Outdoor roller skating is so much fun. Feeling the breeze in your hair as your roller skates glide smoothly down your favorite park’s winding path. Nothing beats outdoor skating on a beautiful day!
In this article, I’m going to give you everything you need to pick out the best outdoor roller skate wheels for your next outdoor skating adventure! So, you can roll smoothly and really enjoy yourself.
First, I’m going to go over my top 8 picks for the best outdoor wheels. I have aggregated years of my own personal outdoor skating experience and hands-on reviewed many of the items below.
Next, I will give you a detailed, in-depth outdoor roller skate wheels’ buying guide to go over all the wheel specifics including wheel hardness, wheel diameter, skating surfaces, wheels cores, indoor vs. outdoor wheels and what to look out for before buying. Most of the knowledge in this area comes from years of experience in the sport. Plus, I have dozens of hours researching online each wheel and aggregating all of the best data here to save you time before you make a purchase.
Finally, be sure to check out the Best Roller Skate Wheels page if you are looking for even more information. In that article, I even give you my Top 10 Tips for Picking Out the Perfect Roller Skate Wheels for skating indoors, outdoors or when playing a sport like roller derby or roller hockey.
Ok. Enough already. Let’s get started!
Top 8 Outdoor Skating Wheels
| Wheel | Award | Check Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Atom Pulse Outdoor Wheels | Best Overall |  |
 | Sure-Grip Motion | Runner Up |  |
 | Sure-Grip Boardwalk | Best for Beginners | |
 | Moxi Gummies | Best for Beginners (Runner Up) | |
 | Radar Energy | Most Profile Choices | |
 | Sure-Grip Outdoor Aerobic | Best Outdoor Speed Wheels | |
 | Moxi Fundae Wheels | Best Skate Park Wheels | |
 | Bont Glow Outdoor | Fun Light Up Wheels | |
1. Atom Pulse Outdoor Wheels – Best Overall
The best wheels for outdoor roller skating are the Atom Pulse. These are just awesome wheels that you’ll love skating outdoors in. They have a lot more grip than indoor wheels and are perfect to have on your outdoor skates.
I recommend these wheels to all skill levels. I personally use these wheels whenever I am skating down at my local park and I want to roll smoothly like butter over small pebbles, sidewalk cracks or down a smoother boardwalk. They even do well at the skate park or riding along on all of that Texas asphalt that I skate on regularly.
These are softer wheels than some of the other quad skate wheels I will go over below. The Pulse comes in at a 78A durometer (Definition: durometer is the scale / tool used to measure wheel hardness).
78A is typically the softest wheel you will find most common on the market for gummy outdoor wheels. In contrast, indoor wheels typically start in the high 80s and go all the way up to 103A.
What really makes the Pulse wheels special is how the hollow core is designed. Atom Skates took the outdated technology of a single based nylon core and added a small amount of glass to the core. Adding glass to the nylon core gives the core better compressive strength under your weight’s load. Usually, you can only get that from an aluminum core, which weighs a lot more.
Aluminum core wheels provide a better overall roll because they are hard in the middle but they are heavier. Soft open core hubs don’t roll as well but are lighter. This design from Atom gives you the upsides of both – a better roll with a lighter wheel.
This special hub technology helps to make the Pulse some of the lighter wheels you will find for outdoors while also making them roll well.
These quad roller skate wheels are 65mm in height and 37mm in width. The extra height is perfect for getting a little speed while you’re rolling smoothly. The width is just enough to keep you stable while keeping you light on your feet.
If you want even lighter wheels, Atom makes the Pulse Lite which comes in at 62mm in height and 33mm in width. This wheel will be even lighter than the standard Atom Pulse but it will roll a little slower.
They also come in a variety of really fun colors including green, red, blue, pink, black and purple. Plus, they have a glitter option that is fun. Same wheels, just add glitter!
