of Aggressive and Urban inline skating. If you know what kind of skating you'll be doing, that's a great way to further narrow down which wheels are best for you. Here is a quick reference table to help define those disciplines:

Fitness wheels are designed for comfort, control, and reliability for a wide range of inline skating, from light recreational skating up to high intensity workouts. These are the wheels you would typically find on entry-level and beginner inline skates because they excel at providing a smooth and stable ride while still being capable of high speeds needed for serious outdoor fitness skating. Sizes typically range from 76mm up to 110mm, with rounded tires that balance speed, rebound, grip, and long-lasting performance for everyday skating or long-distance training.

Speed wheels (sometimes called race or marathon wheels) are highly specialized, performance-driven wheels for inline speed skaters and competitive racers. Narrow tire profiles are designed to limit resistance from the track or road and help with cornering at high speeds. Sizes typically range from 100mm to 125mm, with options available for both indoor track and outdoor road skaters.

Urban wheels are also called freeskating wheels, and they are designed for maximum maneuverability and big impacts from more aggressive skating styles in crowded environments. Whereas fitness wheels are great for long, paved paths and going fast, urban wheels are all about agility and control for navigating crowded city settings. Common sizes range from 76mm - 110mm and the majority urban wheels have a tire hardness of 85A or slightly harder.

Aggressive wheels are much smaller than other inline wheels, with flat or rounded tires that aren't traditionally fast but are extremely stable and better for executing and landing tricks. They are best suited for trick skating at skate parks, on ramps and/or grinding and sliding on various obstacles, but are not effective for long distances. Most aggressive wheels fall into a size range of 55mm to 64mm and have tire hardnesses between 88A and 95A.

Nearly all inline wheels fit into one of the four major categories above - Fitness, Speed, Urban, or Aggressive - but there's also smaller, more specialized segments of inline skating that require very specific wheels. For example, Slalom Wheels are used for skilled footwork and cone routines, All-Terrain Wheels are used for off road skating, and Wet Condition Wheels are for wet-weather fitness skating and races. If you need wheels for any of these disciplines, there's only a handful to choose from in each category.

Inline wheel hardness is a measurement that refers to the rigidity of the urethane that makes up the wheel's tire. This trait is typically represented on scale between 80A and 95A, where lower numbers represent softer wheels and higher numbers are harder compounds. Some brands create their own hardness scales, such as "Firm, XFirm, and XXFirm", and we do our best to translate those terms to their approximate durometer ratings whenever possible.

The good news is that wheel hardness is not as critical as wheel size; you won't experience any compatibility issues based on wheel hardness and most skaters would be hard pressed to even notice the difference between wheels within a few points of one another. We recommend sticking with the hardness you've been riding on and adjusting from there - softer if you want more grip and shock absorption or harder if you want more speed and better roll.

Inline wheel profile refers to the shape of a wheel when viewed from directly in front of or behind the wheel while it is in an upright skating position. Wheel profile determines how much of the wheel is making contact with the skating surface, which is known as the contact patch or footprint. Here at IW, we sort all of our wheels into one of three basic shapes: bullet, round, and flat.

While some skaters mix wheel sizes to achieve specific set ups, such as a rockered set up with slightly smaller wheels in the front on and back, or a HiLo set up with two smaller front wheels, it's usually best to to stick with matching wheel sizes and hardness unless you know what you're doing. Mixing wheel styles can affect balance, turning, and wear patterns.

Just like the tires on a car, inline skate wheels wear down through time and use. Wheels should be replaced when:

• They become heavily worn or uneven
• The wheel profile flattens significantly
• Cracks, chunking or other damage appears

Regularly rotating your skate wheels helps promote even wear and can expand their lifespan, and we have a guide for that, too! Check out our How to Rotate Inline Skate Wheels article for instructions on how to keep your wheels feeling fresh.

If your skates have been sitting unused for an extended period of time, it's a good idea to check the wheels before skating on them. Even if the wheels look fine, urethane can harden over time, especially when exposed to heat, air, or long-term storage. This may lead to reduced grip, a rough ride, or cracking, especially when you start skating again. If the wheels feel unusually hard, slippery, or don't provide a smooth roll, it's best to replace them. A fresh set of wheels will provide better grip, comfort, and control which will make skating feel better overall.

Choosing the right rollerblade wheels plays a major role in how your skates feel and perform. By understanding key factors like wheel size, type, hardness, and profile, you can fine-tune your setup to better match your skating style, ability level, and the surfaces you skate most often.

Whether you’re cruising for fitness, training for speed, navigating city streets, or dialing in a specialty setup, the right wheels can improve comfort, control, grip, and efficiency every time you lace up.

If you’re ever unsure which wheels are best for your skates, our team is always happy to help you find the right fit so you can skate with confidence and enjoy every session.

Inline Warehouse was founded by skating enthusiasts, and since 1994, it has evolved into the ultimate resource for inline skaters worldwide. We take pride in offering a meticulously curated selection of top-notch fitness skates, urban skates, aggressive skates and more. Our mission is to share in-depth expertise on these products through insightful video reviews and detailed product descriptions, empowering you to make informed decisions about your inline skating gear. Trust Inline Warehouse to be your dedicated partner in pursuing your passion for the exhilarating world of inline skating.