9 best longboard dancing and freestyle wheels & buying guide

Longboard dancing has been around for a while, but it has recently been gaining a ton of popularity. The issues is, there aren’t a lot of pros sharing knowledge. Beginners can feel a bit lost and don’t know where to start.

With that in mind, I’ll be describing to you some of the best longboard dance wheels you can get. After reading my guide, you’ll have a handful of options you can pick from.

9 best longboard dancing wheels

Fireball: Tinder Wheels – Best all-around option

If you’re looking for a wheel that is both affordable and high-quality, the Fireball Tinder wheels are your best bet. These wheels are super similar to the Blood Orange Morgans above. They come in a 60mm diameter, have a 35mm contact patch, 81a durometer, and have a large fiberglass core.

Similar to the Morgans, they have a very cushy ride for being 81a. Even though they are that hard, the urethane formula they use is very soft. This allows them to absorb a lot of vibration and provide a comfortable ride, even on rougher pavement. And they still manage to have a lot of roll speed despite being this soft and small –  I was really surprised by this.

I think the combination with the large fiberglass core allows this. Whilst the urethane is soft, the large core stiffens up the wheel and allows it to have that quick acceleration, whilst maintaining that cushy, comfortable feel.

The Tinder wheels also come stoneground so you’ll be able to slide them out of the box. However, they do have a dumpy urethane. This means they’ll leave a lot of thane lines and wear quickly from sliding. If you’re planning on doing slides with these, you’ll find that they’ll wear down in no time at all. That said, they’ll feel very consistent and feel great until you get to the core.

Finally, for about $30 this wheel is hard to pass up. You get a lot of quality for a wheel that isn’t too expensive.

Check them out here on the Stoked Ride Shop website. You can only get the blue ones at the moment (which I think is fine as they don’t turn brown and dusty as the whites do).

If you want the ones that come in the red color, check them out here.

**(those are affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission at no cost to you. Helps me keep the website and stuff, running :). You’ll just see the code “downhill254” at the checkout.

Seismic: Encore wheels – the highest quality option

Seismic have been around for a while. They are one of the OG longboard companies and are known for pushing the envelope when it comes to wheel technology. It’s no surprise that their Encore wheel is making a feature on my list. Let’s start with the dimensions of the wheel. At 63.5mm the wheel will offer fast acceleration and be lightweight. It will fit under your board with ease and be really easy to push around.

With a 33mm running surface, it won’t offer much resistance against sliding, and paired with the radiused lips, these wheels will break traction smoothly and slide at a flick.

But what makes this wheel stand out is the Defcon urethane and large core it uses. Seismic claims this core to be the largest in the industry – which is a good thing as it keeps the wheel lightweight, stiff and ultimately feeling consistent throughout its life.

You can check these wheels out here on Amazon.com.

This is the best dance wheel on my list, bar none. The only thing that holds it back is how expensive it is. But hey, quality comes at a price and this is worth the sacrifice if you can spare it. However, take a look at the Blood Orange Morgans for something more affordable.

Skate Blood Orange: Jammerz – a decent option

The next set of wheels is an offering from Skate Blood Orange. These guys are based in Cali and are known for supporting skaters and the industry with high-quality gear that doesn’t disappoint. Check out the Jammerz below. The Jammers are a retro-themed take on the longboard wheel. They have been designed to be durable, consistent and to roll fast.

At 60mm in diameter, these wheels are some of the smallest on my list. This simply means they will be lighter and will accelerate a bit fast than the taller wheels on this list. However, they will suffer against pebbles and cracks – they will probably get caught/stopped by them.

So whilst they aren’t good cruising wheels, they are pretty good dancing wheels thanks to the height. They do come in 66mm and 69mm, so you can pick those if you’re after a more all-round sort of wheel.

Finally, at 82a, these wheels are on the harder end of the spectrum (in terms of urethane). This means they will be denser and accelerate quicker than their softer counterparts.

You can find these wheels here on Amazon.com.

EZ Hawgs – light weight, and fast

From Hawgs, the 63mm EZ Hawgs are fast rolling and lightweight. These things take off suprisingly well for their size and are able to maintain speed. At their 63mm tall and 40mm-ish size, they are perfect for dancing.

You can buy a set here at the Landyachtz website. Use the code – “AroniSkate&Explore15” for 5% off.

They also slide suprisingly easy, so they’re good if you need to force the board to rotate when doing a revert or a 180. They don’t hold you back.

My main issue with them is how they feel over rougher ground. They don’t lose their speed but they reflect a lot of road vibration which can be uncomfortable. Naturally, you’ll be dancing on smooth ground, but if you need to skate/commute anywhere, they won’t be the nicest wheels.