Wheel Features at a Glance
| Surfaces | Best for outdoor surfaces like sidewalks, boardwalks and asphalt |
| Durometer | 78A |
| Diameter / Height (in mm) | 65mm for Standard & Glitter version. 62mm for Lite version. |
| Width (in mm) | 37mm for the regular, 33mm for the lite version |
| Wheel Varieties | Standard, Lite and Glitter |
| Available Colors | lime green, red, blue, pink, green, purple, smoke and with glitter! |
| Core | Atom’s Special Hollow Core Technology |
| Wheels per Pack | Sold typically 4 wheels to a pack, though you can find some 8 packs online |
What I Like
- These are my favorite quad roller skate wheels for outdoor skating
- A really smooth roll even on rough outdoor surfaces like asphalt. Reduces skate vibrations and what I call leg jiggle from rolling over small rocks.
- They have a smaller, hollow core in the middle of the wheel. This allows for more urethane in the overall wheel and a super smooth roll.
- Glass in the hollow core to make it stronger is just a cool idea. It makes for lighter wheels and it gives you extra stability without the extra weight of an aluminum core.
- I like that they have a standard version (65mm x 37mm) and a lite version (62mm x 33mm). This allows you more choice. Plus, they give you the glitter option. Who can’t love that, right?
What I Don’t Like
- The only knock on them is that they won’t be the fastest outdoor wheel. For that, you’re going to want something with a little harder durometer (82A+). However, I prefer a smooth roll when I’m skating outdoors vs. going super fast.
2. Sure Grip Motion – Runner Up
Next up in our best wheels for outdoor roller skates list are the Sure-Grip Motion. These soft wheels for your outdoor roller skates are perfect for rolling outdoors on sidewalks, boardwalks and asphalt. I skate a lot and I have a number of pairs of skates (13 total?) with lots of different wheels. These are my #2 wheel in my bag next to the Atom Pulse for a smooth ride.
If you switch out those harder wheels on your quad skates for a pair of these sure grip wheels, you’ll definitely notice the difference. These softer wheels work great whether you are skating on polished concrete or rough asphalt.
Like the Atom Pulse, these wheels also come in at a 78A durometer. This is perfect for all kinds of outdoor surfaces. They will roll slower than harder wheels, but they are perfect if you are a beginner or intermediate skater and you want to roll confidently outdoors. If you are more advanced and speed is your thing, then keep reading below.
They come in a 62mm and a 65mm diameter, however, the 65mm wheel has been discontinued. Sure-Grip is sticking only with the 62mm going forward. However, you can still find the 65mm online if you want the slightly taller wheels for a faster roll. The 62mm wheel is 32mm in width and the 65mm is 35mm in width.
They come with a hollow nylon core and come in a variety of colors including black, blue, pink, purple and red.
Wheel Features at a Glance
| Surfaces | Best for outdoor surfaces like sidewalks, boardwalks and asphalt |
| Durometer | 78A |
| Diameter / Height (in mm) | 62mm or 65mm (the 65mm has been discontinued but you can still find some online) |
| Width (in mm) | 32mm for the 62mm wheels, 35mm for 65mm wheels |
| Available Colors | black, blue, pink, purple and red |
| Core | Hollow Nylon Core |
| Wheels per Pack | Sold in 4 packs and 8 packs |
What I Like
- They are really smooth and work great out here on the rough Texas asphalt. They roll over pebbles, sidewalk cracks and other small debris effortlessly. I don’t get any leg / skate jiggle on rough surfaces.
- They are a light and sturdy roller skate wheel. I feel stable on them and they roll well.
- They are made by one of the top skate manufacturers on the planet – Sure-Grip. They have been in business for 85 years and know how to make a great quality product.
What I Don’t Like
- For advanced skaters, these wheels will be too slow. However, they are perfect for beginner to intermediate outdoor skaters.
3. Sure-Grip Boardwalk – Best for Beginners
Next up, we have the Boardwalk quad roller skate wheels by Sure-Grip.
I deem these the best roller skate wheels for beginners because they are soft wheels that are a little bit wider than the wheels mentioned above coming in at 36mm. Wider wheels are better for beginners because they help to give you more stability. These come in a larger diameter wheel at 65mm. This will help you roll at a good speed.
This wheel rolls in at a 78A durometer. You’re probably seeing the trend here that most of the softest wheels are all at this hardness level. We will discuss some hard wheels for outdoors here shortly that will go faster and are better for long distance speed skaters and more advanced skating. For beginners, though, you want to go slow and that makes a soft wheel perfect for you.
