When we at Switch Skate & Snow in Ajax, Ontario tested dozens of wheels for rougher streets, cracks, curbs, and city terrain, three brands consistently rose above the rest for best skateboard wheels on the street: Spitfire, OJ, and Bones.
We want to share those top picks, and explain exactly why they work so well, so you can get the right wheels near me in the Greater Toronto & Durham Region and ride smoother, faster, with fewer flat spots.
Here’s how we chose:
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Durability on crusty concrete
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Slide control and grip balance
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Resistance to flat spots
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Roll over debris, cracks, tar seams
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Availability (so you can get them in Ontario)
Let’s dive in.
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Switch Skate & Snow:
161 HARWOOD AVE N UNIT #6, AJAX, ONTARIO, L1Z0A1
What Makes a Great Street Skateboard Wheel?
Before going in detail with the top 3 best skateboard wheels, let us walk you through the key criteria we used. That way, you’ll understand why these wheels beat most others in real-world street skating around Toronto and Durham.
1. Durometer: Hardness vs Ride Comfort
Street skating demands harder wheels for durability and slide consistency. A wheel around 97a–103a typically provides the balance you need for tricks and longevity.
As one skater put it:
“97a‑103a is good for sliding and street/park skating.” - Local skater
Softer wheels (80a–90a) roll smoother over cracks but will wear or flat‑spot quicker if you push them too hard on rough terrain.
2. Shape & Contact Patch
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Conical or radial shapes provide strong sidewalls for slides and hold more urethane to resist wearing through.
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Contact patch width determines grip vs slide: too narrow and they’ll skip; too wide and slides are sluggish.
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A fairly wide wheel helps roll over cracks and rough patches without catching.
3. Abrasion / Flat‑Spot Resistance
Streets are unforgiving. You want urethane that fights flat spots and abrasion. Brands have formulas to resist chunking and maintain shape even after brutal street sessions.
4. Size (Diameter)
Street wheels typically fall in 50mm to 58mm range. Smaller wheels help pop tricks; larger ones help roll over cracks. Around 52–56mm is a sweet spot.
Top 3 Street Wheels for 2025 (as tested by us in Durham / GTA)
Here are our picks for the best skateboard wheels you can buy, and that we stock or support in Ontario.
1. Spitfire Formula Four (Classic / Conical / Radial series)
Spitfire Formula Four Skateboard Wheels
Spitfire’s Formula Four line is legendary in street and park skating. Their urethane is formulated for long-lasting performance, resisting flat spots even when you slide, stall, or bail hard on rough city terrain. We stand super heavy on Spitfire wheels, there always a go to.
Why we chose it:
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Abrasion resistance: The urethane is built to fight chunking and wear.
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Slide control: It starts grippy, but transitions smoothly into slides.
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Many shapes/duros: You can tailor it to your style (classic, conical, radial; 99D, 101D)
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Proven performance: It handles crusty asphalt, tar seams, and rough patches without giving up.
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Availability in Canada: We can reliably stock them on our wheels page.
Best spec for street: We like the Classic or Conical 99a (D) in ~52–54mm for balanced performance. Too hard (101a) feels harsh on uneven sidewalk cracks; too soft will chunk.
Check out the Spitfire Formula Four Classic Wheels - 52mm.
2. OJ Plain Jane Keyframe / Keyframes
OJ’s Keyframe line (Plain Jane Keyframe being a staple) strikes a unique spot between cruiser and street. They are a bit softer (e.g. 87a in many sizes) but still usable on rough streets.
Why it’s in our top 3:
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Versatility: Works on uneven sidewalks and for cruising between spots, yet still handles tricks.
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Smooth roll on rough ground: These wheels absorb more shock, so you don’t feel every little crack.
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Size range: 52–58mm (Keyframes) allow you to pick what fits your style.
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Good for mixed terrain: If your session mixes rough pavement, broken sidewalk slabs, and smoother areas, Keyframes give you forgiving ride without giving up all performance.
Trade‑off: Because OJ's lean softer, you’ll sacrifice some high-speed slide control and risk wear faster than Spitfire’s hardened urethane. But if you're battling rough routes somewhere in the City of Toronto, they can be a lifesaver.
