The 12 Best Jam Skate Wheels for Dancing, Sliding & Rhythm Skating

If you love to boogie and get down, then this article about the best jam skate wheels is made especially for you! In today’s articles, I’m going to cover the best jam skating wheels for breakdancing, outdoor jam skating, rhythm skating, shuffle skating and sliding.

In a Hurry? Here is My Top Pick for Best Jam Skate Wheels

If you are into breakdancing on your roller skates and doing floor work, then the VNLA Backspin wheels are one of the best jam skating wheels on the market today. They come in a variety of wheel hardness levels but most are hard wheels made especially for doing jam / indoor skating at the rink.

The VNLA Backspin wheel lineup also come in a variety of colors and slightly different styles to help you mix and match them to the color of your roller skates. They are indoor roller skate wheels that are sold in packs of eight wheels – enough to fit both skates. Some of the Backspin wheels have a nylon core that are lighter and a little cheaper in price, while the aluminum core versions are more solid and can take more of a pounding while roller skating.

First, I’m going to cover my top picks for the best jam skate wheels for both indoor and outdoor skating. Here I will go over my top picks for the different wheels in the dance scene.

Then, I have a handy guide at the bottom of this page where I’ll cover things like wheel hardness and which to use for each type dancing you plan to do. I’ll also talk about the differences in indoor and outdoor skating wheels.

The guide will also cover wheel diameter (height), profile (width) and durometer (hardness) so you understand what’s important whether you are skating on indoor surfaces like a roller rink floor or on smooth outdoor surfaces.

All of the wheels on this page are for quad roller skates specifically made for jam skating, dancing, sliding and rhythm skating. If you are looking for different roller skate wheels, check out my Best Roller Skate Wheels main page where I give you all the details about wheels.

If you are looking for wheels for rollerblades or inline skates, then check out my Best Roller Hockey Wheels and Best Inline Speed Skate Wheels pages where I cover more advanced wheels for those roller sports.

So, get ready to show off your jam skating moves! Let’s go!

12 Best Skate Wheels for Rhythm, Sliding & Jam Skating

VNLA Backspin Eclipse Oil Slick Jam Skate Wheels

Detailed Reviews of the Best Jam, Rhythm & Dance Wheels

1. VNLA Backspin – Best Jam Skate Wheels

If you are into jam skating, then you have to know about VNLA jam skates. They are some of the most popular and best jam skate wheels on the market today. They offer a variety of jam skating wheels that are geared especially at folks who want to breakdance on their roller skates. However, many of these wheels are also good for beginner speed skating or even everyday recreational skating.

VNLA wheels come in two main flavors – nylon and aluminum core. The nylon core is the cheaper of the two wheel types and is also cheaper. However, the aluminum core are harder, can take more of a pounding and roll stronger.

With so many colors, sizes and durometers to choose from, you can easily find something to fit your needs and style. See the handy chart below for more details.

And, if you are having a hard time figuring out which to choose, read the guide below for some help on wheel diameter, width and hardness for your skating style and skating surface.

VNLA Backspin Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for indoor surfaces like skating rinks. Also can be used on smooth outdoor surfaces like sports court and smooth concrete.
Skating Styles	Indoor Jam Skating / Floor Work / Breakdancing on Skates. Also can be used as a speed skate wheel.
Durometer	89A – 97A
Diameter / Height (in mm)	59mm or 62mm (most common)
Width (in mm)	38mm or 42mm (most common)
Wheel Varieties	Backspin Eclipse Wheels – 59mm x 38mm or 62mm x 42mm – Orange (97A), Oil Slick & Black (95A). Aluminum Core. Available at Amazon or Roller Skate Nation. Backspin Deluxe Wheels – 62mm x 42mm – Blue (92A), Red (95A), Black (97A) or Purple (97A). Aluminum Core. Available at Amazon or Roller Skate Nation. Backspin Remix – 62mm x 42mm – Black (92A), White (97A). Aluminum Core. Available at Amazon or Roller Skate Nation. Backspin Remix Lite – 62mm x 42mm – Black or White (92A). Nylon Core. Available at Roller Skate Nation. Backspin Blueprint – 62mm x 42mm – Blue (92A). Nylon Core. Available at Roller Skate Nation. Backspin Rockstar – 62mm x 42mm – Pink (92A). Nylon Core. Available at Roller Skate Nation. Backspin Trackstar – 62mm x 42mm – Orange (89A). Nylon Core. Available at Roller Skate Nation. Backspin Scribble – 62mm x 42mm – Green (91A). Nylon Core. Available at Roller Skate Nation.
Available Colors	Red, blue, purple, green, orange, light blue, pink, black, white
Core	Either Atom’s Special Hollow Core Technology or Aluminum Core
Wheels per Pack	Sold in both 4 packs and 8 packs, so check the website.

