Best Longboard Wheels for Sliding - Skate Culture Insider

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Gavin only feels inner peace when he's riding his board. It's a place for him to escape when he's having a bad day. He wishes other people could discover how much potential there is for self-discovery in skateboarding, which is why he's here to help you.

Top Picks at a Glance

Metro Motion Magenta Skate Wheels

Dimensions: 70mm x 44.5mm
Durometer: 80a
Contact Patch: 41.3mm
Hub Setting: Center set Hub
Lip Profile: Rounded

Sector 9 Butterballs

Dimensions: 70mm x 44mm
Durometer: 80a
Contact Patch: 40mm
Hub Setting: Center set Hub
Lip Profile: Rounded

Volante Liam Morgan Freeride Wheels

Dimensions: 70mm x 50mm
Durometer: 82a
Contact Patch: 46mm
Hub Setting: 1mm Offset Hub
Lip Profile: Rounded

Hawgs Mini Zombie Wheels

Dimensions: 70mm x 46mm
Durometer: 80a
Contact Patch: 38mm
Hub Setting: Center set Hub
Lip Profile: Rounded

Orangatang Stimulus Freeride Wheels

Dimensions: 70mm x 49mm
Durometer:77a, 80a, 83a & 86a
Contact Patch: 42mm
Hub Setting: Offset Hub
Lip Profile: Rounded

Blood Orange Liam Morgan Pro Series Wheels

Dimensions: 70mm x 46.25mm
Durometer: 80a, 82a & 84a
Contact Patch: 32mm
Hub Setting: Offset Hub
Lip Profile: Rounded

Powell Peralta Snakes Wheels

Dimensions: 69mm x 48mm
Durometer: 75a
Contact Patch: 44mm
Hub Setting: Offset Hub
Lip Profile: Rounded

The History of Longboarding

The art of longboarding originated in the early 1950s. A legendary individual called Preston Nichols was bored and frustrated after experiencing long periods without surfing. His idea was to bring surfing to land, and that is precisely what he did.

By shaping an unusual skateboard deck inspired by his beloved surfboard, fitting softer over-sized wheels, and loosening the trucks, he created one of the most exhilarating and satisfying board sports. Thank You, Preston !!

The Evolution of Longboarding

Longboarding has evolved significantly over the past few decades. Massive advances in deck composition, aerodynamics, trucks, bearings, and wheels have resulted in longboarders bombing hills at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (97km/h).

Longboarding has traditionally taken a back seat to shortboards, but today they are just as popular. Additionally, as guys are becoming more aware of their carbon footprint, they are becoming increasingly more popular as a mode of transportation.

The Best Longboard Wheels for Sliding

Below are the seven best longboard wheels for sliding:

Metro Motion Magenta Skate Wheels

Metro Skate Wheels is owned and operated by the infamous Buddy Carr Skate Brand. The company is based in Oceanside, California, and has earned a reputation for innovation, performance, and quality. They are known for producing fun wheels, and that is what longboarding is all about.

The Motion Series from Metro Wheels is the institution’s best-selling longboard wheels. They are designed for free riders and deliver consistent, smooth, and controlled slides all day long. Although designed to go sideways, the Motion Series can be used for cruising around and even downhill to a certain degree.

The Metro Motion Series Wheels have a height of 70mm, a width of 44.5mm, and a contact patch of 41.3mm. The Magenta Wheels have a durometer of 78a, a rounded lip, a center-set hub, and a wonderfully sanded roll surface. These wheels are made from premium polyurethane and look good too.

Pros

Excellent longboard sliding wheels from Metro Wheels.
Made from high-quality urethane
Delivers smooth, consistent, and controlled slides
Versatile Longboard Wheels that can be used for freeriding, cruising, and downhill.
The rounded Lip design allows you to get into the free ride slide quicker

Cons

These wheels are for beginners

Sector 9 Butterballs Longboard Skating Wheels

Sector 9 has been making premium skateboards, equipment, and skating accessories since 1993. The company was founded by Dennis Telfer, Steve Lake, Dave Klimkiewicz, and Tal O’Farrell in La Jolla, California, and later moved its headquarters to San Diego, California.

