Best Longboarding Wheels for Cruising, Downhill, Sliding in 2019

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Longboarding can be a very relieving activity and is also considered as a stress buster for many people. That can affect the ride and ruin the whole experience, to begin with.
Wheels form a very important part of the ride and can affect the journey to a great extent if not chosen correctly. Larger and softer wheels provide a better ride for cruising around the roads and also offer easy maneuverability on the streets. Smaller wheels, on the other hand, are going to provide a slower ride.

Buying longboard wheels can get a bit tricky if you are not aware of the features and options that a wheel has to have, to give a trouble-free ride. It usually depends on the style of riding, whether it is for general commuting or downhill or cruising. Based on these styles, you have to look for the perfect companion that will tune in awith your style of riding.

Our Top 10 Longboard Wheels Picks & Reviews

Choosing longboard wheels becomes a tedious option as there are huge varieties of options available in the market with different sizes, color, diameter, et. So, we have picked out the best products and reviewed some of the best longboarding wheels for cruising as well as longboard wheels for sliding and wheels for other riding styles whichever you prefer.

Contents

1 Best Longboarding Wheels for Cruising, Downhill, Sliding in 2019

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS	price
Sector 9 Nine Ball	Sector 9 Nine Ball	Sector 9 Nine Ball	Diameter:70mm Durometer:74mm Wheels:Set of 4	Check On Amazon
Orangatang Kegel 80 mm Wheels	Orangatang Kegel 80 mm Wheels	Orangatang Kegel 80 mm Wheels	Diameter:80mm Core:46mm Wheels:Set of 4	Check On Amazon
Orangatang Stimulus 70 mm Wheels	Orangatang Stimulus 70 mm Wheels	Orangatang Stimulus 70 mm Wheels	Diameter:70mm Contact Patch:42mm Wheels:Set of 4	Check On Amazon
Sector 9 Slide Butterballs Wheels	Sector 9 Slide Butterballs Wheels	Sector 9 Slide Butterballs Wheels	Durometer:80A Core:Special Cosmic Centerset Contact Patch:38mm Wheels:Set of 4	Check On Amazon
Shark Wheel Sidewinder Wheels	Shark Wheel Sidewinder Wheels	Shark Wheel Sidewinder Wheels	Diameter:70mm Durometer:78A Wheels:Set of 4	Check On Amazon
Orangatan in Heat Orange Wheels	Orangatan in Heat Orange Wheels	Orangatan in Heat Orange Wheels	Diameter:75mm Wheels:Set of 4	Check On Amazon
Sector 9 Nine Ball 69Mm	Sector 9 Nine Ball 69Mm	Sector 9 Nine Ball 69Mm	Diameter:69mm Durometer:78A Wheels:Set of 4	Check On Amazon
MBS All-Terrain Longboard Wheels	MBS All-Terrain Longboard Wheels	MBS All-Terrain Longboard Wheels	Diameter:65mm Durometer:78A Wheels:Set of 4	Check On Amazon
Bigfoot Longboard Wheels	Bigfoot Longboard Wheels	Bigfoot Longboard Wheels	Diameter:76mm Durometer:80A Wheels:Set of 4	Check On Amazon
FREEDARE 58mm Wheels	FREEDARE 58mm Wheels	FREEDARE 58mm Wheels	Diameter:58mm Durometer:82A Wheels:Set of 4	Check On Amazon

1. Sector 9 Nine Ball

FEATURES

Extra features: Soft urethane built provides added control over the quality of ride.

The Sector 9 Nine Ball longboard wheels are considered to be one of the top performers in this category, producing high performance every time you go out and test it. You don’t have to keep wondering anymore about which longboard wheels are best for cruising because you have got the answer right here in this product.

These wheels come with a 70mm diameter and 78A durometer, which ensures that the wheel is harder to bear the rough grounds as well as maintain good balance when riding. They will guarantee you a smooth and quiet ride around the city as per your desires.

The soft urethane built provides added control over the quality of ride, hence providing a gentler and softer ride than usual. This formula also allows them to absorb all sorts of vibration and offer a carefree and steady ride without any wear and tear in the near future. This product also gives you a huge variety of designs and colors to choose from, depending on your tastes and preferences. They might require a harder push than usual at the beginning of the ride, but rest assured, these are the best longboard cruising wheels you can get in the market right now.

Pros

Cons

2. Orangatang Kegel 80 mm Wheels

FEATURES

Extra features: This longboard provides a deck of 42-inches, that would be a perfect fit for amateurs or beginners.

The Orangatang Kegel wheels are said to be the best downhill longboarding wheels that are designed specifically to give you maximum speed and grip that is required for downhill cruising or pumping. The Orangatang urethane formula is designed to give these wheels a push that will sway you away from your feet and allow you to glide smoothly over different surfaces. It also has a large core, measuring 46mm, helping in reducing the weight that, in turn, offers quick acceleration and sharp turns around the corner.