2. Riedell Sonar Ninja – Best Roller Skate Wheels for Jam Skating Indoors (Runner-Up)

Next on the list are the Sonar Ninja from Riedell. These aluminum core wheels are perfect for those who want a great set of jam skating wheels from a top skate manufacturer.

These wheels come in 2 different diameters (59mm or 62mm), 3 different colors and a variety of durometers from 88A – 94A. All of these attributes give the jam skater choice based on how much grip and slide they want for their roller skating surface.

Riedell Sonar Ninja Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for indoor surfaces like skating rinks. Also can be used on smooth outdoor surfaces like sports court and smooth concrete.
Skating Styles	Indoor Jam Skating / Floor Work / Breakdancing on Skates. Also can be used as a speed skate wheel.
Durometer	88A – 94A
Diameter / Height (in mm)	59mm or 62mm
Width (in mm)	38mm or 43mm
Wheel Varieties	59mm x 38mm – Teal (88A), Pink (91A), Blue (93A) or 62mm x 43mm – Red (90A), Purple (92A), Black (94A)
Available Colors	Purple, teal, black or red
Core	Aluminum Core
Wheels per Pack	Sold in 4 packs

3. Riedell Radar Halo – Best Jam Roller Skate Wheels for Indoors (Bronze)

Next on the list are Riedell Radar Halo. The biggest attribute of these wheels that most people notice are the hollow nylon core and all of the color choices.

Each color signifies a different durometer. This is one of the widest ranges for wheel hardness with the softest wheels coming in at 84A (Purple) and the hardest wheel at 103A (Gray). With so many different roller skate wheels to choose from, there is literally something for everyone.

The 59mm x 38mm profile may be too small for some jam skaters out there, but those wanting more agility will dig the smaller wheel profile.

Riedell Radar Halo Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for indoor surfaces like skating rinks but the softer 84A and 86A could be used outdoors as well.
Skating Styles	Indoor Jam Skating / Floor Work / Breakdancing on Skates. Also can be used as speed skating or roller derby wheels, too.
Durometer	84A – 103A
Diameter / Height (in mm)	59mm
Width (in mm)	38mm
Wheel Varieties	Purple (84A), Orange (86A), Teal (88A), Yellow (91A), Pink (93A), Blue (95A), Green (97A), White (99A), Black (101A), and Gray (103A)
Available Colors	Purple, orange, teal, yellow, pink, blue, green, white, black or gray
Core	Nylon
Wheels per Pack	Sold in 4 packs

4. Riedell Radar Energy – Best Outdoor Jam Skate Wheels

If you need a pair of outdoor roller skate wheels for outdoor use or uneven surfaces like asphalt, then check out the Riedell Radar Energy wheels. These roller skate wheels come in 3 different sizes and a variety of different colors, too.

The Radar Energy wheels all come in a 78A durometer that is perfect for outdoors. They also come in a number of smaller profiles – 31mm – 35mm which makes them nice for extra agility with less surface area. Great for those trying to rhythm or jam skate outdoors.

Riedell Radar Energy Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for outdoor surfaces like asphalt and concrete, but can be used indoors, too.
Skating Styles	Outdoor trail, rhythm, dance and jam skating
Durometer	78A
Diameter / Height (in mm)	57mm, 62mm or 65mm
Width (in mm)	31mm, 32mm or 35mm
Wheel Varieties	65mm x 35mm – Red or Black. Available at Amazon or Roller Skate Nation. 62mm x 32mm – Teal, White, Clear Blue, Clear Yellow. Available at Amazon or Roller Skate Nation. 57mm x 31mm – Red, Yellow or Grayish Blue. Available at Amazon or Roller Skate Nation.
Available Colors	Red, Black, Teal, White, Clear Blue, Clear Yellow, Yellow, Gray
Core	Nylon
Wheels per Pack	Sold in both 4 packs and 8 packs, so check the website.

5. Sure-Grip Boardwalk – Outdoor Rhythm Wheels for Dancing (Runner-Up)

Next up are some of the best outdoor roller skate wheels around – the Sure-Grip Boardwalk. These wheels come in a 78A durometer that is perfect for outdoor use and uneven surfaces.

They also come in 2 different wheel diameters: the smaller 57mm and the larger 65mm. The shorter wheels are perfect for more agility while the taller wheels will give you a bit more speed.

These are one of the best performance wheels on the market and are good for any skill level. They offer excellent traction and great overall grip.