These guys have been dedicated to producing the finest longboards, cruisers, and premium skate/surf apparel. The Sector 9 Butterballs is one of their finest creations and one of the most used sliding wheels in longboarding and freeriding. As their name suggests, they deliver silky smooth and buttery slides while leaving ridiculous thane lines for days.

Sector 9 Butterballs Sliding Wheels have a height of 70mm, a width of 44mm, and a contact patch of 40mm. They have a durometer of 80a, a rounded lip, and a center set hub. I love the look of these wheels, they have an attractive and funky design with soft colors.

Pros

Excellent Longboard Sliding Wheels from an iconic Longboard Company.
Made from premium urethane.
Butterballs leave chunky thane lines on the skating surface.
Deliver soft, smooth, and buttery slides.
Slides are controlled and predictable.
Versatile
Excellent performance on twisty roads where grip is vital
Eliminate the need to change wheels for varied skating surfaces.

Cons

Wide contact patch
Not designed for extreme speed

Volante “The Morgan” Freeride Wheels

Liam Morgan is a legend in the sport of longboarding and is often referred to as the smartest man sport. His companies have been creating premium products for the skating industry since 2009.

Volante ‘The Morgan’ Freeride Wheel Series is the first pro model for the brand. This series of sliding wheels are designed for longboarders who possess a competitive edge. Guys who constantly push themselves and the boundaries of longboarding will enjoy this set-up and performance.

They have a height of 70mm, a width of 50mm, and a contact patch of 46mm. This series has a durometer of 82a and a 1mm offset hub. Volante ‘The Morgan’ Freeride Series is an excellent set of longboard wheels for sliding and freeriding. But they are versatile and can be used for carving and cruising too.

Pros

First Liam Morgan Pro Model Series
Exceptional longboarding pedigree
Made from the highest quality materials
Designed for free riders who push the limits
Delivers gentle slides with extensive Thane Lines

Cons

Not ideal for beginners

Mini Zombie Hawgs

Mini Zombie Hawgs are a smaller version of the popular Zombie Hawgs. The original Zombie wheel has a height of 76mm, while the Mini Zombies wheels feature a height of 70mm. The Mini Zombies are fun wheels with an excellent freeride formula, an 80a durometer, and a rounded lip design.

This recipe makes these wheels ideal for beginner free riders to get used to sliding but is also ideal for accomplished free-riders and longboarders to improve their technique.

Hawgs Mini Zombies have a height of 70mm, a width of 46mm, a contact patch of 38mm, and a center set hub. They are great-looking wheels, compliment any longboard, and feature a classic design with attractive colors.

Pros

Quality Sliding Wheels from Hawgs.
An excellent smaller version of the 76mm Zombie Hawgs.
Ideal for beginners and accomplished free riders.
Easy to get into the slide with high levels of control and stability.
Fun all-around wheels.
Affordable.

Cons

These wheels are so popular that is difficult to find stock.

Orangatang Stimulus Freeride Longboard Skateboard Wheels

Orangatang Stimulus Freeride Wheels are amongst the fastest wheels on the market but are perfect for freeriding and downhill skating. The company motto is simple, do one thing and do it to the best of your ability. This motto rings true with the Stimulus Longboard Series, with the company calling it the ‘Jack of all trades’ longboard wheel.

Again they got it spot on, as these wheels are versatile, smooth, long-lasting, offer high levels of grip, are easy to slide, and are seriously fast.

The Stimulus Freeride Series has a height of 70mm, a width of 49mm, a contact patch of 42mm, a rounded lip, and an offset hub. The Stimulus Series wheels are color-coded according to their durometer, 80a is orange, 83a is purple, and 86a is yellow.

