The Truth About Spitfire Formula Four Wheels
When it comes to skateboard wheels, one name comes up more than almost any other brand in skateboarding: Spitfire. From street skaters and transition riders to pros filming video parts, Spitfire Wheels have become one of the most trusted wheel brands in skateboarding history. But are Spitfire wheels actually the best skateboard wheels you can buy?
At Switch Skate & Snow, we get asked this all the time. The short answer? For most skateboarders — especially street and park skaters — Spitfire Formula Four wheels are absolutely among the best skateboard wheels available today.
Why Spitfire Wheels Became So Popular
Spitfire has been one of the biggest names in skateboarding for decades, but their Formula Four urethane completely changed the game when it launched. The company designed Formula Four wheels to solve the biggest problems skateboarders deal with:
- Flatspots
- Slow roll speed
- Wheels wearing down too fast
- Inconsistent slides
- Poor grip and control
According to Spitfire, Formula Four urethane was engineered for “more speed and control,” “smooth anti-stick slide,” and “unmatched flatspot resistance.”
That combination is exactly why so many skateboarders swear by them.
What Makes Spitfire Formula Four Wheels Different?
1. Flatspot Resistance
One of the biggest reasons skaters love Formula Four wheels is durability. Flatspots can ruin a set of wheels quickly, especially if you powerslide often or skate rough ground.
Spitfire’s proprietary Formula Four urethane is specifically known for resisting flatspots better than many competing skateboard wheel brands. Multiple skate retailers and reviews consistently point to this as the main advantage.
If you skate hard and burn through wheels quickly, Spitfires usually last noticeably longer.
2. Speed on All Surfaces
A huge reason why Spitfire Formula Four wheels dominate modern skateboarding is speed. Their high rebound urethane helps maintain momentum on rough streets, skateparks, and transition skating.
Spitfire describes Formula Four wheels as delivering “lasting speed no matter the terrain.”
For street skaters trying to keep speed through lines or park skaters carrying momentum in bowls, this matters a lot.
3. Smooth Slides and Better Control
Many skateboard wheels either grip too much or slide unpredictably. Formula Four wheels are famous for their smooth, controllable slides.
That balance is why so many technical street skaters choose Spitfire wheels for ledges, rails, and powerslides.
Spitfire Wheel Shapes Explained
One thing that separates Spitfire from many wheel brands is the massive variety of wheel shapes and durometers available.
Popular shapes include:
Classic Shape
The most traditional skateboard wheel shape. Great all-around option for street skating and park skating. Spitfire even calls it “The #1 shape in skateboarding worldwide.”
Conical Full
Wider riding surface with more stability and grip. Great for transition, bowls, and skaters who want more control.
Radial Full
Round edge design with extra riding surface for smoother slides and responsive turning.
Tablets
A thinner profile wheel designed for lightweight feel and technical street skating.
Which Spitfire Wheels Are Best?
Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Style of Skating | Recommended Spitfire Wheel |
|---|---|
| Street skating | Formula Four Classic 99A |
| Technical tricks | Formula Four Tablets |
| Skateparks | Formula Four Radial |
| Bowls & transition | Formula Four Conical Full |
| Rougher streets | Formula Four 97A or 93A |
The most popular overall setup is probably the Spitfire Formula Four 99A in either Classic or Conical Full shape.
Spitfire vs Bones Wheels
The biggest debate in skateboarding is usually Spitfire vs Bones.
Bones STF and SPF wheels are still legendary, especially for technical street skating. But many skaters feel Formula Four wheels offer a better balance between speed, durability, slide control, and overall feel.
Even Reddit discussions among experienced skaters consistently rank Spitfire Formula Fours as one of the safest and most trusted choices in skateboarding.
At the end of the day, both are top-tier skateboard wheels — but Spitfire remains the most common choice we see for all-around skateboarding performance.
Are Spitfire Wheels Worth the Money?
Yes — especially if you skate regularly.
Cheaper skateboard wheels often wear down faster, flatspot quickly, and lose performance over time. While Spitfire wheels cost more upfront, they usually last longer and perform better consistently.
That makes them a better value for serious skateboarders.
Final Verdict: Are Spitfire Wheels the Best?
For most skateboarders, Spitfire Formula Four wheels are absolutely one of the best skateboard wheel options available today.
They offer:
- Incredible durability
- Excellent speed
- Smooth slides
- Strong grip and control
- Multiple shapes for different skating styles
- Trusted performance by professional skateboarders worldwide
If you’re looking for skateboard wheels that perform at the highest level for street skating, park skating, transition skating, or everyday sessions, it’s hard to go wrong with Spitfire.
At Switch Skate & Snow, we carry a wide selection of Spitfire skateboard wheels available both in-store and online across Canada.
Whether you need Formula Four Classics, Conical Fulls, Radials, or soft cruiser setups, we can help you find the perfect wheel setup for your skating style.