Sure-Grip Boardwalk Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for outdoor surfaces like asphalt and concrete, but can be used indoors, too.
Skating Styles	Outdoor trail, rhythm, dance and jam skating
Durometer	78A
Diameter / Height (in mm)	57mm or 65mm
Width (in mm)	38mm or 42mm
Wheel Varieties
Available Colors	Red, blue, purple, green, orange, light blue, pink, black, white
Core	Nylon
Wheels per Pack	Sold in both 4 packs and 8 packs, so check the website.

6. Bont Glide – Best Outdoor Wheels for Jam Skating (Bronze)

Next up, we have the Bont Glide. These wheels also come in the 78A durometer which offers better grip, more traction while also being softer for outdoor use.

These wheels come in 2 different colors: a white / purple and a multicolor variety at a pretty affordable price.

Bont Glide Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for outdoor surfaces like asphalt and concrete, but can be used indoors, too.
Skating Styles	Outdoor trail, rhythm, dance and jam skating
Durometer	78A
Diameter / Height (in mm)	57mm
Width (in mm)	32mm
Wheel Varieties	Multicolor or White/Purple
Available Colors	Multicolor or White / Purple
Core	None
Wheels per Pack	Sold in 4 packs

7. FoMac Harmony – Best Rhythm Skate Wheels / Dancing / Shuffle Skating

If you are into dancing or rhythm skating, then check out the FoMac Harmony wheels from Sure-Grip. These wheels are made for those skating on a smooth surface indoors. They are super hard coming in at a 103A hardness rating – so definitely not made for regular skating and only for indoor use.

Many skaters like these wheels because of how they slide either indoors or on smooth outdoor concrete. They have a 57mm x 30mm profile which is perfect for agility while not sacrificing the speed you want when skating on the outside track showing off your moves.

FoMac Harmony Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for indoor surfaces like skating rinks.
Skating Styles	Indoor Rhythm Skating
Durometer	103A
Diameter / Height (in mm)	57mm
Width (in mm)	30mm
Wheel Varieties	Black & White
Available Colors	Black & White
Core	None
Wheels per Pack	Sold in 8 packs

8. Sure-Grip All American Dream – Best Roller Skate Wheels for Dancing (Runner-Up)

Next on the list is the Sure-Grip All-American Dream. These wheels are made of a special clay-like vanathane material that Sure-Grip brought back after being gone for so long. Many skaters claim these wheels offer the perfect balance between grip and slip.

They come in at a 101A hardness, so not quite as hard as the Harmony above. They also come in a 57mm x 30mm wheel profile that is good for most rhythm skating.

If you want to try something different, the All-American Dream are worth a try. I have a set and I really like them. They roll smooth and have a nice slide without my foot slipping when I need a good hard push.

Sure-Grip All American Dream Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for indoor surfaces like skating rinks.
Skating Styles	Indoor Rhythm Skating
Durometer	101A
Diameter / Height (in mm)	57mm
Width (in mm)	30mm
Wheel Varieties	Black or White
Available Colors	Black or White
Core	Nylon
Wheels per Pack	Sold in 8 packs

9. Riedell Sonar Riva – Best Rhythm Roller Skate Wheels for Dancing (Bronze)

Next up are the Sonar Riva from Riedell. These indoor jam skate wheels come in 4 different colors – black, white, red or pink and they are some of the more affordable wheels on this page.

They all come in a 96A durometer with a smaller 57mm x 32mm profile – a profile perfect for rhythm skating. Riedell makes some of the best rhythm skates and wheels on the planet, so they are worth a try.

Riedell Sonar Riva Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for indoor surfaces like skating rinks.
Skating Styles	Indoor Rhythm Skating
Durometer	96A
Diameter / Height (in mm)	57mm
Width (in mm)	32mm
Wheel Varieties	Red, Pink, Black or White
Available Colors	Red, pink, black or white
Core	Nylon
Wheels per Pack	Sold in 4 packs

10. FoMac Slicks – Best Roller Skate Wheels for Sliding and Dancing

If you really like to slide, then you’ll want to check out the Fo-Mac Slicks. This wheel from Sure-Grip is made out of a hard, brown clay and has some serious slide to it. It has a 45mm diameter – the smallest wheel by far on our list. The width is also only 31mm. This gives you very little surface area on a hard wheel….so it slides a lot.