These puppies can rollover any terrains that come in its way, be it rocks or cracks or potholes, to offer you a safe and stable ride all along. They come with a large diameter of 80mm to guarantee ultimate traction over any grounds. The square lip shape of the wheels helps in providing a good grip over roads and enhances the overall ride experience needed for downhill longboarding.

The wheels pose a very strong grip to give a sharper response timing while sliding or carving. They may be a little expensive, but if you can set your budget accordingly, you might get a good deal for these versatile longboard wheels.

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3. Orangatang Stimulus 70 mm Wheels

FEATURES

Extra features: The happy thane formula ensures a faster and buttery ride and swift transitions along the grounds.

The Orangatang Stimulus longboarding wheels are no doubt the best longboard freeriding wheels available in the market right now. These belong in the middle-sized wheel family that offers a versatile purposed ride, but most importantly, they excel in freestyle riding. The happy thane formula ensures a faster and buttery ride and swift transitions along the grounds. It comes with a diameter of 70mm, which is large enough to carry abundant speed and can perform slides and longboarding techniques with complete ease.

As mentioned above, these wheels will provide a smooth to go ride due to the rounded lips and a stone-ground contact patch that reduces grip on the ground, thereby offering more speed that would be required in a freestyle boarding. These are available in different sizes to suit your requirements, ranging from a durometer of 77a to 86a.

They have a 42mm contact patch and beveled lips that will be a perfect choice for anyone who loves to slide around the streets. These wheels, though, provide lesser grip due to the round shape and soft thane formula, but they can make up for it on tighter bends and turns and do not require a larger push to move forward. If you want to tag these wheels, it will be probably a good idea for your next ride, as they are here to stay, for all of those who love sliding or carving or freestyling their way throughout the city.

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Cons

4. Sector 9 Slide Butterballs Wheels

FEATURES

Extra features: W-concave in the center of the deck for comforting support.

The Sector 9 Slide Butterballs longboard wheels are built with a soft urethane formula that will guarantee you a smooth and controlled slide. When you need to ask yourself about the good options for longboarding wheels for sliding, the sector 9 slide wheels have secured a good position in terms of wheels that are one of the best options when sliding or carving. The wheels have a 38mm contact patch, which makes the ride smoother and an 80A durometer, which is the higher rate in the scale of hardness of the wheel, offering a steady and stable ride. These have a round lip shape with soft edges, which reduces the friction on the ground while riding, allowing riders to pick up speed while carving easily.

Good thing that this product uses the special Cosmic Centerset Core, which helps in better flips and, therefore, more satisfaction. This falls in the category of someone of the best longboards for sliding wheels you can choose from for the purposes of sliding or carving, and they are affordable and hence will serve a good purpose for those people who want to keep the budget on a lower side, especially students. They can’t slide perfectly but provide you with an excellent grip because of their softness.

These will serve as a good option even for novices when they are just learning to slide and carve and will provide good training.

Pros

Cons

5. Shark Wheel Sidewinder Wheels

FEATURES

Extra features: The high-rebound polyurethane built makes them roll over any surface with absolute ease.

The Shark Wheel Sidewinder Longboard Wheels are carefully engineered with advanced technology to avoid any loose ends in order to prevent further injuries to its riders. The wheels have a diameter of 70mm to employ easy-grip onto the ground and a durometer of 78a, which is sort of a universal chart size for wheels and helps in providing good balance during the ride.

The amazing Sidewinder technology in these wheels gives them higher traction, and all in one lip shape enables ultimate lateral grip. This is the main reason why this is one of the best longboard wheels for cruising and speed, as it provides good traction and grip on the roads and thereby enabling better cruising skills.

You can ride on all types of terrains, and the friction they produce is also less because of the wavy pattern in them, increasing the stability and overall speed of the ride. The high-rebound polyurethane built makes them roll over any surface with absolute ease. They are long-lasting wheels with guaranteed quality performance, providing better slide control, even on repeated use.

Pros

Cons

6. Orangatan in Heat Orange Wheels

FEATURES

Extra features: The rippled and soft urethane pattern formula of Orangatan provides a more stable and balanced ride with less push off.

The Orangatang heat longboarding wheels are the most versatile wheels right now in the market and are designed to achieve maximum speed on the ground. We are not joking about the versatility of these wheels, because they are suitable for carving or pumping or downhill cruising or sliding, you name it!

The wheels come in a diameter of 75mm, helping them move over any type of surface you take them to. The square-shaped lips are made to attain ultimate traction on the roads as and when desired. It also has a strong and supportive core that helps in maintaining a smooth ride and more responsive slides and turns. The rippled and soft urethane pattern formula of Orangatan provides a more stable and balanced ride with less push off.