Check out the OJ Plain Janes.
3. Bones STF / Street Tech Formula / Sidecut
While we stock Bones derivative wheels like Sidecut Street Tech Formula, the classic BONES STF line is a benchmark in street skating.
Their formulas are laser‑designed for fast roll and durability.
Why Bones (and Sidecut/STF styles) make our list:
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Street‑formula engineering: Their STF wheels are built for sliding and resisting flat spots.
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Shape variety (V1–V5): Narrower or wider profiles for different styles. On Reddit, users mention V4 is wider (≈34mm) vs V2 narrower (≈28mm)
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Strong reputation: Bones has decades of street credibility.
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Sidecut / STFs deliver the aggressive slide feel many street skaters love.
Best spec for us: A Sidecut / STF 52–54mm, around 99a (mid‑hard) offers strong slide and durability without being unmanageable.
Check out the Bones STF V4 Wides Wheels.
Comparing Our Current Top 3
| Wheel Brand / Model | Durometer Range | Best Diameter | Strengths | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spitfire Formula Four | 99a / 101a | 52–54mm | High abrasion resistance, smooth slide, versatility | Slightly harsher ride on very rough concrete |
| OJ Keyframes (Plain Jane) | ~87a | 52–58mm | Smooth over cracks, forgiving ride | Softer → more wear, less slide precision |
| Bones STF / Sidecut | ~99a | 52–54mm | Aggressive slide, flat spot resistance | Can feel rough on extremely broken spots |
How to Choose The Best Skateboard Wheels in GTA / Durham Region
Now that you know the top picks, here are tips to select and where to buy locally (hint: try SWITCH.).
Ride Style Matters
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Mostly tricks + street/park mix → Go Spitfire or Bones STF (harder, better slide)
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Cruising + some tricks in rough zones → OJ Keyframes
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Street only, heavy slides → Bones STF or Sidecut lines
Check Our Local Stock In Store and Online
On our Switch wheels page, we focus on wheels from Spitfire, OJ, Bones, so all three of our picks can be ordered easily using our shop filters. Having these locally means less waiting and better support for you in Ajax, Oshawa, Whitby, Durham Region and the GTA.
Consider Your Street Conditions
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Granite sidewalk slabs, tar patches, seams — lean harder wheels (Spitfire / Bones).
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Broken or uneven concrete, cracks, chips — softer wheels like Keyframes help absorb.
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Mixed terrain (park + crusty street) — a mid‑hard wheel (99a) is your balance.
Maintenance Tips to Maximize Life
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Rotate your wheels frequently (front ↔ back)
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Avoid spinning slides hard on very rough surfaces
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Store indoors (cold makes urethane brittle)
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Keep trucks and bearings tuned to reduce unexpected stress
Riding Impressions Around Durham / GTA
When we tested these around Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, and streets in Toronto:
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Spitfire Formula Four felt more stable in fast slides across tar seams.
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OJ Keyframes were forgiving on cracked sidewalks and less jarring on footpaths between spots.
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Bones STF / Sidecut excelled in slide control once warmed up—but were more “jumpy” over deeper cracks.
One skater on Reddit r/NewSkaters commented after many years:
“Still no flat spots after many years of riding, including powerslides.” - Reddit Skater
That’s the kind of longevity we saw too, especially with Spitfire and Bones.
Our Final Thoughts on The Best Skateboard Wheels
If you want one all‑around winner, Spitfire Formula Four (99a) is hard to beat for street skating in Ontario. It balances durability, slide control, and strength.
But if your route has a lot of broken concrete, or you’re mixing tricks and cruising, OJ Keyframes might feel nicer underfoot. And for the hardcore street slider, Bones STF / Sidecut offers that sharp slide feeling and top-end performance.
When you search “best skateboard wheels” around GTA or Durham, make sure you filter for Spitfire, OJ, Bones, just like you can on our website.
Pick the spec that matches your routes and style, ride smart, and you'll get more time skating and less time replacing wheels.