These wheels come on the Sure-Grip Boardwalk roller skates for beginners which are the top skate that I recommend to beginner roller skaters. It’s best for keeping you sturdy while you are just getting started.
The Boardwalk has a hollow nylon core and are sold in packs of 8. They come in 9 different colors so there is something to suit everyone’s style.
Wheel Features at a Glance
| Surfaces | Best for outdoor surfaces like sidewalks, boardwalks and asphalt |
| Durometer | 78A |
| Diameter / Height (in mm) | 65mm |
| Width (in mm) | 36mm |
| Available Colors | black, blue, pink, purple, red, light blue, light pink, light green and light purple |
| Core | Hollow Nylon Core |
| Wheels per Pack | Sold in 8 packs |
What I Like
- Like the previous wheels, these are also really smooth and great for outside sidewalks, parks, asphalt and polished concrete. No leg jiggle here.
- They are my favorite wheel for beginners because of the width of the wheel. At 36mm, this is one of the wider, soft quad roller skate wheels on the market. A wider, soft wheel is ideal for beginners to make you more sturdy and stable.
- Made again by Sure-Grip, a well known manufacturer of quality products.
What I Don’t Like
- As you progress as a skater, you’ll want to go faster and a harder wheels help to achieve that goal.
4. Moxi Gummies – Best for Beginners (Runner Up)
Next up we have the Moxi Gummies. Moxi Roller Skates are some of the top roller skates for women on the market. They are very popular with the ladies, especially those who like to skate outdoors or at skate parks doing bowl skating.
These roller skate wheels are some of the widest gummy wheels we’ve reviewed. They come in at a whopping 40mm wide. That extra width makes them a great wheel for beginner skaters. They also are 65mm tall which gives you a nice roll whether you are trail skating, riding on asphalt or smooth brushed concrete.
They have a hollow urethane core and they are sold in packs of 4, so be sure to buy 2 packs if you need 8 wheels for both of your quad skates. They also come in a variety of fun color names like Clementine, Honeydew, Pineapple, Lavender, Seafoam, Smoke and Pink. The color names are pretty accurate to the actual color on the wheel making them one of the more unique wheels out there.
Wheel Features at a Glance
| Surfaces | Best for outdoor surfaces like sidewalks, boardwalks and asphalt |
| Durometer | 78A |
| Diameter / Height (in mm) | 65mm |
| Width (in mm) | 40mm |
| Available Colors | Smoke (black), Clementine (orange), Honeydew (light green), Pineapple (yellow), Lavender (purple), Seafoam (light blueish green) and Pink |
| Core | Hollow Urethane Core |
| Wheels per Pack | Sold in 4 packs |
What I Like
- Like the previous wheels, these are also really smooth and great for outside sidewalks, parks, asphalt and polished concrete. No leg jiggle here.
- They are my favorite wheel for beginners because of the width of the wheel. At 36mm, this is one of the wider, soft quad roller skate wheels on the market. A wider, soft wheel is ideal for beginners to make you more sturdy and stable.
- Made again by Sure-Grip, a well known manufacturer of quality products.
What I Don’t Like
- There wheels are so popular that they can be tough to keep in stock – especially during the pandemic.
- Like the other 78A wheels, these are going to be great for rough surfaces. But if you want speed, you need a harder wheel.
5. Radar Energy – Most Profile Choices
Next up we have the first roller skate wheel I recommend by Riedell, the Radar Energy. What makes the Radar Energy special is its diversity.
This wheel comes in 3 different wheels diameters (or height): 65mm, 62mm and 57mm. The taller wheels (65mm) will give you the longest roll with the least amount of effort. The 62mm are a good middle of the road height and compare to most of the wheels mentioned above.
However, the 57mm are great for agility, tricks and quick maneuvering. They are only 31mm wide, so these are really small wheels for outdoors. Some of the smallest wheels I have seen to date for outdoors.
All of the Radar Energy wheels come in a 78A durometer which is good for skate park, trail and other outdoor skating. They also come with a micro nylon core.