These wheels are available in four other durometers, ranging from 77A to 86A so that you can choose the best one as per your preference. These might not be a great option when considered for sliding, but because of their responsive and sharp turns and tricks they help in, they are known to be one of the best longboard wheels for carving.

Pros

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7. Sector 9 Nine Ball 69mm

FEATURES

Extra features: They come in squared shaped lip to help you carve a little deeper and with great ease.

The Sector 9 Nine Ball longboard wheels are considered to be one of the best longboard wheels for commuting. As we discussed in the previous write-ups, a good wheel for commuting should be able to maintain a good grip and balance while riding and should work its magic even for larger distances.
These wheels are built with top-shelf urethane formula, which works like magic, to give a better grip and traction as well as a good feeling about themselves instantly. The wheels fir perfect for long-distance commuting on smooth roads and the sidewalks. These are also compatible with almost all carving boards, so you don’t have to worry about the installation.

These wheels can bear the harshest of terrain but work best when not used for excessive downhill cruising around the block. They have a sharp, flexible lip with soft built 69mm durometer. Though the rating of durometer is lower than other similar branded wheels, when you are considering them for general commuting and cruising across streets, these won’t give any problem and will ensure a safe and entertaining ride at the same time. For increased speed, you will need bigger wheels with large diameter, as they will provide quick acceleration than smaller wheels and these wheels offer you bigger wheels needed as per your preferences.

The wheels are built with an offset core that is willing to offer you more responsive slides and sharp turns while ensuring proper grip and traction to the ground. They come in the square-shaped lip to help you carve a little deeper and with great ease. The wheels come with a natural shiny finish to give them a glossy look and also increases the overall grip on the ground.

Pros

Cons

8. MBS All-Terrain Longboard Wheels

FEATURES

Extra features: They provide a lot of traction on the grounds.

The MBS All-Terrain longboard wheels are one of the most popular and best all-terrain longboard wheels in the market right now. These wheels are cast with 78a super-high-rebound urethane that will guarantee you quick acceleration and increased speed like no other.

The durometer rating of 78A is the universal rating when it comes to wheels, and therefore, you don’t have to worry about the performance issues. These babies can rollover any surface without any worries and give good traction onto the ground for a balanced and stable ride at any kind of terrain.
These wheels can bear the harshest of terrains, and you can carelessly take them out, even at rocky or bumpy or a road full of potholes.

The dimensions of the wheels are 100mm x 65mm that would be a perfect addition to your longboarding wardrobe. They provide a lot of traction on the grounds, so you can be all cheery about showing off those off-road capabilities you had practiced without any disturbances. Not just normal surfaces, these wheels are also amazing in showing awesome gripping powers on wet surfaces, but we would still recommend not to use them on too wet surfaces as they can still slip or slide, leading to injuries.

Pros

Cons

9. Bigfoot Longboard Wheels

FEATURES

Extra features: They also provide you with good gripping power due to their offset core and help you in maintaining a balanced ride all along your way.

The Bigfoot longboard wheels are in the category of best cheap longboard wheels and are quite affordable for everyone. If you are looking for a good quality longboard wheel without wanting to burn a hole in your pockets, these are certainly the best available option in the market. These wheels come with a diameter of 76mm, which is quite good to maintain speed over rough grounds and a durometer rating of 80A to help them remain stable when going too fast. They also provide you with good gripping power due to their offset core and help you in maintaining a balanced ride all along your way. You can easily control the slides perfectly, with the help of these wheels.

They can provide a consistent grip even if you are riding on solid rocky ground or bumpy roads or harsh terrains. The soft urethane formula of the wheels will definitely give you a comfortable ride as you ride your longboard.

These might not be the best option for pro longboarders but can surprise you with its carving and downhill cruising skills at any point of the day. These wheels are the perfect present for people who are amateurs or beginners in the area of skateboarding or longboarding.

Pros

Cons

10. FREEDARE 58mm Wheels

FEATURES

Extra features: The bearing steel comes pre-lubricated, which is supposed to be a better alternative for increased speed and durability.

The Freedare Longboarding wheels can be measured as having a 58 mm diameter, that can be considered a little less for a longboard, but these have proved the statement wrong. The lower diameter is still remarkable and works with great precision to bring you a smooth and comfortable ride onto the streets. They might be a little small in diameter, but the height and width make up for the loophole and help in providing the end-user a carefree ride.

It comes with a durometer of 82A, which is pretty amazing as it ensures a smoother ride even on the harshest of the grounds. The bearing steel comes pre-lubricated, which is supposed to be a better alternative for increased speed and durability. These wheels are best known for their cruising and street style tricks fanatic. They are easy to install and assemble. You just have to place the wheels on the axle like regular wheels lightly and voila! You are ready to go cruising, baby.