Orangatang: Fat Free 65mm wheels – best for purely dancing

Another prestigious brand, Orangatang have been around for a while and produce gear ridden by some of the best longboard dancers. (Pssst @Loftwoodwalker uses their wheels).

At 65mm tall, these wheels aren’t too big or too small. And with the narrow 37mm, they are optimal for smooth slides and quick acceleration.

They don’t have a core, so may be slightly heavier than other options – like the Seismic Encore and Blood Orange Morgans below. However, this means they have more urethane that will soak up vibrations and impacts from landing a bit more – which can feel nicer for some riders.

Also, they have various urethane options – from 77a, 80a, 83a and 86a. The 77a versions will feel like skating on a cloud, with loads of road vibrations absorbed but with a slower roll speed. Whilst the harder 83a-86a versions will be denser, reflect more vibration but have faster acceleration.

I personally recommend you go for the middle ground of 80a if you decide to choose these wheels. Check them out here on Amazon.com.

Skate Blood Orange: Morgan Pro Series – a good option

Another Blood Orange wheel, this time its the Morgan Pro Series wheel. Designed by Liam Morgan for smooth slides and easy initiation, this wheel comes in 3 sizes and 4 different color options. You can get this wheel in 60mm, 65mm or 70mm. I highly recommend the 65mm option if you choose to go with this wheel.

What makes this wheel stand out is the urethane its made from. It’s a ‘chalky urethane’ that is designed to have a really predictable initiation and a controllable drift in the slide that feels consistent no matter the pavement. For dancing, this means you’ll have more control and your wheel will feel the same no matter where you skate.

And at 82a and a large core keeping it lightweight, this wheel will be quick to accelerate and will have a fast roll speed.

Don’t believe this wheel has got what it takes? Check out Hans Wouters giving them a thrashing below. You can find these wheels here at the stoked ride shop. (thats an affiliate link, I’ll make a small comission if you purchase the wheel at no cost to you).

Powell-Peralta: Snakes – Best for freestyle

Coming from Powell=Peralta, these guys are another OG of the skateboard and longboard industry. These wheels are great if you like mixing slides into your freestyle and dance. Unlike the other wheels on my list, these don’t kill your speed much if you choose to slide them. They tend to glide and glide and simply carry you forward.

They also have features that make them decent dance wheels. Their 66mm height means they will have decent roll speed, momentum but will also accelerate decently.

At 75a, they are softer than all the other wheels on this list. Fortunately, they are made with dense urethane that guarantees they will still have a decent roll speed and acceleration. The added benefit though is that they will absorb a lot of road vibration, simply meaning added comfort.

Finally, the urethane feels really consistent across various types of pavements – which is nice for consistency in slide initiation and slides.

Find these wheels here on Amazon.com.

Slide Perfect: Supremini – Great option for Europeans riders

If you live in Europe, you may not necessarily have access to the other wheel options on my list. Fortunately, Slide Perfect make great longboard wheels you will have easy access to (they are also pretty affordable too). I personally know the guys over at Slide Perfect, and I can tell you that they know exactly what they’re doing.

Designed to have a fast roll speed and a smooth ride, the Supremini is a wheel that was made for freestyle. It was made with a urethane that makes it feel slightly grippier and harder to kickout – if you want a wheel that doesn’t slide out as easy, this may be one to consider.

The wheels come with a large core to keep them lightweight and feeling consistent throughout their life as they wear down. This means they will also feel really consistent every time you try to flick them out. And with a 66mm height, they are on that perfect middle ground of acceleration and momentum.

Finally, these wheels are also really affordable, with a cost just shy of £30. A lot cheaper than other wheels on this list – but just as good. If you’re interested in getting some for your self, you can get a set here.

Bones Wheels: Rough Riders – not the best option

Bones have been pioneers in the skateboard industry since day one and their products have continuously proved themselves. It’s kind of hard to go wrong with a Bones wheel.

The Rough Riders wheel comes in at 56mm/59mm in size and 80a in durometer. But surprisingly, their small size doesn’t hold them back as much as you’d think. They can handle small stones, dirt and uneven pavement with ease. Check out my friend Collins skating a quick dance line on these wheels below.

However, I’ve heard that this wheel does have the chance to chunk if it runs into a curb, or is slammed down hard. Given the nature of longboard dancing this wheel probably won’t last very long.

But to be honest, chunks don’t ruin performance that much – they just look ugly. If you don’t mind an ugly looking wheel, this one should be a consideration for you, but If you want a wheel that holds together really well, check out the Blood Orange Jammerz above.