These wheels come in a variety of different colors depending on your wheel diameter (see chart below). They are also sold in 4 packs, so please remember to buy 2 sets if you want 8 wheels for both of your roller skates.
Wheel Features at a Glance
| Surfaces | Best for outdoor surfaces like sidewalks, boardwalks and asphalt |
| Durometer | 78A |
| Diameter / Height (in mm) | 65mm, 62mm or 57mm |
| Width (in mm) | 65mm x 35mm, 62mm x 32mm or 57mm x 31mm |
| Available Colors | Black and Clear Red for 65mm. Teal, White, Clear Yellow, Clear Green for 62mm. Aqua, Red, Clear Blue, Yellow, Pink, and Purple for 57mm. |
| Core | Micro Nylon Core |
| Wheels per Pack | Sold in 4 packs |
What I Like
- I really like the 3 different wheel sizes. It helps to be able to pick the right height and width for the type of skating you are doing. If you are a beginner, go with the wider wheels. They will always be more sturdy.
- Like the other 78A wheels, these are soft and work well on most outdoor surfaces.
- Riedell has been in the ice and roller skating business for over 75 years. They make quality products you can trust.
What I Don’t Like
- Like the other 78A wheels, these are going to be great for rough surfaces. But if you want speed, you need a harder wheel.
6. Sure-Grip Outdoor Aerobic – Best Outdoor Speed Wheels
Next up, we have another wheel by Sure-Grip, the Outdoor Aerobic. The first thing you’ll notice about these hybrid wheels is that they have an 85A hardness. That makes them soft for outdoor use but can also be used indoors, too.
The extra hardness in these wheels is going to make them less forgiving on things like asphalt. For a smoother ride, choose a gummy wheel like the Atom Pulse. However, if you want more speed outdoors and you are skating on concrete, at the skate park or on a sidewalk, then these wheels will go faster than the softer wheels mentioned earlier.
The Sure-Grip Outdoor Aerobic wheels are 62mm in diameter and 38mm wide. A good middle-of-the-road diameter for a solid speed. Taller wheels go faster. Smaller wheels provide more agility. The width of this wheel is also good for extra stability at higher speeds – wider wheels are also often seen on quad indoor speed skating wheels. That extra width gives more stability and a larger contact patch to push off from.
These wheels have a hollow nylon core and come in 8 bright colors. They are also sold in packs of 8, so you only need 1 set to outfit your roller skates.
Wheel Features at a Glance
| Surfaces | Best for outdoor surfaces like sidewalks and boardwalks. Will work on asphalt too but is more bumpy. Works as a hybrid wheel that can also be used indoors. |
| Durometer | 85A |
| Diameter / Height (in mm) | 62mm |
| Width (in mm) | 38mm |
| Available Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red and Yellow |
| Core | Hollow Nylon Core |
| Wheels per Pack | Sold in 8 packs |
What I Like
- A nice set of harder outdoor roller skating wheels that are perfect if you want to pick up your pace. They will work on asphalt and rough surfaces, but be prepared for a little more leg jiggle. They are really good on concrete, sidewalks and at skate parks.
- I like the dimensions of this wheel for extra speed outdoors. A good middle of the road height and a nice contact patch to push from.
- Made by Sure-Grip. One of the premiere skate manufacturers in the world.
What I Don’t Like
- They won’t roll as smoothly as the Atom Pulse, but they will go faster!
7. Moxi Fundae Wheels – Best Skatepark Wheels
The next wheel on our list is the Moxi Fundae outdoor roller skating wheels. These hard wheels are perfect for skating on smoother surfaces outdoors like boardwalks, skate parks and smooth concrete. They come in with a durometer reading of 92A. If you want more speed, then these medium hard wheels will really help you roll faster.
These smaller diameter wheels are great for the skate park or rolling the smooth streets. The 57mm smaller diameter wheel helps to make jumping ramps and doing quick maneuvers easier. The wheel holds its shape for transitioning floors at skate parks. The shape of this outdoor roller skating wheels are narrow enough to pivot safely out of bails and carved in a way to avoid getting caught up on the coping.