Pros

Premium longboard skating wheels by Orangatang Wheels.
One of the fastest wheels on the market.
At 49mm, they are one of the Widest wheels available.
Easy to get into a slide.
Delivers long, soft, and buttery slides with medium Thane Lines
Fantastic all-round longboard wheels

Cons

These wheels are fantastic, I cannot find a suitable con at this time

Blood Orange Liam Morgan Pro Series Freeride

Liam Morgan features again on this list. This time with the impressive Blood Orange Pro Series Freeride Wheels. These are some of the best longboard sliding wheels on the planet and were designed to slide and leave an obscene amount of thane on the skating surface. These wheels are fast and allow you to achieve some impressive freeriding speeds.

The Liam Morgan Blood Orange Pro Series Freeride Series has a height of 70mm, a width of 49mm, and a contact patch of 42mm. They feature an offset hub and wonderfully rounded lip design and are available in three different durometers to accommodate all sizes and skating styles.

These wheels slide easily and make you look good doing it. The colors are bold, the branding is subtle, and they are good-looking skating wheels.

Pros

Liam Morgan Signature Series
World-class Sliding Wheels made to the highest standard.
Designed for pro-free riders.
Superfast for freeriding wheels
Made from premium urethane.
Designed to slide and leave thane lines on the skating surface.
Available in 80a, 82, and 84a durometers.
Well-Priced

Cons

These wheels are too fast for beginners and intermediates

Powell Peralta Snakes

Powell Peralta is one of the oldest and most reputable brands in the skating industry. Founded by George Powell and Stacy Peralta way back in 1978, they have produced quality skateboards, skating accessories, and skating apparel for some of the biggest names in the sport.

They are also responsible for the iconic Bones Brand and the Bones Brigade. These guys eat, sleep, and breathe skateboarding, which is why their products are innovative and of the highest quality.

The Powell Peralta Snakes Series are the softest in this category, featuring a durometer of 75a. They deliver insane levels of grip and are designed to handle and conquer the harshest skating terrain.

They have a height of 69mm, a width of 48mm, and a contact patch of 44mm. The durometer is 75a, and it features a rounded lip design with a center set hub. These wheels look gnarly with skulls and snakeskin patterns, an excellent choice for beginner, intermediate and experienced longboarders.

Pros

Excellent sliding wheels from a legendary skating brand
Made from the finest materials.
Designed to handle the harshest skating surfaces.
Lowest durometer (75a) in its class.
Ideal for beginners, intermediates, and experienced free riders.
Durable.
Affordable.

Cons

Not ideal for pros

Longboarding Terminology and Slang

Board Riders tend to speak in their own language and often use words or phrases that might seem foreign to outsiders. Below is a list of longboard jargon to help clear up any confusion and improve your longboard lingo.

Bomb: To Bomb is to go down and conquer a hill.
Thane: Thane is short for urethane or polyurethane.
Thane Lines: Thane Lines are skid marks left on the road from your magnificent slides.
Complete: Complete refers to a finished skateboard and includes deck, trucks, bearings, wheels, and anti-slip grip tape.
Durometer: Durometer refers to the firmness of your wheels. A low durometer equates to soft wheels, while a high durometer equates to hard wheels.
Contact Patch: Contact Patch refers to the surface area of your wheel that is in contact with the ground.
Buttery Slide: A Buttery Slide refers to a soft, smooth, and controlled slide. This gorgeous slide is achieved by sliding with soft compound sliding wheels at medium speeds.
Icy Slide: An Icy Slide refers to a high-speed slide with limited control, similar to skidding on hard ice at high speeds. This insane slide is achieved by sliding with hard compound sliding wheels at high speeds.
Mobbing: Mobbing refers to a skater going really fast.
Stoked: Stoked is an expression used when one is super hyped or excited.
Brain Bucket: Brain Bucket refers to your helmet. No matter what your style is, always wear your Brain Bucket.