Spins are super easy in these wheels. Speed skating and controlling your wheels while going too fast around the corners is much harder. They don’t call them Slicks for nothing. 😉

FoMac Slicks Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for indoor surfaces like skating rinks.
Skating Styles	Indoor Rhythm Skating
Durometer	Hard
Diameter / Height (in mm)	45mm
Width (in mm)	31mm
Wheel Varieties	Brown
Available Colors	Brown
Core	None
Wheels per Pack	Sold in 8 packs

11. Sure-Grip Wood Wheels – Best Skate Wheels for Sliding (Runner-Up)

If you are old school and want to feel some wood on wood action, then check out the Sure-Grip Wood wheels. These wheels are made 100% from wood. So many wheels in the old days were made of wood, now it is hard to find any as almost all are made from urethane.

However, if you want a wheel that looks cool and slides well on a wood floor, then check these out. They come in a 50mm x 38mm profile. I have a set and I have to admit they take some getting used to. They slide and spin well.

They also are a little louder than your average wheel, but they roll really smooth…and actually pretty fast, too. Harder wheels always do roll faster.

Sure-Grip Wood Wheels Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for indoor surfaces like skating rinks..
Skating Styles	Indoor Jam Skating / Floor Work / Breakdancing on Skates. Also can be used as a speed skate wheel.
Durometer	Wood
Diameter / Height (in mm)	50mm
Width (in mm)	38mm
Wheel Varieties	Wood
Available Colors	Wood
Core	None
Wheels per Pack	Sold in 8 packs

12. FoMac Premier – Best Wheels for Sliding (Bronze)

Last on the list (but certainly not least) are the Fo-Mac Premier and Mini-Mac wheels. These wheels from Sure-Grip will have you rolling and sliding with the best of them.

These wheels are made of a hard, clay material that really makes them slide well. Go with the premier wheels if you are after a great overall rhythm skating wheel for outer lane rink skating.

And, if you are more into sliding, spinning and increased agility and are okay with sacrificing speed (and grip), then the smaller Mini-Mac is more the one for you.

FoMac Premier Features at a Glance

Surfaces	Best for indoor surfaces like skating rinks..
Skating Styles	Indoor Rhythm Skating
Durometer	Hard
Diameter / Height (in mm)	45mm, 57mm
Width (in mm)	30mm
Wheel Varieties	FoMac Premier – 57mm x 30mm in Black or Brown. Available at Amazon in Black or Brown & at Roller Skate Nation. FoMac Premier Mini-Mac – 45mm x 30mm in Black or Brown. Available at Amazon in Black or Brown.
Available Colors	Black or Brown
Core	None
Wheels per Pack	Sold in 8 packs

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Jam Skate Wheels

Now that I have covered all of the best jam skate wheels for breakdancing, sliding, dancing and rhythm skating, lets now breakdown some of the specifics on wheels. In this area, I’m going to cover all the specifics like diameter (height), profile (width) and durometer (wheel hardness).

I’ll also talk about wheel material types (urethan, vanathane, clay and wood) and how that makes a difference when you’re rhythm skating on different surfaces.

Let’s go!

Wheel Diameter or Height

When it comes to quad roller skating wheels for rhythm, sliding, dancing and jam skating, you may wonder why are there so many different roller skate wheels to choose from? This is because each type of skate wheel provides a different level of control, speed and acceleration that are more suited for different skate levels and type of rhythm skating.

Taller wheels give you more speed and roll longer. The taller the wheel, the longer it will take to accelerate. The larger wheels also don’t allow for as much agility.

On the other hand, small wheels accelerate fast but don’t have as good an overall top speed. Smaller wheels also provide more agility than taller wheels.

So, if you are into traditional rhythm skating, doing dance moves or sliding, then you are going to want a smaller wheel – something in the 45mm-59mm range.

Those of you with jam skating moves on your mind are going to want to go after wheels that are in the 62mm – 65mm range. This is because the larger wheel gives you more speed and often also has a wider profile – which we will discuss next.

Wheel Profile or Width

Roller Skate Wheel Contact Patch / Total Width

Next up, lets talk wheel profile which is also known as the total wheel width. This is measured in millimeters. Dancers, sliders and rhythm skaters typically want a wheel in the 30mm-32mm range. This puts less surface area on the ground and makes it easier to be agile and slide when you skate.

Jam skaters, on the other hand, typically want wider wheels. This is because they typically want more surface area when doing their jam skating moves. Floor work (aka breakdancing) typically requires more grip and that extra width on the wheel helps to provide that aspect.

Wheel Durometer or Hardness

Next is one of the more important aspects to picking out the right rhythm wheels, finding the right wheel hardness for the surface you are skating on and the type of skating you are doing. Lets go over that in more detail below.

Soft Wheels for Outdoor Skating

If you are doing a lot of outdoor roller skating on rough surfaces like asphalt, then you’re typically going to want a softer wheel in the 78A – 82A range. This is because rough surfaces make harder wheels really jiggle. The softer wheels help to take those blows more easily.