With these wheels, you won’t have to stop to change your wheels for different surfaces. Classic outdoor wheels are much too soft for skate parks and harder park wheels are difficult to use. Both salty and sweet, these hybrid street and skate park wheels will have you skating bowls and streets all day long.
These wheels come in a 4 different, fun ice cream swirl colors. They are also sold online in 4 packs and 8 packs, so be sure to check your quantity before purchasing.
Wheel Features at a Glance
| Surfaces | Best for smoother outdoor surfaces like boardwalks and skate parks. These will work on asphalt too but it’s going to be more bumpy. Because of it’s 92A wheel hardness, you can use these indoors, too. |
| Durometer | 92A |
| Diameter / Height (in mm) | 57mm |
| Width (in mm) | 34mm |
| Available Colors | Lavender (purple), Birthday Cake (blue) and Creme de Menthe (green) |
| Core | Hollow Nylon Core |
| Wheels per Pack | Sold in 4 packs & 8 packs |
What I Like
- These roll really well on smoother surfaces outdoors. They were made for the skate park, so if you do a lot of bowl skating, these are perfect.
- The 57mm x 34mm wheel profile is great for the skate park. Smaller and narrower wheels do better when performing tricks and doing transitions.
- Moxi always does such a great job with all of their colors. These wheels are no exception. The swirling colors are fun and stylish.
What I Don’t Like
- If you are on trashy, Texas asphalt, then I would steer clear. These wheels are just way too hard for the asphalt. However, if you use these wheels with the proper surface, then they do really well.
8. Bont Glow – Fun Light Up Wheels for Roller Skates
If you are looking to light up the city streets, then check out the Bont Glow in the Dark wheels. These LED light up wheels turn on as your wheels spin. When you aren’t spinning, they turn off.
These come in an 82A hardness which makes them good for sidewalks, asphalt and concrete. You can also use them indoors, though they will roll slow. N0t as soft as some of the other gummy wheels listed here, these wheels roll well and will turn heads as you light up the street.
They come in a 62mm diameter and a 35mm width. The larger diameter wheels are always better for picking up speed. These are in the mid range at 62mm. They come in a variety of fun colors including Cherry Blossom Pink, Tickle Blue, Pearl White and Misty Teal.
These outdoor roller skating wheels do not come with roller skate bearings, like a lot of the other light up roller skate wheels that I review on this site. They also have a few reports of the lights flickering when rolling. If that happens to you, be sure to tighten the axle nut down a little more. This adds extra pressure between the LED spacer (which lights up) and the bearing. Also, make sure you have the LED spacer inserted correctly.
These are sold in packs of 4, so you will need 2 packs to outfit your quad skates.
Wheel Features at a Glance
| Surfaces | Great for all outdoor surfaces. Will be a little more bumpy on asphalt than the Atom Pulse. |
| Durometer | 82A |
| Diameter / Height (in mm) | 62mm |
| Width (in mm) | 35mm |
| Available Colors | Cherry Blossom Pink, Tickle Blue, Pearl White and Misty Teal |
| Core | Hollow Nylon Wheel Core |
| Wheels per Pack | Sold in 4 packs & 8 packs |
What I Like
- At 82A, they are great for all roller skating surfaces, including asphalt.
- I like a wider, taller wheel outdoors because I like to do a lot of speed skating to work up the heart rate. This taller, wider wheel rolls well.
- Made by Bont, a leading inline speed skating manufacturer. They know how to make good wheels for inline skates and quad skates, too.
- They light up! Who doesn’t like that?
What I Don’t Like
- They are going to be a little more bumpy on asphalt. There have been some complaints about the wheels not lighting up, but that is usually due to improper installation. See tip above.
Outdoor Skate Wheels Buying Guide
Below I’m going to give you my top 3 tips for buying the best outdoor roller skate wheels. If you’d like even more tips on just buying the best roller skate wheels, be sure to check out my Top 10 Tips for Buying the Perfect Roller Skate Wheels. All of the tips on that page also apply to outdoor wheels, but these 3 tips below are the most important for outdoor skating.