All the above said and done, these wheels are really affordable. Probably the cheapest ones on my list. Check out their price here on Amazon.com.

Longboard dance wheels buying guide

Size matters! Which diameter should you go for?

When you are picking your longboard wheels, some typical diameters you come across will be between the 60-70mm range. But which should you go for?

The 60mm wheel?

The 60mm wheel will be quick to accelerate. It will be easy to push and it will be very lightweight. However, it won’t have a lot of momentum, roll speed and won’t be able to go over pebbles at all.

A wheel this size is great if you are looking for a really lightweight setup. It is also nice if you have really smooth pavement to practice on and won’t find your self skating over rougher pavements.

This is because wheels this size can’t handle cracks, rougher pavement or pebbles. Because of their small diameter, a 60mm will often get caught and stopped by pebbles and such. Not much of an issue if you are skating on smooth ground – but something to think about if you’ll be skating places you might run into rougher ground.

The 65mm wheel?

As you can imagine, this wheel is the ‘best of both worlds’. It slightly larger than the 60mm so it will handle rougher ground and pebbles better. It is smaller than the 70mm, so it will be lighter and easier to handle when doing flips and tigers claws.

In my opinion, this is the best diameter to go for if you are a beginner. If you are someone who is experienced and knows better, you can choose to go with either of the wheel diameters – you’ll have an idea of whether you’ll like something heavier, something lightweight, or something that gives you a really smooth ride.

But for beginners, this is the best one to choose. It gives you the best properties of each. After riding it for a while, you can then decide if you’d like something heavier or lighter and choose something else further down the line.

The 70mm wheel?

To be honest, it will be hard to find a dance wheel in this size but some do come in at about 69mm in height.

A wheel this size will have a lot of momentum, will roll smoothly, but will be slow to accelerate. If you are looking for a more ‘all-around’ sort of wheel that you will be able to comfortable use outside your dance spots. This is the one you should go for.

However, it won’t be the best for dancing. The extra diameter/height simply means more urethane which means it will weigh a bit more.

For most pro’s, this won’t be that much of an issue, but for a beginner, it may lead to them struggling unnecessarily with learning some tricks because of how heavy the board will be. But how does weight actually affect a wheel’s performance?

Does weight matter?

Yes and no. If we are talking about extremes conditions, then yes it does. A 70mm wheel will be much heavier than a 60mm wheel. However, the difference between a 60mm wheel and a 65mm isn’t so much and a rider quickly adjusts to them. A wheel may even have some features like a large core that will help reduce its weight.

But in a lot of cases no, your setup, your deck, and the trucks you choose for longboard dancing will probably make the biggest differences.

How does the core make a difference?

A large core means a lighter wheel. The core is mainly there to support the wheel and keep the lips stiff and stop them from flexing. However, because it isn’t made from urethane – they are usually made from really strong, but lightweight plastics.

Wheels that are 60mm in size typically don’t have large cores. They are already so small, so they get all the support they need from a smaller core.

Wheels 65mm+ may sometimes have a large core. A large core allows them to have all the benefits of larger wheels, but the lightweight advantage a smaller wheel has. It gives a ‘best of both worlds’ kind of feel. However, a larger core does mean a wheel will cost a bit more, but it may be worth it for the improvement in performance.

A wheel like the Seismic Encore is unique. At only 63.5mm, it has a really large core, making it one of the lightest 63mm wheels around.

Should you worry about the urethane?

Urethane is the stuff the wheel is made from. Typically, it won’t matter too much. A wheel will continue to roll even if it is made from a really bad urethane formula. So in most cases, most urethane will work well enough.

However, when it comes to slides, slide initiation and how the wheel feels across different pavements, the urethane becomes a determining factor – but we’re going to try and keep it simple.

When it comes to urethane, a good rule of thumb is to go for well-established brands. Most no-name, cheap brands use urethane that doesn’t feel too good. But you can’t go wrong if you get a wheel from a well-established brand as they always pick and choose decent urethane formulas.

Finally, the last thing to consider is the urethane durometer (in simple terms how hard the urethane will feel). In extreme cases, a softer urethane (75a) will roll slower than a harder urethane (86a). But depending on the wheel and manufacturer, this can kind of be negligible. Given that most wheels are around the 80a durometer range, it isn’t something to worry about too much.

What wheel do I think is best?

The above said and done, for most people the design and look of the wheel will be the biggest determining factor. Fortunately, a ton of the wheels above have both – good looks and great performance.

If you are still undecided, I highly recommend the Seismic Encores if you can afford them. Those wheels will not disappoint. However, they won’t fit in most budgets due to their high costs. Some affordable wheels like the Skate Blood Orange Morgan pros would work really well for most too.