If you are skating outdoors on a smooth boardwalk or smooth concrete, then you can definitely use a harder wheel. I’ve used my indoor 103A wheels on my garage floor and they are almost as slick on it as on my rink’s wood floor. But, if you are on asphalt or a rough sidewalk with cracks, I recommend softer wheels.

Hard Wheels for Indoor Skating

Most jam, dancing and rhythm skating is done indoors here in the United States on wood rink floors. However, there is a lot of difference between the wheels for jam skaters and for the rest of the rhythm skaters out there.

For those of you doing jam skating moves, breakdancing or floor work, you’re typically going to want a wheels in the 89A-97A range. This gives you enough hardness to get a good roll, but also enough stick on the surface so your wheels don’t slide out from underneath you.

Sliders and most rhythm skaters typically want more slide in their wheel. So, if that’s you, the harder the wheel the better. Most rhythm skaters typically want a wheel in the 97A-103A+ range. The harder the wheel the more slide you will get on your skating surface. However, it can also be harder to control the faster you go, so just be aware of that fact.

Wheel Material Types

Urethane

Most wheels are made out of a plastic material called urethane. Almost all of the wheels that I talk about (and that most retailers sell) are made out of this material. It is an easy material for manufacturers to work with and provides the grip, speed and overall performance that most skaters are after. Jam skaters who are doing floor work will typically stick with a urethane wheel.

However, many rhythm skaters sometimes want something even harder than urethane. When that is what you are after, you may want to look at a different material type.

Vanathane

Vanathane is another material type that is used on a few different wheels. It’s a clay like compound that Sure-Grip recently brought back with their popular All-American Plus and All-American Dream wheels that are made of this material.

Many rhythm skaters like this material better than urethane because they say it offers a good balance between slip and grip. An important factor when you are trying to perform different dance moves. I have tried the All-American Dream and they do have a nice slide to them with a little more grip than the clay or wood wheels mentioned here.

Clay

For you sliders out there that don’t care or want a lot of grip, then clay is an excellent material for you. Clay has a lot less grip than urethane and easily has more slide. It is easier to spin on and overall just has way less grip. I have tried out a pair of FoMac Premier and FoMac Slicks and they really slide well.

Good luck trying to speed skate in these wheels! You’ll have a much more difficult time getting a solid push. But, if sliding and effortless spinning is what you are after, then clay wheels may be for you.

Wood

Sure-Grip makes a wood wheel that is really hard and slides well. I have a pair. It’s funny because wood was more popular back in the 50s and 60s. I know several old school speed skaters who used to skate on wood wheels. The Sure-Grip Wood wheels that I reviewed above are nice if you want that old school feel and want some good slide.

Custom Wheels

Finally, for those of you who want to ice skate on roller skates, then check out these custom fiber wheels. I have not gotten a chance yet to skate on them, but it is on my list to try! According to Sk8Fanatics, these are some of the most slippery wheels you can find. These guys also make some really cool custom skates for those looking for something really unique.

Sk8Fanatics only recommends these wheels to expert sliders. You know I am going to get me a pair and try them. I will be sure to send out a video to those of you in the Roller Skate Dad Club! 🙂

The Right Wheels for the Right Surface

Examples of Roller Skating Surface Types

Finally, lets talk about roller skating surfaces. Most rhythm and jam skating is going to be done on smooth surfaces – whether you are indoor or outdoors. Lets discuss both in a little more detail.

Indoor Surfaces

Most indoor roller rinks are going to be wood or some kind of tile or sports court material. On these indoor surfaces, most rhythm and jam skaters want a harder wheel with a durometer in the 85A (for a lot of grip) to 103A+ for those of you who want to slide.

Outdoor Surfaces

On smooth concrete like a garage or basement floor, you can get by on harder indoor wheels. The surface is so smooth, it really is quite pleasant skating on harder wheels. However, if you are on asphalt, I really recommend a softer wheel. Something in the 78A-85A range. I wouldn’t go much harder than 85A on asphalt, unless you are okay with your legs jiggling a lot.

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed the article. Until the next time, get on out there and skate!

Want to Learn Even More About Skating?

Want more reviews on roller skates? Check out my Best Roller Skates page for a list of all of the quads I recommend. I also have pages for roller skates for men, roller skates for women and roller skates for kids where I recommend the best skates on the market today for each group. Or, check out my roller skates for beginners if you are completely new to roller skating.

Or, if rollerblades or inline skates are more your style, then check out my rollerblades for men, rollerblades for women or rollerblades for kids pages. Or, if you are completely new, check out my rollerblades for beginners page.