Longboarding Etiquette

Just like all sports, longboarding has an etiquette that needs to be followed. It is important to ensure safety for all longboarders, but also to set a good example to groms who may be looking up to you.

Always wear the correct safety gear, the last thing you want to do when longboarding is obanden the session and haul your mate off to hospital.
Always stay in your lane, in the United States that would be on the right hand side of the road. Longboarding is a dangerous sport, not staying in your lane could get you or someone else killed.
Allow dogs, pedestrians, cyclists, and cars right of way or sufficient space to pass.
Allows adhere to the rules of the road. Slow down at yield and caution signs, stop at all stop streets and traffic lights.
Do not skate in areas displaying a no skating sign.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: Do you Require Specialized Wheels to Slide on a Longboard?

Answer: If you are crazy enough and able to generate the required speed, you can slide on any longboard wheel. However, wheels designed for sliding will make this task easier and afford you more control, stability, and street cred.
Freeride and downhill longboard sliding wheels feature specific slide formulas. They offer less surface contact and feature a rounded lip design. The rounded lip design reduces friction and allows you to turn into the slide with ease. The slide formula provides sufficient friction to bring you to a safe stop.

Question: Are Bigger Wheels a Better Option for Longboarding?

Answer: Soft composite wheels offer high levels of grip but are slower than harder wheels. Harder wheels are faster, but they do not provide much grip.
Longboards are equipped with larger and softer wheels, this is necessary because the deck is wider and longer than conventional shortboards. The softer and larger wheels offer stability and grip over any skating surface. Shortboards are equipped with small hard wheels.

Question: What is so Unique About Shark Wheels?

Answer: Shark Wheels are designed to give the skater exceptional maneuverability over extreme terrain. This terrain includes water, debris, or any other unforeseen conditions that may present themselves. In addition to the extra maneuverability, the Shark Wheels will not deteriorate as quickly as conventional longboard skating wheels.

Question: Are 75mm Diameter Wheels Good for Longboarding?

Answer: 75mm diameter wheels are perfect for longboarding. Larger diameter wheels are typically used for longboarding and cruising. Cruising wheels can measure from 75mm to 80mm, and provide exceptional grip and stability.
70mm is the average size for longboarding and is used by free riders. I recommend you try a few different sizes and compounds until you find which wheel suits you best.

Question: Which Direction do Longboard Trucks Go?

Answer: Great question. Standard kingpin trucks for shortboards are positioned with the kingpins (screws) facing towards the inside. This protects it when the skater is doing grinds and extreme tricks.
Longboards feature reverse kingpins (screws) because longboarders aren’t able to achieve these types of Tricks. The kingpin (screw) is the center bolt on which the hanger (trucks) pivot.

Conclusion

Longboard Sliding Wheels and longboarding, in general, have evolved significantly over the past few decades, and I am genuinely excited to see what these guys come up with in the future. Freeriders are achieving higher speeds and producing faster, smoother slides, with many sought-after thane lines.

When choosing the perfect wheels, consider your needs, experience, and level of skating. Pro Series Longboard Sliding Wheels are amazing but are difficult to handle if you aren’t a pro.

Of all the wheels reviewed my top pick is the Sector 9 Butterballs. I love this brand and its world-class products. Butterballs from Sector 9 are the most widely used sliding wheels on the planet, and for good reason too. These quality longboard sliding wheels deliver soft, controlled, buttery slides while leaving impressive thane lines. The 80a durometer provides insane levels of grip and allows you to skate varied terrain. The rounded lip design empowers you to get into a slide with ease.

The overall versatility and 44mm contact patch offer high levels of slide control and make these sliding wheels perfect for beginners, intermediate, and experienced longboarders. These aren’t the fastest wheels available. So if you are competitive and hope to be a pro soon, a pro series sliding wheel such as the Liam Morgan Blood Orange Pro Series might be a better option for you.

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