Tip 1: Outdoor Surfaces Require Softer Wheels
When you are picking out the best roller skate wheels, it’s important to understand your roller skating surface and your wheel hardness (or durometer). Below is a quick crash course in both.
Outdoor Surfaces
If you are doing a lot of outdoor roller skating, you need to understand the different surfaces you will encounter. There are many different terrains outdoors and you need a different roller skate wheel for each type for optimal roller skating.
Boardwalks, Skate Parks, Sports Courts & Smooth Concrete
If you are lucky enough to have a nice boardwalk, skate park or other smooth concrete surface outdoors, then you are in luck. These types of surfaces are much more forgiving than the ones coming up. Good wheel choices here fall anywhere between 78A all the way up to 95A. On these type of surfaces, I sometimes even wear some of my old figure skating wheels outdoors which are 103A. These surfaces are so smooth, it’s almost like skating indoors.
Sidewalks
Next up, we have that pesky sidewalk. Most sidewalks need a softer wheels. I’d stick to a 78A durometer. Most sidewalks here in Texas have a crack in them every 3 feet. So, unless you have really good balance and have been skating for awhile, a harder wheel will have you face planting pretty quickly. My typical range for sidewalk is 78A – 89A.
Asphalt
Finally, we have that dreaded asphalt. This is everywhere out where I live. If you are skating on asphalt most of the time, then you need a soft 78A durometer wheel. The other wheels may sound fun, but it won’t be fun when you hit a small pebble and go flying through the air. My range for asphalt is 78A-85A.
Wheel Hardness
Next, lets talk quickly about wheel hardness. I only mention it about 300 times in this article. 🙂
Wheel hardness is measured using a tool called a durometer. It’s a simple little tool used to measure the hardness of all kinds of objects (not just urethane wheels). You take the durometer and press down on the surface of the object and it displays a number. I have a very small digital one. The durometers used by skate manufacturers is more precise than this little durometer I bought off Amazon.
Wheel hardness is the single biggest factor to finding the right outdoor roller skating wheels. Below is a table that shows a wheel hardness chart matched up to skating surfaces that I created for you:
Outdoor Roller Skate Wheels Hardness Chart
| Outdoor Surface | Durometer / Hardness | Ideal Wheels |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt / Sidewalk | 78A-85A | Atom Pulse, Sure-Grip Motion |
| Smooth Concrete / Boardwalk | 78A-94A | Sure-Grip Aerobic |
| Skate Park | 85A-94A | Moxi Fundae |
Indoor vs. Outdoor Wheels Demystified
Wheel hardness is really the main difference between indoor and outdoor roller skating wheels. All outdoor wheels will work indoors. The softer wheels are just going to go a lot slower on hardwood and sports court surfaces.
If you only have the budget for 1 set of wheels, this is where hybrid wheels come into play. These are typically wheels that fall in the 82A – 92A range. They are not super soft like the gummy Atom Pulse but also not super hard like the Roller Bones Elite that I use to love at the roller skating rink. These hybrid wheels are not ideal for asphalt, but you can make them work. You just get a little more skate / leg jiggle than the super gummy wheels.
There are all kinds of wheel diameters (heights) and different widths that are best for different types of skating. I have a really thorough guide in my Best Roller Skate Wheels page called the Top 10 Tips for How to Buy the Perfect Roller Skate Wheels. See that article for a lot more information on overall wheel characteristics to take into account before you buy.
Tip 2: Your Type of Outdoor Skating Should Effect Your Wheel Choice
Outdoor Speed Skating
If you are using quad skates to do speed skating, then you are going to want harder, wider and taller wheels. The wheel hardness should be at least 85A. If you are on smooth concrete and have good balance, then go even harder (low 90s). A harder wheel rolls longer and is better at transferring the power of your push to your outdoor skates.
You also want a wider wheel for this same power transfer. Pay special attention to the contact patch – this is the width of the wheel that actually touches the ground. More contact patch again helps with power transfer. A good width is 35-40mm.
Finally, the height of your wheels should be on the larger side. Start with 62mm at the minimum. 65mm is better.