These wheels are made of Polyurethane with a softness of 82A, which helps in providing good traction on the surface. They are very affordable in terms of price, but that does not compromise with the quality of the material used. The complete set comes with 10.5mm spacers as well as ABEC-7 steel bearings, which are made of high carbon chromium. These wheels might not be a perfect fit for smaller boards and tricks on the streets but are still one of the best soft cruiser longboard wheels available right now.

Pros

Cons

Picking the right kind of wheels can be a little overwhelming for people because there are a lot of options available in the market. All longboard wheels have different features that make them suitable for different riding styles and having full information about them can help you better at choosing the best set of wheels.

For example, if you are majorly into downhill longboarding, consider buying thick squared edgy wheels as they offer a good grip on the ground and look for large diameter wheels with soft urethane material to get a more balanced ride while downhill cruising. For freeride longboarding try to pick round wheels with lower diameter for easy sliding on the grounds. For cruising longboard, again look for softer wheels with a large diameter for a better experience.

Things to Consider While Buying Longboard Wheels for Sliding

Durometer for Sliding
Durometer is one of the most important features while selecting a good wheel for your longboard. It is used for measuring the hardness of wheels. The hardness of the wheels is directly proportional to the speed of the board and indirectly proportional to the grip they will provide.
The companies usually rate the wheels on a Durometer A scale that ranges from 1 to 100, which entail a harder wheel as the number goes up.
For better sliding, choose wheels with a high durometer rating as it will provide less grip and will help more in sliding and increased stability.
Urethane Characteristics for Sliding –
This is an important factor for sliding longboards, as it decides the transition of the board onto the ground and affects the performance of the whole ride. Urethane formulas are categorized into two, freeride and downhill formulas.
When sliding, always pick up wheels having soft urethane (i.e., freeride) formula because it will offer you smoother slides with swift transitions. Downhill urethane formula is helpful for cruising or downhill longboarding, as it will provide more grip and balance on rough grounds.
Core Placement–
The core of the wheel helps in spreading out the heat that is cast out by the rotating bearings to avoid deforming or melting. You need to have a good core placement when sliding, because of the increased speed while sliding can cause the wheel to hurl more heat as compared to cruising or downhill longboarding.
There are three main cores: Sideset core, Centerset cores, and Backset cores that offer different functions to the wheel.
If you are into sliding, choose either the centreset core or the backset core as they are the best choice for riders to flip well and are considered as the go-to option for riders who love sliding or carving.
Considerable Contact Patch for Sliding –
The contact patch is the portion in the wheel’s area that makes direct contact with the ground. For sliding wheels, you need to have a thinner contact patch, as it reduces friction and provides lesser grip as compared to wider contact patches. This will help you in gaining more speed, and you can enjoy sliding and carving without any compromise.
Lip Shape for Sliding –
The lip of a wheel is known as the outer edge of the contact patch. It helps in adjusting the overall grip the wheel has. There are three major lip shapes: squared edge, rounded edge, and beveled edge. The best shape for people whose main purpose of using the longboard is for sliding or carving, is the rounded-edged wheel, as it reduces friction. This ensures a better and an even ride for sliding.
Rounded and Beveled edged shaped wheels are best suited for downhill cruising as they offer more friction and thereby offer a more balanced ride on hard grounds.

FAQ

Durometer is referred to as the hardness of the urethane that is indicated on a durometer A scale, going from 1-100. There are different durometers for different wheels that suit different riding styles.

Higher durometer means harder wheel, offering lesser grip and is mostly suitable for sliding, freeriding, or carving during longboarding.

While lower durometer provides more grip and is, therefore, suitable for downhill cruising.

Most wheels come in sizes that vary between 64mm to 80mm; 70mm being the universal size in longboard wheels. Bigger wheels will help you gain more speed as compared to smaller ones. Bigger ones are a better option when you are into downhill longboarding or while cruising as they will offer better grip and better acceleration on harsh terrain, while if you are into sliding, carving or even freeriding, opt for the smaller wheels, as they will offer less grip and help you achieve speed in less time.

To know whether the wheel is perfect for your deck, you need to consider the size, diameter, durometer, and wheelbase that is required for the deck. Larger the decks of the board, larger wheels would you require. The wheels form a major part of your longboard, and the various features of the wheels help in suiting with your skateboard style and preference.
You can use even custom-built the wheels as per your board to allow the best experience while cruising through the city.

Final Words

You have to make sure that the wheels you choose are the perfect fit for your longboard. Selecting the best wheel for your deck can be tricky, but after you go through this article, you will get clarity about the same.
The above list provides the best options that are available in the market right now and will answer your question about the best longboard wheels available for cruising and carving.

Go out and try out those sexy wheels right now!

9.7/10

TOTAL SCORE

Sector 9 Nine Ball - Editor's Choice