Plus, if you are really wanting to do a lot of outdoor speed skating competitively, then most likely you will want to do inline speed skating on aggressive inline skates. Most speed skaters are on inlines. They are just way faster. Check out my inline speed skate wheels page for more information.
Outdoor Roller Derby
Similar to outdoor speed skating in most respects. Most roller derby wheels and speed wheels are fairly interchangeable. Most derby players will want a wider wheel for stability and power transfer. They also tend to go with a medium hard wheel – for outdoor type surfaces that would be something in the high 80s to low 90s. However this is a very nuanced sport and so some derby players who want extra agility will sometimes go with a smaller wheel.
Outdoor Roller Hockey
Like outdoor speed skating, most outdoor roller hockey is also played on special roller hockey skates that are inline skates. However, I played many a game of outdoor roller hockey in my quad skates in large parking lots with friends. For roller hockey, I often liked a larger wheel that was more grippy as I was constantly stopping and starting. A low to mid 80A durometer wheel was my favorite range. For inlines, check out my roller hockey wheels page.
Outdoor Artistic Skating
If you want to do artistic skating outdoors, then I would go with as hard of a wheel as you can stand for your outdoor surface. On smooth outdoor surfaces, I actually wear my RollerBones Elite indoor wheels outdoors. These are a 103A hardness and they spin quite nicely on tennis courts, basketball courts and other smooth concrete.
I do practice jumps on asphalt sometimes, but beware. Those little pebbles are easier to knock you down when you are landing a jump on one foot going backwards! See my artistic roller skate wheels page for more choices.
Tip 3: Wear Protective Gear Outdoors!
My last tip is about roller skate pads and roller skating helmets. It’s simple. Wear it!
I know it may sound boring, but a lot of really bad injuries can happen outdoors – especially on asphalt and sidewalks that are just a lot less forgiving than a wood roller skate rink floor.
Make sure you wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards. You may even want to invest in a butt pad, too! See my best roller skating pads and best roller skate helmets articles for top picks in both categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wheels do you need for outdoor roller skating?
This really depends on your skating surface. For asphalt, stick with a 78A wheel like the Atom Pulse. These types of wheels are super soft and work especially well on rough surfaces. For smooth concrete and sports courts, you can get away with much harder wheels – 80s – 90s in wheel hardness.
Are 78A wheels good for outdoors?
78A are perfect outdoor wheels for all outdoor surfaces, especially asphalt and other rough outdoor surfaces. They are even good on sports courts and indoors. Just remember that because they are super soft wheels, they will roll slower than harder wheels.
What are wheels for outdoor roller skating made of?
The best wheels for outdoor roller skating are made from polyurethane. This is because it is a durable, long-lasting material that is great for endurance and traction on most surfaces. Almost all wheels on the market today are made of a urethane material. However, you will find indoor wheels can sometimes be made out of other materials like wood, clay and even stone. Some skaters who really like to slide look for wheels made of these alternative materials because they slide super well on wood roller rink floors.
Can you use outdoor skate wheels indoors?
Yes, you can use outdoor wheels indoors. Just realize that if you are using a softer wheel like the 78A Atom Pulse, it will go slower than a wheel like the 103A Roller Bones Elite. However, for beginners, it’s a good idea to go with a softer wheel as they are more sturdy and allow you to practice anywhere.
How long do outdoor skate wheels last?
As with most products, the more you use them, the more they wear down. Most wheels that are used a few times a week will wear down after 12-18 months. If you are only skating once a week, then they will last a lot longer. The type of surface you are skating on also impacts the life your wheel. Asphalt is by far the hardest surface on your wheels and will wear it down the fastest.
What are the major difference between indoor vs outdoor roller skate wheels?
The major difference between indoor roller skate wheels and outdoor skate wheels is the wheel hardness or durometer of your skate wheels. An outdoor roller skate wheel typically falls in the 78A-90A range with the lower 78A durometer being more common. Indoor skate wheels fall in the 90A-103A range with the mid 90A being the most common.
Best Wheels for Outdoor Wrap Up
There you have it. The 8 best wheels for outdoor roller skating followed up by a short guide to help you pick out the best wheels for your outdoor skates. I hope you found this useful. Now, it’s time to get 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.
